WRITING AN EFFECTIVE RESUME’

1. WRITING AN EFFECTIVE RESUME’

2. From webinar by Career Builders

3. OBJECTIVES • Increase the student’s ability to write exceptional, standout resume’s • Increase the student’s ability to express their “brand” in a resume’ • Increase student knowledge of the “do’s” and “don’ts” of writing a resume’ in today’s healthcare market • Increase student understanding of what employers are looking for

4. PERSONAL “BRAND” • “Brand” recognition: • Education: What do you like about your degree(s). What types of skills are essential for success? • Highlight successes &/or special class projects • Talents/Passion: What motivates or excites you? What did you want to be when you grew up? • Previous jobs/promotions/special projects: anything that shows increased responsibility

5. PERSONAL “BRAND” • “Brand” recognition cont. • Previous jobs/promotions cont. • Build confidence – know your strengths and skills • Seek Input/Feedback • Contact professors, classmates, former colleagues/bosses • Identify your top 3 strengths • Previous reviews /evaluations: capture your successes/strengths

6. PERSONAL “BRAND” CHECKLIST • Unique strengths, skills, competencies • What makes you stand out? • How does it relate or support the job/company that you are applying to? • What can you do for the employer? • “Return on investment” • Personal passion • Personal values • “60 second commercial” about you!

7. PERSONAL “BRAND” CHECKLIST • Why did you pick the major (degree(s)) you selected? • What types of jobs/roles are you interested in pursuing?

8. DRAFTING A RESUME’ • GOAL: TO GET AN INTERVIEW! • Process: • Decide which Resume’ “type” you want to use • Determine the key components for a resume’ • Create the Resume’ • Remember: It’s not about creating a robust interview that you think employer’s want to know about you – RATHER: focus on getting the interview – you can “recommend” yourself during the interview.

9. RESUME’ TYPES • CHRONOLOGICAL • Most widely used format • This lists qualifications and experiences, outlining major points only • Good if : • You have current or recent work experience related to the position that you are applying for • You can effectively demonstrate measurable achievements • Your employment history is consistent – limited gaps in timeline

10. RESUME’ TYPES • FUNCTIONAL • Highlights the wide range of skills and abilities developed through education, work experience, and other activities • Very detailed • Used when one wants to focus on relevant skills rather than dates • Good when one does not have a lot of relevant work experience or when there are gaps in employment history • Good for someone in career transition

11. RESUME’ TYPES • FUNCTIONAL (cont.) • Highlight ‘transferrable skills’ • Important how the candidate explains the gaps in employment • Because of the current economy, employers are more “forgiving” about employment gaps

12. RESUME’ TYPES • HYBRID/COMBINATION • Combines the best elements of the chronological and functional resume’ types • Targeted toward a particular position or key area in the healthcare industry • Candidate may be specific to address selective criteria • Is effective in most situations; most versatile • Good for someone with varied work experiences

13. RESUME’ COMPONENTS • Contact Information • Summary/Qualifications • Experience • Education • Training • Certifications/Licenses • Professional Affiliations • Awards/Honors/Publications

14. RESUME’ COMPONENTS • Contact Information • Minimum: name, email address, phone # • If > 10 years work experience – okay to have a 2-page resume! • Summary/Qualifications • “Highlight” your qualifications, educational experience, transferrable skills • Experience

15. RESUME’ COMPONENTS • Education/Training • Include education – whether or not to include dates of education/training is a personal choice • Not recommended that you list your GPA – however, it’s okay if you’re adamant about it! • You can include that during the interview • Certifications/Licenses • Include anything that shows a skill or competency

16. RESUME’ COMPONENTS • Professional Affiliations • Be cautious re: including political or other controversial organizations – may trigger conflict

17. RESUME’ CONTENT • The Essentials for a Modern Resume’ • Use “job descriptions” to capture action verbs, competencies, and skills to integrate in the resume’ • DON’T “copy and paste” information from the job description to your resume’ • Call attention to: accomplishments, success, and results • Use consistent font(s) – no more than 2 -computer systems search for key words; frequent changes in fonts confuse the computer and it may miss your document

18. RESUME’ CONTENT • The Essentials cont. • Spell/Grammar check: use computer software tools AND PERSONAL REVIEW! • May want to ask someone else to proof read your resume’ also • Be clear, concise, and focused – employers and recruiters scan for initial interviews • Ask yourself: Will they want to keep reading after the first 30 seconds?

19. Do NOT INCLUDE … • An “objective” – use a professional or skills/qualifications summary • List duties – include accomplishments • Personal Information: height, weight, age, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, sex, race, health or SSN • Start statements with “I” or “My” • Reasons for leaving previous job(s)

20. Do NOT INCLUDE… • Picture of yourself • Salary history/expectations • Reference names/ “References available upon request” • Go prepared to an interview with references information • Religion, church affiliations, political affiliations

21. TECHNOLOGY • “Understanding Today’s Technology: Adapting to Today’s Job Search” • “Key Word” optimization: supports resume’s screening, social medial tools, recruiting tools • Social Media: • Make as private as possible • Follow on Twitter, FB those healthcare company candidates that they are interested in

22. TECHNOLOGY • Top 9 “key word” searches: • “Medical Assistant” • “Healthcare” • “Medical Billing” • “Registered Nurse” • “Nurse” • “Medical Office” • “Pharmacy Technician” • “Physical Therapist” • “Dental Assistant”

23. EMPLOYERS/RECRUITERS • Assessing Employers and Recruiters Needs • Showcasing your resume’ • Confirming the do’s • Reviewing the don’ts

24. DO’S • Goal: land the interview by meeting the employer’s needs. • Prior to applying, confirm your resume’ includes: • Skills/competencies linked to the job • Includes a qualification summary – no “objective” • Resume aligns with the job’s goals and responsibilities

25. DO • Include successes, results, and necessary metrics [Asking yourself “So what?” – will help identify why it is relevant and included on your resume’] • Resume’s are clear, concise, and relevant to the job

26. DON’TS • Simply rely on the software – personally read and edit: • Proof read for typos, grammar, punctuation • Personal Information/details – want professional look AND content

27. Other • Respect the criteria and process indicated in the ad for the job: • Submit as requested • “Are the candidates following directions?”