Are you ready to revamp your Physical Therapist resume to take the first step on your path towards career success? We break down seven ways you can improve it now.
1.Toss out your Physical Therapist resume objective.
Replace your objective with a summary and target it for a specific job.
Customize your resume for the position to which you are applying is easy! Before submitting a general resume, closely analyze the job description.
- Is the job description asking for skills that you possess, but that are not on your resume?
- Does the job description use any keywords you can mirror for added impact?
- In what tone is the job description written? Can you emulate it in your summary section?
Matching your resume to the job will significantly increase your chances of getting a call.
2. Open with an insightful summary.
In many instances, the professional summary is the most “skimmable” section of a resume. That means the hiring manager is most likely to read this brief summary of your professional abilities and decide right then if they want to read any further.
Use this space to grab the hiring manager’s attention. Include relevant details that you believe can make you stand out. Consider featuring things like:
- Formal degrees
- Special or rare certifications
- Years of experience
- Areas of specialty
- Personal traits that make you perfect for the job that you don’t include in your work experience, like being an effective leader for example.
Make an impact here to ensure you don’t get lost in the crowd!
3. Showcase the most relevant work experience.
Make sure your work experience section includes details relevant to the job for which you are applying and list bullets like:
- the types of patients with whom you worked,
- the size of the practices,
- any other details that further solidify your ability to fit their needs.
Remember: employers want to see demonstrated success. Include your notable contributions. Quantify whenever possible!
Overall, it’s most important to detail the previous experience that aligns with the role you want.
4. Include special skills and affiliations
You may already have a “special skills” section on your Physical Therapist resume, but don’t forget to use this area for showcasing anything that will speak to your abilities as they relate to the job.
Volunteer work you do outside of the office, associations you are affiliated with, and transferable skills you have are all good points to include.
5. Highlight your educational details.
Within your education section, showcase your education and extracurricular activities in a way that most benefits the hiring manager.
In addition to your formal education, you should certainly include licenses, certifications and any other education-based information if relevant.
Be conscious of including educational details that will make a hiring manager stop skimming and think, “Wow, this person is perfect for the job.”
6. Format for success with keywords.
Nearly all hiring managers are using some kind of software to sift through the thousands and thousands of resumes they must review.
When searching for candidates through resume databases, employers use keywords and phrases to drill down the results. You’ll want to use ones that fall into categories like degrees, certifications, job titles, specialties, and much more.
7. Proofread and spell-check.
You could be the most highly skilled Physical Therapist in the state, but a resume with errors can shut down your chances of getting hired very quickly.
Use the spell-check tool, read your resume slowly, and ask a colleague or friend to check as well. Every step counts!
Your Resume Is A Reflection of You
Not all Physical Therapist resume examples will be alike, but the best ones will make use of the seven tips listed above. Implement these tips and you’ll be bound to succeed!
