The COVID-19 pandemic transformed how we work. Now, many people permanently work from home, others are navigating some kind of hybrid model and still some commute to work everyday. Lately however, questions about COVID-19 vaccines have dominated conversations about the future of workplaces in nearly every industry in the United States.
President Biden recently announced a plan that would require all federal employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and that all employers with more than 100 workers require vaccines or weekly testing for those who are not vaccinated. Following this announcement, many of America's largest companies preemptively announced their own vaccine mandates.
But, the question that's most relevant to you is this:
Do potential employers care about my vaccination status?
According to research put out by Resume Builder, of the 1,250 hiring managers they interviewed, 33% reported that they automatically eliminate resumes not including the applicant's vaccination status. Additionally, 69% said they are more likely to hire someone who is fully vaccinated and 63% of companies are requiring COVID-19 vaccines for their employees.
It's true that vaccine requirements vary state to state. For example, Californians living in Los Angeles have different requirements than Floridians in Miami. But, COVID-19 vaccine requirements are spreading quickly as federal actions may have inescapable effects on large companies throughout the country. It may be inevitable.
So, when you're updating your resume, I'd take a second look at whether it's a good idea to include your vaccination status. Specifically, this most applies to people are in fact vaccinated. If you've taken that proactive step then why not include on your resume and perhaps put a potential employer's mind at ease?
For them, it's one less potential hassle down the road as federal vaccine requirements are still up in the air. Don't forget that COVID-19 is also still spreading quite rapidly in a plethora of hotspots throughout the U.S. Companies are still extremely wary of community spread of the virus among their employees. An outbreak among their workers is likely the last thing the company's bottom line needs after nearly two years of economic downturn and hardship.
This is especially true for people who are submitting resumes and applications with little to no response from recruiters or hiring managers. If you're applying to positions you're confident you should be legitimately considered for but aren't having any luck, consider the possibility that employers are on the prowl for fully vaccinated employees to reduce any potential headaches for them down the road.
Where do I put my vaccination status?
There's no formula for the perfect place to add your vaccination status. I've recently had clients that opted to include theirs. One added it to the executive bio at the top of her resume, another added it to the skills/qualifications section while another opted for a front and center call-out in the letterhead design of her resume.
Consider the design, layout and the importance of a vaccine to the type of work that you'll be doing. If you're applying for a fully remote position, maybe don't put it in huge bold letters, but do call it out somewhere strategically. Alternatively, if you'll be applying to a job that requires in-person interaction with coworkers, consider adding somewhere higher up and in an easily visible place to ensure that recruiters see it.
If you need assistance making a new resume, or improving the one you have, I'd love to help. Reach out and let's get started now!