So I have been hitting the job market for the past 10 weeks or so and it has been filled with (mis)adventures. While I feel my program actually prepared me pretty well in looking for a job (i.e. we had a couple of classes about writing a resume, what to do at the interview, negotiating job offers, etc.), I definitely have a lot to learn when it comes to putting it into practice. I am passing on my advice so 1) I can look back five or ten years down the road and laugh about how much I still didn’t know and 2) perhaps save a fellow speech-language pathologist graduate looking for a job some head-against-wall banging.
This first installment focuses on resumes.
- Get as many people as possible to read over your resume. This includes your friends, your family, your professors, and hell, anyone you may happen to know who works in human resources. Get as much feedback as you can.
- Include contact information, objective, educational history, employment history, honors, professional organizations, and honors.
- Use an objective specific to the job you are applying for.
- Use action words.
- In fact, go check out the ASHA website.
- When describing responsibilities under your experience section, try to highlight things that make you unique.
- Don’t make the resume crowded. Be as succinct as possible.
- Include the titles of the people you are using for professional references.
Questions?

5 comments
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May 21, 2010 at 2:55 am
Liza
Thanks for the tips. I have a question. If SLP is your second career, should you remove the non-SLP work you have accumulated from your resume?
May 21, 2010 at 11:44 pm
The SLPing Intern
Hm. Tricky! My opinion is that it depends. I think if you have room for it on your resume (i.e. your resume isn’t going over 2 pages), keep it in! Think about what skills you acquired at your last job that would relate to your new job as an SLP or exhibit qualities that many jobs are looking (teamwork, customer service, initiative, etc.). For example, if you frequently provided quality customer service to a variety of individuals, that’s relevant to our field since we see people from all walks of life. Or if you frequently had to concisely convey information to others…that’s relevant too!
This is just my opinion on the matter and I’m far from being expert. I refer you to tip #1–ask this question of as many people as you can! :) Good luck!
May 21, 2010 at 9:33 am
Jackie
I’ve always wondered about negotiating pay! How does that process work for an SLP? Isn’t it hard to do fresh out of grad school?
On an unrelated note, I really love reading your blog! You offer great insight to those who will be in your shoes soon enough!
May 21, 2010 at 11:56 pm
The SLPing Intern
I’m actually planning on addressing that in another post…good question! I think it is tricky…mostly because information on what SLPs with 1-3 years experience are making is (as far as I can tell) non-existent. All you can do is research as much as you can about 1) what other SLPs with your experience are making and 2) what is your expected cost of living so that you have facts to back up what you ask for.
Until I write up that post, though, I leave you with a few links you may find helpful:
http://www.homefair.com/real-estate/salary-calculator.asp?cc=1
http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html
http://www.asha.org/research/memberdata/HealthcareSurvey09.htm
January 25, 2012 at 1:16 am
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