Brush up your professional nursing résumé

Transcription

1 NEW HORIZONS Get connected to see page 44 Brush up your professional nursing résumé By Erin M. Jilk, MSN, RN; Cecelia L. Crawford, DNP, RN; Lina Najib Kawar, PhD, RN, CNS; and Eiselle Medina-Gulapa, MSN, RN WHETHER YOU RE SEEKING an entry-level nursing position or pursuing career advancement, your résumé should convince a prospective employer that your unique skills, accomplishments, and qualifications match the advertised position. A well-written résumé stimulates the interest of prospective employers and assists in securing a job interview. This article will help you construct a professional nursing résumé and help you avoid common mistakes. TARZHANOVA/iSTOCK Résumé components A good résumé has multiple components divided by headings. For information on how a résumé differs from a curriculum vitae, see Curriculum vitae or résumé? As you construct your résumé, keep in mind its main purpose to secure an interview. Closely examine the position for which you re applying with an eye on job requirements and preferences. Your résumé should show the prospective employer that you re suited for the role. For instance, it should clearly and concisely state how your career goals mesh with the position, what you ve accomplished that qualifies you for the position, and how to contact you October l Nursing2017 l 41

2 You can format your résumé using one of five styles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages (see Advantages and disadvantages of five résumé formats). Pick the one that best suits the organization and position to which you re applying. 4,5,7 For example, the hybrid format would be more appropriate for a position specifying unique skills sets, rather than a multimedia format highlighting creativity. A digital option worth considering is an online résumé builder with standardized templates and formats. No matter what the format, the components listed below should be included in your résumé and presented in a way that grabs the attention of a hiring manager or talent management recruiter (see Résumé construction recommendations). As you construct your résumé, keep in mind that many organizations use automated tracking systems to post positions and receive candidate applications. 4,9,10 Having a well- structured résumé embedded with specific keywords from the posted position is crucial to having your application viewed by an Curriculum vitae or résumé? Curriculum vitae (CV) is a Latin expression meaning the course of one s life. 1 The CV is an expanded version of the résumé; it s typically longer and more detailed. 2 It includes a comprehensive description of a person s academic or professional credentials, qualifications, experience, and endeavors. 3 Most healthcare institutions require nurses to submit a CV when they apply for higher-level nursing leadership or other advanced positions, such as APRN roles. Academic positions also require a CV. Résumés aren t detailed enough for these types of positions. actual human being and not automatically rejected by the system. These systems are designed to extract keywords that meet the targeted requirements of the hiring manager, so make sure to choose keywords that are scannable and applicable to the advertised job. 8,5,9,10 As job applications are scanned, a software program searches for employer-specified keywords and word sequences from the job posting. The program then extracts that information and decides to keep or reject the applicant. Avoid nontraditional fonts, borders, and shading that might interfere with optimal scanning. You want the hiring personnel to quickly see why you meet their needs and are a viable candidate. Contact information and credentials. Contact information should be placed front and center as a document header. 4,6 The header should contain your name, credentials, primary mailing address, address, and phone number. Credentials are particularly important; they re the shorthand way to inform the employer of your education level, professional certifications, and current nursing practice. 4 The sequencing of your credentials is strategic, with the highest degree placed directly after your name, followed by professional licensure, and then certifications. 