Are you looking for tips and tricks on how to create an outstanding travel nurse resume for your next job?
You know that if your resume doesn’t stand out, it could be difficult for employers who are reviewing resumes from hundreds of other applicants to notice yours.
In this guide, we will cover some tips on how to create a stellar travel nurse resume that will get your application noticed by hiring managers and recruiters at facilities nationwide.
Table of Contents
- Application Process: How Your Travel Nurse Resume Is Used
- Why Your Travel Nurse Resume Needs to Stand Out
- 3 Secrets to a Stellar Travel Nurse Resume
- How to Organize Your Travel Nurse Resume in 6 Sections
- 3 Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your Travel Nurse Resume
- Travel Nurse Resume Sample
- Use Your Resume to Become a Travel Nurse with Trusted Nurse Staffing
Application Process: How Your Travel Nurse Resume Is Used
Your travel nurse resume serves a number of purposes in the application process:
- It gives a snapshot of your qualifications for the job by providing a snapshot of your education and skills.
- It provides your recruiter with your work history as a travel nurse and other related experience.
- It is sent to the employer/hiring manager who is in charge of making final decisions about new hires.
- It can open the door for you to be contacted for an interview, If they decide that you are qualified.
To help you with the application process, Trusted Nurse Staffing has knowledgeable and experienced recruiters who will help you with your travel nurse resume.
Together, you and your recruiter will tailor your resume for the travel nursing positions you are interested in applying.
Want to explore this option further? We encourage you to learn more about our staffing services here at Trusted Nurse Staffing.
Why Your Travel Nurse Resume Needs to Stand Out
When you are looking for a travel nurse job, it is important to keep in mind that your resume needs to be tailored to the specific position.
It’s difficult for recruiters to search through a stack of resumes one-by-one to find qualified applicants with specific qualifications.
The truth is: Most resumes get as much as a glance over.
This means that your resume has to stand out from the rest if you want them to notice you among all other applicants.
3 Secrets to a Stellar Travel Nurse Resume
Travel nurses have a unique set of skills that can be difficult to convey on paper.
When you are trying to get an interview, your resume is the first thing employers will see.
But the truth is…
Simple mistakes such as formatting, giving too much information, and even grammar errors can disqualify you early on.
To avoid being passed up on the first round of resume reviews, consider the following three secrets to a stellar travel nurse resume.
Secret #1: Formatting Matters
Your travel nurse resume should be formatted correctly and have specific content that shows off your skills, education, work experience, and achievements.
There are many different formats for resumes that you can choose from depending on what type of job you’re applying for. Whatever format you use, make sure to adhere to the basic dos and don’ts of formatting your resume.
Do:
- Use a simple and clean font
- Make sure the margins are even on both sides
- Include a header that includes your name, contact information, and the date
- List your skills in order of relevance to the job you’re applying for, with more relevant skills listed first
- Use bullet points to highlight key qualifications
Don’t:
- List every job you’ve ever had, even if it was only for a day or two
- Use more than one font type on your resume (unless you’re using a creative/artistic font)
- Use a font that is too small
- Include personal information such as marital status, religion, and age on your resume
Secret #2: The Perfect Length
The perfect length for a travel nurse resume is not a clear-cut answer.
Some recruiters and hiring managers believe that you should keep your resume as short and concise as possible.
Other professionals may say that it needs to be long enough so the reader can see all your skills, qualifications, and job experience.
A good rule of thumb would be to keep your resume short and concise. At most, you should not go over two pages, which is usually enough space for most travel nurses.
Secret #3: Wording and Grammar Are Important
It may seem like a small detail but grammar and wording are very important when crafting your travel nurse resume.
Resumes that have grammatical errors which can be very distracting.
It’s also important to keep in mind how you use words when writing your resume because every word matters.
Check out these two resources to help you write an outstanding travel nursing resume:
- Use Grammarly, an online spell-checker and writing assistant, to double-check for spelling errors or typos before sending out your resume to potential employers.
- Try the Hemmingway Editor to help you to create a resume that is easy-to-read and simplifies your writing so that your professional travel nurse resume snapshot is clear.
