How Will I Find a Job as a CNA?
Youâve completed the requirements to become certified as a nursing assistant! Congratulations! Youâve worked hard for this credential and you deserve it! So, what next? Are you looking for a job to utilize your training and expertise? How will you go about finding your first clinical position?
Steps to find a job as a CNA
The first thing you will need is a strong resume, highlighting your education, skills and experience. You can build a resume yourself using a template from Microsoft Word or a similar software program. Free resume templates or formats can also be found online by searching âfree resume templateâ. If you need help constructing your resume, consider hiring a âresume writing serviceâ. For $60-$100 you can purchase a high quality document that will make you stand out among the sea of applicants. And if this leads to a prompt job offer, the investment will be well worth it!
Prepare your resume for a job as a CNA
Once youâve decided who will prepare your resume, you will need to decide what it will say about you. As you map out the content, be sure to give yourself credit for the clinical experience you received during your training.  Highlight specific examples of your ability to manage your patient assignment. For example, if you have successfully managed a patient assignment of 5 or 10 patients, you will write that you âprovided personal care for 10 residents at a long term care facility, attending to all aspects of care, including, bathing, grooming, safe transfers, skin care, feeding and emotional supportâ. You will also want to include any personal interests that will make you stand out. If you have participated in a cancer walk, taught a Sunday school class or worked on a neighborhood improvement project, list it!
How to search for job as a CNA?
With resume in hand, you can begin to actively search for work. Many organizations advertise vacant positions in the local newspaper or on internet job boards (careerbuilder.com, indeed.com, monster.com, craigslist.com etc.). As you look for jobs online, donât limit your search keyword to âCNAâ. Using keywords such as âpersonal care attendantâ or âpatient care technicianâ, âpatient care assistantâ or ânursing assistantâ will greatly expand the list of search results. Many organizations including nursing homes and hospitals have websites. From the homepage, look for keywords such as âcareersâ, âjobsâ or âemployment opportunitiesâ to view vacant positions.
If you really want to stand out among the crowd, however, nothing beats face-to-face contact. Many people who have visited the human resources department in a facility, arriving professionally dressed with resume in hand, have been offered an immediate interview. During your interview, confidently sell yourself and your abilities. Consider the questions they may ask you (ie âwhat are your strengths and weaknesses?â) and practice your responses. Ask yourself âwould I hire me?â and present yourself accordingly.
Happy job hunting and good luck!
