Gearing up for graduation: Four guidelines to help you land your first behavioral health job

Graduation season is almost here. Whether you are entering the workforce for the first time, expanding your skill set or starting a new career, we can all use guidance on securing the right position. The first step is crafting a strong application that leads to an interview.

Building your resume and cover letters can be daunting, especially when navigating the many suggestions and templates that may be conflicting or overwhelming. Here are four basic guidelines to help you navigate that process.

1. Getting started

• Review resume examples. Look through online resources for ideas on best practices for structuring your materials. Try finding resources specific to social services and/or behavioral health since different industries have different norms.
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• Review cover letter examples. Look at cover letter examples to get a sense of what to include and how to outline your letters.
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  • University of Illinois Chicago tips and examples
  • University of Illinois Urbana Champaign cover letter example

2. Drafting your resume

• Keep it simple. There’s no need for a fancy design or complicated layout. Use an easy-to-read font and format that is consistent across all of your materials.
• Translate your skills. Think about the soft and hard skills you have developed in all of your work or volunteer experiences and how they might align with duties in a behavioral health job. This may include building relationships, thinking on your feet, completing documentation, working as a team, etc.
• Compile everything. Compile your positions, skills and experiences in one document. Don’t worry about the length. This is for your reference only, so you don’t have to keep recreating things or trying to remember details.
• Tweak as needed. Once you have your long resume drafted, pick out the relevant pieces for each job application. It’s OK to leave things off your resume that don’t relate to the job for which you are applying.

3. Building your cover letter

• Research each organization. Explore the organization’s website and/or social media to learn about its services, mission and potential opportunities. Find a way to connect your interests and experiences with the organization’s needs.
• Personalize it. Adjust your cover letter for each job application. Different jobs will look for different experiences and skills, even within the same organization. Review the job description and employer’s website carefully each time you apply for a position.
• Convey your motivation. Reflect on what attracted you to this position and/or organization. Think about what qualities, experiences and aspirations you have that align with this role.
• Show enthusiasm. Convey excitement or enthusiasm at the prospect of this potential opportunity. Make sure your letter focuses on what you bring to the position as well as what excites you about it.
• Add something new. Make sure your cover letter is distinct from your resume. You can think across your experiences or highlight a specific accomplishment that relates to the current position.
• Keep it brief. Limit your cover letter to a page to avoid redundancy.

4. Bringing it together

• Review everything. Read over your materials to check grammar, spelling and clarity. This is the organization’s first chance to see your communication skills and you want to put your best foot forward.
• Network. Talk with peers, internship colleagues and professionals in the field to get feedback on your materials as well as find out about potential job opportunities.
• Use available career services. Most universities and colleges offer career services and support. Take advantage of resume reviews, mock interviews and job search assistance.

Applying for a new position can be exciting and overwhelming. Give yourself time to craft your resume and cover letter as well as garner feedback. While navigating the job search, make sure to take care of yourself and find ways to manage this potentially stressful time.

Explore the BHWC job board for behavioral health roles across Illinois.