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How to refresh your medical resume for 2019

Published on: Dec 6, 2018
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Resume design and content standards change over time. Keep your medical resume up to date so you can apply to your dream job when the opportunity presents itself.


Modernize your resume's layout


As with fashion trends, acceptable resume layouts change gradually over time. If you haven't updated your document in a few years, you'll want to make some adjustments beyond adding recent employment information.

According to executive resume writer and member of the Forbes Coaches Council Rebecca Bosl, modern resumes have more room for color and graphic design than was once the case. A few years ago, a resume that leveraged colors and logos might have been met with skepticism. In 2019, however, you'll have more room to play with the visual aesthetic of your medical resume. However, Bosl warned against getting too carried away with design. Keep it simple and streamlined. Graphics should support the text and make skimming the document an easier task for recruiters. Don't overshadow the content.

Modern resumes benefit from unobtrusive color and graphic design.Modern resumes benefit from unobtrusive color and graphic design.




Tell your professional story


A dry list of accomplishments is difficult to peruse. Keep in mind that recruiters and hiring managers sift through piles of resumes each day. If your resume doesn't stand out from the competition, you could miss out on opportunities to which your skill set is ideally suited.

A recruiter who has read a dozen lists of accomplishments likely won't be able to recall which bullet point came from which resume. Avoid this by using what career guidance expert Liz Ryan calls a human-voiced resume. In place of bullet points and jargon, this style uses first-person perspective and complete sentences to tell the story of your professional career. You should still use numbers to illustrate quantifiable achievements, when possible.


Highlight relevant research skills


A medical resume has a lot of ground to cover. In a single page, you must be able to demonstrate your clinical knowledge as well as your ability to successfully interact with patients and colleagues. Your resume should also show prospective employers that you are invested in continually updating your medical knowledge.

As you tell the story of your professional accomplishments, look for opportunities to highlight research skills and list any formal research projects in which you have taken part.

Now that your resume is ready to help you take the next step on your medical career path, sign up for free job alerts at myHealthTalent.com today. Keep your medical resume up to date, so you can apply to your dream job when the opportunity presents itself.