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Resume & CV
Aug 26th 2025

Licenses & Certifications on a Resume - An Easy Guide

When applying for a job, having licenses and certifications related to the position can be a valuable addition to your resume. These credentials show employers that you have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the role. However, figuring out which licenses and certifications to include on your resume can be confusing. This guide provides an easy-to-follow overview of how to effectively highlight your licenses and certifications on your resume, helping you stand out as a qualified candidate to potential employers. TABLEOFCONTENTWhat are Certifications and Licenses? When to Include Certifications on ResumesHow to List Certifications on ResumeExamples of Good Certifications for 10 Different ProfessionsWhere to Put Certifications on ResumesCertifications on Resume ExampleWhat are Certifications and Licenses?Certifications and licenses show that you have the knowledge and abilities to do a specific job. They prove that you have been trained and are prepared to meet the job requirements. Including certifications and licenses on your resume is important because employers want to hire professionals who are well-prepared. Some industries require specific skills for certain jobs, and having the right certification shows that you have taken the time to polish your skills. Certifications are not the same as online courses. They come from reputable sources that show you have specialized knowledge and skills. While online courses are similar to university courses, it's important to make sure that the provider is reliable. Since many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen job applications. Having a certification section on your resume increases the chances of your resume being read by employers. Adding certifications to your resume is easy, but there are important things to consider before listing them. When to Include Certifications on Resumes?Created by CakeResume The job requires a certificateSome job requirements may ask for certifications on your resume. Employers seek knowledge and skills; a certified license or credential can prove you have what it takes. The certificate is relevant to the job Certain jobs require specific expertise. Relevant certifications on your resume can show that you have the skills needed for the job. The certification is credible Certifications on a resume should come from reliable entities and training programs to demonstrate that you have completed a serious and quality training course to develop the required knowledge and skills. There is space left to include the certifications on the resume If there is space left on your resume after listing relevant details (e.g., education, skills, work experience), you can include a certification section on your resume. You have limited practical experience Adding certifications to your resume can compensate for lack of work history and show that you are a strong candidate with proof of skills and expertise. Even if you have expertise that the employer does not directly demand, including relevant certificates on your resume can display your current level of expertise.How to List Certifications on ResumeNow that we have covered the situations on when to include certifications on a resume, it is important to know how to list certifications on your resume/CV with some examples. ✨ Things to include when listing a certification on a resume: Full name of the certificationName of certifying agency/bodyDate of obtainment and expiration 📝Note: Some licenses and certifications on a resume can be state-specific. Thus you may have to include location if this applies to your scenario. For example, resume certifications in nursing shall display the state where the certificate was issued. ✨ How to list certification in progress on a resume: Write “in progress” for any certifications on your resume that you are still undertaking and the expected date for completion.Example of a CPR certification on a resume:Licenses and CertificationsCPR Certified (In progress)American Red CrossMiami, FL, 2021 ✨ List in reverse chronological order for multiple certifications.For professionals with more than one license or certification, adding certifications to your resume shall display the most recent license first and then list past certificates completed. Listing certifications on your resume in reverse chronological order makes your document easy to read and straightforward.Examples of Good Certifications for 10 Different ProfessionsCertifications boost your resume, and each industry/field has specific certifications tailored to jobs in that industry. Here are some different professions with examples of certifications that fit well on a resume.GeneralITMarketingHealthcare/MedicalProject ManagementFitnessNursingEducationBusinessLawGeneralGenerally speaking, certifications on a resume vary and heavily rely on the job description and what you prioritize. When it comes to cover skills in general, here are some examples of certifications that can be used across many different jobs: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)Professional in Human Resources (PHR)Certified Inside Sales Professional (CISP)Cisco Certified Internet Expert (CCIE) ITTech recruiters highly regard certifications on IT resumes, and specializations prove you have the skill set they are seeking for. Here are some examples of IT resume certifications on-demand: Cisco Certified Technician (CCT)Certified cloud security professional (CCSP)Certified information security manager (CISM)AWS certified cloud practitionerOracle Certifications MarketingThe marketing field covers a lot of specialties considering the use of digital platforms. Here are some examples of certifications on a marketing resume: Google Ads CertificationDigital Marketing Certification*Youtube CertificationGoogle Analytics CertificationEmail Marketing Certification *Available at eCornell, Cornell University’s online learning platform.Healthcare/MedicalProfessionals in the healthcare/medical field require specific certifications to show they are capable of treating patients. A FEMA certification on your resume is one of the most recognized certifications, which comes from the Emergency Management Institute. Assuming you are qualified for enrollment, this is one of the free certifications you can use for your resume. You may also go for a BLS certification on your resume, as they provide training for emergencies. Certifications vary depending on the specialty you are focusing on. For med assistants, a CMA certification to show you are a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). Other examples of certifications on a healthcare/medical resume are Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) and Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Project ManagementWhen it comes to PM certifications on your resume, PMP certification is the way to go, but you need to assess if this certification fulfills your goals and needs for your job circumstances. Furthermore, you can take online classes on online course providers, such as Udemy, to get a certificate on a resume. Online course sites provide agile courses and test prep for the PMP training. Other relevant examples of certifications for your resume are BVOP Certified Project Manager, Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), and Master Project Manager (MPM) FitnessFitness covers many areas, and certifications to put on a resume can vary. You can get licenses and certifications on your resume in the following fitness specialties: Personal TrainerGroup Fitness InstructorHealth CoachMedical Exercise Specialist Some renowned institutions to certifications on a fitness resume are The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), The American Council of Exercise (ACE), and The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).NursingAs a new graduate of nursing or someone who is looking to advance their career in the field, a Registered Nurse or having a Master of Science in Nursing can earn certification on a CV or resume. The following certifications to include on your resume are some examples for nursing professionals: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)Nurse Practitioner (NP)Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC)Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP-BC)EducationIn order to enhance your career prospects in the education field, many institutions and degree programs award certifications for a variety of credentialing options. The following certifications on a resume can be utilized: Teacher Assistant CertificateElementary EducationEarly Childhood Education CertificateAmerican Sign Language CertificationSecondary EducationBusiness Before selecting which business certifications fit well on your resume, make sure to narrow the focus to a business area, such as management, supply chain, or sales. Here are some examples so you have an idea: Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)Certified Professional Management Consultant (CPMC)Certified Management Accountant (CMA)APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional certification (CSCP)Salesforce CertificationLawCertifications for legal practitioners rely on what type of lawyer or which law-related career you are pursuing. Here are some examples of certifications on a legal resume: Paralegal CertificateCertified IRB ProfessionalCertified Legal Manager (CLM)Board Certification in Trial LawCertified Divorce Financial AnalystWant to know how your resume stacks up? Our AI resume checker evaluates formatting, keywords, and content to help you stand out to recruiters.Analyze My ResumeWhere to Put Certifications on Resumes?Your certifications on a resume can be displayed in specific sections of your resume or CV. Here is now to put certifications and licenses on different section in your resume or CV.Resume Headline/TitleResume Profile/Summary/ObjectiveSkills SectionEducation SectionA Dedicated Section for Certifications1.Resume Headline/TitleWant employers to look at your credentials right away? You can display certifications on your resume headline/title. Your resume headline displays one of the highlights of your career, and it goes along with your contact information.Example of certifications in the resume headline:Certified Personal Trainer With 6 Years of Experience.2.Resume Profile/Summary/ObjectiveListing certifications on your resume summary/objective add value to this section as your experience, skills, and competencies are displayed here. Deciding where to put certifications on your resume profile can be at the beginning of the end. Example of certifications in the resume summary:Personal trainer with 7+ years of experience in training individuals, groups, and mentoring recruits. Proven track record of designing routine and nutrition plans. Possessing certification by the American Council of Exercise (ACE). You can also mention “Certified” at the beginning to show you have certifications on your resume.3.Skills SectionSkills can make or break a resume. You can create a new section focusing on trained skills that back your certifications on your resume.Examples of certifications in the skills section:✅Hard skillsRisk AnalysisCost ManagementNegotiationGoal SettingsBudget Management✅Soft skillsPerseveranceAdaptabilityEmotional IntelligenceSelf-drivenTeamwork✅PMP Certified SkillsDecision MakingConflict ManagementInfluencingCommunicationMotivation4.Education SectionFor listing certifications on a resume education section, all you need to mention is the certification name, name of the institution, and year of graduation.Example of certifications in the education section:Paralegal Professional Certificate ProgramVillanova University, Philadelphia, PA05/2013 5. A dedicated section for certificationsYou can dedicate a section named “licenses and certifications” on your resume. If there are space limitations, using a one-word headline for the certification section on your resume will suffice.Example of the certifications section:Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) | Association of Clinical Research Professionals2012/08Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) |National Association of Practical Nurse Education and Service2010/05 Certifications on Resume ExamplesThe certification section on a resume varies as different jobs require different types of certifications. Furthermore, it is important to tailor your resume certification section according to the job description, so list certifications that are relevant to the job.Here are some examples for the resume certifications section:CNA Resume Certification SectionAWS Solutions Architect Resume Certification SectionCertified Scrum Master Resume Certification SectionCertified Medical Assistant Resume Certification SectionProject Manager Professional (PMP) Resume Certification SectionGroup Fitness Instructor Resume Certification SectionCNA Resume Certification SectionCertifications Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), 2020CPR/AED certified, 2020 AWS Solutions Architect Resume Certification SectionCertifications AWS Cloud Practitioner, 2019UdemyAWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty, 2018Amazon AWSAWS Solutions Architect - Professional, 2017Amazon AWS Certified Scrum Master Resume Certification SectionCertifications Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM), Mar. 2020Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Aug. 2018 Certified Medical Assistant Resume Certification SectionCertifications Certified Medical Assistant in Endocrinology (SCMA-END), 2020Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), 2018 - Present Project Manager Professional (PMP) Resume Certification SectionCertifications Certified Project Director, Sep. 2020Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM)Project Management in IT Security (PMITS), Jan. 2018EC-CouncilProfessional in Project Management (PPM), Mar. 2016Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM) Group Fitness Instructor Resume Certification SectionCertifications International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), May 2015Fitness Trainer CertificationNational Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), Aug. 2013 --- Originally written by Jose J. Rosales---
Resume & CV
Feb 21st 2022

