The art of writing an effective resume has to be one of the most important tools in your career toolbox. But to get your intended audience to read more about you, you need to jump-start your resume with a well crafted opening statement. A brief 75 word or less “Career Summary” or “Professional Summary” is essential to a healthcare IT professional’s resume. Here are some pointers, as well as some examples of career statements (75 words or less) for the healthcare IT CIO and IT professional.
Find the right opening statement title
Your resume opening statement needs a good title, here are some suggestions:
- Career Summary
- Professional Summary
- Career Profile
- Personal Overview
- Executive Summary
Try not to use “Objective” unless you are a recent graduate and have no career history. But here is an example where it seems to work.
OBJECTIVE
A seasoned healthcare IT executive with a successful career of bringing tangible value from technology by implementing a culture of service, looking for a long term senior level position with a progressive healthcare provider.
Cautions
- Keep it third person, don’t use “I” or “my” in your resume, or in the summary. Here is an example of what not to write.
PERSONAL OVERVIEW
I am an executive with a strong understanding of healthcare, as well as a solid background in Information Systems. I offer the ability to align information technology with a corporation’s business and quality goals. I have excellent communication skills, and I have the ability to lead major initiatives across organizations.
- Mention “healthcare” or “health system” in the opening statement, don’t be generic, HIT experience is different.
- Add other key words that are unique to HIT and your healthcare experience.
- Lose the number of years in the opening statement. Let your resume reveal your years of experience.
- Write several sentences, instead of bullets
Here is an example with too many year references and bullets.
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y
Professional Information Technology Manager with a total of 25+ years of experience in the Information Technology industry.
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Some effective opening statements
Here are some examples of opening statements that are clear, concise and seem to be effective in describing a healthcare IT CIO or HIT professional career.
CAREER SUMMARY
Results oriented CIO/Healthcare Executive with experience driving complex business and technical initiatives including strategic IT planning; clinical, ancillary, financial and remote clinic system implementations; health system operations improvement; and hospital consolidations, acquisitions, mergers and closings. Known for building, developing and leading highly effective teams and organizations.
Career Profile
Chief Information Officer * Medical Group IT Administration * Information Management
Demonstrated success in planning, delivering, and supporting clinical, financial, and analytical systems to support large physician medical groups. Implementation of ambulatory electronic health records, revenue cycle solutions, and business applications, that meet the needs of the ambulatory healthcare enterprise, its providers and its patients. Experience leading effective project management and business process improvement initiatives.
CAREER SUMMARY
Master’s prepared CIO/Healthcare Executive with progressively successful experience in the private sector and military healthcare systems. A recognized leader in establishing IT organizations, building world-class infrastructure and creating customer oriented support services. Known for effective contract negotiations, physician relation building, and successful EMR/CPOE system implementations. A collaborative, hands-on, people-oriented leader who leads and mentors staff with a passion for superior customer service.
Professional Summary
A dynamic, innovative security professional who builds teams, creates relationships, and has earned a reputation for striking just the right balance between business needs and security requirements. Well-seasoned in both the tactical and strategic aspects of security, program management, and consensus building among diverse groups with conflicting business objectives. Team-based management style, excellent interpersonal / communication skills. Believes that companies who invest in passionate and talented people will lead the way not only in security, but also in every aspect of their businesses.
In closing
Use your opening statement to draw your reader into your resume.
- Give that opening statement a “pop” so that they want to read more.
- Don’t be shy, but don’t be egotistical.
- Use as many HIT keywords as you can, these key words separate us from manufacturing, banking, retail and other industries.
- Point out your strategic, operational, project management, people management ability. Add your EMR/CPOE, physician, clinician, executive experience.
Drafting a resume opening statement is a great way to condense your HIT career into 75 words or less, be ready for the “elevator speech,” and impress the next reader of your resume.
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