6 Employment objective/qualifications statement. This statement describes why you d be an asset Advantages and disadvantages of five résumé formats 4,5,7 Format/style Advantages Disadvantages Reverse chronologic: Most common type. Work history/experiences listed from current to oldest. Functional: Focuses on list of skills and experiences based on current/previous job functions. Combination/hybrid: Enlists both a chronologic list of employment and functional account of skill sets. Online: Create and submit résumés electronically in formats such Word documents or PDFs. Multimedia: Use of infographic, video, and website résumés rather than traditional forms of paper or online formats. Documents continuous work over a specific period. Beneficial for those with a solid work history. Most appropriate for those who are applying for a job after a long time of not working, or for those desiring a change in career areas. All skills listed. Reveals length of prior employment and acquired collection of skills. Accelerates job application process. Résumés are easily accessed via saved personal documents and quickly sent to multiple hiring companies. Creative use of technology can make an application stand out from the crowd. Not well suited for those with gaps in work history. Doesn t showcase an applicant s background record of continuous periods of employment. Skills not specific to the job being applied for can be a detriment. Online formats can limit what applicants can include. May require information difficult to provide, such as the starting pay from a job several years ago. Some companies and most hiring personnel don t allow multimedia submissions. Not applicable for all professions. 42 l Nursing2017 l Volume 47, Number 10

3 Résumé construction recommendations 4-6,8 Dos Individualize/customize résumé for each position with an objective or qualifications summary statement. Show hiring managers why they need you, not why you need them. Have job description available for reference; use words from its content for résumé construction. Ask a respected peer/mentor to review résumé and give honest feedback. Be sure to proofread for typos or grammatical errors. Ensure included résumé information is really what you want to present. Ensure résumé is organized, wellstructured and logical; it s the first impression a potential employer has of you. Be concise! Put just enough information to pique the interest of a potential employer and get an interview. Support the personalized objective statement by linking it to the content within the résumé. and what you bring to the organization, not why you need the job. Craft a concise one- or two-sentence statement targeting the position for which you re applying. 5,6,8 For example: Seeking a hands-on entry-level critical care nursing position in order to provide highquality patient care in the adult intensive care setting. Another approach is to write a brief statement of your qualifications and unique contributions. Remember to use keywords and language from the original job posting. Be sure to link the résumé content to support the job objective and/ or qualifications summary. The hiring manager will know you ve reviewed organizational information and are well informed about the posted position. 2,6,9 Education. Employers usually look at educational background before employment history, although the weight of this component can change based on the candidate s experience. 4,6 If the employer highly values a strong educational background, then prominently highlight this strength and asset. New graduate RNs in particular should emphasize their clinical experiences during their education, as they often have less work experience to include. Start with the highest level of education and place lower levels of college education in reverse chronologic order. 4 Clearly outline the dates you attended each school and what degree was achieved. Include nonnursing degrees, as diverse skills and knowledge are also seen as strengths. 6,8 Employment history and experience. Include work experience relevant to the desired position. Start with your most recent position and list older employment history in reverse chronologic order, with clearly labeled start and stop dates. 5 Some nonhealthcare-related employment experiences may still bring relevant skills and knowledge. Skills and experience gained through a past position can be listed in this section as bullet points. Use action verbs when listing these attributes and language from the job posting to illustrate familiarity with specific skills relevant to the position. 2,5,6,9 If you ve promoted yourself using a reputable networking site, such as LinkedIn, consider including a link to your profile for more details. Just be sure that your profile mirrors your résumé. Licensure and certifications. This critical section allows hiring managers to see that you meet minimum job requirements. You re visibly confirming that you ve passed licensing boards and are recognized by your accrediting body as an RN. 4 What if you aren t yet an RN? In that case, you should state when you re scheduled to take Don ts Don t utilize old résumés for new opportunities. Don t use precious résumé space for irrelevant information. Most hiring managers skim quickly through a résumé to determine if they should look any further. Don t use cliches to describe yourself, such as team player, hardworking, dedicated. Don t use unusual, colorful, and/or artistic fonts; these are unprofessional and difficult to read. Don t use acronyms for licensures, credentials, and other information; there s a potential for misinterpretation. Don t include high school education. If you went to