Nursing Resume Examples

Created by CakeBeing a nurse is a noble and difficult job. Many people may not realize it, but being a nurse requires a lot of hard work, commitment, and includes a number of duties including: Caring for the patients. Communicating with doctors and other healthcare providers. Looking out for the patients; checking their vitals on a regular basis and administering medicine. Conduct physical exams. Analyze the physical and mental needs of the patients. Staying up-to-date with the latest developments and healthcare, medication, treatment plans, etc. So basically there are a whole lot of responsibilities than normal people can actually account for (but a nurse can). With competition getting ever so fierce in the medical industry, it is becoming increasingly important for the nurses to have their nursing resume optimized as per the modern standards. A single job opening can attract as many as 250 applicants, where only 2% of them will go through the interview process and only one will be able to secure the job. To secure your position among that 6%, you need to have your new nurse resume composed adequately with the right keywords and content. You need not just the right content, but the right length and design that serves the intended purpose. In this piece, we will be going through the steps that will help you design a nursing resume ideal for a nursing applicant.You'll learn:How to Write a Nursing Resume?What to Put on a Nursing Resume?Tips for Writing the Best Nursing ResumeHow to Write a Cover Letter for a Nursing Role?Nursing Resume Sample How to Write a Nursing Resume? Listed below are a few fundamental steps that are sure to help you create an excellent resume for a nursing job.Step 1: Know the difference between resume and CV. We often use resume and CV interchangeably, but have you ever wondered what is the difference? A resume is basically a single (or at max. two) page summary of your work experience and background experience that is relevant to the job you are applying to. It is made to emphasize a specific job role and required during the general job application process. It has a number of design choices in terms of layout. Whereas a CV (curriculum vitae) can be longer and includes a lot of information including job/work experience, academic qualification/achievements, publications, etc. It is most relevant when applying in the academic field or for specialization and has a simple structure. Step 2: Choose the right nursing resume format. Since for a nursing job, you need a nursing resume, so you need the right nursing resume format or layout. These includes:While applying for a nursing job, a professional nursing resume is essential. You need to use the right nursing resume format and layout. There are 4 main resume formats for nurses: Chronological resume format: frequently used, everything laid out in reverse chronological order. Functional resume format: skill-based resume format, emphasis on the sills of the applicant. Hybrid/combination resume format: combines both, chronological and functional. Targeted resume format: specifically designed for a specific company or job position. Step 3: Look up nursing resume templates examples online. As a reference for either a new nurse resume or skilled nursing resume, it is best to first conduct some online research. This includes looking for the right resume format, content, and design. You should also be looking for relevant keywords to help your nursing resume stand out from the rest, especially if this is a new grad nursing resume. Step 4: Tailor your resume for the nursing job. The position you are applying for may have some specific requirements. Maybe they need someone who has good communicational skills, or someone who has served in a particular area pertaining to nursing. If you tailor your nursing resume accordingly, you will significantly increase your chances of landing an interview. Step 5: Craft a job application letter for nurses. Never forget to draft a nursing cover letter.This is one of the most common mistakes made by the majority of applicants that can costs them a potential job they may be ideal for. So keep it in mind that your nursing resume must be accompanied by acover letter. Step 6: Proofread your nursing resume cover letter. You want your nursing resume and nursing cover letter to be perfect, don’t you? So always proofread a few times before you decide to finally send it out. Make sure there are no careless mistakes here and there, for they can have a really devastating effect on your nursing resume.What to Put on a Nursing Resume? Now, let’s get what you should be putting in your nursing resume. A nursing resume is composed of different sections and each section has a vital purpose that it serves. Before we got in the depth of it, we will tell you what ‘not’ to include in a resume for nursing job. This includes: 1. Resume Profile (Personal Information): This section provides the recruiter with the essential information about the applicant. The section should include:Full name Professional title Email address Phone number Address (complete address is optional) Additionally, you may also put: Personal Website LinkedIn URL Other necessary personal info Things "not" to include in a nursing resume: Sexual orientation Marital status Current salary Race Date of birth Gender or belief/religion Here’s an example of delivering your personal information just right:Nursing Resume Profile Example:Name: Jane DoeProfessional Title: Nurse Leader"A passionate professional about reducing healthcare inequalities and willing to go the extra mile to ensure fairness for all the patients. More than 10 years of experience, currently completing a Master Degree to become an Executive Nurse Leader."Email: [email protected] | Contact no.: 123-456-7890 | Address: Area, Country| LinkedIn Link | Skype ID2. Resume Headline: Putting out a catchy headline is the best way to make your nursing resume stand out. Think of it as a resume for your resume. How to write a catchy nursing resume headline? Highlight your biggest strength or achievement. Make it sound catchy and clever. Make sure it is at the top of your resume. The headline should be compact, concise, yet impactful. Be sure to make it all caps with the relevant keyword inserted. And write a few at that so you can decide on one that sounds just right.Have a look at the example below:Nursing Resume Headline Example:Senior Nurse Care ManagerCommitted Registered Nurse (RN)Compassionate Pediatric Nurse with 10 Years' Experience3. Resume Summary: A resume summary describes your entire nursing resume in just a few easy lines. A well-written summary will immediately grab the attention of a recruiter and make you immediately stand out. How to write a professional nursing resume summary statement? Read through the job description. Pick the most relevant nursing skills and experience. Assemble your qualifications. Pro Tip💡Keep the profile summary concise and structure it properly with an emphasis on the experience.Be sure to include your: Awards Soft/technical skills External achievements Educational background Resume Summary Example for Nurses:Service-minded PeriOperative Registered Nurse with expertise in evaluation, monitoring, and health assessment. Skilled at building rapport with the patient and working efficiently with a wide range of physicians, technologists, nurses, and staff. Proactive and resourceful with superior work ethics.💡 A few more ideas to spice up your profile summary on a nursing resume: Resourceful and capable of multitasking.Proven record of responsibility and reliability.Ability to meet a variety of diverse needs in varied situations.Extensive knowledge of relevant medical procedures and products. Capability of developing a bond with the patient, their family, staff members.Dedicated individual with a reputation for performing beyond the call of duty. Strong analytical skills as per the need of the situation and implement appropriate interventions. 4. Nursing Resume Objective: A resume objective helps to capture the attention of the recruiter. Although it is not compulsory but helps a candidate stand out. Be sure to place it where it can be immediately visible.Is an objective statement necessary on a resume?A resume objective delivers numerous benefits including: Making your resume ATS friendly. An opportunity to get noticed by the recruiter. Highlights the achievements of the applicants. Be sure to showcase your traits and specify your experience when writing the resume objective. It can help your highlight your career goal and personalize your statement. Adding the name of the company you are applying for in your nursing resume objective can help you stand out.Career Objective Example for a Nursing Resume:"Dedicated Registered Nurse with ten years’ practical experience, now seeking a Pharmaceutical Sales Position that will make use of comprehensive healthcare training, excellent communication skills, and sales-directed prioritize action." 5. Skills for a NursingResume: This is the most important section on your nursing resume which the recruiter will be most interested in. It will help the recruiter determine whether you are the right fit for the job or not. It is also beneficial for people fresh in the market and lack experience to put in their resume. A skilled nursing resume is basically a functional resume. 3 simple steps to write the nursing skills section: Learn about job requirements. List down all the relevant nursing skills you possess pertaining to it. Filter irrelevant stuff and write down the skills that are suitable in your resume. 4 ways to write down your nursing skills: A simple bullet list. Expandable bullet list. Skills integrated with experience. Categorization. What are some relevant skills to put on a nursing resume?Microsoft OfficeOrganizational In/Outpatient CarePre/Post-Surgical CareWound Cleaning/CareNG Tube Insertion and RemovalInfection Control StandardsFlow Sheet ChartingMinor Surgery AssistanceCustomer ServiceSpecimen Collection/SamplingSterilization TechniquesVenipuncture/Blood DrawPain Management Try to keep your skills section short, relevant, and legible. Be sure to include both hard and soft skills, and double-check the job requirements. Avoid overused buzzwords (quick learner, passionate, highly motivated, etc.) and skills that are a bit too common to stand out (online research, etc.). 6. Work Experience on a Nursing Resume: Employers require employees having an experience that is relevant to the position or the role offered. For that, it is essential that the experience section must be written to highlight all the important aspects of work history.Try to add at least two relevant and latest work experiences.Be sure to add: Name, state, and titles held at the previous organization of the employment. Starting and end date for the period of employment. A brief description of the skills that meet the requirements for the job you are applying for. 📗 Notes: The format you use for work experience matters (organization/location/role/dates or any other). The experience is tailored as per the prospective role. It highlights your accomplishments, professional trajectory, and sells them. Creates a lasting impact with the right choice of words. Nursing Resume Work Experience Example:Registered NurseABC Hospital, Jan. 2015 - Present Maintained all confidential personal files, licenses, and CRP compliance records.Recorded patient medical history, vital statistics, and test results in the medical record.Liaised between patient and physician to ensure patient comprehension of treatment plans. Interviewed patients to obtain their medical information and measure vital signs, weight and height.Possessed sound, ethical, and independent decision-making ability consistent with medical protocols. Prepared rooms, sterilizing instruments, equipment, or supplies and ensure that the stock of supplies is maintained. Administrated medication, performed all tasks with a patient-centered focus while seeking opportunities for improvements of processes and treatment. 7. Education: Education helps in creating relevance to the role you are applying for. Keep important section in your nursing resume such as: Degree Major(s) Graduation year School attended Honors and awards earned Additionally, you can include; GPA Minors Extra-curricular activities Licenses and certifications Education Section on Nursing Resume Template:[Degree type] – Nursing[University Name][starting year –graduation year] 8. Extra Information on Nursing Resume: This includes: Awards HobbiesLicenses ReferencesCertifications Items listed above can all be added in the nursing resume where there is space available for them and they are not interfering with the existing content and sections. Some of these can also be integrated existing content. For instance, certifications and awards can be added to either academic or professional achievements given the relevance. Similarly, references can be added at the bottom of the experience section.Tips for Writing the Best Nursing Resume Follow the below-listed tips to make your nursing resume truly stand out and capture the attention of the hiring manager.1.Customize the nursing resume for the job. The better it is customized for the role, the better your chances of landing an interview. So optimize your nursing resume by researching the hospital/facility you are applying at. Make a list of most relevant job experiences and put in the most noteworthy achievements at front. 2. Use keywords (from JD) in your nursing resume. You have a limited window to catch the attention of the recruiter, so utilize keywords that are appropriate and belong in your resume. They are a sure eye-catcher and makes it easy for the recruiter to skim through the resume. 3. Quantify results on your nursing resume. Long descriptions are often overlooked, numbers on the other hand grab attention and state a lot more in much less. Therefore, use statistics to showcase your achievements and expertise. 4. Choose an ATS-friendly nursing resume format. Making your resume ATS-friendly will make it easier for you to apply for positions at international corporates. ATS-friendly nursing resumes have a simple yet powerful layout that compact and contain all that is necessary instead of excessive gibberish. 5. Adopt nursing resume action words. Nursing resume action words or verbs can easily be searched online and incorporated in your resume. Doing that will make your nursing resume seem more powerful and professional, thus, making it stand apart from the rest and much more attention-grabbing. 6. Add in your most impressive achievements/experience. Nurses encounter numerous situations where they are responsible for saving lives. It all depends upon how well they are able to handle and understand a situation and respond to it adequately. As a nurse, if you have had such an encounter, putting them in your nursing resume can help you land a job.How to Write a Cover Letter for a Nursing Role? A nursing cover letter should always be customized for the place of application and comprise of the following:Contact Details A brief introduction that lets the hiring manager know who you are. Motivation or the intention to apply. This will help you make a good impression on the recruiter and showcase that you have already conducted your research before applying. Qualifications, that will immediately make it clear that you have what it takes to get this job done. That you are academically and professionally suitable for this job. A closing that will prompt the recruited to move to your resume with enthusiasm in hope of finding a candidate that is a perfect fit for the job. Nursing Resume Example Sophie GarciaCommitted Registered Nurse (RN) [email protected] 601-4363-466 Professional Summary Ambitious certified senior nurse with extensive experience in patient care and administrative function of the hospital. Strong professional skills accompanied by the capability to evaluate and advocate for the needs of the patients. Proven history of cultivating strong patient rapport for the provision of exceptional care and patient education. Work Experience Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston)RN – Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Jan 2013 – Mar 2015 Coordinated treatment with multidisciplinary healthcare team members to attain optimal health and continuity of care. Provided inpatient nursing care as well as outpatient medical care administration to the patients receiving treatment for any condition. Delivered acute and ambulatory nursing care for adults and children, ranging from wellness visits and routine health exams for the treatment of illnesses, injuries and life-threatening conditions. Boston City HospitalStaff NurseApr2015 - Dec 2021Delivered acute and ambulatory nursing care for adults and children, ranging from wellness visits and routine health exams for the treatment of illnesses, injuries and life-threatening conditions. Education 2008– 2012, BSN in Registered Nursing University of Illinois at Chicago SkillsHard skills:Emergency care Monitoring and checking vital signs Patient safety Patient and family education Soft skills:Work ethics Teamwork Time management Communication skills Problem-solving Critical thinking To wrap things up, given below is an example of a nursing resume that is based on the things covered thus far and a great aid to help you design your own nursing resume.
Industry & Job Overview
Nov 28th 2025

