Resume Development

1. Resume Development Points to remember

2. Resume or Curriculum Vitae(CV)? • What is a Resume • Resumes are one to three pages long • COVER MATERIAL RELEVANT TO THE PURPOSE OF THE RESUME • RESUMES AT THIS STAGE SHOULD INCLUDE HISTORY OF YOUR COURSE WORK • RATIONALE IS TO HELP INFORM POTENTIAL PRECEPTORS • Functional resume is one that groups information by subject rather than chronological order • Functional resume is appropriate for those with breaks in their nursing and educational experiences stresses the strengths of your past experiences. • Places work experience in categories such as education, practice, volunteer work.

3. Resume vs. CV • A resume provides the reader with an overview in outline format of your professional education, professional work experiences, scholarly activities, honors, and volunteer work. • You may include past work experiences that are not related to nursing that add evidence of the depth of your human development in other areas; areas that may contribute to your nursing capability to take on new tasks such as background in accounting, computer engineering or web page development as an example. • A CV is much more detailed generally listing courses taught; lengthy for those withacademic or research oriented careers

4. Format • No standard format for preparing a resume. • The NLN has suggested one style while applications for grants will require a different style in chronological order termed a Biosketch • However, a font size of 10-12 point is recommended.

5. Chronological resume • Nurses entering a new area of nursing continue to update &build resume over time. • Nurses with a continuous work history • Work history should be in reverse chronological order from most recent to least recent • Headings are very important to organizing your resume and helping the reader follow your career • Brain storm to determine what headings or categories you will need to include in your resume

6. Recommended Format &most common headings used • Center level one heading is your name, address phone numbers and email address • Name &address: Centered at top of page using Uppercase and Lowercase Heading • Jane Dow • Address • Phone, email address • Bold is not recommended for this heading with the exception of your name

7. Resume • Heading for categories are flush left bold in upper and lower case • Headings include: • Licensure &Certifications • Valid Dates followed by State BORN, license number and any certifications you may have including ACLS, CPR, other

8. Resume Headings contd. • Professional Goal (statement is consistent with the purpose of submitting your resume; revise each time you resubmit your resume for a different purpose. Ex: Obtain a entry level position as a registered nurse in medical surgical nursing. • Professional Education (to include ADN) • Dates attending 2009-present Associate degree in progress School name address, accreditation status, & expected date of graduation • Indent five spaces subheading under program • Courses completed & in progress • Do not include high school education

9. Resume heading contd. • Professional Nursing Experience Most recent to least recent, indent left under the heading list dates for each period of employment followed by: • stating your role title, agency , dates of employment • brief description of responsibilities

10. Resume headings contd. • Scholarship • List articles publications, presentations in most recent to least recent • Professional organizations • List memberships, office held, any positions held in professional organizations such as chair or member of committee. • Professional activities • List committees, contributions demonstrate your skills in leadership &volunteer contributions in your work setting • Volunteer work • List volunteer work in your community, schools, tutoring handicapped children etc. • Other • List here any other non-nursing related skills that may provide insight into capabilities you have that are needed in today’s health care systems. For example:computer skills, word processing, web page development

11. Variations are permissible • Some prefer to put dates on the right side of the resume.

12. Cover letter • When applying for a clinical placement or position, include a thoughtful professional cover letter. • Address should be in a formal layout with inside address for the person to whom you are sending the letter. • In the letter, Include the position you are applying for, when you are available for interview, plans to contact them after they have had time to review your resume. • A well thought out cover letter can make a good impression and guide you in achieving your desired results.

13. References • Harvard University Office of Career Development , Resume development for students. Retrieved on January 31, 2009 from http://www.ocs.fas.harvard.edu/students/resources/resumes.htm • Welton, R., & Morton, P. (2002). Writing an effective resume. Critical Care Nurse, (Suppl, Career Guide) p. 18-22, 52.