Resumes 101

1. Resumes 101 Kevin McMullan Health Professional Recruiter New Mexico Health Resources kevin.mcmullan@nmhr.org 505-260-0993/www.nmhr.org

2. New Mexico Health Resources, Inc. • 501 (c)3 non-profit private New Mexico corporation governed by a volunteer board of directors from throughout New Mexico • primary focus is recruitment and retention of health care professionals to New Mexico, especially rural and underserved areas • emphasis on primary care physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, and physicians assistants

3. What New Mexico Health Resources Does • candidate describes to NMHR what you are looking for in a practice (specialty, community, locations eligible for loan repayment, community size and geographic preference, etc.) so that a profile is developed. • NMHR matches via computer database what you are looking for with practices and clinics across the state looking for what you can offer them • requires a resume or CV provided to NMHR

4. What New Mexico Health Resources Does • referral of your resume to a matched employer’s hiring contact • help with what employers are looking for • resume preparation and assistance • interview and employment contract support • state/federal loan programs and tax credits information • anything else that may be of aid to you in transitioning from your residency

5. Today’s Presentation • Tell you about the difference between resumes and CVs and why most of you may be writing resumes • Cover what needs and what does not need to be in a resume • Give you some rules, red flags and tips in writing them • An example of a well written resume • An offer to you about your resume

6. Definitions Resume Curriculum Vitae (CV) Used for academic positions and grants Length rule-the more the better, but any length is acceptable. Focused on a wide audience of potential readers. Emphasis is publications research activities, and awards. • Used for everything ,but academic positions • Length rule- two pages is preferred. • Number of readers may be limited so focus on content for those readers. • Emphasis on clinical skills, activities, and flexibility.

7. Curriculum Vitae • CV stands for "curriculum vitae." Curriculum vitae is a Latin expression which can be loosely translated as [the] course of [my] life.

8. Cover letter for a resume • The cover letter should be three paragraphs max and should be personalized for a particular job. • A simple and more concise letter is preferred. • You need an introductory paragraph tailored for the position that says who you are and what you are looking for. The second paragraph should state why you are interested in that particular position and what you know about it. Show some passion in this paragraph . This is the "I love medicine" statement. The third paragraph is the ask for an interview paragraph.

9. Cover letter for a resume Ideally a cover letter should……. – Share your vision of the ideal practice setting, – Tell the reader why you want to practice with them, – Explain why you are the best fit and why you should be interviewed.

10. Rule #1-Resumes are sales documents • No rule that says you cannot have more than one version of your resume. • Write different resumes for different organizations. Their needs differ. RESEARCH THE ORGANIZATION. • Resumes are sales documents (selling you and what you can bring to an organization or practice ). • Resumes are infomercials or a personal branding document about you. • Resumes tells the employer why you would make the organization or practice that much better(what’s in it for them).

11. Resume(s) Q. -Why do you write resume(s)? A.- TO GET AN INTERVIEW!!!!!! This is the first impression contact with the employer so it has to be perfect in every respect. Assembling a resume is an exercise in precision with very imprecise boundaries and rules.

12. Resume(s) • There is no set formula, no absolute guide, no strict set of rules to tell you what the structure and content of a resume. What you see in the rest of this presentation is one person’s opinion. • However, adhering to what employers generally want to know within the presented guidelines that follow will likely draw positive attention to your resume.

13. Answer These Resume(s) Questions • What is going to be different with your two pages that is going to separate you from all of the others who may be applying for a position? • What stands out from all of the other “vanilla” resumes that a hiring authority may see that will make that authority want more information about you ? • How can you package your education, experience, and credentials in two pages?

14. Resume(s) Types Chronological-alisting of education and work history with the most recent experience listed first. Employers typically prefer this type of resume with most current accomplishments listed first. Functional- afocus on skills and experience, rather than on chronological work history. Often used by people who are changing careers or who have gaps in their employment history.

15. What Do Employers Do with Resumes? • Resumes are used by employers to eliminate candidates. • There are usually three stacks of resumes for any job-the “for sure” interview stack, the “maybe” stack and the “no” stack. • Often a reader will give your resume a thirty second look over. You will have to make that thirty second cut. Don’t give them a reason to eliminate you and get into the “maybe” and “no” stacks. The resume needs to be perfect.

