This blog post goes over my top 5 tips for writing a kick-ass aesthetic nurse resume.
So you’re wondering how to write a successful aesthetic nurse resume? Then you’ve come to the right place!
Aesthetic nursing is the hot glamorous side of nursing – or at least it comes off that way.
Once I made the decision that I wanted to leave bedside nursing for aesthetics, I was sooo set on this dream. This career field is so extremely different from any other type of nursing career.
Successfully securing hospital or clinic nursing jobs does not prepare you for navigating the application and interview process of aesthetic nursing. It’s a completely different beast and I WISH I had had some guidance when I was in your shoes.
Now that I’m on the other side, I have a few tips I’d love to share with you. Having gone through multiple interviews, and receiving multiple job offers, I’ve gained valuable experience that can assist YOU in doing the same.
So let’s get to writing an aesthetic nurse resume that lands you your dream job. (Or at least gets your foot in the door).
tip #1: be bold
Think about the person that is going to be reading your resume.
They work in the aesthetic industry and will probably be impressed by a resume that is aesthetically pleasing.
Make it super cute, use colors! If you don’t feel that you’re very creative (maybe rethink getting into aesthetics) BUT you can use resources like Canva that have premade resume templates that you can fill out with your own information.
Add a picture of yourself that makes you look friendly, approachable, and fun!
A straight faced professional headshot looks nice but does it make someone want to meet you or work with you? Probably not.
Add an “About Me” section with some fun quirky facts that make your personality stand out.
Just place yourself in the shoes of the reader and think about what type of person you would want to hire.
In a sea of white paper with black writing your resume will stick out without even being read! This is what you want.
tip #2: all of your past experience matters
Obviously you’ve never been an aesthetic nurse before, or you wouldn’t be here. But every job you’ve ever had has SOMEHOW given you useful skills and/or experience.
DO NOT sell yourself short.
Any job that has medical experience is pertinent. You’re able to assess a patient, you’re comfortable with needles and poking people with them (sounds silly but this is very useful!). You understand the importance of medical history, allergies, etc. You know how to read orders and reconstitute medications. You already understand medical jargon!
Any job that has taught you to deal with diverse populations is pertinent. THIS IS HUGE. You never know who you’ll be dealing with on a daily basis. All sorts of people from all walks of life visit med spas and aesthetic clinics so it’s very useful to be comfortable around everyone and anyone.
Any job in the beauty industry is pertinent. You have an aesthetic eye. You’re used to selling beauty products to people while demonstrating products on them. Maybe you’re already familiar with the skincare industry. SCORE!
Have you worked in customer service? The customer is king. Ever heard that saying? Ya, well It applies in aesthetics as well. Think of medical treatments that people are voluntarily spending thousands of dollars on. This isn’t bedside nursing people! Without clients, you have no business.
REALLY THINK about your daily tasks at your past jobs and make them work for your resume.
tip #3: plug your social media
If you know anything about the aesthetic nursing industry then you know that social media presence is everything. This is how clients will find you and a great way to showcase your future aesthetic work. This is NOT a job that you’re hiding your social presence from. So, actually, lets get really clear on that right now:
If you aren’t willing to commit to social media, then rethink getting into aesthetic nursing.
Most practices will have their own social media presence, and they’ll want you to have one as well. They will see that as a HUGE bonus to hiring you. A majority of my clients find me through Instagram, and I am so grateful for it.
But I know what you’re thinking…I don’t have aesthetic nurse content to promote because I’m not an aesthetic nurse. DOESN’T MATTER.
Are you a nurse? Start a nursing tips page.
Are you into skincare? Start a skin-care/anti-aging page. [This was what I did] You can find my Instagram here.
You can even put your focus into your personal page.
The angel human who hired me decided she wanted to meet me after seeing my Instagram.
It doesn’t have to have a huge following but it should look like you’re putting in consistent effort. Teaching someone to want to show up on social media is MUCH MORE DIFFICULT than teaching lasers and injections, so show them that you already have that under control.
Also, put yourself in the shoes of the person doing the hiring…Would you feel more connected to paper applications? Or more connected to the person who you can look up and see their face and personality?
tip #4: invest in education
Take online courses before sending out your applications. Notice I said ONLINE specifically. So many hands on beginner injection trainings are TRASH. They’re expensive and not worth your time or money. Usually what you learn is outdated and won’t apply to what you’ll be taught in your new job.
I recommend checking out paletteresources.com and taking any intro level courses you can. These classes are less than $100 and still look great on your resume. You put in the effort and are showing that you’re invested and committed to learning this new area of medicine.
The specific courses I took were: Level 1 Toxin and Level 1 Filler
A big issue in the aesthetics field is that there are a ton of nurses looking to get hired for training purposes only and then leave their new job high and dry when they feel like they can open their own place. So showing proof of you investing your OWN dollars and time into your education is HUGE.
tip #5: remember your audience
Think about who is reading your resume.
This is not your run of the mill hospital bedside nursing position. This side of nursing is fun and fresh. Think of the type of person who owns a medspa. Who are they looking for? What kind of applicant will be the most appealing to them?
Straight edge straight A girl? Probably not.
Funny, outgoing, hustler, bad-ass girl? Definitely.
Make sure to keep this in the back of your mind through all steps of the application and interview process.
bonus tip:
Send your resume to clinics that aren’t actively hiring.
Send your resume to clinics that aren’t actively hiring.
I know, that sounds like super weird advice, but hear me out!
You never know what’s going on behind the scenes. Someone could be pregnant about to go on leave. A medspa could have recently become busier than normal and they need more staff to keep up with the workload. There are numerous reasons why it could be beneficial for your PERFECT resume to land in the lap of a clinic owner or hiring manager.
When an aesthetic nursing job is listed on a job site or posted on Instagram, it will be overflowing with applicants.
I’m not suggesting that you can’t beat them all. But why not lessen your competition?
Especially if there’s a specific clinic you want to work for…reach out to them!
Every time I’ve been offered an aesthetic RN job, it was from a cold email or cold DM on Instagram.
Your email should look something like this:
“Hey! My name is Nadia and I’ve been watching your clinic for a while. I am SO in love with the work you do and how much of a family your staff appears to be! I’m not sure if you’re in the market for a nurse but I would be THRILLED to work with you all.
I super appreciate your time and I’ve attached my resume to this email. I hope to speak to you soon!”
- Quickly introduce yourself
- Compliment them (it’s their baby! They’d love to hear great things about it)
- Thank them for reading
- Ask for the hiring managers email or simply attach your resume
Short, sweet, simple <3
more resources:
I have a YouTube video explaining all of these tips (if video is more your thing).
Here’s a link to that: https://youtu.be/wSSOHF7u-FA
I also have an in-depth guide that is formatted like a sample resume with suggestions for filling out all of the sections that you can purchase here: https://sowl.co/s/r5JSa
Good luck to you guys! Everything happens for a reason. Trust yourself and GO FOR WHAT YOU WANT. An aesthetic nurse career is in your future, I can feel it.