This is it. You have worked your heart out through undergrad, and your specialized medical schooling. It’s time for you to start applying for positions or start your residency program. During this transition period, you are probably working to cultivate a hefty curriculum vitae/resume to show off your various accolades. While creating these documents, there is so much to think about. Isn’t a curriculum vitae the same thing as a resume? Don’t I need only one really good resume/CV? We’ve got you covered with the lowdown on this topic.
Let me throw some statistics your way:
You have less than 7 seconds to impress the individual viewing your resume.
You are in competition with upwards of 200 candidates: That’s right. On average, over two hundred individuals will apply for the same position. This applies more towards medical administration, health aides, and other non-specialized positions, not necessarily doctors, and more specialized jobs.
Approximately 60% of recruiters will throw out an application with grammar/spelling errors.
90% of recruiters will look at your social media: remember that party phase you went through in undergrad? Well, you might want to take those photos down.
90% of recruiters stress the importance of tailoring your resume to the field that you are pursuing.
A little intimidated by these statistics? Don’t worry. Curaconncector.com is here to save your resume/CV. You can thank us later once you score that dream health care job.
First, let’s talk about the difference between a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Resume:
A curriculum vitae, or CV, is an in-depth look at your education, achievements, publications, honors, etc. It isn’t tailored to the specific position that you are applying for, but instead focuses on your accomplishments. Were you President of your Medical Association at any point during your college years? Include that! Do not be afraid to put yourself out there. Now is your time to shine, so pull out all of the stops and shamelessly self-promote. A CV is spread out over the length of typically two pages or more. The positions that usually require a CV when pursuing a health care career are doctors, researchers, nurses, etc. I have linked a sample CV for you to view so that you can get a better understanding of what it should encompass and how it should be formatted.
Resume: Chances are you already have a resume of some sort stored somewhere in the plethora of files on your computer. Most careers outside of the medical realm typically require a resume over a CV, but if you are applying within the healthcare field, many recruiters will require both a resume and CV. The length of a resume is typically one page, but the length can vary based on your years of experience. A resume is a highly tailored document, focused on the position you are applying for. You can include work experience related solely to the field that you are interested in. A resume is customizable and is structured to sell yourself in the best way, in the least amount of time. A resume is typically required when applying for positions involving management roles, administration, clinical settings, etc. I have attached a link for this as well so that you can get a visualization of what a resume should look like.
The sooner, the better: It’s best to start your CV at the beginning of your med school career and add on to it as time progresses. This helps with keeping your information accurate, and it takes the pressure off of having to sit there for hours to recall all that you have done.
Less is more: When it comes to the design of your CV/Resume, at least. Refrain from using bright colors or fancy templates. Being concise and organized is so imperative when creating these documents. In this instance, neat and simple is the best route. It makes the text easier to follow for the recruiter and puts all of the focus on your accomplishments, not the design.
(Reverse) chronological order: Make sure to list your many incredible accolades in reverse chronological order. This means start with your most recent accomplishments, and then work your way down.
Who are you? Remember that your materials are being read by a complete stranger. They have no idea who you are and what you are about. Sometimes it’s so easy for us to be nonchalant about our work because we expect people to be already familiar with it. A tip to avoid this is to employ some help from a friend or family member that can give you another perspective on who you are. They can assist you in creating points that fully encompass who you are from the eyes of someone else.
Accuracy: DO NOT LIE. I repeat, do not lie on your CV or resume. More often than not, we feel the need to upsell ourselves when applying for jobs. While it is crucial to stand out, you should never fabricate information to make yourself look better. Believe it or not, recruiters will ask you questions about your materials, and they will be doing their research for accuracy. So, for the love of God, please do not list that you were the President of your Medical Association when you were merely a member.
Proofread, proofread, proofread: You should NEVER send or submit something without proofreading it. You know when you are typing something up, and you read it a couple of hours later, and you find tons of typos? This happens to just about everyone. This is why it is so important to have someone else look over your work, or to use a system like Grammarly, that will check your work for you. It never hurts to get a second pair of eyes on your work. Don’t think incorrect grammar/spelling is that big of a deal? Read the statistics at the top of this post.
