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Resume Essentials in 2023: The Four Critical Elements for a Perfect Resume:
February 1, 2023Whether you are an Occupational, Physical, or Speech Therapist, there are four classic components to your resume that, when put together correctly, will highlight you and your accomplishments concisely and effectively.
Heading: A heading should be the first line of a resume. It should be concise and clear.
The heading section of your resume should be the first thing employers see when they look at your resume. It is essential to ensure that it contains all the relevant information about you, including your name, contact information, and any certifications or qualifications you may have.
For example, if you are an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or speech therapist, you should include these titles in the heading section of your resume. This will help employers quickly identify what type of professional you are and what kind of experience and skills you bring to the table by licensure alone.
Education: Your education will be one of the most important sections on your resume and should include the educational qualifications relevant to the job you are applying for. If you are applying for an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or speech therapist position, your education section should include any degrees or certifications related to these professions. Also, you can highlight any awards or honors received during your studies. This will demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary educational qualifications and make your resume applicant tracking system (ATS) friendly.
Experience: The experience section on your resume is essential for any job seeker. It gives employers a better understanding of your background and qualifications. For those in occupational, physical, and speech therapy, the experience section should include information about the relevant roles you have held in the past. This could include fieldwork, clinical work, volunteer, and paid positions pertinent to your discipline. Additionally, suppose you have been involved in research projects or other occupational, physical, or speech therapy activities. In that case, these should also be included in this section to show your expertise and commitment to this field. Avoid positions unrelated to your field (i.e., Barista, Dog Walker, Administrative Assistant, etc.)
List your current job title, previous jobs in reverse chronological order, and any volunteer experience or fieldwork experience in this section.
Licensure: Licensure is required for allied healthcare therapists because it shows they are qualified to work. If you hold licensure in more than one state, list those. Applicant Tracking Systems can search by specific licensure by the state. So the more detail, the better!
In our next segment, we will be breaking down discipline-specific best practices. Occupational Therapists, get ready to go first! We have some great tips for you.
Is your resume up to par? Have one of our expert placement specialists take a look! Therapeutic Resources is always here to make your resume shine, and we would love to share our exclusive positions you won't find on common job search platforms. We have been working with Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, COTAs, and PTAs for almost 40 years and know exactly what to do to make you stand out from the rest! Feel free to call us at 212.529.970 or send us your information here. We look forward to speaking with you!