Do you want to land another job working as a healthcare provider? Are you tired of applying for clinical or non-clinical positions and never hearing back, getting the call for the interview or getting the job? Do you find yourself wondering “What did they do to get that interview?” when you haven’t gotten one yet? If you can relate, this episode is for you!
Having a CV is step one but step two is customizing that resume to be specific for the position you are applying for. It involves honing in on three parts of your CV and updating those pieces to match the job description, the goals of the organization, and is going to set you apart as an ideal candidate.
Inside Episode 260, I’m sharing the exact steps to take to up level your CV this year – and you’ll even hear some specific tips for how to navigate tech tools and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to hack keywords and get your resume pushed through to the recruiter.
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Before we get started, I need to share with you a resource that can make this process of updating and adapting your CV so much easier.
You know how most providers have a CV that’s dusty, rusty and outdated and when they go to apply for jobs they don’t have a CV ready. I created a template to avoid that feeling of scrambling or missing out on an opportunity because you have to get your CV application ready.
Head to the link in the show notes to download your CV template to avoid feeling unprepared for job opportunities in the future. Instead of spending hours recreating the wheel every time you want to update your CV, save a copy of the template and quickly update it to match the position you’re applying for.
Ok – without further ado – here we go with how to adapt your CV to suit specific job listings and everything you need to know about optimizing your resume for SEO and ATS systems.
Now – what the heck is an ATS? ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. It’s essentially compute software that manages the hiring process in combination with the human resources people.
ATS works to collecting and sorting through high volumes of resumes. Companies love it because it saves them time, human resources, and MONEY!
What does this mean for you as an applicant?
Applicant Tracking System
A recent study by Harvard Business Review revealed that 88% of recruiters felt that qualified candidates were being ignored or excluded by an ATS because they “did not match the exact criteria established by the job description”.
Like all things technical – it’s a great idea – screening and sourcing resumes using software – but it’s an imperfect system.
Now that you know that companies, specifically larger companies with thousands of employees and a robust HR Information System infostructure, are using ATS to screen CVs – here’s how you need to adapt yours.
The secret to scoring high/getting through an ATS screening system is to use the right words. Keywords are how these computer systems screen CVs and resumes.
Keywords in Your CV
These keywords are usually things like job titles or skills needed to do the job.
If your CV contains the right words – these specific keywords – it will be seen by the human on the other side of the ATS. If not, it remains hidden in the database and doesn’t make it through the screening process.
This is why customization of your CV is vital. When you do this you increase the chances that the hiring manager will see your resume and offer you an interview.
So, I know at this point your wondering – TRACY – how do I know which keywords the hiring manager is going to plug into the computer system?!
The first thing to do is to look at the job listing. The keywords are more than likely included in the listing wording.
Take a look at the listing and highlight the specific skills that are mentioned most often. Then, if you have those skills or adjacent skills, add them to your CV.
What you are ultimately looking to do here is to tailor your CV to the job description every single time.
It’s important to use both the long form and acronym version of a word ie. Cardiothoracic surgery and CT Surgery or Basic Life Support and BLS for maximum searchability.
We talked about this in episode 256 – but use a chronological CV format and a traditional CV font. Avoid headers and footers as this can confuse the ATS sometimes.
Think about the ATS as the nerdy paperclip that used to live inside microsoft word – remember him – that paperclip with eyeballs that you could ask for help when you didn’t know how something worked.
You’ve got to get past the paperclip and using keywords will unlock that ability.
CV Customization
When you think about your CV to include those keywords – updating it for positions specifically – there are three main sections that you want to update for the job.
Summary Paragraph
First – the objective or summary paragraph. Then your skills and references. These should all be specific to the position you are applying for.
Looking at that Summary Paragraph I want you to ask yourself three questions about it. Remember, this paragraph should tell your employer who you are and what you are looking for, how the employer benefits from you joining their team and essentially this is a mutually great fit.
OK – the three questions to ask yourself about the summary paragraph:
- “Does my resume job description section clearly state that I can do what’s required of this role?”
- “Am I using the same language found in the job listing?”
- “Have I highlighted any achievements or experiences that directly align with the key responsibilities or qualifications mentioned in the job listing?”
Skills Section
The next great place to sprinkle with keywords is the skills section of your CV.
Using bullet points
- Use numbers and action verbs to describe your role and responsibilities.
- Numbers show how well you did your job.
- Action verbs make your resume more vibrant and interesting to read.
Meet the keywords but never lie.
Alright, folks, that wraps up today’s deep dive into customizing your CV to stand out in today’s job market. We’ve covered everything from the basics of adapting your CV for specific job listings to mastering the use of keywords to beat the ATS systems. Remember, the goal here is not just to make your CV fit the job description, but to make it resonate so well that it cannot be ignored.
Make sure to visit the link in the show notes to check out that CV template we talked about earlier. It’s designed to help you stay prepared and proactive, not just reactive, when new job opportunities come knocking.
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