Tips for your application

The easiest way to make your resume stand out is to make sure it is clear, concise, and accurate: 

• Tailor your resume to the job: Make sure to read the job description and the required qualifications for the position you are applying for, highlight that experience, and use those key words when putting your resume together. For example, if the position requires Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, include that on your resume.  
• Highlight your accomplishments instead of your duties: We don’t need to know exactly what your day-to-day activities looked like at your previous job. We are more interested in knowing what you have accomplished in your time there. What have you learned? How did you grow in that position?  
• List your education before your work experience: If you need a degree to qualify for the position you are applying for, make it easy for the recruiter to see you meet the qualification. Be sure to include the date you finished or anticipate finishing (month and year).  
• List your work experience in chronological order: Start with your most recent experience, so we have a clear picture of your work history. Include the dates of your employment (month and year).  
• List every job you have had, even if it is not relevant to the position: Gaps in your employment history can concern recruiters and employers when reviewing your resume. Include all relevant experience and all experience up to the past 10-15 years. 
• If you are a new graduate, include your clinical experience with the number of hours: If the position you are applying for has clinical requirements for position eligibility, make sure to include that information on the resume so it does not delay the hiring process.  
• Include volunteer or non-work experience: This can be a good opportunity to show potential employers that you are community-oriented and are passionate about using your skills and learning new ones.  
• Proofread your resume: Are your sentences clear? Did you use present- tense verbs when describing your current position and past- tense verbs with previous positions? A final read and spellcheck can make all the difference in the quality of your resume. Additional resources available.
• Check the formatting: Make sure your resume is consistently and simply formatted. Use one type (Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial) and size of font throughout the body of the document. Avoid italics, bolding, and complicated templates that include colors, pictures, and/or designs.  
• Make sure your contact information is on your resume: Forgetting to include an email or phone number makes it hard for employers to contact you.  
• Download your resume as a Word document or PDF: These are the formats supported by the jobs@uiowa system and any other format may not show up correctly.  

Resumes are often the first impression employers have of you, which is why it’s important they are polished and professional. Here are some things to avoid:  

• Adding personal details about yourself: Including things like gender, age, nationality, state of origin, marital status, or religion because they create potential for bias.  
• Including photos or headshots: This can lead to biases, and it takes up valuable space on your resume that should be reserved for more important information.  
• Using inappropriate or unprofessional email addresses: If your personal email is an inappropriate carryover from your younger years, consider creating a new email specifically for the purpose of applying for jobs.  
• Including outdated information: If you graduated from college, it can be safely assumed you have a high school diploma or equivalent.  
• Including references: This information is not needed until later in the hiring process.