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Career in Focus; Nursing
As a nurse attention to detail and the value of clear communication are highly valued attributes. These skills are just as important when it comes to creating a professional resume and addressing selection criteria as part of a job application. A strong resume and well-written selection criteria are crucial tools in your job search, as they showcase your skills, experience, and accomplishments to potential employers. They’re your first opportunity to make a good impression, so it’s important to take the time to create documents that accurately reflect your abilities and set you apart from other candidates.
As you begin to craft your resume and selection criteria, it’s important to keep in mind that the purpose of these documents is to convince an employer to invite you for an interview. To do this, your resume should be concise, easy to read, and focused on the most relevant information for the job you’re applying for. The selection criteria should clearly and specifically address each requirement listed in the job description, using concrete real-life examples to demonstrate how you meet those requirements. It’s also important to remember that both your resume and selection criteria should be tailored to each job you apply for, highlighting the specific skills and experience that make you a strong fit for that particular role and organisation.
To get started, here are some tips for creating a professional nursing resume and addressing selection criteria:
1. Use a clear and easy-to-read format: Choose a clean and professional font, and use headings and bullet points to organise your information. This makes it easier for an employer to quickly scan and understand your qualifications.
2. Include a summary or professional profile: This is a short paragraph at the top of your resume that briefly summarises your professional skills and relevant experience. This helps to give context to the rest of your resume and immediately grab the employer’s attention.
3. Highlight your education and credentials: As a nurse, your education and professional credentials are important to include on your resume. List the name of your degree, the name of the institution you attended, and the date of graduation. You should also include any relevant certifications or licenses, such as your RN license, AHPRA registration and so forth.
4. Focus on your professional learning: As a nurse, your work experience is likely the most relevant information to include on your resume. Begin with your most recent job and work backwards, known as reverse chronological order. For each position, include the name of the organisation or employer, your job title, and the dates of employment. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments. Be specific and include any quantifiable achievements, such as “Implemented a new patient care system that resulted in a 20% increase in triage efficiency.”
5. Use action verbs: Action verbs help to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments in a strong and concise way. Examples of action verbs for a nurse resume include “assessed,” “coordinated,” “implemented,” “administered”, “managed,” and so on.
6. Proofread carefully: Attention to detail is crucial in the nursing profession, and it’s just as important when it comes to your resume and selection criteria. Be sure to carefully proofread these documents for spelling and grammar errors, and consider having a friend or professional review them as well.
In addition to these general tips, there are a few specific things to keep in mind when addressing selection criteria as part of a job application. Here are some additional tips:
1. Read the job description and selection criteria carefully: Make sure you fully understand the requirements of the role and the specific skills and experience the employer is looking for.
2. Use concrete examples: Rather than simply stating that you have a certain skill or have relevant experience, provide real-life situations to illustrate your qualifications. For example, rather than saying “I have excellent communication skills,” say “I have effectively communicated with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate care and address concerns. One specific example is when I assisted a non-English speaking patient in creating an advanced directive by using a translation app and physically demonstrating the various treatment options.”
3. Use the same language as the job description: If the job description uses specific language to describe the requirements, be sure to use that same language and keywords in your selection criteria. This helps to show the employer that you have a clear understanding of the role and are directly addressing their needs.
4. Use the STAR format: The STAR format is a helpful way to structure your examples in the selection criteria. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Begin by describing the specific situation you were in, the task that needed to be completed, the action you took, and the result of your action. This helps to provide a clear and concise explanation of your experience and qualifications.
Some additional things to consider when creating a professional nurse resume are:
1. Emphasise your clinical skills: As a nurse, you have a unique set of clinical skills that are essential to your job. Be sure to highlight these skills on your resume, including any specialised training or professional development you have.
2. Include your bedside manner and personal attributes: Nurses are often known for their compassionate and caring bedside manner. If you have experience working with patients and families, be sure to highlight this on your resume.
3. Mention any relevant leadership experience: If you’ve had the opportunity to lead a team or project in your previous nursing roles, be sure to include this on your resume. Leadership experience is often highly valued by employers and can set you apart from other candidates.
4. Consider including a core competencies section: In addition to your professional experience and education, you may want to consider including a separate skills section on your resume. This can be a helpful way to highlight any relevant technical skills, such as proficiency in electronic medical record systems or experience with certain medical equipment.
5. Don’t forget to include your personal interests: While your professional experience and education are the main focus of your resume, it can also be helpful to include a brief section on your personal interests. This can help to give an employer a sense of your personality and can help to set you apart from other candidates.
Overall, creating a professional nurse resume and addressing selection criteria is an important part of the job search process. By following these tips and taking the time to carefully craft your documents, you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream nursing job.
To find out more, or for assistance with your application contact Perth Resume today!
www.perthresume.com.au [email protected] or 1300 174 435