Many resumes sent today for just about any healthcare job opening go through a software application system designed specifically to read resumes.
The system is called an applicant tracking system (ATS) and it provides healthcare recruiters with better efficiency when it comes to sorting through the hundreds – if not thousands – of resumes a hospital or medical facility may receive in any given year.
The ATS also helps recruiters keep track of resumes. The software stores the information/data in a given resume that’s relevant to the hospital in each applicant’s own data file, giving recruiters the ability to search and match skills, backgrounds, etc, to any job openings currently in the system. The ATS also lets recruiters keep track of candidates as they make their way through the application and interview process.
What’s most important about the ATS to you, the job candidate, is the ATS’ ability to analyze and rank your resume based on certain criteria a hiring manager spells out when he or she enters a job opening into the system. Which means that if your resume doesn’t have what the software is looking for (certain keywords regarding your skills, experience, education, certifications, etc., for example), your resume is likely to be passed over, even if you’re a perfect fit for the position.
That being the case, it’s wise to optimize your resume so that an ATS system can read it. Look below for some general guidelines on how to do so.
- Create – and send – your resume in an MS Word document. Don’t send your resume in a JPEG, TIFF or GIF file (picture files). The same goes for sending it as a zip file: don’t.
- Keep the layout, font and other details of your resume simple. Don’t use headers and footers. Don’t use fancy fonts or characters and don’t use special spacing. Don’t include charts or graphs.
- When listing your work history, list each employer in reverse chronological order (from current/last employer to first), like this:
- Name of your employer
- Your job title
- Your start and end dates
- Description of your job duties
- When applicable, use the keywords and phrases (even your profession’s jargon) from the job posting in your resume. (Do this only when they’re relevant to your own employment and educational history. You need to do this because how well your resume will rank often is based on how well it exactly matches the words used in the job announcement.
- Don’t just list the keywords, though; use them from the perspective of discussing your job duties and experience.
- Use the official names of your schools and employers.
- Upload your resume into the ATS, don’t just copy and paste it.
- If you heard about the opening from a current or former employee of the company, be sure to fill that field out in the ATS; it can help you in your rankings.
Take a look at the many healthcare travel opportunities we have for RNs, PTs, OTs, speech therapists, pharmacists, and other allied healthcare professionals. If one interests you, contact one of our MedPro Healthcare Staffing recruiters. We look forward to hearing from you!