college, it s assumed you completed high school. Don t consider white space as wasted or unused it s not! Rather, it emphasizes the surrounding content. Don t rush; last-minute résumés are obvious to the recruiter or hiring manager. the NCLEX. New graduates who apply for a nursing position before taking and passing the NCLEX may have trouble securing an interview if an abundance of experienced nurses and licensed new graduates are also applying. However, nursing shortage cycles vary locally and employers may be willing to hire newly graduated students with interim nursing permits or Graduate Temporary Practice Permits. This section is also an opportunity to list additional degrees, certifications, and trainings that meet the needs or preferences of the desired position. Include when the credentials and other trainings were obtained and what professional organization provided them. 2,6 For example, clinical nurse positions usually require basic life support (BLS) training. Make October l Nursing2017 l 43

4 it clear that you meet these job requirements. 6 Professional organizations ( optional). This section provides a unique opportunity for highlighting optional achievements. 6 List all professional organizations where you hold a membership, such as Sigma Theta Tau International or the American Association of Critical- Care Nurses. Place them in reverse chronologic order, and include start dates for current memberships and stop dates for lapsed memberships. If you re not a member of a nursing association, consider joining one to demonstrate professional engagement. Honors, awards, and activities (optional). Ask yourself if listing honors, awards, and activities is relevant. Be mindful about the needs of the organization and the department you re applying for when you decide whether or not to include these components. Although you may think an activity is appropriate, it may not be seen that way by hiring personnel. 2,4,8 References. Some experts advise against listing references, while others insist on their inclusion. Although references can be added directly to the résumé, it s more customary to make them available upon request. 4,6,8 Not including them in the résumé presents a subtle advantage. If a potential employer contacts you for reference information, it clearly indicates interest. Remember to customize your reference list for the job position. 6 Ensure that the individuals you choose as references can speak to your skills and experience that are applicable to the posted position. Bonus content Ask their permission to use them as references don t surprise them! They may decline to be a reference for you, which would be an embarrassing oversight if an employer calls. Advance notice also gives those providing reference information a chance to customize their response to suit the interests of the employer. 6 Be sure to provide them with a copy of your résumé so that they can speak comprehensively about you and your experiences. Cover letters: Yes or no? In the 1930s and 40s, cover letters provided general information for economic, business, or political organizations. By the 1950s, cover letters served as job introductions. During the 1990s, when the inclusion of cover letters exploded, they became ubiquitous and rote. Cover letter use in the 21stcentury job market is confusing. Some people believe a cover letter allows recruiters to see the human being behind the résumé, while others think it hides more than it reveals. Most of them aren t read and are often seen as ritualistic additions serving no specific purpose. 11,12 A 2009 recareered survey found that 90% of hiring contacts ignored every cover letter and 97% made interview decisions based on the résumé alone. 13 However, some white-collar jobs still require a one-page personal statement. Employers currently use alternative methods of hiring evaluation that don t require this document, such as online job submission systems. 12 The creation of a cover letter will depend on an individual institution s job application requirements. The bottom line is don t include a Head to to view a well-constructed professional nursing résumé. cover letter unless the employer specifically asks for one. Onward and upward Your résumé can be your passport to a promotion, securing an advanced nursing position, or obtaining an entry-level nursing position. A clean, crisp professional nursing résumé can be the key to a bright future as you advance and develop your nursing career. REFERENCES 1. Hicks RW, Roberts ME. Curriculum vitae: an important tool for the nurse practitioner. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2016;28(7): National Institutes of Health. Guide to Resumes & Curricula Vitae. assets/guide_to_resumes_&_curricula_vitae.pdf. 3. Gallagher JC, Wodlinger Jackson AM. How to write a curriculum vitae. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010;67(6): Fox MJ. Reinvent your résumé. