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.
Welcome to CuraConnector.com, a technology platform enabling
connections between patients, providers and healthcare companies for services
and partnering. Our goal is to help
connect individual care providers to patients and companies based on their
needs as specifically as possible.
CuraConnector.com enables matches on over 50 factors to help find the
right provider the first time. Matching
factors include location, schedule, forms of payment, education, experience,
and even personality profiles.
The process is simple.
To be listed in the CuraConnector.com platform, care providers, such as
RNs, LVNs, therapists and all allied health professionals, can create an
in-depth profile describing themselves and their qualifications in 3-5
minutes. Patients, families and
companies looking for a specific care provider to hire can log-in and create
the profile of the exact provider to meet their needs in 3-5 minutes. Instantly our platform runs a matching
algorithm in real-time displaying provider match results based on highest
percentage match. Patients and companies
can then systematically contact the providers of choice to interview and
ultimately hire. It’s really that
simple.
For patients, CuraConnector.com helps shorten the time to
finding the right provider for their needs, without having to cycle or
interview through several providers before finding the one that works. For companies, CuraConnector.com helps find
the exact employee to suit the companies’ needs faster than traditional
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fraction of the cost. Companies can also
enroll their providers on our platform to help marketing to patients. And finally, for care providers, CuraConnector.com
helps empower them over their careers and earning ability by helping them find
employment opportunities.
CuraConnector.com, the first and only real-time matching platform enabling connections between patients, providers and companies for their specific needs to find the right provider the first time. Join us today at CuraConnector.com!
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.
We all have that one patient or loved one that is as
stubborn as they come when it pertains to seeking health care. You have heard
the spiel on independence and autonomy, the distrust towards health care
professionals, and the overall disdain to the treatment process. You have tried
to reason with this individual a thousand times. You feel like a broken record,
desperate to get them to see things from your perspective. All of these, to no
avail. We understand the frustration you face when all you want is to help that
individual receive the treatment that they need. So, let’s dissect this topic
and talk about the reasons why they may be refusing treatment. Once you figure
that out, you can then employ some of our tips and tricks to persuade your
loved one or patient to receive/continue treatment.
There are several reasons why an individual will resist
health care treatment. Understanding where their reluctance lies is the first
step to finding a solution. More often than not, this unwillingness to receive
treatment stems from the feeling of fear and nervousness. We have to put things
into perspective for ourselves and understand that there is nothing comforting
about potentially being told that your condition is worsening, or that you have
to take that extra medication. The whole health care process can be
intimidating. That’s why it is so important not to invalidate the individual’s
feelings. Instead, you must allow them to feel and reassure them that they are
not alone in the way they are feeling. Reminding the patient that they have a
support system as well as other individuals facing the same struggles can help
alleviate some of the anxiety.
It is also important to note as a professional caregiver
that refusal to receive treatment could stem from something more deeply rooted,
such as a cultural barrier or a bad experience with a health care
facility/doctor.
In the instance of a less than pleasurable experience with a
health care provider, employing empathy is critical in your approach. If you
are their caregiver, make sure that you use compassion and patience. These
adverse experiences can be traumatizing, and the patient may need some time to
cope. Be gentle and remind them that they are in control of their treatment. If
you are a loved one, allow them the autonomy to help in the search for a caregiver.
This will give them a feeling of control over their care and can instill some
peace of mind. You can also supplement testimonials from other patients just
like them, testifying to the caregiver’s character and professionalism.
From a cultural standpoint, health care is a controversial
topic. In many backgrounds, homeopathic remedies are just the health care of
choice. If your background is similar to mine, then growing up in an Arab
household, you would know that there wasn’t any ailment that maramia (loose
sage) and 7-Up, couldn’t fix. These traditions and remedies are deeply rooted
within each respective culture and could be a tough mindset to break. Trust me,
I know. If you are a professional health care provider dealing with this issue,
try speaking to the patient’s family members. Younger generations typically
tend to be more open-minded and understanding. They could probably convey the
message to the patient better than any health professional can. If you are a
family member of the patient, patience is your best friend. Focus on explaining
the importance of the treatment and don’t be too pushy.
I have identified why my patient or loved one is
reluctant. Now what?
Congratulations! Sometimes having the individual open up about
why they are so reluctant can be the hardest part of getting them on board with
treatment. Pat yourself on the back, and then continue on to reading our tips
on how to persuade your patient or loved one to seek or continue treatment.