Paving the Way to Becoming a Nurse [+ Requirements & FAQs]

Created by CakeResumeNurses play a critical role in our society today - providing expert care from birth to the end of life, educating the public and patients on preventing injury and illnesses, and being advocates for health promotion within every community.Approximately 3 million nurses have been working in the field that makes up the backbone of the U.S. healthcare industry, according to a report in August 2021. It can be quite hard to get into nursing school for a variety of reasons. Besides the shortage of schools, the competition for entry into nursing programs is intense, even for students with high scores. Despite the great challenges in the very beginning, this can be a highly rewarding profession. If you're also seeking employment in this field, keep scrolling for the ultimate guide to becoming a nurse, including nursing education requirements and other essential qualifications.Table of Contents:Step 1: Choose Your Nursing Career PathStep 2: Meet Nursing Degree RequirementsStep 3: Get a Nursing Certification/LicenseStep 4: Apply for a Nursing JobStep 5: Participate in Further Training ProgramsFAQs about Becoming a NurseStep 1: Choose Your Nursing Career PathThere are a variety of jobs within this field that you can take up once you've met all nursing degree requirements. Knowing exactly what you enjoy working on and understanding what tasks you're going to handle will help you nail down the right position. We will walk you through the duties and responsibilities of 10 different nursing jobs.Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Feed, bathe, and dress patients with low mobilityPrepare each patient's room with necessary items like blankets, pillows, and medical equipment while keeping their rooms tidyTake and record patient vital signs, and report them to the nursing and medical staffMake sure they have regular meals and take proper medicationsAssist patients with mobility needs like transferring them from wheelchair to bed or adjusting their bedsTake patients out for a walkLicensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Record patients' medical history and monitor their vitalsMaintain the cleanliness and comfort of patients, including bathing, dressing, changing bandages, serving meals, and assisting with mobilityAssist nursing and medical staff with basic medical tasks if necessaryPerform ongoing assessments of the patient’s physical and mental healthExplain procedures and treatment protocols to patients and their families Surgical Assistant Apply dressings for the patientsMaintain a sterile operating field and disinfect the incision siteProvide pre and post-operative care to patientsHandle some clerical work such as record keeping and handling the phone callsPerform and report the patient's ongoing assessments including observation, physical examination, test results as well as their response to procedural intervention Home Care Registered Nurse Travel to patients’ homes and provide them with healthcare services according to physicians' instructionsMonitor patients’ health conditions and report them to the supervision physiciansAdminister medications, dress wounds, monitor vital signs, and other essential testsCommunicate with patients’ family members about the ongoing care or aftercare of the patientsWork closely with healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care plans Emergency Room Registered Nurse Maintain a highly quick response to a medical emergencyAssist with initial insurance paperworkTreat critical injuries, allergic reactions, trauma, etc.Perform minor medical operations at the request of the doctorsEnsure the emergency room complies with the care standardsCommunicate with doctors and patients to keep them updated on test results and treatment plans Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse Monitor and evaluate the patient’s progress, and regularly deliver updates to doctors, patients, and their family membersRespond to a medical emergency and alert the appropriate doctors when neededBegin treatment and monitor dosesCare for the needs of patients throughout their recovery in the ICU unitHandle all necessary paperwork before transferring a patient.Create and implement effective care plansLabor and Delivery Nurse Monitor patients before, during, and after their laborAssess patients in triage for preterm labor, active labor, rupture of membranes, pregnancy complications, etc.Help patients with breathing techniques, induction assistance, epidural assistance, pain management, education, and delivery supportEnsure the operating room, including the patient's bed, is clean before and after the birthing processCollaborate with the care management team, including anesthesiologist, physician or midwife, lactation nurse, and charge nurseProvide immediate care to newborns Critical Care Registered Nurse Assist with healthcare team members in patient care plansProvide medical attention and basic care to patients in the intensive care unit of hospitals and healthcare facilitiesPrepare and administer prescribed medicationsMonitor patients for any sudden or subtle changes in patients’ medical conditions like ventilation, renal, and cardiac statusDeliver regular updates to doctors, patients, and their family members Clinical Nurse Specialist Optimize patient care by supervising nursing staff and consulting with patient care managersPerform ongoing health assessments and develop specialized treatment plans after patient examinationsDevelop nursing practices, policies, and proceduresAnalyze patient data and outcomes to improve clinical recommendationsEducate patients and their families on how to best manage their conditionsNurse Practitioner Perform physical exams and diagnostic proceduresDevelop and implement patient care plans based on test resultsDocument all patients' medical histories and symptomsMonitor and operate medical equipmentConsult with healthcare professionals and patients' familiesStep 2: Meet Nursing Degree RequirementsNurse education requirements might vary depending on your nursing specialty. Below are the 4 different types of degrees and majors that are needed to become a nurse. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) The Associate’s degree in Nursing is a 2-year degree that will give you a solid foundation for a career in the healthcare section. Once you’ve earned this degree, you are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination which must be passed to become licensed by the State. As a minimum nurse education requirement, this degree provides opportunities to work in entry-level nursing positions such as: Certified Nursing AssistantLicensed Vocational/Practical NurseHospice NurseHome Health NurseParamedicBachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is for students who are seeking to become an RN or those who already earn an Associate Degree in Nursing and want to meet further nurse education requirements. This type of degree provides you with the skills you need to play a more advanced role in nursing leadership, education, and research. With a BSN, you can have more job opportunities in this field, for example: Public Health NurseSurgical NurseICU NurseNurse ManagerHealth Educator Accelerated Nursing Program This program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing in a shorter time compared to traditional on-campus college programs. Those who already have undergraduate degrees in other majors but wish to become a nurse are also eligible for this program. For example, you're currently working as a CNA, LPN, or LVN with aspirations of becoming an RN. Another case is you’re an RN but in the process of becoming a nurse practitioner or APRN. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) If you've completed a BSN degree, you can pursue an MSN program that allows you to specialize in various areas and further develop your knowledge and skills through intense practice and theoretical classes. This is also a nursing degree requirement for those who want to continue with doctoral studies. Possible careers with a nursing master's degree include: Nurse PractitionerNurse ResearcherNurse AdministratorNurse EducatorCertified Nurse MidwifeStep 3: Get a Nursing Certification/LicenseThe National Council Licensure Examination, abbreviated as NCLEX, refers to one of the two standardized tests that nurses need to pass if they want to become registered nurses or licensed practical nurses. Check out the table below to see specific types of nursing certifications for different careers and specialties.Nursing CareerNursing CertificationCertified Nursing Assistant (CNA)CNA programLicensed Practical Nurse / Licensed Vocational NurseLPN programsSurgical AssistantCSAHome Care Registered NurseRN-BCER NurseACLS, PALS BLSICU NurseCCRNLabor and Delivery NurseRNC-OBCritical Care Registered NurseCCRN (adult)Clinical Nurse SpecialistCertification of Clinical Nurse SpecialistNurse PractitionerANP-BC AGACNP-BCStep 4: Apply for a Nursing JobOnce you’ve met all educational qualifications for nursing, start off your job search! There’re plenty of job boards where you can look for employment opportunities and learn about nursing degree requirements as well, for example: GlassDoorJobStreetIndeednurse.orgNHSjobsBesides these platforms, career centers are highly recommended whether you're a newbie looking for an entry-level job or an experienced nurse looking to change your specialty. They not only help you find a suitable job but also provide in-person advising, mentoring, and coaching. Another way to look for nursing jobs is by making personal connections with other nurses and healthcare providers. You can do so either in real life or on social media, which is likely to open many doors for nursing career opportunities. The next steps you need to nail in your job search are to create a strong nursing resume for the specific role and to practice for your interview.A well-crafted resume must clearly highlight your clinical skills, certifications, and patient experience, whether you are just starting out or have years of specialization.To ensure your resume is competitive enough, check out our nurse resume examples for both early career and senior nursing roles.Step 5: Participate in Further Training ProgramsLooking to level up your nursing education because you’re working towards career advancement, or thinking about changing your path in the field? If so, the best way to meet these goals is to enroll in additional training programs which provide you with new knowledge or sharpen the skills you already use every day as a nurse. Here are 3 examples of additional training programs for nurses: LPN-to-RN: Upon the completion of accredited registered nurse programs, LPNs have to pass the NCLEX-RN to work as licensed nurses.LPN-to-ADN: An ADN will allow you to seek nursing licensure if you're looking to become an entry-level RN. This additional training program may also offer you some opportunities to manage LPNs.LPN-to-BSN: This is a flexible, hybrid degree program that suits those currently working as licensed practical nurses and who want to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing.FAQs about Becoming a Nurse1. How long does it take to be a nurse? How long does it take to become an RN? 2 to 4 years - depending on your clinical experience and the registered nurse education requirements in where you’re based. How long does it take to become a CNA? 4 to 12 weeks - including classroom and clinical work, and depending on your regional guidelines. How long does it take to become an LPN? 12 months for a full-time licensed practical nurse (LPN) training program which provides you with basic nursing skills through a combination of coursework and clinical experiences.2. How much do nurses make? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median average pay for nurses is $77,600 per year (equally $37.31 per hour). Multiple factors affect the salary of nursing jobs, including: Type of nursing degree/programHands-on experienceSpecialtyRegion locationetc.3. What is the difference between a doctor and a nurse practitioner? Both professionals can work together to deliver patient care - recording patients’ medical histories and symptoms and diagnosing their health issues. With that being said, nurse practitioners generally wear more hats, including patient diagnoses, specialty care, and treatments, as well as administrative or educational roles. Ready to become a nurse? Match your nursing resume to the job description with Cake AIResume Checker to pass ATS screening.Check My ResumeYour Next Step in Becoming a NurseCake is your all-in-one career solution. Use our online resume builder for an ATS-friendly resume, complete with hundreds of free, professional resume templates and examples. Optimize your application instantly with Cake AI Resume Checker and generate a compelling cover letter with Cake Cover letter AI.Beyond documents, Cake helps you grow: build an online portfolio, find opportunities on our job portal, and establish your personal brand.Ready to simplify your job search and make success a piece of cake? Start using Cake now! --- Originally written byMay Luong ---
Cover Letter
Jul 22nd 2021