Create multiples: each position that you apply for is unique. Do not make a cookie-cutter CV/resume and assume that it will be tailored to every single position. These documents are not a one-size-fits-all concept. I know that this is tedious, but this is so essential to your job search. Tailor your resume/CV to the qualifications and specs that the job is asking for, and watch the interviews start rolling in.
Got anything you want to share with us? Comment down below; we would love to hear from you! From all of us at CuraConnector.com, good luck on your endeavors.
Heart disease is one of the leading
causes of death in the United States and contributes more than 17 million
deaths yearly all around the globe.
One major contributor to these dreary statistics is the inadequate commitment to a healthy, heart improving lifestyle. Fortunately, you can protect your heart and improve your overall health with the right lifestyle choices since some of the risk factors for heart disease are modifiable. Here’s how:
Increase your physical activity
Although vegging out once in a while
can be tempting, being a couch potato all the time is a recipe for heart
disease. Research has shown that the risk of developing a heart disease
increases by 15 percent per day with a period of 2 hours of watching the TV,
and longer watching periods further increased the risk. That means the first
step you have to take to protect your heart and lower the risk of developing
heart disease is to increase your daily physical activity.
As recommended by the American Heart
Association, try to be active for at least 30 minutes in a day. You can even
break your 30 minutes session into 10-10-10 minute sessions of
moderate-intensive physical activities. Regular exercise can help lower
cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and help you maintain a healthy weight,
which is important since obesity is one of the risk factors for heart disease.
Also, regular physical activity stimulates digestion, reduces stress, and improves blood circulation, which benefits your overall health. If you’re wondering how you can stick with this newfound lifestyle, especially with your busy schedules, you can enlist a co-worker or friend to take a walk with you every day during your leisure time or lunch break. Alternatively, you can use the help of a fitness trainer, and this might be just what you need to stay committed to an active lifestyle.
Manage stress
Studies have shown that stress, as
well as long work hours, are one of the factors that can moderately increase
the risk of developing stroke and cardiovascular disease. People under stress
may start indulging in unhealthy lifestyles like overeating, starting to smoke,
or smoking more than they normally would – which could result in further health
deterioration. Studies have also shown that the reaction to stress in young
adults predicts the risk for middle-age blood pressure – that means we should
not take the issue of stress lightly.
Research shows that meditation, yoga,
and exercise are promising ways to reduce stress and control heart disease.
However, what matters is the approach that works for you. Be sure to follow the
right stress-relieving tips.
Also, visiting a chiropractor for chiropractic care is an ideal way to impact your nervous system positively, reduce high blood pressure, and support the overall health of your cardiovascular system. Your chiropractor can help you design a plan that you can use along with a healthy diet and lifestyle to reverse or prevent heart disease.
Quit the habit
Excessive smoking or drinking
of alcohol is associated with several potentially fatal health issues such as
lung disease, cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Even if you’re free
from other risk factors, excessive consumption of alcohol elevates your risk
for alcohol addiction, accidents, suicide, and obesity while smoking increases
your risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 2 – 4 times. Alcohol
consumption can lead to irregular heartbeats and high triglycerides, while
smoking can harden the arteries and cause plaque buildup, both of which impact
the heart negatively.
However, moderate consumption
of alcohol is cardio-protective, especially when you limit the alcohol intake
to no more than a drink per day if you’re a woman and no more than 2 drinks per
day if you’re a man. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
(NIAAA) defines a standard drink as 0.6 ounces (14 grams) of pure alcohol which
is equal to:
A shot or 1.5 ounces of
80-proof distilled liquor or spirits (e.g., whiskey, vodka, rum, gin).
12 ounces of regular beer
5 ounces of wine
If you’re a smoker, find a way to quit the habit, such as going for counseling or the use of smoking cessation aids. Don’t stop trying to quit the habit even if you’ve tried to do so in the past, and you have failed. Remember, quitting the habit now can reduce stress on your lungs, alleviate the stress on your and heart allow your body to recover from its damages even if you already had some health issues caused by smoking.