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2014;114(4): Somers MM. The complete guide to resume writing for nursing students and alumni. Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing Welton RH. Writing an employer-focused resume for advanced practice nurses. AACN Adv Crit Care. 2013;24(2): Phillora A. What is a resume and how is it written. Int J Manag Prudence. 2011;3(2): Akpan J, Notar CE. How to write a professional knockout resume to differentiate yourself. Coll Stud J. 2012;46(4): Wilder C. Success getting that job: making the most of the on-line resume process. Ariz Nurse. 2014;67(3): Miller KL. Rejection-proofing your resume. The Los Angeles Times, p. C3. December 11, Fike G. RN resume FAQ: advice from recruiters. Work Nurse. 2016;174(8): Lurie S. The cover letter: a short history of every job-seeker s greatest annoyance. Atlanta Monthly business/archive/2013/09/the-cover-letter-ashort-history-of-every-job-seekers-greatestannoyance/ Wilson D. Are we killing off the cover letter? Fortune Magazine At Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Regional Patient Care Services in Pasadena, Calif., Erin M. Jilk is a professional education consultant, Cecelia L. Crawford is a practice specialist for evidence-based practice and program evaluation, and Lina Najib Kawar is a nurse scientist. Eiselle Medina-Gulapa is a clinical nurse at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Downey Medical Center in Downey, Calif. The authors have disclosed no financial relationships related to this article. DOI /01.NURSE l Nursing2017 l Volume 47, Number 10

5 ONLINEBONUSCONTENT A real-life example Let s construct a résumé using a modified real-life example. C.S. has been an RN for 1 year and would like to move up the career ladder. C.S. received feedback from a mentor to revise his résumé and produced this final product. The document emphasizes his attributes as a professional nurse, clinical practice, and newly developed skills. He s stated a clear objective with a simplified education section and professional skills highlighted as they relate to nursing practice. The format is crisp, clean, and to the point. Headings are standardized in a scanner-compatible layout. 10 Some might find it a little drab, which could be solved by finding a simple template to populate. Other experts believe that professional résumés should avoid using creative templates with bold colors and unusual fonts. 4 But the content can be easily transferred to any new document. Professional Nurse, BSN, RN Phone: (xxx) xxx-xxxx somebody@gmail.com Address: 123 Somewhere Road, City, State Zip Code Objective: Seeking a hands-on entry level critical care nursing position in order to provide high-quality patient care in the adult intensive care setting. Education 2016 Master of Science in Nursing: State University, City, State (In Progress) 2015 Bachelor of Science in Nursing: State University, City, State; Magna Cum Laude 2012 Associate Degree in Arts, Local College, City, State RN License: ; Expires 09/09/2018 Professional Experience 2016: Medical/Surgical Charge Nurse and Staff Nurse, Local Medical Center 2015: RN Student Externship, Local Medical Center Community Service : American Heart Association Heart Walk 2015: Dream Center (Meals for the Hungry Program); Skid Row Homeless Outreach Program 2015 Second Harvest Food Bank of Local County Awards & Honors 2016: Outstanding Medical-Surgical Nurse of the Month (November) 2015 Scholarship: US Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration 2014 to 2015: Certificate of Honor for Outstanding Academic Achievement 2009 to 2016: Concurrent Deans List Award Career Development and Training 2016 Telemetry and Advanced Dysrhythmia Recognition 2015 Applied Gerontology Program Certificate 2014 EKG and Pharmacology Courses American Heart Association Basic Life Support (Exp. 07/2020) American Heart Association Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (Exp. 02/2020) Fire Safety (Exp. 10/2020) Professional Activities and Skills Advocate for collaborative interprofessional patient/family care Participate in monthly Unit Based Team and Medical Center Policy & Procedure Committee Search multiple electronic databases and conduct literature reviews for best evidence for nursing practice Navigate various electronic healthcare record platforms Proficient in multiple software applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) Professional Associations - Member 2016: Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses 2016: Honor Societies: Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), Local Chapter; Golden Key International Honor Society; Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Presentations & Literature Review 2016: Ammonia Ampoule Use - Folk Remedy or Evidence- Based? Poster Presentation, STTI Conference 2015: Magnet Model Experience and Healthcare System Externship Experience 2015: Literature Review: Ammonia Ampoule Use - Folk Remedy or Evidence-Based? References available upon request