Nursing Cover Letter Writing Guide with Examples & Tips

You'll learn how to:Nurse Cover Letter ExampleWhat should a cover letter include for nursing jobs?How to write a professional nursing cover letterExtra tips for 5 different nursing professionalsHow to write a nursing cover letter as new graduatesA cover letter (or a “letter of motivation”, a “job application letter) is a formal document sent along with your job application during a job search. It provides additional information about your resume with the aim to introduce you in a more personal way. Also, it addresses why you are the best fit by highlighting your most outstanding achievements. During the job search, a cover letter is one of the best ways to increase your chance of getting a job interview, which can be as important as a professional resume. As for nursing talent, a nicely crafted cover letter with personalized ideas and details helps candidates stand out from other applicants. Therefore, we are here to help you write a successful cover letter for a nurse position. Nurse Cover Letter ExampleBefore walking through important tips and advice on how to write an eye-catching nursing cover letter, let’s check out an example of a registered nurse cover letter that gets you a ticket to the interview. Jane Smith [email protected]123-443-5491Goosetown, OhioDecember 18, 2020John ThompsonLacy Hospital456 Black St., Tampa, FL 55555 Dear Mr. Thompson, My name is Jane Smith - a registered nurse looking forward to acquiring the position as a nurse practitioner at Lacy Hospital. I strongly believe that my proven experience in relevant roles makes me a qualified candidate for this position. After reviewing your recruitment program, I would like to express my interest in pursuing the nurse practitioner role at Lacy Hospital while finding myself a suitable candidate for the vacancy. I earned my bachelor’s degree in nursing from Chicago University, and during my recent 3 years working as a registered nurse at University Medical Center in Boston, I have developed the necessary skills to deliver impeccable health care and service towards patients. My past experience as a nursing professional has provided me with invaluable experience in various medical settings, from home health services, neonatal units, to the emergency room. I have also been assigned challenging cases that involve making complicated diagnoses. Therefore, I'm confident in my abilities and promise to bring my diverse set of skills to contribute to your medical facility. Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I look forward to hearing back from you. Sincerely,Jane Smith What should a cover letter include for nursing jobs?Cover Letter Header As a particular part of the cover letters for nursing jobs; it shows the addresses of both sender and receiver, which is useful in distinguishing a nursing cover letter from a resume. The content should include your contact information (name, personal address, email, mobile number), details of the date, and the person to which the letter is sent.Example of a header in an experienced nurse cover letter:Louis M. Leroix8742 W. Taylor Dr. Portland, OR 45720[email protected]876-334-1241 February 25, 2019Amy StinsonHuman Resource Director | Western Hospital7753 Holler Lane Atlanta, Georgia 30051 Salutation This is where you address your nursing cover letter’s recipient. It’s vital to address the person who is in charge of the recruiting process so you may have a greater chance of landing the interview.💡Tip:Use Mr. and Ms. when you already know their gender. If not, mention their full name. In case you don’t have the recipient’s name, you can use a particular group or department (i.e Hiring Professionals). Example: Dear Ms. Kincaid, Opening (greeting, self-introduction, the purpose of the letter) In the opening section of an application letter for nursing jobs, there should be a proper greeting followed by a statement of who you are and why you sent this letter (as a perfect candidate). 💡Tip:The key to an attractive opening in the nursing cover letter is conciseness. Try to provide exclusive details of your educational background, work experience, and job references (if any) to back you up as the best fit. Exampleof a successful opening of an emergency nurse cover letter:My name is Jane Austen - a Practical Nursing Graduate from Purdue University. Ever since I received your email of recruitment notification, I’ve been desiring to fill in the position of an emergency nurse at Gohill Hospital. I believe that with my acquired knowledge, skills, and experiences, I will be a great contribution to your organization. Key Qualifications To further convince the recruiters, you should include key qualifications such as relevant skills, work experience, academic performance, achievements, etc. in your nursing cover letter. This is one of the pitching parts to showcase your competencies. Exampleof a registered nurse (RN) cover letter:In my previous roles as a Registered Nurse at Boston Veteran’s Hospital, I was tasked with making medical diagnoses of 20+ patients on a daily basis. Apart from that, I was also responsible for developing and monitoring a rotational system that manages the healthcare records of the patients. My past 5 years’ experience as a nursing professional has allowed me to develop skills such as time management, attention to detail, emergency handling, etc. which I find necessary for the position you are hiring for. Motivation To beef up your nursing cover letter, you need to state clearly why you decide to apply for the vacancy. The motivation part can be your passion for the position or its potential benefits for your long-term career path. Exampleof the motivation paragraph in an entry-level nurse cover letter:I believe that working as a practitioner nurse intern at your hospital would be a great chance for me to grow my nursing skills and real-life experience. I hope to be given an opportunity to work for your organization and to challenge myself in an ideal working environment like yours, where staff is always encouraged to learn from one another and grow together. Therefore, I decided to apply for the intern vacancy at your hospital. Additional Information This can be the final pitching point in your nursing cover letter as you can elaborate further on why you’re the right fit for the position, such as certain training, certifications, portfolio, personal projects, volunteer work, personality, etc. 💡Tip:Try to make it personal but professional to present yourself as an outstanding candidate. Exampleof a pediatric nurse cover letter:While at Boston University, I had the chance to lead a small project for the pediatric department, where I was able to help parents to bond with their children. The great experience has given me invaluable skills and helped me develop strong personalities that I find necessary for my career as a nurse practitioner. Closing For the closing part, it’s important to express your gratitude towards the hiring manager’s consideration of you as a potential candidate. Example:With these above-mentioned details, I believe that I will be a suitable candidate for the position you’re looking for. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you. Sign-off Signature Last but not least, don’t forget to include your sign-off and signature. Make sure to present these details in a business format to demonstrate a sense of professionalism. Example:Best regards,Anna How to write a professional nursing cover letter#Tip 1: Include keywords from the job ad. It’s important to adopt keywords in your nursing cover letter as it helps enhance your qualifications and gives you an opportunity to be considered for the next round. Both nursing cover letters and resumes are scanned by ATS (Applicant Tracking System). Therefore, using keywords will technically increase your chance of getting noticed. #Tip 2: Tailor to the position and company. Tailoring your nursing cover letter with details matching the job description is a safe bet!In this field, there are many different nursing positions that have different requirements for each role. #Tip 3: Highlight specific skills. Any specific skills will count, as they are what make you different from other candidates besides your qualifications. Thus, keep that in mind to spare a place in your nursing cover letter to make your nursing skills shine. Check the list below for nursing skills: Soft skillsHard skillsTime managementInterpersonal skillsTeamworkSelf-motivatedDetail-orientedOperating room supportEquipment use expertisePre-operative assessmentsNursing diagnosisEmergency response #Tip 4: Proofread the nursing cover letter. After finishing your nursing cover letter, you should spend some extra minutes going through it. This is when you check for possible grammatical or font errors. For sure, a mistake-free version of a nursing cover letter will be better considered. #Tip 5: Share compelling stories. A nursing position does not only require matching qualifications but also caring personalities. Little as you know, a story where you share your personal achievements and demonstrate your personality as a perfect candidate is highly recommended. Extra tips for 5 different nursing professionals📝Nurse ManagerAs a nurse manager, you will have a lot to show your leadership skills and management experience. If your nurse manager's cover letter can include such information and relevant experience, it can be a huge plus point.📝Registered NurseIn an application letter for a registered nurse, it’s important to focus on both skills and relevant experience. You also need to list out necessary certifications and licenses.All of these details set you on a different level compared to the others.📝Nurse PractitionerFor a nurse practitioner cover letter, you can’t miss out on listing your master’s degree along with years of experience in the field. Highlighting such information helps increase your chance of getting to the next round while making a great impression on hiring managers.📝Certified Nursing AssistantCertified nursing assistants are required to obtain specific certifications. Hence, bring it to the table as a piece of strong evidence of your qualifications on the cover letter.📝Staff NurseFor a staff nurse cover letter, it’s recommended that you can present yourself as an individual who has matching personalities and skills. Therefore, try to persuade hiring managers with your compelling personal stories.How to write a nursing cover letter as new graduates1. Adopt a strong career objective In a nursing student cover letter with no experience, it’s highly recommended that you elaborate on how the job opening will benefit your nursing career. Stating such details is a great way to demonstrate your enthusiasm to achieve certain goals and contribute to the employer. 2. Feature educational qualifications soft skills Having little or no experience to mention in your nursing cover letter means that you have to persuade hiring managers with your educational qualifications and soft skills. For example, convince them with your communication and teamwork skills, or relevant knowledge acquired at school. 3. Express a clear understanding of the workplace Demonstrating your knowledge of the hospital/facility system and its operation is a good way to present yourself as someone who is always well-prepared and willing to learn. It can be quite different to work in a small clinic compared to a hospital or an emergency room. 💡 A cover letter on its own can distinguish you from other applicants. Though it may seem daunting at first, a strong cover letter will make you an ideal candidate and shine among the pack. It's worth your effort and time!With the above guidelines, tips, and examples, we hope to give you an idea of how to write a professional nursing cover letter.Now, it's time to get your application letter for a nurse job noticed and land the interview!--- Originally written by May Luong ---
People Operations
Apr 15th 2022

