There’s something all Travel Nurses need to remember: you probably won’t even get a phone screen without a good resume.

Clients at healthcare facilities don’t have time to mess with questions about a resume. If something looks off, they are quick to move on to the next candidate.

What does that mean for you? Having a good resume greatly increases your chances of getting the job you want. So what makes a good resume?

Our Recruiters have been helping Travel Nurses find work for years. We’ve seen enough resumes to know what clients want to see, and what will make them turn you down. Here are some resume must-dos that will help you make the cut:

• Explain gaps in employment
• Include your licenses and certifications
• Be specific about your experience
• Don’t use “to present” in your timeline

1. Explain gaps in employment

Gaps in employment are common in the travel nursing field. You might take time off in between assignments to spend time with family or attend to other needs.

Hiring managers know Travel Nurses have employment gaps, but they want an explanation.

If an employer spots gaps in your employment, they’ll have to ask our Recruiter or Account Manager to get an explanation from you, or they’ll just move on to another candidate.

Save yourself the time and headache. Acknowledge any gaps in employment on your resume up front, and give a brief explanation.

2. Include your licenses and certifications (with expiration dates)

This list can be tedious to put together, but it could be the difference between getting hired or not. A hiring manager will be extremely disappointed if they interview you only to find out your licenses or certifications are incomplete or expired.

Don’t leave any room for doubt. List your licenses and certifications so hiring managers are confident you’re qualified.

3. Be specific about your experience

Many Travel Nurses use “Float Nurse,” “spent time in multiple units,” or just “RN” as a description for their previous jobs. That’s not what an employer wants to see.

Don’t assume an employer knows what you did at a previous facility, just because this job is similar. Include specific details about your job duties and unit worked in previous positions.

If you’re vague on your resume, an employer might ask our Recruiter or Account Manager to get more information from you. That’s more time lost while the facility is interviewing other Nurses.

4. Don’t use “to present” in your timeline

Perhaps you’re one of the many Travel Nurses who work on a per diem basis at a facility in your town. You should always list the PRN jobs you’ve held, but don’t list the end date for any position as “to present”. The same goes for any full-time or travel position.

Always use the current month and year as the end date for your positions. Be sure to also list the positions on your resume in reverse chronological order, with the most recent position at the top.

With the number of resumes interviewers have to wade through every day, they won’t know what “to present” means. Don’t leave a potential employer wondering about the status of your employment.

Once your resume is ready to go, there is one final piece that will help you get the phone screen you desire.

5. Complete a relevant skills checklist

The hiring managers at facilities need to make sure you have the skills to do the job, and BlueForce will help you take care of this one.

When you first contact BlueForce, a Recruiter will respond with a request for your resume, then we’ll send you an electronic skills checklist.

This skills checklist will increase your chances of getting an interview at any facility. We pair the completed skills checklist with your resume to create your “shell profile,” which BlueForce submits to prospective clients for review. Your shell profile gives a comprehensive recap of your skill set, work history, certifications and more. This will leave no doubt in the hiring manager’s mind that you are the right candidate for the assignment.