Resume Writing Tips & Insights

1. Resume Writing Tips & Insights Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

2. Cindy Whittum, GCDF • Currently Director, Health Professions/Nursing Recruitment for the Michigan Health Council • Certified Global Career Development Facilitator • 20+ Years Experience in Workforce Development • 5 Years Experience in Healthcare Recruiting • 5 Year’s Experience in University Career Services • 2.5 Years as Executive Director of Career Services • 13 Year’s Experience in Retail Management Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

3. Topics to be discussed • RESUMES • Why are resumes so important? • What makes a resume a good resume? • Examples • What are recruiters looking for on resumes? • What’s the difference between a resume and a CV • When is one appropriate over the other? • What else should you know? • Resources Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

4. Why is a resume so important? • It is the primary tool that will get you the interview • Employer will develop impression of who you are • It is your marketing brochure • Provides a snapshot of your skills, education and experience • Entices the employer to meet you (does not get you the job…it gets you the interview) • Allows YOU to keep a record of your work history • It is a fluid document • May be different for each position • Will grow as you grow through professional development and continued education Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

5. What makes a resume 'good'? • It is all relative • Personal preference – there is no magic formula • If you feel good about it, that’s half the battle • Good representation of who you are • Clear, concise information • Desired skills, experience and education highlighted • Bullet points • Limited or no personal information Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

6. What makes a resume 'good'? (con't) NO TYPOS Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

7. What makes a resume ‘good’? • New or Recent Graduates • Focus on relevant education and training • Specific classes • Only list one or two and only if the class experience had a positive impact on your education or training • Specific clinical rotations* • Feedback from employers has been mixed on this • Unique volunteer/internship experiences Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

8. What makes a resume ‘good’? • Experienced therapist • Focus on relevant and critical experience • Highlight accomplishments • Highlight advancement/increased responsibility • Highlight any additional training, certifications you have received Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

9. What makes a resume ‘good’? • Strategically leverage past work experience • Employers like to see a work/volunteer history • Highlight transferable skills from previous jobs • Customer service, problem solving, supervision • Longevity, dependability, stability, work ethic • Membership in professional organizations • Leadership roles • Event planning Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

10. Resume Examples Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

13. What recruiters really looking for on a resume? • New Graduates • Clinicals • Borgess: “YES!!” • Spectrum: “Never” • Garden City: “Don’t particularly care…summarize where…’I have rotated through DMC, HFH, GCH’” • Oakwood: “No need” • Pennock: “Do not spend time looking at all the listed clinicals” • Allegiance: “Yes…tell me so I can see if you rank high, medium or low in the candidate pool” Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

14. What are recruiters really looking for on a resume? • GPA - majority of recruiters want to see it for new graduates • Garden City: “Absolutely, but so few students put it down.” • Pennock (Hastings): “GPA does matter to me and jumps right off the page.” • Oakwood: “YES!!!!” • Borgess: “Yes, but it is not a major point.” • Spectrum: “Interested, but not critical.” • Allegiance: “Yes…tell me so I can see if you rank high, medium or low in the candidate pool.” Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

15. What are recruiters really looking for on a resume? • Look at relevant experience above and beyond education (more important for new graduates) • Volunteer experience in health care setting • Past work experience in health care setting • Longevity and progression at past positions • Transferrable skills • 1-2 pages in length • The days of “1 page only resume” are gone Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

16. Resume or CV? • What is a CV (Curriculum Vitae) • In the US, used primarily to apply for academic, education, scientific or research positions • More common and widely used in Europe • CV’s are more of a detailed synopsis of your experience • Resume format is more accepted and preferred by recruiters • Easier for recruiters to identify key skills Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

17. What else do you need to know? • Keep up on what’s hot and what’s not • Objective no longer necessary • Employers prefer to see a summary statement or list of relevant skills/abilities • “References available upon request” no longer necessary • It is a given that you will provide references…save the space • NEVER include references on your resume or send references unless asked for • 2 page resumes are fine • Make sure to include an identifier (footer/header on second page) • Example C. Whittum page 2 of 2 Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

18. What else do you need to know? • The resume is one part of an entire process • May need to tweak it to get desired results • It is a fluid document • Should be tailored to the specific opportunity you are seeking • Will grow as you grow professionally • Should be part of a comprehensive portfolio • History of your professional and career development • Great tool for documenting/tracking CEU’s, certifications, licenses, etc. Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

19. What else do you need to know? • Do not try to construct your resume in one sitting • Do a draft, walk away • Come back , make changes • Have a trusted friend, professor, family member read it • Check for what????? TYPOS • Ask them if they agree this is a good representation of your skills • Keep a comprehensive draft and update as your career progresses Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

20. Resources for Resume Writing • Michigan Health Care Jobs • www.mihcj.org • Professional Development link • Quintessential Careers • www.quintcareers.com • Google – ‘resume templates • 1,000’s of free examples available Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

21. QUESTIONS? Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council

22. Contact Information Cindy Whittum Cindy.whittum@mhc.org 517-347-8090 For more job search information Michigan Health Care Jobs is a program of the Michigan Health Council