Nursing Interview Questions and How to Answer Them (+ Tips)

Created by CakeIn this article, you'll learn:Nursing Interview TipsNursing Interview Questions and Sample AnswersQuestions to Ask in a Nursing InterviewNurses can positively and directly impact other people’s lives. They are the primary patient care providers. Oftentimes, they are those who aid others during what’s possibly the worst times of their lives. For this reason, patience, teamwork, adaptability, communication skills, and resilience are qualities that will make a successful nursing career and that are sought by employers in nursing job interviews. There are hundreds of types of nursing jobs you can pursue, including: Registered Nurse (RN)Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Clinical NurseEmergency Room NurseDental Nurse Nursing, although physically and mentally energy-consuming, is not only one of the most rewarding careers but also one of the most important ones. If you’re reading this, all the respect and best wishes to you! We want to help you kickstart or further your career with some of the most common nursing interview questions, answers, and some nursing interview tips!Nursing Interview TipsOther than medical knowledge and background, nursing characteristics such as patience, teamwork, adaptability, communication, and resilience are what healthcare employers look for in you. Nurses work closely with doctors and fellow nurses, interact with and educate patients and families, and have to stay calm and resolve emergent situations. So be prepared to display and highlight those qualities in your answers to nursing job interview questions. Common nursing interview questions include questions about your experience and background, and ones delve into some specifics like nursing behavioral interview questions that help employers assess the qualification. ✨ Go over the job description carefully. To know the specific skills required by the employer, you have to review the job description. word by word. Pick up the keywords in it. These key requirements are very likely to appear in questions asked in the nursing job interview. ✨ Reflect on your experiences and background. Compile a list of your qualities or skills that match the requirements in the job description. Make sure you have evidence, specific details or numbers, to back up those qualities and skills in your answers to nursing interview questions. To prepare a few experiences for one particular nursing job interview in advance, brainstorm some examples of previous successes relevant to the job that might make you stand out, and consider what nursing interview questions might be asked. ✨ Use the STAR method. STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a strategic technique to showcase your strengths in the case of nursing behavioral interview questions that starts with “Tell me about a time when…” or “Share an example of how…”. These types of nursing behavioral interview questions allow employers to analyze your problem-solving tactics and competency for the job. The STAR framework:Situation: Set the scene and describe a time when you’d faced the challenges your interviewer asked about.Task: Describe your responsibilities in that scenario.Action: Explain actions taken to address this issue. Remember to elaborate on what you have done and not focus on what others did.Result: Share the outcomes from your actions and your learnings or reflection from this experience. Practice sharing those experiences using the STAR framework and be sure to tap into your storytelling mode in nursing job interviews!🔎 Further reading:STAR Interview Method: Definition, Tips, and Examples Nursing Interview Questions and Sample AnswersBelow are some examples of how nursing behavioral interview questions and STAR answers might play out.Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) - Interview Questions and AnswersRegistered Nurse (RN) - Interview Questions and AnswersClinical Nurse - Interview Questions and AnswersICU Nurse - Interview Questions and AnswersNew Graduate Nurse - Interview Questions and AnswersCharge Nurse - Interview Questions and AnswersDental Nurse - Interview Questions and AnswersER Nurse - Interview Questions and AnswersNursing Interview Questions and Answers - “Tell Me About Yourself”Nursing Interview Questions and Answers - Strengths and Weaknesses Common nursing interview questions include behavioral questions, situational questions, scenario questions and questions about your background. Your answers to those nursing interview questions shed light on how this position aligns with your past experiences and future plans and how you would handle unpredictable situations in a clinic or hospital. 💭 Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) - Interview Questions and Answers Q: Why do you want to be a CNA? How to answer: With these types of nursing interview questions, feel free to share any personal anecdotes or interests that started you on this journey. A: I enjoy and excel at making sure every patient receives quality care and their families are well informed and prepared. I thrive in helping others and making connections. CNA is a position that offers the opportunity for me to do that to the fullest. 💭 Registered Nurse (RN) - Interview Questions and Answers Q: Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a doctor. How did you handle it? How to answer: With situational nursing interview questions, use the STAR technique! A: There was a time when I thought the prescription for a patient did not look right. I called the doctor and we went through the prescription together again. We did discover a mistake in the drug dosage and corrected it. So the patient could get their proper treatment. 💭 Clinical Nurse - Interview Questions and Answers Q: Share an example of when you handled a difficult situation or patient. How to answer: This is one of the nursing behavioral interview questions where you can use the STAR method to highlight traits that you demonstrated and share how you are comfortable with working through tough situations. A: I remember one elder patient I’d worked with a few years ago. She was extremely difficult, always complaining and arguing with staff. I looked at her charts to understand her situation and spent time talking with her, and learned that she had no relatives in the area that could visit her or take care of her. By being more empathetic and caring, she slowly became one of my favorite people to visit. 💭 ICU Nurse - Interview Questions and Answers Q: How do you handle workplace stress? How to answer: Be honest and concise. This question allows the interviewer an insight into how you can healthily balance your work and life. A: Through my 2 years working as a nurse, I’ve found and stuck to some hobbies that help relieve my stress: exercising and reading. My regular gym sessions, running, and Kindle all help me clear my head and get in a positive mental space. 💭 New Graduate Nurse - Interview Questions and Answers Q: What would you do if you don’t know what to do in a situation? How to answer: It’s completely normal to come across things you don’t know, but it’s also important that you can problem-solve without putting the burden on the rest of your team! A: I would take some time to research and learn. During my internship, I spent extra time going over patients’ diagnoses before my shift started. I then asked experienced nurses if I couldn’t find the information through my own research. 💭 Charge Nurse - Interview Questions and Answers Q: What will be the most challenging part for you as a charge nurse? How to answer: Your answer shows how much you’ve thought about this job. The interviewer will look at 1. how your expectations for the position align with reality and 2. what you will struggle with the most and 3. how you plan to overcome that. A: I believe the most challenging part would be how to effectively allocate and prioritize resources and staff to ensure the best care service. However, with my prior experiences as a nurse manager and adaptability skills, I’m sure I would be a great fit for this role. 💭 Dental Nurse - Interview Questions and Answers Q: How well do you work with your team? Share a situation where you displayed teamwork. How to answer: Again, with behavioral nursing interview questions, use the STAR framework. A: In my current role, we had a problem with patients not showing up for scheduled appointments. We held a meeting where everyone can come up with solutions together and found a way to improve the process of organizing the clinic’s schedule by sending out appointment confirmations a day before. 💭 ER Nurse - Interview Questions and Answers Q: How do you deliver bad news to a patient or their family members? How to answer: Explain your process and the thought behind it. Guide your interviewers through it like you would with your patient! A: I understand how hard it is to process or watch a loved one suffer, so I always try to show empathy while being firm in my messages. I would calmly explain the situation, spare time for questions and concerns, share the next steps, and be ready to repeat anything if I feel that they’re having a hard time understanding the information. It’s definitely one of the toughest parts of the job, but I’ve learned to steer the conversation as effectively and soothingly as possible. 💭 Nursing Interview Questions and Answers -“Tell Me About Yourself Q: Tell me about yourself. How to answer: With the classic “Tell me about yourself” question, it’s all about sharing how your background, skills, experiences tie into and can contribute to the position you’re applying for. A: I’m a motivated fresh graduate with a 3.80 GPA with a year of work experience at the Care Cure General Hospital. Before that, I worked as a CNA for one and a half years at Community Nursing Home. I’m passionate and dedicated to providing the best care for my patients, so I’m very excited about the opportunity to work here. 💭 Nursing Interview Questions and Answers - Strengths and Weakness Q: What are your strengths and weaknesses? How to answer: Highlight your strengths and support that with your experience. Be sure to tie it back to their job requirements! A: I have amazing interpersonal skills. Nothing frustrates patients more than not being understood, and my ability to listen to and identify patients' pain points makes their experiences a whole lot better. Same for patients’ families, it’s as important that their complaints, doubts, or anxiety are being heard. Addressing concerns largely improves the medical process and I’ve been helping fellow RNs work on that as well. As for weaknesses, I sometimes pay too much attention to the paperwork that needs to be done. It takes too much time. I am working on better time management, and I only allow myself half an hour on one document at most. Questions to Ask in a Nursing InterviewNearing the end of your nursing interview questions, the good old “Do you have any questions for us?” often overlooked by interviewees will pop up. This is a chance not only to answer any concerns you have regarding the position but also an opportunity to leave an impression and show the interviewers that you’re ambitious and serious about the role. What you ask reflects how much you’ve considered regarding transitioning into this new job or a new phase of your life. Examples of good questions to ask in a nursing interview:What is the training outline for new employees?What is the career progression for this role?How is performance measured in this facility?What does a typical day look like on the job?What medical record systems will I be using? Good luck with your interview! With Cake, you can easily create a resume online, free download your resume’s PDF formats, and utilize ATS-compliant templates to create a resume. Land your dream job, create your resume online (free download) now!Create CV --- Originally written by Yohan Ke ---
Resume & CV
May 12th 2022

