In searching for medical transcription jobs, it is likely that potential positions will be found online and a resume and covering letter will be submitted by email. The challenge is getting your resume read, for a position that hundreds of other candidates have applied for. The old adage “You never get a chance to make a first impression” is vitally important when submitting resumes for medical transcription jobs.
First and foremost you must remember that you are seeking employment as a medical transcriptionist, and in this role, accuracy and attention to detail are two crucial job requirements. Therefore, your resume must be absolutely picture perfect in terms of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Further, it must look neat, clean, uncluttered, professional, and in general, very easy to read.
If submitting online, ensure that it is formatted correctly so it appears the way you intended when it is received by the prospective employer. Swallow you pride and have friends and colleagues proof read it and make suggestions as to how it can be improved.
Finally, treat each opportunity like gold and avoid forwarding a standard resume and covering letter. Take the time to do a little research on the company. A quick scan of the company website can often provide insight into their corporate mission, corporate culture, and even some information on medical transcription jobs, which can then be incorporated it on you resume or covering letter.
For example a company may have a strong mandate to be environmentally friendly, or a mission of “continuous improvement”. A simple statement on a covering letter such as “My goals are very much in line with your corporate mission in that I believe that continuous improvement is vital for any organization to prosper and grow. In fact I am currently enrolled in advanced medical transcriptionist training at a local college”.
Remember that people hire people; they do not hire a piece of paper. Try to get in the head of the prospective employer and emphasize areas that you think are important to the employer. Upon completion of a draft resume, read it as if you were the individual hiring for medical transcription jobs, and ask yourself whether you would hire this person. If the answer is no, list the reasons and address these in your resume.
Use the covering letter as a tool to exhibit your personality and show them that you have done your research. Tell them why you want to work for the company and why you are seeking a career as a medical transcriptionist. In the resume include sections covering such as “Career Objective”, “Past Achievements”, “Work Experience”, “Educational Background”, “Computer Hardware and Software Knowledge” , and “Specific Skills Related To The Position”.
If you follow the advice of doing your research, tailoring the resume and covering letter to each position, and ensuring that everything is picture perfect, your resume will quickly move to the top of the pile and your search for medical transcription jobs will soon be over.