Nursing Home Administrator Resume Tips

VITAL STATISTICS

The tools of a successful job search are very different in today’s job market than they were even a decade ago. An online presence in the form of a personal website or networking profile (such as LinkedIn) is a must, and social media’s role is growing ever larger. Some argue that the professional resume will soon be a thing of the past. However, we have found that it is still a vital piece of your personal brand. Successful job seekers use the resume to catch the attention of an employer and pique their interest to know more. We have previously discussed general resume tips for job seekers in the senior living industry. Here, we will present specific tips for those drafting a nursing home administrator resume.

GET TO THE POINT

Nursing home administrator job duties are considerable. Nursing homes are looking for educated, experienced candidates with excellent leadership skills who have a track record of success, and a demonstrated dedication to the organization. It is crucial to get to these points quickly. Most hiring managers look at a resume for about six seconds before sorting it into the “deserves a closer look” versus the “no thanks” piles. That is, if they look at them at all - a recent article by Quartz at Work, indicates that some companies are now using applicant tracking system (ATS) software to screen resumes. One’s resume must contain the right keywords to be chosen by the application’s algorithm. Your resume should quickly and succinctly demonstrate that you have the experience and temperament needed to take on a leadership role in a 24/7 job that requires both clinical and business acumen, and calm, professional interactions with staff, residents, families, other administrators, and governing boards.

START STRONG

Your resume must be packed with relevant specifics and absolutely nothing else. Use specific examples that showcase your skills and experience, highlight areas and key words you know will be of particular interest to the employer, and avoid wasting time and space using clichés (‘people pleaser,’ ‘out-of-the-box thinker,’ etc.). Keep the educational history and lists of certifications for the latter half of the resume. Start with how your current facility has benefited thanks to you. What were your greatest successes? How were they measured? Don’t be afraid to get really specific. Below are some examples of bullet points for a nursing home administrator resume that would catch the eye (or algorithm) of an employer:

• Oversee and manage a 102-bed skilled nursing facility
• Increased star rating from a 2 to a 5-star rating by CMS
• Achieved an average census of 99%; a 15% increase over 12 months
• Implemented a resident customer service program involving all employees
• Recognized by the company as Administrator of the Year

Ideally, your resume, online presence, business cards, and elevator speech should coordinate to create your personal brand. All of which is critical for getting face time with the right people. These nursing home administrator resume tips will help you get that face time. Then all you have to do is nail the interview. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered there, too.