Dec 01, 2018
Have you been posting your resume here, there and everywhere with no luck?
I recently discovered that resume writing is a true art form and a matter to be taken very seriously. In today’s job market where having a four year degree sometimes only gets you a barista position at Starbucks it’s imperative that your CV and/or resume is glistening with professionalism, expertise and an easy to read format to find your ideal chiropractor job.
The longer your resume has been around, the higher the likelihood that it is outdated and in desperate need of retooling. From formats to fonts, or how your potential new employer should contact you, is very different than it was even 5-10 years ago. Things that need to be included like social media accounts, websites, etc. are all vital pieces of information. Compared to 10 years ago where the idea of including your Facebook account would have been nonsense and what was Twitter or Instagram?
The times have changed and that includes your resume so check out my top five ways to clean up the outdated, put the shine on and dazzle your new employer.
You Only Get One First Impression
This is good advice whether you are trying to woo a new mate or a new boss. On average, an employee/company looks at a resume for all of 6-10s so it has to be on point.
Think of your resume like this…
Take a second and imagine what your best self has to offer…from skills, experience, education take note of all the high lights that you think might be good to include on your resume.
This document is like your own personal advertisement. It needs to be a compilation of your best foot forward, the twinkle in your eye and the pep in your step…
What is the value you will be able to bring to your employer?
The headline and summary need to be eye catching and full of your success, achievements and professional qualities but here is the catch, don’t make it too long. Part of the first impression with your resume is a neat, tidy and get to the freakin’ point in one page (ideal) and not more than two.
Be Specific
I’m assuming if you’re reading this, you are either a chiropractor or someone who employs them. In this case, be as specific as possible with what services and techniques you are currently able to provide for patient care. Are you interested in learning new techniques or integrating yourself better into any practice than I think that is worth mentioning too?
If you’re not, than I would not include it. If your strict upper cervical only and you find full spine adjusting crazy, than you would probably be miserable working at a Gonstead or Activator practice anyway.
Whatcha Have to Offer?
If you’re fresh out of chiropractic school this one does get a little trickier. When I first graduated from Palmer I thought of every club, activity, interesting patient cases and my clinic abroad trip to help sweeten the pot. Coming right out of school is two-fold, on one hand you are fresh faced, ready, eager and willing to work and learn and on the flip side you have little experience (but also less settled in your own ways) and therefore easier to train and integrate into a practice.
If you have been around the chiropractic block, really think about your top career highlights, interests, experiences and skills. The bigger the variety the better.
Welcome to 2019
Let’s say the first draft of this resume was done in 1999. A lot of things have changed since then. Remember when Al Gore invented the Internet? (That was a joke, and I know a bad one). Thanks to the internet, it has completely changed the landscape of what should be included on your resume. Social media account links, websites, etc. all need to be included. Side note: this would be a great time to take down your drunken pictures from last Saturday. You would not believe the dumb stuff I have seen on social media accounts when people apply for a job. Social media accounts say a lot about a person. If your accounts aren’t full of sunshine, kittens and rainbows it would be a great time to take down the inappropriate stuff and put up updated, professional, paint a good picture of yourself posts. Don’t think employers don’t snoop on your social media accounts??? They do.
The Look
It has to be easy to read. Your resume shouldn’t need a translator. Use language and words that are easy to understand and make sense. Check the font, size, margins, etc for ease of readability. If you even has the slightest doubt that the font might be even remotely difficult to read, I would change it. Does the text hang outside the margins? Don’t be repetitive and try and consolidate job positions instead of listing them out individually. Even though the resume needs to be professional try to avoid any descriptors sounding canned, boring or like a job description.
Once done, upload your profile to Chiro Recruit and let chiropractor employers find you. There you have it, five ways to shine up the ole’ resume, land a great job and make some money in 2019. Cheers!
Kassandra Schultz DC