Writing a Professional CV Summary [15+ Examples for Different Jobs]

Created by CakeIn this article, you will learn about:What Is a CV Summary?When You Should Include a CV SummaryHow to Write the Best Summary for a CVTips on How to Write a Summary in a CV15 Resume Summary ExamplesA CV summary, or Curriculum Vitae summary, is a paragraph that contains the highlights of your professional career. It is a strong statement that summarizes who you are, what makes you unique, your expertise, and your accomplishments. A CV summary is often confused with CV objectives. However, it is important to note that CV objectives are often utilized by freshers, to speak to hiring managers about their goals and prospects. In this article, we will provide useful information on CV summary, including guide to writing a professional curriculum vitae summary, who should and when to include a CV summary, tips on writing a professional summary for CV and professional CV summary examples.What Is a CV Summary?A CV summary is a short paragraph on the top of a resume that narrates a job seeker’s talent and performance. It is essentially a summary of your qualifications that allows the hiring manager to scan through your most impressive accomplishments. A CV summary is also called: Resume summaryCareer summary statementProfessional summaryPersonal profileProfile summary Although they may be different in names, they are all similar in purpose. The goal of a CV summary is to make a powerful introduction of yourself to hook the manager into understanding more about you. When You Should Include a CV SummaryAlthough often recommended, a CV summary section is not a requirement in all CVs. How do you decide if you want it or not? Here are the people who can benefit from adding a career summary statement on top of their CV: You are an experienced professional. A CV summary is ideal for job applicants with more than three years of professional experience. Your professional skills can be proven by past performances, which is highlighted in the professional summary for your CV. You have notable work achievements. A CV summary acts as a highlighter for professional experience. If you have outstanding work achievements, adding them in the CV summary will help it get noticed. You want to catch the recruiters’ attention with a summary of your experiences and skills on the CV. The CV summary section can be a strong opening that emphasizes the experience that makes you unique. If you want to catch the recruiter’s attention, craft the personal summary for your CV carefully. You want to make your CV more eye-catching. Most CVs share a similar structure, which can be dull and repetitive. A CV summary section allows more space for personalization, which can be more eye-catching to the recruiters. You want to introduce yourself with sentences instead of bullet points. The CV summary is like a shorter version of a professional cover letter. In simple narration, it speaks to the hiring manager about your most notable achievements, prospective contributions, and attributes that make you unique. It adds a more personal touch and allows room for more character in your language use compared to using bullet points. How to Write the Best Summary for a CVA CV summary is a preview of your resume experience and achievements. But how do you write the CV summary exactly? ✨ First sentence with a powerful adjective Always remember that your CV summary can make or break the first impression that you bring to the reader, so it’s important that you start with a powerful opening. Add one or two powerful adjectives to describe your experience or personality. Examples ofpowerful adjectives to insert in the CV summary:Self-motivatedData-DrivenCertifiedDetail-orientedetc. ✨ Your professional title and years of experience Next, add your position title. It should appear as early as possible as it really is the part that describes you as a professional the most.By now, it should look like this:Certified medical assistant with three years of experience in urgent care clinics. Note that what makes a CV perfect is its relevance to the job. Be sure to tailor your CV summary by adding some keywords directly from the job description. ✨ How you can help the employer to reach their goal When writing a professional CV summary, think from the hiring manager’s angle. They’d like to know what you can contribute. Address how you can help them in your CV summary.For example:Eager to assist FastOn in developing an effective marketing strategy with data-supported service products. This part of your CV summary is also a good chance to show off your motivation, vision and interest in the company by telling them how you want to contribute to the further development of the company. ✨ Your most impressive work achievements Finally, you want to show your ability in providing assistance. The next sentence of your CV summary should focus on demonstrating your best achievements. For example:Increased member base by 10% by integrating and monitoring multiple digital marketing channels to project unified marketing campaigns.💡 Pro Tip: Adding quantified measurements related to your achievements/responsibilities increases credibility and makes your statements more persuasive. Tips on How to Write a Summary in a CVAs you begin writing a career summary for your CV, here are some useful tips to follow through: 💡 Write only 3-5 sentences. The goal of the CV summary is for the hiring manager to glance quickly. Therefore, a solid and concise CV summary will always beat a long and unimpressive one. 💡 Use numbers and details.Take some time to look back on your work. Calculate the result with percentages, dollar amounts, time span, and so on. Including metrics and data in your CV summary will make your achievement more persuasive.💡 Pro Tip: This is why it is always important to keep track of your performance at work. However, if you do not have your hand on the necessary data, ask your supervisor or colleagues, or do a self-assessment. 💡 Keep it relevant to the job.Before taking any action, read closely through the job posting ad. Remember, the hiring manager is not looking for someone competent, but someone who is competent for the job role. When writing your CV summary, always relate your work experience with the desired job description. It will surely make your CV summary attractive in the eyes of the hiring manager. 💡 Omit personal pronouns (e.g., I) in the CV summary.Writing in personal pronouns may make a CV look a bit childish. After all, if it isn’t you, who else could it be? Instead, try to start your CV summary with a sentence starting with an impressive and impactful adjective. 💡 Include other relevant experience if you have limited relevant professional experience. Writing a CV summary with no experience can be a headache for freshers or junior applicants. Most recent graduates or students don’t have enough professional experience to even summarize into an introduction.However, you can dig into other related experiences and add in your CV summary to seize attention. For example:School projects/coursesVolunteer experienceFreelance workPersonal projectsInternshipsHobbies interestsGPA degree (for students/recent graduates) These are all valuable experiences where you can surely seek relevant material to put in your professional summary on a CV. 15 Resume Summary ExamplesOutline:CV Professional Summary for FreshersCV Summary with No ExperienceCV Summary Examples for StudentsExecutive CV SummaryTeaching CV Professional SummaryCustomer Service CV SummaryProject Manager Professional Summary for CVAccountant CV SummaryCareer Changer Summary Statement ExampleNurse Professional Summary ExampleProfessional Summary Examples for Sales CVCareer Summary for NGO JobIT Professional Summary ExampleHR Professional Summary ExampleData Entry CV Summary Example CV Professional Summary for Freshers“Hard-working and creative design graduate from Rochester Institute of Technology with a GPA of 3.9 seeking an entry UX designer role in Rene Inc. to optimize usability. Increased usability score by 60% with a new wireframe for crucial function in previous UX design intern role at Covision.”CV Summary with No Experience“Proactive student pursuing B.A. in Media Studies at Northwestern university. Seeking to join iGula as a digital marketing intern to develop online marketing campaigns and establish robust relationships with customers. Organized a large event that attracted over 500 people with successful channel planning.”CV Summary Examples for Students“Disciplined and motivated sophomore student with expected B.S. in Information Technology (GPA 3.9) from University of Boston. Eager to join Arbus as a back-end engineer to help optimize API reports and algorithms. Previous half-year internship at MM Data and experience with SQL database and user analysis.”Executive CV Summary“Organized executive with 14+ years of experience in digital strategic planning, business development, and financial management. Increased annual revenue by 43.5% by incorporating a new user monitoring analytic system. Recognized for affiliative and pacesetting leadership. Skilled at reexamining and implementing cross-functional collaboration and marketing communication arrangements.”Teaching CV Professional Summary“Personable high school teacher with 7+ years of experience in English teaching. Incorporated interdisciplinary instructional material to facilitate literature understanding and class participation by 67%. Adept with multiple learning methodologies to utilize 350+ students that received a 35% exam improvement rate.”Customer Service CV Summary“Driven customer service clerk with 2.5 years of experience in providing technology solutions. Eager to assist Berrywell’s users in solving complex software problems. Received response time by 50% by establishing problem flow systems for common questions.”Project Manager Professional Summary for CV“Agile project manager with 5+ years of professional experience in cyber security. Assisted 15+ international clients in developing and implementing malware activity tracking systems. Outstanding problem-solving and communication skills will help Seal Inc. retain and secure new client relationships.”Accountant CV Summary“Meticulous and dedicated Certified Public Accountant with 4 years of experience helping companies organize $2M financial analysis, budget, and audits. Finalized financial data reports and helped save company expenses by 8%.”Career Changer Summary Statement Example“Versatile sales associate with 3+ years of experience in the automobile industry seeking to leverage service skills as a customer support specialist at ITP. Grew sales by 20% and achieved a 99.8% positive rate that surpassed colleagues by 15%. Eager to provide spotless service to help ITP secure current users.”Nurse Professional Summary Examples“Trilingual professional registered nurse with 6 years of experience in geriatric nursing. Eager to join Smiths Hospital to provide effective nursing planning and care solution experience as RN at St. Patrick Hospital. Supervised medication schedule of 18 patients with accurate standard procedure.”Professional Summary Examples for Sales CV“Charismatic sales associate with 3 years of experience in high-end fashion brands. Eager to join Austen fashion to help generate brand awareness. Exceeded company KPI by 35% for 7 months in a row. Awarded best sales associate for two consecutive seasons.”Career Summary Example for NGO Job“Personable marketing professional with 6+ years of experience working for rare diseases NGOs. Utilized digital marketing strategy to implement successful campaigns that raised and exceeded donation by 300% and fan base by 400%. Eager to join TaYou to help raise awareness for the cranium.”IT Professional CV Summary Example“Passionate IT professional consultant with 10+ years of experience working with banks in the FinTech industry. Skilled in identifying procedure weaknesses. Cut loading time by 50% and assisted 20+ clients by building a technical self-diagnosis report. Seeking to leverage technical skills as senior IT consultant at Xemeo.”HR Professional CV Summary Example“Keen Human Resource generalist with 4+ years of experience managing employees. Seeks to enhance Focus Inc.’s applicant quality. In previous position, developed a two-week onboarding training program to boost positive participation by 20%. In addition, cut average recruitment time by 35% by seeking effective channels and posting eye-catching ads.” Data Entry CV Summary Example“Detail-oriented and speedy data entry clerk with 2 years of experience organizing complex data. Cut data-entry time by 30% with 100% accuracy. Skilled at excel functions and generating visualized reports to help employers understand problems.”With Cake, you can easily create a CV online, free download your CV's PDF formats, and utilize ATS-compliant templates to create a CV. Land your dream job, create your CV online (free download) now!Create CV--- Originally written by Wu Chao Min ---
Interview Skills
Mar 22nd 2022