Focus on the positives: Instead of emphasizing all of the bad things that could occur if a patient or a loved one denies treatment, focus on the positives that could come out of it. If the individual is facing pain of some sort, explain to them that the treatment could help alleviate some of that pain. Capitalize on how the treatment will improve on various aspects of the individual’s life. Give them a visual of what life could be like if they receive the care. “This medicine can help to reduce your joint pain, which means you will be able to play with the kids for longer.” Creating a visual will not only help them to gain perspective on the positive outcomes but also give them comfort in knowing that there could be a solution to their issue.
The approach is everything: Your approach to
persuading a loved one or patient to receive treatment is everything. The
treatment process is one that can be exhausting and tedious. Empathizing with
these feelings helps you to understand better what the individual is going
through. When you approach the individual, make sure you are coming from a
place that is free of judgment. Focus on how far they have come and how much
progress they have made. Sometimes, the patient can feel as though the fact
that they have to continue or strengthen treatment can only mean their
condition is only worsening. This could be quite a significant factor in the
refusal of seeking treatment.
Lead by example: This is what I like to call the
“following the leader” technique. We all know that one person that has to see
other people doing it in order for them to participate. Sometimes, making your
health a priority yourself can encourage someone else to do the same. This also
allows you to obtain the credibility for the individual to be more inclined to
listen to what you have to say. Whether a caregiver or a loved one, exemplify
how you prioritize your health and wellbeing, and more often than not, the
patient will want to do the same.
Know when enough is enough: I get how frustrating and
upsetting it can be when you’ve tried everything, and the patient just won’t
budge. But that right there could be your problem. Being overbearing and too
pushy can have the exact opposite effect of what you would like it to. If the
patient is adamant in their response, back off for a while and try to revisit
the subject at a later time. You do not want to make the issue a sensitive
topic that is entirely off-putting to the patient. If the situation permits it,
remember that the slow and steady tactic wins the race.
Have any other tips for persuading a patient or loved one to
receive/continue treatment? Let us know in the comments below!
Many resources and institutions suggest an upcoming shortage of nurses and care providers throughout the United States. With the aging demographics of Baby Boomers (not to mention that many of the nurses and care providers are aging themselves into retirement) and the greater access to care from healthcare reform, there’s little reason to disagree. Whether you are a healthcare company owner or a large institutional recruiter, finding specific, quality healthcare providers to fill the demand gap can be no doubt challenging, especially if you’re in a smaller market.
The competition for quality healthcare providers is fierce. Options for finding ones in the open market are limited and typical:
Place job postings with on-line classified ads – Craigslist.com anyone?
Use costlier job posting boards like Indeed.com, Careerbuilder.com, or Monster.com
Use an expensive staffing agency for temp workers expecting to find a permanent
Network in person and look for a word-of-mouth referral for a quality provider – but who has the time?
Hope a provider comes across your job placement posting on your company website
The drawbacks to the “old” recruitment methods are common and overlapping. In many cases, the job posting boards can get expensive, especially with multiple postings, and the responses to on-line job boards are random, numerous with applicants applying who sometimes don’t even qualify. Even more expensive is temporary staffing and placement agencies costing 1.5-3X the hourly rate or 10% of the first year’s salary with a placement. These methods are untargeted and very random with random responses and sometimes unpredictable outcomes. The hiring cycles can be very lengthy in trying to find the unique match for the quality provider needed. In a hyper-competitive market, this leads to high turnover rates among the limited provider pool to fill the openings to meet patient demands.
So what is a healthcare company owner or recruiter to do with such challenging circumstances? On the one hand more patient cases are needed to be serves; while on the other hand, staffing requirements need to be prepared to handle additional cases. So what is the priority? Marketing for more cases and hopefully hire staff to serve those cases, or carry the costs of hiring staff first and hopefully the cases will come? Thus we have the recruiter’s (or owner’s) dilemma – how to get specific quality healthcare providers in the fastest and least expensive way to meet yours and your patients’ needs.
CuraConnector.com helps healthcare company owners and recruiters search, find and match to specific healthcare providers in the most cost-efficient and time-effective way on the market, allowing real-time searches for providers matching over 50 quantitative and qualitative variables. Looking for a Vietnamese speaking provider sensitive to Catholic traditions with experience in chronic heart disease? Or seeking a male physical therapist, non-allergic to cats and smoke, and with experience in Alzheimer’s dementia? CuraConnector.com’s web application platform helps owners and recruiters find the “needle in the haystack of healthcare providers” with on-demand, real-time efficiency to fill the exact job vacancy with specificity. With CuraConnector.com, the recruiter’s dilemma is….solved.
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