Whether you’re newly minted or an old hand, applying for a new job can be overwhelming. Even with the high demand for qualified CNAs, the job search may seem tedious and everlasting. However, with our tips, you’ll stand out as a CNA in 2025 with an impressive resume and polished interview skills.
You Have A Vital Role As A CNA
Both your resume and interview must highlight your experience, qualifications, certifications, and your desire to excel in your job better than anyone else. That all begins with your understanding of the role of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in healthcare organizations.
A CNA is a pivotal person in patient care. You assist RNs and other medical personnel, but your biggest responsibility is to your patients. The care you provide is essential to your patients’ health and well-being. To that end, the CNA who is most likely to get the job must present a unique set of diverse skills, an aptitude to apply them, and a dedication to their patients.
Resume Tips
Think of your resume as the key that unlocks the door to your interview and ultimately your dream job. A thorough and engaging resume attracts the interest of the hiring manager and gets your foot in the door. Here are our tips for creating that magical resume.
- Be sure to include any information you think is relevant. From your name and contact information to your work history (including jobs not related to healthcare) to your education, certifications, and professional and personal references.
- Do your homework so you can tailor your objective and summary to the job for which you’re applying. Outline your career goals and how your skills align with the role. Highlight achievements, successes, and special certifications that apply to your career as a CNA.
- Make sure to include your certification as a CNA. Also include the date you earned your certification, the authority that issued your certification, and any relevant educational information.
- Emphasize your skills. Include both clinical skills and aptitude related to patient care, as well as those soft skills that make you shine in patient care. These include empathy, communication, excellent time management, attention to detail, and patience.
- Make your resume stand out by using action verbs. These are words that describe doing something. Instead of saying you “did” something, convey the exact actions, such as saying you “organized,” “implemented,” or “created” an event or plan, for example.
- Make sure you use a clean layout. Use a professional font with bullet points that are concise and convey your message.
- Proofread! Check your resume for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. There are plenty of free online tools to perform these tasks for you, so there’s no excuse for poor presentation.
Preparing for Your Interview
Once you follow our tips and send off your resume, get ready to be asked to interview. This is where your charm, easygoing nature, and professional attitude really shine. Here are our interview tips that will help you stand out as a CNA and land your dream job.
- Perform your due diligence. Find out all you can about the healthcare organization before your interview. This shows your interest in the facility and what they do. It will also help familiarize you with their mission so you’re better able to answer their questions as they pertain to the patient population.
- Prepare and rehearse answers to common interview questions. These may include “Why do you want this job?”, “What drew you to become a CNA?”. Or “Where do your strengths/weaknesses lie?”.
- Practice highlighting your skills and experience. Try to tailor your answers to the healthcare organization/facility with whom you’re interviewing.
- Display authentic enthusiasm and passion for the role for which you’re interviewing. Get excited about it! This is your dream job, after all!
- Be professional. Dress appropriately. Polish your communication skills, answer questions politely and thoroughly, be respectful, display your professionalism (no gum-chewing!), and make eye contact.
- Ask the questions you want. This shows you’re forward-thinking and insightful. Ask about the patients, your team, the protocols, and the workplace culture. This shows you’re engaged in the interview and truly interested in a future with their organization.
- Reiterate your recommendation letters. If you have them with you, show them to your interviewer. Make copies and leave the letters to be attached to your application or paperwork.
- Follow up with a thank you email, or, more impressively, mail a thank you note directly to your interviewer.
There you have it. Our tips for writing an impressive resume and following up with an interview are sure to get you the job. For more information on how to stand out as a CNA, as well as assistance with finding that dream job, please contact BOS Medical Staffing.