How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions [+ Dos & Don’ts]

Created by CakeIn this article, we will cover:What Is a Behavioral Question?How to Answer Behavioral Interview QuestionsDos and Don’ts for Answering Behavioral Interview QuestionsBehavioral Interview Question ExamplesIn addition to the questions about work experience, most interviewers will also ask you several behavioral interview questions (a.k.a BDI or BBI interviews). These behavior-based interviews are non-technical and focus on how you react and behave in a professional setting. Thus, hiring managers can get a much better understanding of you as an employee. Keep in mind that behavioral interview questions are different from situational ones. BBI interviews require you to share concrete examples of difficulties or situations you have dealt with in the past. Situational-based interview questions, on the other hand, are designed to see how you would behave in a hypothetical situation. What Is a Behavioral Question?Let’s dig deeper into the concept of this interview technique! Behavioral job interview questions are generally concerned with a specific situation in the past, inquiring about the following information: How did you react or responded to that issueWhat action did you take to handle thatWhat result did you achieve eventually Oftentimes, interviewers prefer to ask these kinds of questions in order to assess how you conduct yourself in a professional environment and what your skill level is. Therefore, your answers to these behavioral interview questions demonstrate your strengths, skills, and abilities as an employee. How to Answer Behavioral Interview QuestionsThe secret of performing well in behavior-based interviews is knowing how to address STAR behavioral questions. The STAR technique for interviews allows you to provide a clear, concise, and specific response by using real-life examples.Below are the key 4 elements in the STAR methodology for interviews:SITUATION - the context of an event, problem, or challenge you encountered at workTASK - the tasks and responsibilities you were in charge of in the last positionACTION - the steps you took in that context to resolve the issueRESULT - the outcome of your actionsFurther reading:STAR Interview Method: Definition, Tips, and ExamplesDos and Don’ts for Answering Behavioral Interview Questions✅ 5 Dos: #Dos 1: Think before answering to show your prudence. Especially for STAR behavioral questions, you need some time to recall the memory and arrange your points logically. However, make sure you don't pause for more than 60 seconds before giving your answer. #Dos 2: Walk the interviewer through your process of thinking.Your response to the behavioral interview questions should present your thought process behind a difficult choice or in a tough situation, including how critical thinking skills are applied to determine your options and find the right solution. The interviewer can, thus, understand you better and make a more accurate assessment of your strength. #Dos 3: Organize your ideas, which demonstrates your critical thinking skills. It means that all the points in your answer should be laid out in a logical and well-structured way. #Dos 4: Keep your answer brief, less than 2 minutes long. In order to do this, you need to review both the required qualifications and your skills carefully before the interview. #Dos 5: Ask for clarification if you’re not clear about the question. Below are some polite ways to ask the recruiter or hiring manager to repeat their questions: Excuse me, could you please repeat that?Excuse me, would you mind repeating that last question please?Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that, can you ask again, please? ❌ 5 Don’ts: #Don’ts 1: Don’t say “I can’t think of any” even though you don’t know how to respond. Instead, stay calm, professional, and try saying something like: “That’s an interesting question. Could you please give me a few minutes to think it over?” #Don’ts 2: Don’t lie or make things up, which could give you a bad reputation in that company and potentially the industry you want to work in. Keep in mind that the employer will figure it out if you were lying eventually once you start training and working for them. #Don’ts 3: Don’t talk about irrelevant things such as: Relationship woesFinancial statusFamily plansPolitical affiliationReligion Even though sometimes the interview you're going to have is a lot more casual than other interviews, the golden rule is to keep the conversation strictly professional and straight to the point. #Don’ts 4: Don’t ramble, if you don't want it to reflect that you're not good at handling stressful situations. Sometimes, the hiring manager may ask you behavioral-based interview questions about how you perform under pressure. If you say you work well under stress but constantly ramble during the interview, it will show you up. #Don’ts 5: Don’t mention too much about other people. Instead, focus on your own ideas, actions, and achievements. That way, you can fully convey your skills, abilities, and contribute to the team. Behavioral Interview Question ExamplesIn this part, you will find examples of behavioral interview questions with answers for 10 different roles and professions. These will help you prepare for a behavioral interview better. Nursing Behavioral Interview Question and AnswerSoftware Engineer Behavioral Interview Question and AnswerConsulting Behavioral Interview Question and AnswerProject Manager Behavioral Interview Question and AnswerCall Center Behavioral Interview Question and AnswerData Analyst Behavioral Interview Question and AnswerFinance Behavioral Interview Question and AnswerAccounting Behavioral Interview Question and AnswerTeamwork Behavioral Interview Question and AnswerLeadership Behavioral interview Question and Answer 💡 Nursing Behavioral Interview Question and Answer Q: Being a nurse means you have to look after a lot of patients at the same time. What have you done to deal with stress at work?A: As a registered nurse having almost 9 years of experience, I totally understand the high-stress nature of my work. I make sure I get enough sleep, eat healthy food, and exercise regularly to maintain my physical and mental health. That way, I can ensure I’ll be there to help patients and families for years to come.There was a time when 30 victims who got severe food poisoning were rushed to the ER ward late at night. The hospital was not running at full capacity, and I had to rally everybody who knew how to manage such inflammation. It was a tough time for all of us, but we pulled through smoothly. 💡Software Engineer Behavioral Interview Question and Answer Q: Explain a situation when you disagreed with a coworker.A: In my last role at MasTech, one of my team members suggested a method of coding for our new project. After checking it out, I found it a bit risky and inefficient. In that situation, I had a meeting with him where we each laid out our plans for the project and the coding method we found most practical and effective. After the discussion, we both understood each other’s concerns and decided to bring our suggestions to the rest of the team, asking for their opinions. That experience has taught me well how to come to a mutual decision as a group. 💡 Consulting Behavioral Interview Question and Answer Q: Please share a time when you had to work with multiple clients at the same time. Could you manage this situation well?A: Last summer, I had to work with four different clients at the same time. In this situation, I not only assured them that they were a priority, but also managed their expectations about my availability due to other job responsibilities. To organize and prioritize my task for each client efficiently, I used a project management tool for both my computer and cellphone. I also set up a regular online meeting with each of them to reassure them that their projects were all on track. These allowed me to track my progress and any deadlines I need to meet, ensuring that I fulfill my clients' needs. 💡 Project Manager Behavioral Interview Question and Answer Q: Have you ever had a project that did not meet the deadline? How did you deal with it?A: Earlier this year, I was working on a software development project with a client. As they suddenly requested to add a certain feature to their customized software, we might have missed the deadline. As the project manager, I met with my team to estimate how much time we would need to add the feature and complete the software. After that, I presented my client with the new plan. They agreed on a later deadline and were happy with the outcome in the end. 💡 Call Center Behavioral Interview Question and Answer Q: Give me an example of a time when you successfully resolved a problem in the call center.A: Last Christmas, when I was working as a call center representative at Vile Hotels Resorts, I had to deal with a difficult customer on the phone. She was a guest at our resort and did not feel happy with her stay.The very first thing I did is make a sincere apology for her unsatisfactory experience and tell her that I would report all the issues to the higher-ups. Next, I gave her a discount for her next stay and asked for her home address to send her a gift basket. I was told by the receptionist that she likes our hotel's sweets.After 30 minutes of talking, she felt better and decided to delete the bad review she had written on our Facebook page. 💡 Data Analyst Behavioral Interview Question and Answer Q: Tell me about the most difficult data analysis project that you’ve ever handled. How did you get over it?A: The most difficult project was on traffic fatalities. My tasks were to estimate how many traffic facilities would be built in the next 10 years and figure out what factors would influence them.This project was very challenging because I couldn’t access the state-level crash fatality records for each year within the last decade. So, I researched the current situation and any relevant data that I could find, and did my predictions. 💡 Finance Behavioral Interview Question and Answer Q: Have you ever failed to do a sales report accurately?A: During the 5 years of working as a financial analyst, that never happened to me. I would say I have found the best way to produce accurate financial reports, which is to enlist the help of industry-designed software tools. I'm most familiar with Qvinci and Balanced Scorecard to evaluate a company's current financial situation before analyzing more specific areas. 💡 Accounting Behavioral Interview Question and Answer Q: What's the biggest mistake you've ever made at work?A: That happened when I had to prepare a client's tax return but I didn’t include his tax-exempt interest. As a result, he earned more than we had estimated. According to federal law, we needed to file an amended tax return otherwise we would risk being audited or penalized. As soon as I realized it, I immediately corrected this oversight by preparing an amended tax return reflecting tax-exempt interest. My client understood the situation and was still satisfied with the service eventually. 💡Teamwork Behavioral Interview Question and Answer Q: Can you tell me about a time you had to work with someone completely different from you?A: I always enjoy working with new people even though there might be some differences or conflicts sometimes. At Vietcetera, I once worked with a particularly young graphic designer on a new podcast channel.I was in charge of ideation and content creation, as well as ensuring the quality of social media graphics. As he never worked in the creative industry before, he didn’t know a lot about the strategies we used.Every day I tried to teach him something about the industry and the company in general, and we also spent some time going over the top popular podcast channels at the moment together. In the end, he surprised me by how much of a fast learner he was and our project was well-received by both the company and the audience. 💡 Leadership Behavioral interview Question and Answer Q: Describe an instance where you had to perform a task that you had no previous experience with before.A: In my previous position at iStyle Beauty Clinic, my manager asked for a one-month leave due to her medical condition. The director asked me to fill in as the interim manager. I was first quite uncertain and unconfident since I hadn’t been trained to be a manager yet.Despite that, I decided to take on a new challenge. The first thing I did was to gather the team and inform them of the situation. Especially, I was very open about my lack of experience and expected them to be open about giving feedback when possible, too. I performed managerial duties, such as delegating work, motivating employees, planning team building activities, with the help of the director in the first week.As a result, we managed to get through the month without any problems, and my boss commended me for doing a great job. I was then promoted to manager at the end of that year.With Cake’s resume builder tool, resume templates and resume examples, you could showcase your best qualifications to land your dream job. Try making a resume online (free download) now!Create CV--- Originally written by May Luong ---
Industry & Job Overview
Aug 30th 2022