Maintain a healthy weight
Cardiovascular disease is one
of the leading causes of death for people who are obese and people with severe
anorexia, who are extremely underweight. While it is good to watch your daily
food intake to avoid obesity, anorexia can result in complications like
electrolyte imbalance, low blood pressure, dangerous heart rhythms, which are
essential for maintaining a healthy heart.
On the other hand, obesity is related to health conditions caused by low physical activity such as high cholesterol and diabetes and elevates the risk for cardiovascular disease even for people with no other risk factors. To protect your heart from fatigue, disease, and damages, you need to commit to maintaining a healthy weight. When you have a healthy weight, your body maintains the necessary fluid levels, and your blood circulation improves, thus preventing heart strain or fatigue.
Eat healthy
One of the best weapons you can
use to combat heart disease is by remaining committed to a healthy diet. The
quality and quantity of the food you eat can help to determine whether you
develop diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, excessive weight – the
factors which can elevate your risk for cardiovascular disease.
To manage or prevent high
cholesterol, avoid foods with high saturated fats – such as candies, cakes, and
processed meats. The fats contents of these foods contribute to a high level of
bad cholesterol, which can result in plaque that can block your blood vessels
over time.
Choose foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins, fiber, and minerals but low in calories. Go for meals that emphasize the intake of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; avoid red meats, sweets; and include nuts, non-tropical vegetable oils, legumes, fish, poultry, and low-fat dairy product. Also, try to burn as many calories as you consume by coordinating your level of physical activity with your diet to ensure you are maintaining a healthy weight.
Control high blood pressure
In the United States, about one
in three adults has high blood pressure, but many of them are not aware of it.
High blood pressure is a major deceptive risk factor for cardiovascular disease
and stroke since it does not bring any physical symptoms and is often left
uncontrolled. When left untreated, it can result in damage to the blood vessels
and internal organs.
The good news is that you can control high blood pressure. However, you need to perform a regular checkup to access your blood pressure levels. A normal blood pressure reading should not exceed 120/80 mmHg. If your blood pressure is too high, increase your physical activity, shake your salt habit, take your medications as prescribed by your doctor and ask him to create a customized treatment plan to protect your heart.
Control high cholesterol
Inadequate “good” cholesterol
(high-density lipoprotein (HDL)) and excessive “bad” cholesterol (low-density
lipoprotein (LDL)) can result in plaque build up on the walls of the arteries
which leads to stroke or heart attack. Just like high blood pressure, you need
a simple blood test to reveal your cholesterol level since it does not have
early physical symptoms.
If your bad cholesterol level is high, your doctor can customize a treatment plan that includes exercise, a healthy diet, and medication to protect your heart.
Manage diabetes
Diabetes is another serious
health condition that affects more than 8% of Americans. What makes this health
condition a serious issue is that it can lead to a chain reaction of other
health issues like high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which increases
the risk of developing heart disease. In fact, more than 65% of diabetic
patients die from stroke or heart disease.
Controlling diabetics is not only important for heart health; it is also important for your overall health. Talk to your doctor to create a treatment plan to manage diabetes, protect your heart, and control other health-related issues like blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol.
Get enough rest
Sleep deprivation negatively
impacts your immune system and elevates the activity of the sympathetic nervous
system that contributes to cardiovascular disease. It affects your blood
pressure, blood sugar levels, inflammation levels, as well as your body’s
ability to repair the heart and your blood vessels.
Get adequate night rest, aim
for a period 7 – 9 hours per day, which is the recommended sleeping period for
adults.
Final Words
You can start making improvements regardless of the condition of your heart health by implementing healthy lifestyle changes. Schedule an appointment with a medical practitioner for physical examination and plan a daily exercise with a healthy eating schedule today.
Caregiving is a very noble profession, one that the person you are taking care of will greatly appreciate. At times, the work can be draining and challenging. The following are some tips to make your job as a caregiver easier.
