Healthcare resume objective examples

Resume objectives aren't required anymore—a career summary is more common nowadays—but objectives still might be useful in some cases when you are applying for health care jobs. Using a health care resume objective can set you apart in a sea of resumes. Here are several do's and don'ts to help you create an effective resume for health care.

Don't be boring

When your field is all about human connection, you don't want the objective statement on your health care resume to bore the reader. Keep things lively with powerful, compelling words that demonstrate the talents you use to make a difference everyday in the health care field: attention to detail and skill. Don't just say, "Seeking a job in nursing to utilize my skills." Mention keywords that are specific to the job you want, such as "Attentive and caring pediatric nurse," or "Positive and motivating shift supervisor."

If you're on the administrative side, you can liven things up using creative description. Instead of saying, "Experienced admin assistant," say, "Capable and organized team player and database manager."

Do mention experience

Though objective statements are traditionally used to say what kind of job you want, a health care objective statement also offers the opportunity to reinforce your previous experience and shine light on your strengths.

For example, you might mention that you are seeking a role that draws upon your experience working with people, or that you want to use your record-keeping expertise in a management role with room for growth. Ambition is an attractive quality to display in your objective statement. After all, you never know if your resume might cross someone's desk for another, more lucrative job opportunity.

Do speak about your skills

Many levels of the medical field require a huge investment in certification, training, and education. Incorporate your specialized knowledge and certifications into your health care objective statement to give you an edge. For example, "NHA Certified Pharmacy Technician seeks opportunity to implement pharmaceutical knowledge in a fast-paced, customer-centric work environment."

If you have a certain specialty such as working with the elderly or children, hospice and palliative care, be sure to work those specialties into your objective if they are relevant to the job.

Don't be selfish

The objective statement of a health care resume isn't the place to wax on about your desire to learn or challenge yourself. Employers seek top talent that is presumably already highly skilled. Asking for a challenge might make you sound high maintenance or easily bored.

Recruiters and hiring managers want to see how you will benefit their company, not the other way around. Instead, use your objective statement to state that you are seeking a health care role that maximizes your particular expertise, such as lab work analysis, administering medication, or skillful and empathic patient handling.

Use the objective statement to summarize all that's great about you. Focus on your unique combination of personality, expertise, and skills.