16. Chronological Resume Sections • Contact information • Professional objective (“semi-optional”) • Education • Previous or current employment(if already working , then this comes before education) • Licensure/certifications • Research experience • Publications/Presentations • Volunteer experience (optional, but important) • Awards/honors • Professional memberships (optional) • Languages • Personal (if there is space to do so) • References (“semi-optional”)

17. Rule #2-there are no rules • There is no “rule” that says every previous job, every work experience, every rotation, every whatever has to be included in your resume . • BUT a resume should not have “time gaps.” • Cover letter is the place to explain time gaps with a one sentence statement about the gap.

18. Resume Sections-Contact Information Jane Doe, M.D. (MAKE SURE M.D. or D.O. IS NOTED) 123 Anywhere Street (SPELL OUT) Roswell, New Mexico (NO ABBREVIATIONS) 575.444.1234 (CELL,HOME ,OR OFFICE) jdoe@plateautel.net Don’t write “phone” in front of the phone number, or “e-mail” in front of an e-mail address. Make sure your e-mail address is professional. WHAT ABOUT YOUR PRIVACY CONCERNS?

19. Resume Sections-Professional Objective • Optional section –two to four short sentences about career goals, and what professional experience and abilities you have. • If you are certain (or partially certain) of what you are looking for, then do add this section. (May eliminate some employers). • MUST have some key performance/action words in the text. • Brevity, personalization and passion in two to four sentences is the desired content. • Give the reader a reason to read further.

20. Professional Objective Example “Graduating family medicine resident with extensive experience working with underserved and minority populations. Special interests in preventive care and obstetrics. Clinical acumenand leadershipskills developed in a rigorous community-based residency. Seeking a position to provide innovative, team-based, comprehensive care.” DO NOT COPY THIS VERBATIM !!!!!

21. Resume Sections-Education • Start with fellowship and work backwards to undergraduate school. List the program, affiliation(if any), location and year of completion. • Residents should have the year the program began and the anticipated date of completion. • Avoid “to present” in any date segment.

22. Rule #3- PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS • No spelling errors or grammatical errors. Have two people proof before it goes anywhere. Go beyond spell check software. Read it backwards. You don’t want a “pubic” when you meant to say “public.” • “Summa cum laude” is not “Summa cumme laude.” • In most cases, abbreviations are to not be found anywhere in a resume except in the first line of the contact information after your name and in the publications section. • RESUMES ARE FORMAL DOCUMENTS. • Spell out everything else.

23. Resume Sections-Employment • In chronological order, communicate to the reader information about work that you may have done in the recent past (locums/moonlighting maybe?) or any work that is relevant to the practice of medicine or to the job you want.Briefly write what you did. • If possible, communicate results within the context of responsibilities or duties if space allows. • Employment “gaps “ are acceptable, but be prepared to answer what they were and why.

24. Resume Sections-Employment Examples Senior Research Technician University of New Mexico Department of Pathology, February 2001 – June 2005 Used various molecular biology techniques in the study of hantavirus. Supervised and managed student workers. United States Army National Guard, Oklahoma Medical Section Leader • Responsible for the inventory, organization, ordering and maintenance of medical equipment and devised statewide recognized innovative training programs for medical personnel.

25. Licensure/Certifications • Do add any state licenses (even pending applications) and your DEA approved certification. • DO NOT put your license or DEA number in the resume. • Spell out and list any ATLS, PALS,BLS , or any type of certifications that are current or pending. • Add any board eligible status (e.g. Board eligible with certification exam anticipated summer 2014).

26. Research Experience • Student research experience and work research experience generally, but not always, should be added especially if it is clinical in nature. • Summarize your involvement in the research and highlight the findings in one sentence if possible. • Put some “passion” into what you write in this section. Highlight any special expertise or knowledge that came from the research.

27. Publications/Presentations • Replicate the formal citation that would go in the references section at the end of a journal article. Just make sure your name is listed. • “Stenstrom DA, Armijo-Medina H, Watnick S, Doolittle ND, Kaufman JA, Peterson DR, Bubalo J, Neuwelt EA. Can N-acetylcysteine prevent Contrast Induced Nephropathy: Premature Phase III Trials. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. 2008 Mar; 19(3): 309-318” • Bold your name if you are not the primary author. • Any journal, abstract, monograph, storyboard, poster presentation, PowerPoint to Grand Rounds, etc. can be included.

28. Volunteer experience • Do include it if it is meaningful to the position you are seeking. • If there is any “extra” space, do include any volunteer work. • Volunteering tells employers that you can be an energetic, compassionate person. • Good section to add any international experience.

29. Awards/Honors • Do include scholarships, honor societies( Phi Eta Sigma), summer fellowships, appointment to committees, leadership positions (e.g. chief resident), outstanding _____ award. • Academic, community, or organizational awards separate you from your competition. • Do not include Who’s Who awards.

