As we step into 2024, a world of new job opportunities awaits, particularly for those with a compassionate heart and a desire to make a difference in the lives of seniors.
Across America, there’s a noticeable shortage of nurses and support staff within the healthcare sector. This gap presents a unique and timely opportunity for those seeking a new career in senior healthcare.
The most in-demand positions include:
- Nurses and care partners
- Certified nursing assistants (CNAs)
- Home health aides (HHAs)
- Personal care assistants (PCAs)
- Registered nurse (RN)
- Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
- Licensed vocational nurses (LVN)
In this article, we’ll focus on guiding you through the process of crafting a winning resumé for healthcare positions that will highlight your skills and experiences. We’ll also offer advice on preparing for interviews.
Ready to apply? Explore our current job openings and benefits at The Kensington Redondo Beach today!
Our promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own.
Crafting a standout healthcare resumé
Creating an impactful healthcare resumé is an important step in securing a job in the healthcare sector, including roles at The Kensington Redondo Beach.
A well-crafted resumé serves not only as a professional summary of your experiences and skills but also as a reflection of your organizational abilities, attention to detail, and dedication.
Resumé basics: key elements to include
At the top of your resumé, list your name, email address, and phone number. This makes it easy for potential employers to contact you. Do not put your physical mailing address on your resumé.
Organize your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position.
Consider including a cover letter with your resumé. It’s an opportunity to personally express your interest in the role and how your experience makes you a suitable candidate.
Formatting and design
Choose a clean, professional layout. Use a standard, easy-to-read font such as Arial or Times New Roman, and keep the font size between 10-12 points.
Keep your resumé to one page, especially for entry-level positions. If you have extensive experience, a two-page resumé can be acceptable.
Use bullet points to list your achievements and responsibilities under each role. This will make your resumé easier to scan and more digestible.
Resumé building tools
Use online resumé-building tools to create a professional-looking resumé with minimal effort, such as:
- Canva
- Resumé Genius
- My Perfect Resumé
- Zety
- Google Docs
Healthcare language and keywords to include on your resumé
When it comes to writing a healthcare resumé, the specific language and keywords you use can be just as important as your qualifications and experiences.
Hiring managers and recruiters often skim resumés for specific terms that are relevant to the job.
Emphasize clinical skills and experiences
Mention any specialized techniques or equipment you are proficient in, such as EKGs, phlebotomy, or specific patient care protocols.
Also mention the experience you have caring for seniors with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s.
Where possible, use numbers to quantify and add context, such as “managed care for 10+ patients daily” or “conducted 50+ health assessments per week.”
List any relevant certifications such as BLS (basic life support), ACLS (advanced cardiovascular life support), or CNA (certified nursing assistant) certification.
Incorporate relevant keywords for specific roles
Adding healthcare-specific keywords for nursing and healthcare roles will help hiring managers skim and filter through your resumé.
Add key healthcare keywords such as:
- Patient care: Terms such as “patient advocacy,” “patient education,” and “patient assessments” are essential.
- Clinical skills: Include specific skills such as “IV insertion,” “wound care,” or “vital signs monitoring.”
- Medical knowledge: Use terms related to your field of expertise, for example, “geriatric health, “acute care,” or “pediatric nursing.”
Using action verbs and specific language
When using bullet points, start with action verbs such as “administered,” “coordinated,” “assessed,” or “implemented.”
Carefully read the job description and then incorporate the keywords and specific phrases used. For instance, if the job emphasizes “emergency response,” then make sure this is reflected in your resumé.
Keep your resumé role-specific. For instance, applying for a role at The Kensington Redondo Beach should reflect skills and experiences most related to our environment, such as “experience in memory care,” or “assisted living support.”
Presenting achievements and soft skills on a healthcare resumé
At the bottom of your healthcare resumé is an opportunity to present both your achievements and your soft skills to leave a lasting impression.
Soft skills, such as empathy, communication, teamwork, and adaptability, will help you stand out among other job applicants.
Use specific language to show your ability to understand and share the feelings of others, such as “Volunteered at a local senior center, providing compassionate companionship and understanding to elderly residents.”
Talk about previous interactions and teamwork with language such as:
- “Facilitated communication between interdisciplinary teams.”
- “Worked as part of a 5-person team to implement a new patient record system.”
- “Adapted quickly to new healthcare protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
For those with less experience
For job applicants with a less extensive employment history, think of relevant accomplishments in other areas.
Example: “Organized a community health fair that attracted over 200 participants.”
Preparing for interviews and post-interview strategy
Follow these tips to thoughtfully prepare for your in-person or group interview, which can be common for care partner positions.
Preparing for the interview
- Visit the company’s website and familiarize yourself with its history, mission statement, and values.
- Arrive at least 10 minutes early.
- Bring multiple copies of your resumé.
- Prepare for a group interview setting. Practice speaking clearly and confidently, and be prepared to engage with multiple interviewers.
- Dress appropriately for the role that you are applying for.
- Wear comfortable shoes to tour the community.
- Practice common interview questions.
- Prepare your own questions.
Follow-up post-interview
- Send a thank you or handwritten note within 24 hours of the interview. Express gratitude for the opportunity, show your interest in the role, and briefly mention a highlight from the interview.
- If you haven’t heard back in a while, send a polite follow-up email.
- After your interview, take time to reflect on what went well and what could have been improved for future interviews.
Start a fulfilling senior living career at The Kensington Redondo Beach — now hiring!
The Kensington Redondo Beach is an esteemed assisted living and memory care community located near Los Angeles in sunny California.
Our compassionate team is dedicated to providing exceptional care for seniors and those with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
We invite you to explore our open positions and consider joining The Kensington Redondo Beach family.
Visit our careers page, apply for a position that resonates with your skills and passion, or contact us directly to start your journey with The Kensington Redondo Beach.