Seek out advice. There are nurses, friends, doctors, and bloggers who have cared for patients with similar conditions as your loved one. Ask your loved one’s doctor about their condition and what to expect as they age. Talk to friends and nurses you know for tips on how to provide the best care possible. Additionally, look for caregiving blogs for additional tips.
Pay attention to body language. Sometimes your loved one will not be able to tell you that something is wrong, or they will not say anything because they do not want to bother you. Notice when their mood changes and when they are uncomfortable, so you can address the situation. By being responsive to both words and body language, you can provide the best level of care.
Have boundaries. It is okay to feel uncomfortable with some tasks as a caregiver. If there are tasks you are not comfortable performing, talk with your loved one about how you feel. Figure out a compromise or hire a second caregiver to take on those responsibilities.
Take time for yourself. Taking a break can help you mentally and physically recharge. Try to give yourself at least one day off per week and make time for a vacation.
Ask your loved one for help. When transferring your loved one from place to place, your loved one can shift his or her body weight to help move. For example, ask your loved one to lean forward when helping her stand or to move his leg when changing the sheets. This can lessen the strain on your body and help maintain your loved one’s independence.
Create a routine. Your loved one might get angry when constantly being told what to do throughout the day. If you turn the tasks you complete together into a routine, your loved one will get used to your help and think of each task as a regular thing you do at that time of the day.
Reduce the number of decisions you must make. Help your loved one make decisions throughout the day to promote their independence and reduce the amount of care you will provide. For example, if you dress your loved one each day, ask him or her to pick out the outfit.
Get help from family members. Even if you are the primary caregiver, your loved one’s family should be willing to help provide care. Have them fill in for you on days that you need a break, and ask them to contribute to the financial cost of your loved one’s medical equipment if they are able.
Thank you for reading. Please share your comments and what’s worked for you!
When caring for a loved one, getting many family
members involved can relieve stress and provide the best quality of care.
Holding a monthly or bi-monthly meeting can keep each family member updated
about financial matters and your loved one’s health condition. This article
will help you organize family meetings.
Discuss attendance. Each person who is involved in caregiving should attend the meeting. This could involve, adult relatives, friends, neighbors, and paid caregivers. Your loved one may not want to attend, depending on his or her health condition. Those with dementia might not understand what is going on at the meeting, or family members may not want to cause stress for their loved one.
Choose
a location. Choose a setting that is accessible to
many people in the family. Keep in mind the accommodations that each party in
attendance needs. For example, choose a place with wheelchair accessibility and
an environment that is appropriate for children, if applicable.
Decide
on topics. The topics will differ per meeting, but
there are some general areas that may be covered. For example, your loved one’s
location may be up for discussion. Explore the possible options, such as if she
should move in with another family member or go to an assisted living home. You
should also discuss financial contributions, support for the primary
caregivers, power of attorney, and anticipated changes as the illness
progresses.
Establish
an agenda and stick to it. One person should be the meeting’s
facilitator, who can keep everyone on topic. The facilitator should design an
agenda ahead of time and send this to everyone who is in attendance. The agenda
should outline each topic of discussion, in order, and a rough timeframe for
each topic. With family, sometimes other issues that are not relevant to your
loved one’s caregiving can be discussed. To avoid fighting and to stay on topic,
the facilitator should steer the conversation back to the main points.
Focus
on the bigger picture. It is natural for family to disagree
over details when deciding on a care plan. Try to avoid speaking about issues
that do not involve your loved one. Additionally, create an atmosphere where
people can freely share their concerns and wishes. Some people will be afraid
of others not pulling their weight. It is not possible to completely divide the
work evenly, so make sure that each person is comfortable with their duties.
Those who cannot take off work can help financially, and those who are not
comfortable with assisting with activities of daily living can cook or clean
for your loved one. The overarching goal of this meeting is to provide the best
care for your loved one, so keep your meeting centered around this goal.
Have you had a successful family caregiver meeting? Let us know what has worked out well for you and your family.
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