30. Professional memberships (if space allows) • Membership in trade organizations (AAFP,NM Medical Society, AMA,AMSA) are good depending upon the employer. • Note hospitals where you obtained privileges.

31. Languages • Do include any language where you have at least medical proficiency. • “Verbal and written proficiency in English, German and French. Medical proficiency in Spanish.”

32. Personal (if there is space to do so and you want an employer to consider it) • Add one line to two lines of outside interests (no rock climbing, skydiving, or wine making in this sentence. No snow skiing if you are looking at a job in Florida),but be careful of content. Fly-fishing may not be good for the hiring authority who is a PETA member. “Enjoys travel, music, and reading” would be good. • Do not add age, religious preference, political or non-medical organizational affiliations. • Sometimes put in visa status, spouse/significant other’s profession and children. Caution-some employers do not want to know this.

33. References • If you are going to note references , state “References furnished upon request.” Never have them on your resume. • Have available your three to five references names and contact information , but do not volunteer references until you are asked . • The optimal time to have them distributed is after the first on-site interview is complete. • Have some academic references for academic positions. • Always thank your references.

34. Rule #4- Manage the references • Vette your references. They need to be physicians. Start now. • Once you have interviewed, do contact your references before the employer can do so. • Have superlative, not just good, references. Personalize examples from your work if possible. • Try to get your references prepared for questions that might be asked and what they should not say during a phone call or written request for information. Ask them not to give out names. Don’t plant any seeds of doubt.

35. Rule #4- Manage the references • Make sure your references have a copy of your resume, any evaluations, a personal biography, and are knowledgeable about the job (job description if possible) you are wanting. • Stamped envelopes for the references pre-addressed to the employer would be helpful.

36. Rule #5- There are no secrets in healthcare • People are very connected (more than just Facebook). • Very tough to keep anything secret especially in New Mexico. “Backdoor” references are common. • The internet has lots of information (GOOD and BAD) on just about anyone. Google your own name to see if anything comes up that you need to know about. • If you are on the social media, please check to make sure there is nothing on there that might be deleterious to you. • If you have anything negative, do not hide it. Be prepared to document how you overcame it.

37. “Red Flags” • Not including your residency director as a reference • Multiple moves within a short period • Changing programs within the middle of medical school, residency, or fellowship • Longer than normal time to complete medical school or residency • Career changes • Locums right out of residency • Disciplinary action with a licensing board • Civil or criminal records • Failing to list all active and inactive licensing

38. Tips • Compose on a PC with Microsoft Office-Word (not a Mac). Most resumes are e-mailed and often “snail mailed.” • Create a PDF file with your resume. • Paper – white color with high quality bond that does not have too high of a “rag”(fiber) content. • Most resumes are copied numerous times so print, copy, and scanthe final version to ensure the correct appearance. Use a high resolution quality printer or have it professionally type set. • Mailing envelopes- use a 10”x13” mailer that matches the color/bond as the resume paper. Easier to copy when the resume is not folded for an envelope. • Use a distinctive commemorative stamp when it is mailed.

39. Tips • Resumes take longer than you think to compile. Start now. Neatness and readability are critical. • Theme fonts (Garamond, Arial, Times New Roman) • Make the resume “easy on the eyes” with a consistent format • Use italics to highlight. Plenty of space in the body. • Bullet points are good . • Font size (do not go below 10) except bottom name/page. • Your name and page number should appear on the second (and any other) page(s) at the bottom in small print. 2

40. Tips • Borders and bolding are acceptable, but don’t overdo. • If a word appears in an employer’s home page website more than four times, then that word needs to be in your resume(preferably at the beginning). • Don’t be too generic or be too ornate. Uniformity is good. • Write what you need to write to start . If you need to cut it down, then do so. Four pages to start is not uncommon.

41. An Example of A Well Written Resume

42. Before you get started • Think about what you bring to a practice. Answer the question of “what makes the practice better by your being there?” • After you have finished your first draft, ask yourself if the resume demonstrates that you have the skills you say you have. • Don’t make yourself into something you are not.

43. New Mexico Health Resources Offer • NMHR will critique/make suggestions to your resume after your first draft . • Same offer to resumes that are already completed. • Our requirements are that you give NMHR time to do it , AND • You allow us to refer your resume to locations across New Mexico meeting your practice criteria.

44. The Timeline Assuming June 30, 2014 Completion Date

45. Questions?