
Struggling to get interviews?
If you have limited work experience, job shadowing helps you build skills and strengthen your resume.
Here’s an example of how to highlight shadowing experience on your resume:
Dr. Emily Parker, DDS | Bright Smiles Dental Clinic | Los Angeles, CA | June 20XX – August 20XX
- Shadowed Dr. Parker in a busy dental practice, observing 100+ patient consultations, dental cleanings, and restorative procedures
- Gained insight into diagnostic techniques such as X-rays and oral examinations, while learning about treatment planning for various dental conditions
- Assisted in preparing treatment areas, sterilizing equipment, and maintaining patient records
Should you include shadowing experience on your resume?
Yes, you should include shadowing experience on your resume if it is relevant to the job and you have limited work experience. Shadowing shows that you understand the role, have some industry exposure, and are actively building your skills.
This type of experience is especially useful for students, recent graduates, and career changers. It helps demonstrate initiative and interest in a field, even if you haven’t held a formal position yet.
If you already have several years of relevant work experience, prioritize full-time roles and remove older or less relevant shadowing experience. Focus on the experience that best supports your qualifications for the job.
How to list shadowing experience on your resume
List shadowing in your experience section alongside jobs and internships.
Use a clear job title, like “Shadowing Experience” followed by:
- The person or position you were shadowing
- The name of the company or organization
- 3–5 bullet points explaining your duties and skills you’ve acquired
For example:
Registered Nurse Shadowing
St. Mary’s Hospital | Dallas, TX
June 20XX – July 20XX
- Observed patient care routines, including administering medications and monitoring vital signs
- Assisted with basic patient support tasks, such as preparing rooms and organizing supplies
- Learned proper documentation practices and electronic health record (EHR) systems
- Gained understanding of patient communication and care coordination across departments
Tips for making your shadowing experience stand out
Use these tips to present your shadowing experience in a clear and impactful way:
- Use action verbs: Start each bullet point with clear action verbs like “observed,” “assisted,” or “supported” to describe your role.
- Add measurable results: Use numbers to show scope, such as the number of patients, tasks, or hours completed.
- Focus on relevant skills: Highlight skills that match the job you’re applying for.
- Tailor it to the role: Adjust your descriptions to match the job requirements and keywords.
Additional examples of shadowing on a resume
Here are two more examples of a shadowing experience on a resume:
Job Shadow Experience – CHONC Children’s Hospital, California (December, 20XX)
Shadowed a team of residents in the Emergency Room for one week to observe tactics used in crisis situations.
- Observed residents provide stitches for six patients
- Collaborated with the team to diagnose a rare case of liver cancer (Fibrolamellar Carcinoma)
- Watched doctors diagnose 30+ patients daily
- Devoted 140 hours to CHONC in two weeks, working fourteen 10-hour days in a row
Shadow Experience – Chicago Fire Department, Illinois (May, 20XX)
Shadowed the entire fire department for 3 months.
- Accompanied the team on eight emergency calls
- Drove the fire truck twice on non-emergency calls
- Completed six hours of essential paperwork each week
- Lived in the fire station dormitory for one month to become fully immersed in the on-call experience
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some of the questions we get asked the most about putting shadowing on a resume:
Does shadowing count as work experience?
No, shadowing doesn’t count as full-time work experience. However, because it’s job-related, it can still be placed in the experience section of your resume.
How do you describe shadowing experience?
You describe shadowing experience on a resume similar to how you would describe work experience. If you had the opportunity to work hands-on on some tasks while shadowing, describe what skills you learned from that. Or, if you exclusively observed others do their job, provide an overview of the type of work you watched being performed.
Do employers value job shadowing experience?
Yes, employers value job shadowing experience when it’s relevant to the role and clearly shows what you learned. Shadowing demonstrates initiative and basic industry knowledge, especially if you don’t have much formal work experience yet.
While shadowing doesn’t carry the same weight as a job or internship, it still helps employers see that you understand how the role works and have taken steps to build your skills. Focus on specific tasks, observations, and results to show the value of your experience.
About the Author
5
Years of Experience
179
Articles Written
Lauren Mastroni is a Digital Content Writer dedicated to creating engaging content and providing actionable advice that empowers people in their job searches. An enthusiastic contributor to the Resume Genius team, Lauren has a passion for developing valuable resources for job seekers.
Lauren holds an M.S. in Psychology from University of Derby and currently lives in Taipei, Taiwan. She enjoys learning all she can about the career space, and is committed to helping job seekers of all experience levels navigate the job hunt and advance their careers.
She has been cited in HuffPost, Newsweek, Forbes, and more.
You can reach Lauren at lauren@resumegenius.com.













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