How to Organize Your Travel Nurse Resume in 6 Sections
You may know what’s in your resume but do others?
How can you make sure that your resume is organized and easy for recruiters and hiring managers to read?
With so many different sections that need to be included, it can seem overwhelming.
In this next section, let’s take a look at how to organize your travel nurse resume in 7 key sections. It may even increase your chances of landing your next job.
Resume Section #1: The Top and Objective
The top and objective sections of your resume are the first to catch an employer’s eye.
Be sure to include your personal info here, such as your name, phone number, and email address, along with a well-written objective that matches the job description.
Pro tip: Make sure these sections are concise and attention-grabbing because first impressions mean a lot.
Resume Section #2: Summary
The resume summary should be customized to the job you’re applying for.
Pro tip: Use common keywords and phrases that the company uses, but also take care to customize each resume for each company’s style.
Resume Section #3: Licenses and Certifications
In this section, you’ll want to showcase all of your relevant licenses and certifications.
For example, if you are applying for a travel nurse position in a correctional facility, then your CCHP-RN certification should be listed.
Pro tip: You can also use this space to mention any awards, media, or publications in which you were featured about nursing.
Resume Section #4: Education
List any of your degrees or diplomas, as well as the location and date you received your credentials.
Pro tip: Include any specialized skills that are related to your field of expertise.
Resume Section #5: Work Experience
The resume section of your work history is vital. Your job titles, previous employers, and accomplishments can help you stand out from the competition.
Pro tip: You can also use this space to mention any volunteer work or club membership that may demonstrate your qualifications.
Resume Section #7: References
Listing references in your travel nurse resume is optional. If you include references, which we recommend that you do, make sure they’re professional and relevant to the position.
Pro tip: Be sure that your references do not include friends and family, but those who can vouch for your exceptional work as a professional travel nurse.
3 Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your Travel Nurse Resume
There are many mistakes you can make with your resume, but these 3 common mistakes will hurt your chances of getting an interview:
Common Mistake #1: Using the Same Resume For Every Job
It might seem like you don’t need to alter your resume each time, but this is a common mistake when writing resumes…and it can cost you an interview.
Getting a job is tough work, so if some tweaks will help your travel nurse resume to stand out, then why not try them out?
You’ll get noticed much faster than just sending in one copy of the same old resume.
Common Mistake #2: Being Too Vague About Your Skills and Experience
Another common mistake is that your resume may not be specific enough about what you can do.
When you’re applying for a new job, it’s important to be specific about your skills.
If you state on your resume, “I have more than 10 years experience working for large hospitals.”
No one knows what information you’re trying to convey with such a vague statement.
And if they do figure it out, they probably won’t be impressed since there’s no detail or examples provided. Try to be more specific.
Common Mistake #2: Not Including a Cover Letter
Remember to include a cover letter with your resume— It’s one of the most crucial pieces that can make or break your chances of getting an interview.
The cover letter is where you get to explain why you’re perfect for the job and show off what sets you apart from other candidates, while also giving hints as to what kind of company culture you’ll fit in best with.
Without it, recruiters won’t know how well-suited for the position you are.
Travel Nurse Resume Sample
Creating a resume from scratch can be overwhelming. However, there are plenty of resources to use as you create your travel nurse resume.
If you want a framework that you can customize as needed, then check out these travel nurse resume templates.
Do you prefer to use a resume builder software? You can have options here with 100+ resumes for you to choose from.
Or maybe you just want to see a travel nurse resume sample or two? Here are some examples of professional resumes for you to take a look at.
Use Your Resume to Become a Travel Nurse with Trusted Nurse Staffing
Trusted Nurse Staffing is a trusted leader in helping travel nurses find fulfilling work.
We have helped thousands of nurses find their dream job by connecting them with employers who value their abilities and make them feel valued in return.
Our expert recruiters will help you customize your travel nurse resume to each position that might interest you, while our software algorithm helps us match candidates with available positions based on skill sets, location preferences, salary requirements, and more.
It’s time for you to stop stressing about finding a new job.
Get started now and let us do the work for you.