Whether you’re entry-level or a veteran CRT or RRT, make sure your respiratory therapist resume is in the best shape to help you land your next job with these 10 essential RT resume tips.
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Top 10 Resume Tips for Respiratory Therapists
According to official sources, respiratory therapist jobs are growing at a rate that's "much faster" than average — including other healthcare jobs — with almost 9,000 new ones predicted to open up every year this decade.
That’s lot of jobs! But with more than 130,000 RTs currently practicing in the U.S., and more than 400 accredited schools actively training more, you can expect strong competition for the best ones. So, landing the position you want means getting your RT resume just right — and we've got 10 tips to help you do just that.
RT resume tip #1: Research & customize
It takes work, but it's important to customize your resume for each job. And the best way to do that is with some simple research. If the RT job listing includes the name of the facility, Google it and check out their website or LinkedIn page to get a sense of its specialties, culture, and expectations.
RT resume tip #2: Be brief
If your resume is too long, it might be rejected, whether by an automatic AI screener or a busy HR professional who simply doesn't have time to read a stack of multi-page documents. One page is ideal; two is okay if you have a lot of experience and certifications to include, but never make it any longer than that.
RT resume tip #3: Be mindful of fonts & font size
Don't get fancy with fonts! An unusual font may grab their attention, but it may be a turnoff, too — after all, it's not really the time for playfulness. And don't make the font size smaller to cram in more info, or larger to fill space. Experts recommend using Arial or Garamond at a 12-point size.
RT resume tip #4: Know what & what not to include
You can help keep your resume brief and focused by leaving out irrelevant info like hobbies and education that isn't related to the job. You can include CRCE courses you've taken, but if it's a long list, limit it to the best, most relevant courses you've passed in the past few years, especially AARC-approved courses.
RT resume tip #5: Customize to your experience level
Your level of experience is another good way to gauge what to include and what to leave out. If you're an entry-level RT, it's okay to focus more on skills. But if you have years or decades of experience, you'll want to focus more on specific accomplishments related to patient care or clinical efficiencies.
RT resume tip #6: Be specific
And when it comes to describing all that experience, be as specific as you can. Talk about how you reduced respiratory complications by 10 percent, or how you helped improve patient satisfaction scores by eight percent. That way, you're showing your experience and your ability to achieve results at the same time.
RT resume tip #7: Include soft skills
While including specific achievements is critical, so is listing the skills that show how well you can adapt to the job and work with others, or even take over as a leader. So, focus on achievements that highlight teamwork, communication, leadership, problem-solving, and other essential soft skills for clinicians.
RT resume tip #8: Get your references ready
While it's okay to say “References available upon request,” it's also essential to know who they are, and make sure they're ready. Experts tell us that 80% of hiring managers and HR professionals do contact references — and 62% say that those references don't actually have good things to say about the applicants.
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Bonus tip: Especially if you're applying to multiple jobs, don't expect three or four references to field all those calls — have a few extras ready as backups.
RT resume tip #9: Double-check for typos and grammar
Often called the “kiss of death," a typo can automatically disqualify you for a job. And that includes grammatical mistakes, which are harder to catch with spell-check — for instance, consistency using past or present tense, or periods after bulleted lists. So, take the time for a careful read-through before you finalize.
RT resume tip #10: Get another set of eyes
Maybe the best way to check for errors and make sure you're presenting yourself in the best possible light is getting someone else to review your resume. So, consider asking a friend, loved one, or co-worker to take a look and provide their thoughts on what is and isn't working. (And be ready for some honest feedback!)
Explore RT Career Opportunities with HealthTrust
When your resume is ready, remember that HealthTrust is the nation's leading source of allied health careers! From permanent to per diem to travel and beyond, we've got the RT jobs you're looking for — search now to see what's available.