Get a Job with an Associate Degree: Where to find High-Paying Ones

Created by CakeIn this article, we'll cover: What is an associate degree?Associate degree jobsTips for getting a job with an associate’s degreeEducation plays an important role on your resume and in your job application. It allows the recruiter to better understand your qualifications. Generally, there are 5 types of degrees you can list in your resume when you look for a job: high school diploma, associate degree, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and PhD. Before we start focusing on associate degree jobs, let us look over the different types of degrees: High school diploma: This is the qualification one can get after studying for four years, from grade 9 to grade 12. The specific coursework requirements may vary from one state to another.Associate degrees: Considered a step further over a high school diploma but shorter than a bachelor’s degree. However, there are many possible career paths with an associate's degree, and they usually take about two years.Bachelor’s degree: Regardless of the field you specialize in, a bachelor's program is one of the most common requirements for job-seekers. Traditionally, it is a four-year program, and students learn about general education and a particular specialization.Master’s degree: Due to the market or personal motivation, graduates can opt to level up their education. Master’s programs tend to take from two to three years, and the level of the classes is more advanced.Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.): It is the most advanced degree level of them all. After completing one, students become experts in their field. Nonetheless, remember it usually takes at least four years to obtain one. The requirements to apply to one are higher, and so is the level of the dissertation a candidate has to write and defend. The number of jobs that you can get with an associate degree has risen lately. In 2019 alone, over 1 million students pursue careers with associate's degrees, and the trend does not seem to slow down anytime soon. Therefore, the are good possibilities of finding a job with an associate's degree. Moreover, the median yearly income for people with associate degree jobs in the past 20 years has been around $70K. While lower than the salary of someone with a bachelor's degree or higher education, it is much higher than the wage of a high-school graduate (less than $50K). What is an associate degree?You must be excited to learn about the highest-paying jobs you can get with an associate degree. However, let us first further discuss the details you need to know about such an interesting degree. An associate degree is a solid way into a professional career. It usually takes two years to finish one (even less if you earned college credits in high school). Therefore, it is much more affordable than a bachelor's degree. Widely popular in the US, associate degrees are also accepted in Canada, Australia, and Denmark.In those countries, there are many career options with an associate's degree, such as jobs prefer for students with an associate’s in science or even jobs for psychology associate’s degree graduates. Benefits of an associate degree Other than preparing you for some high-paying jobs, an associate's degree can also benefit you in the following ways: It takes less time: Not everyone has the luxury of studying four years to get a bachelor’s degree before starting to work. If time is of the essence, you should consider a developing a career with an associate’s degree. Flexibility: Unlike traditional college, many associate’s degree programs offer classes for students with non-traditional hours, such as classes in the evenings, on Saturdays, or online classes. It is a great investment: Money matters, and the jobs you could find with an associate degree are a prime example of how a smaller investment can still yield good results. Although sometimes they are half the cost of a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree can improve your salary expectations. Types ofassociate degrees There are different types of associate degress and here are some of the most popular ones that you can start your career with: Associate in Arts: An AA degree gives you access to a broad range of topics like music, literature, business, etc. While an Associate in Arts degree grants you the chance of landing jobs in the relevant fields, it also leaves the door open to enrolling in a bachelor’s program later to further your education. Associate in Science: Like an AA, an AS is also a broad look into different fields in which you can specialize in the future. Possible paths for a student of an associate of science degree are jobs like nursing or engineering. Associate in Applied Science: An AAS is highly specific. It lets students venture into a career right after graduating. AAS programs are more practical and into training for the workplace. An associate of applied science degree can land you a job right after graduation, such as accounting or web development.Associate degree jobsWhat can you do with an associate's degree? Here are some of the most common careers with an associates degree you could go for: Dental HygienistAccountantBusiness AdministratorCriminal Justice PositionsSocial Service AssistantComputer ProgrammerComputer Network Support SpecialistRegistered NurseRadiographerLegal AssistantReal Estate AgentAir Traffic ControllerElectric Engineering TechnicianAssistantNuclear TechnicianDental Hygienist It is one of the most popular associate's healthcare degrees. Your job is to assist a dentist by cleaning patients’ teeth and educating them. An average dental hygienist associate's degree salary is over $70K yearly. It usually takes three years to get the title. You will need a license from your state as well. Accountant An associate in accounting takes two years in which you learn about basic business and accounting concepts. It prepares you for some entry-level business associate degree jobs (such as financial clerks) as well as easing a transition into a bachelor’s in accounting. The average accounting associate degree salary can be over $40K a year . Business Administrator There are several business administration jobs for people with an associate degree to pursue even if the study time is shorter than a bachelor’s degree. For example, you could get a position in sales management, as an account executive, in human resources, and other jobs fitting a business associate degree which yield salaries of at least $57K a year. Criminal Justice Positions Among the jobs you could get with a criminal justice associate’s degree once you graduate, you can find security officer, prison warden, forensic technician, and many more. Moreover, the salary expectations are promising (for example, a forensic science technician makes over $60K a year), although some positions can be demanding and dangerous. Social Service Assistant A path for anyone interested in social work with an associate's degree. With a yearly salary that goes over $50K (7), and a workload that consists of helping those vulnerable citizens find appropriate social services like mental health care or vocational placement. Computer Programmer The popularity of this jobs for people with an associate of applied science has risen incredibly thanks to the never-stopping boom of the internet. It is a great time to learn how to code. Computer applications, websites, software, apps, and many other things we use daily, depend on programmers! Computer Network Support Specialist On a similar note, professionals with an associate of applied science can land this job and specialize in evaluating and maintaining network systems running in order and being able to solve any issue that may arise. Registered Nurse It is one of the most common and popular choices. The two-year program allows you to land an associate’s job in nursing right away to gather valuable experience. Many nurses also it as an intermediate step before starting a bachelor’s program. Radiographer People undergoing this program learn about X-rays, computed tomography, and similar techniques to create diagnostic to help patients. To get a job in this field, you will need an associate healthcare degree and a license from the state in which you wish to practice. Salaries in this field tend to go around $60K (8). Legal Assistant You will need an associate degree in paralegal studies to land an job like this one. Your job will include daily duties like organizing documents, researching for cases, fact-checking, etc. This degree also serves as a stepping stone if you intend to get a bachelor’s in the future. Real Estate Agent While it could be considered a job for those with a business associate degree, it is better if you obtain an associate degree in real estate management. You will learn about duties like client relationship management, negotiation technique, etc. The medium annual salary is usually around $50K. Air Traffic Controller It is among the highest-paying jobs you could get with an associate’s degree you can get. Airports need individuals with the ability to direct the traffic while maintaining safety and efficiency. It is a highly specialized job that you can obtain with an associate’s degree in two years depending on the school you enroll to learn. Electric Engineering Technician Nowadays, there are many opportunities to land an job with an associate of applied science degree in this field. You will learn everything about electronics if you study this career. Including product design such as navigational equipment, electronic devices, and even medical technology. Assistant Though it might not rank among the highest paying jobs for people with an associate degree, it can open up opportunities to start your career. This is a job for those with a business associate degree where you will assist your superior with daily tasks of a managerial nature. It can help you gather work experience while you decide what’s next for you. Nuclear Technician You can even pursue such a highly-technical career with an associate's degree. The job is quite risky and requires a lot of attention as you monitor radiation levels and work to maintain a safe process. For a job that requires an associate’s in science like this one, you might need a very specialized program such as an associate’s degree in nuclear science. Tips for getting a job with an associate’s degreeYou are probably thinking about applying for a job now that you learned about some of the jobs you can pursue with an associate’s degree. You can follow the next tips whether you are looking for entry-level jobs with an associate’s degree or one of the highest-paying associate degree positions: 💡 Get as many certifications as possible Some companies will be hesitant about hiring someone without a Bachelor’s degree although an associate degree would do just fine for the job. This is particularly true for high-paying jobs you can technically excel at with an associate’s degree. Therefore, to enhance your application you should get any related certification that can help you stand out from other candidates. 💡 Build strong portfolios Another way to convince a doubtful employer is to prepare a portfolio that showcases your work. This is helpful for someone with an associate of arts degree looking for a job such as design, in which you can give the company an idea of your potential. Similarly, applications for an associate’s in science job like programming can be benefited from a strong portfolio. 💡 Never stop your education There are many options of careers you can develop with an associate's degree. Some of them only require the knowledge you can get from two year program. However, if you intend to advance in the field an associate degree might not be enough. However, you can always further develop your skills and knowledge by utilizing various learning resources available to you. You can sign up for online courses or bootcamps or watch tutorials to educate yourself. 🔑 Key TakeawaysRemember, jobs you can get with an associate degree can vary from very broad to super specific. The highest paying positions you can excel at with an associate degree tend to require more specialized education (e.g. requiring an AAS rather than an AS). It’s important to always keep learning and improving one’s education.As time passes, the are fewer limits to what you can do with an associate's degree. You will find them to be a great solution if you need to start your career as soon as possible.Another positive aspect of associate’s degrees is that you can use them to gather some work experience and continue your education once your financial situation is better. For example, you can get an associate in science job like being an electric technician and then apply for an Electric Engineering bachelor’s (with a reduced workload).Finally, starting your career with an associate's degree is a great option if time or money is of importance to you. However, you might face some resistance at first. Be prepared to combat it by preparing as much as possible, building a strong portfolio, and keep studying if you want to increase your job status in the future. With Cake, you can easily create a resume online, free download your resume in PDF, and utilize ATS-compliant templates to create a resume. Create your resume online (free download) now and land your dream job!Create resume--- Originally written by Roger Rene Ortega Figueroa---

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