Career Resources

1. 1. Chiropractic Career Toolkit
   2. Welcome to Career Services

Resumes are the most common self-marketing and job application documents. Employers spend an average of 10 seconds pre-screening resumes, and you want to ensure you stand out among the pack. The purpose of a resume is to highlight your skills, qualifications, and past experiences in one succinct and easy-to-read document.

Check out our helpful resume guide!

Common Content Categories:

• Contact Information
• Education
• Experience (clinical experience, employment, internship/externship, leadership and campus involvement, volunteer, etc.)
• Involvement or Activities (if not incorporated into experience sections)
• Technical or Field-specific Skills

Quick Resume Tips:

• Start from a blank Word document
• Fonts should be easy to read, sizing between 10-12 pt.
• Margins should be between 0.5 – 1”
• Use bulleted statements to explain your experiences
• Check for typos and spell out abbreviations
• Format in reverse chronological order, most recent first
• Avoid using personal pronouns (I, me, my)
• It’s okay to use color on your resume, just be sure it’s not distracting

Resume Samples by Program:

• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic
• Human Biology Undergraduate
• Medical Assisting
• Medical Lab Science
• Medical Lab Technology
• Massage Therapy
• Radiology Technology
• Radiation Therapy

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume in the job application process. In contrast to your resume (which includes short, bulleted statements regarding your skills and experiences), your cover letter allows you to explain 2-3 key experiences in more depth and describe your unique qualifications. It’s a great way to show your personality and for employers to learn more about you. Plan on tailoring your cover letter each time you apply for a job.

For detailed information on structure and content, check out the Cover Letter Sample.

Quick Cover Letter Tips:

• Cover letters should only be one page
• Your cover letter heading should match what’s on your resume
• Try to find someone to address your cover letter to, whether it’s a hiring manager, your future supervisor, the team lead, company owner, etc.
• If you can’t find someone to address your letter to, use something more specific, like “Associate Chiropractor Search Committee” or “Radiology Department Hiring Manager”
• Proofread to check for spelling, grammatical errors, and run-on sentences

An interview not only allows for an employer to learn about your experiences, qualifications, and personality but also for YOU to gauge if the opportunity aligns with your professional goals.

Quick Interview Tips:

Research: Before entering the interview, be sure to have a general understanding of the company and the position for which you are applying.

• Be ready to answer these three questions:
  • Tell me about yourself
  • Why are you interested in this position/company?
  • What qualifies you for this position?
• Dress more professionally than you think you need to, and be sure that you are comfortable
• Come with a list of questions for the employer
• If asked a behavioral question, answer using the STAR Method
• If asked a question you are unsure how to answer, do not be afraid to ask for a moment to think about it or ask for clarification
  • Click here for tips on answering difficult interview questions

At its core, networking is relationship building and sharing information. It’s not as intimidating as you might think nearly everyone has participated in networking whether you know it or not! Check out our Networking Guide.

Quick Networking Tips:

• Prepare: Know something about the field or company so you can ask thoughtful questions
• Show interest: Gear your questions toward learning about the individual and their journey
• Inquire about others in the field: Ask who else would be a good person with which to connect
• Follow-up: Be sure to maintain connection after the interaction
• Be bold and risk rejection: People often enjoy giving advice, especially to students. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Employers love to see initiative
• Be ready with questions: Have a repertoire of questions in your back pocket for any potential networking situation

What is an Informational Interview?

• An opportunity to “interview” an individual that is in your industry, has a job title that intrigues you or works for a company in which you’re interested
• The objective should be to gather information about the field, not to obtain a job
• As the “interviewer,” you will initiate contact with individuals and schedule a time to meet
• Often takes place via phone conversations, video calls, or in-person meetings
• Can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour
• Be sure to remain connected after the interview and send an email thanking them for their time

Job searching requires proactivity, organization, and time. The most successful job seekers use a variety of strategies to secure employment following graduation.

Check out our Job Search Guide for more information.

For students who are considering purchasing or owning a practice, we have several career consultants who specialize in contract negotiation, purchasing practices, and other entrepreneurship inquiries.

Contact Career Services for more information at careerservices@nwhealth.edu or 952-204-5128.