A professional summary is often the first thing facility managers and surgeons will see on your resume. Not only does it showcase your top qualifications quickly, but it also allows you to express your interest in the role using your own voice.
If you’re unsure where to start, imagine how you might respond to a surgical tech interview question. The ideal response should convey conviction with effective language. Here are some tips to get started:
- Exude confidence – Writing clearly and confidently is key to a compelling professional summary. This is where you’ll highlight your top qualifications for a travel role, so it’s important to speak with self-assurance.
- Use strong words – Using strong language can set you apart from other candidates, and cuts right to the point of why you’re perfect for the role you’re applying for. Opt for action verbs like “managed” and avoid passive phrases like “was responsible for.”
- Keep it brief – An effective professional summary will include the attributes above in a concise format. Aim to convey your top skills and why you might differ from other candidates in about 2 to 5 sentences.
- Edit for each application – Keep your professional summary fresh and relevant by editing it to reflect each role you’re applying for. Update skills and keywords as needed to reflect the different qualities prospective employers are seeking.
Showcasing Certifications and Continuing Education
Travel healthcare is constantly evolving with new techniques and technologies to meet industry standards and address patient needs. As such, hiring managers might be looking for travel surgical technologists who have up-to-date certifications and a commitment to continuing education.
Consider showcasing any certifications that are relevant to a role in travel healthcare and include any additional education you might be pursuing.
Tips for Formatting Your Surgical Tech Resume
The content of your resume is important, but a well-formatted resume might make facility managers take a second glance. To get started, here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:
- Use a template with a simple, easy-to-read font
- List experience in reverse chronological order, with recent experience first
- Ensure you use the present tense throughout
- Apply bullet points to blocks of information
A well-formatted resume organizes information for optimal readability and creates a professional first impression right off the page. That said, there are common mistakes applicants make that can decrease their chances of moving forward.
Common Mistakes To Avoid on Your Surgical Tech Resume
Before you submit your resume, review it for common mistakes, like:
- Writing a resume objective instead of a professional summary
- Including unrelated work experience
- Using the same resume for all applications
- Providing few details
- Including only job duties without achievements or impacts
- Poor grammar and lack of structure
Kickstart Your Travel Surgical Technologist Career With Host Healthcare
If you’re looking to start a career in travel healthcare, partner with Host Healthcare. Our responsive, passionate recruiters work with you every step of the way to help you land high-quality jobs in ideal locations that align with lifestyle and career goals.
Because we know how fast-paced the life of surgical techs can be, we make sure your travel experience is as simple and stress-free as possible. We handle logistics and administrative tasks, assist with interview preparation, help you find housing that fits your needs, provide day-1 healthcare benefits, and much more.
Focus on growing in your travel allied career, and we’ll take care of the rest. Explore opportunities today to get started.
Sources:
Indeed Editorial Team. “Surgical Technician Resume Examples and Template for 2024.” Indeed, February 12th, 2024, https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resume-samples/surgical-technician. July 29th, 2024.
“What Certifications are Available for Surgical Technologists?” ECPI University, https://www.ecpi.edu/blog/what-certifications-are-available-for-surgical-technologists. July 29th, 2024.