It is a summary of your experience and achievements worded in short phrases. A well-written resume will increase your chances of getting an interview

Transcription

1 Resumes and Interviews Cathy Fedor, MSN, RN Professional Development Summer 2011 Resume Represents your professional nursing identity It is a summary of your experience and achievements worded in short phrases Its content will grow and change over time A well-written resume will increase your chances of getting an interview Resume Appearance Use business or professional font: Times New Roman or Arial Font Size: 11 or 12 point Avoid frilly, decorative fonts Use bolding, italics and bullets sparingly Length: one to two pages Use professional stationary with matching envelopes in white or off-white Type or (neatly) handwrite the address on the envelope Resume Guidelines Contact Information Profile or summary of qualifications (aka: goal statement) Education and Credentials Description of your Experience References Contact Information

2 Place name, credentials, address, phone numbers, and centered on top of page May add a line that separates this identifying information from the remainder of the text Mary Poppins, LPN 3 Chimchimcherie Lane Chimney Sweep, LA (100) practicallyperfect@aol.com Profile or Summary of Qualifications A summary that: Outlines your aims and aspirations in your profession (goal) Should highlight your best features States how you would contribute to the organization Recently graduated LPN who is highly motivated and resourceful. Excels in team collaboration. Excellent organizational and critical thinking skills. Seeking a position in a healthcare environment to provide quality patient care while expanding my nursing and managerial skills. Education and Credentials License and Certification Identify the state(s) in which you are licensed Include any professional board or other specialty certifications Education Place in reverse chronological order (most recent first) Include if currently enrolled in a nursing program Continuing Education An important feature that helps compensate for gaps in experience Professional Affiliations and Membership Very important! Demonstrates professionalism, commitment, and leadership Special Abilities Include foreign languages spoken, sign language, computer skills, and any other special abilities Awards and Honors List any outstanding academic or clinical awards Publications and Presentations

3 List any articles you have written/co-authored/published or educational presentations to a group Education and Credentials Licensure and Certification Education (2011) Continuing Education LPN M-IV, Ohio Practical Nursing Program, Columbiana County Career and Technical Center Basic Cardiac Life Support IV Certification Updates in Wound Care Symposium National Association for Professional Affiliations Practical Nurse Education and Service, Special Abilities Fluent in Spanish and American Sign Language Awards and Honors Cherry Ames Student Nurse of the Year Award Inc. (NAPNES) (2011) Publications and Presentations How to Survive and Thrive in Nursing School in AJN, June 2011 Description of Your Experience List your relevant jobs in reverse chronological order, with your more recent experience first Can include: Professional nursing experience: describe your work as a LPN or student Additional healthcare experience: jobs such as STNA, EMT Additional work experience: work outside of healthcare Volunteer work experience: any unpaid experiences in areas of interest to you Description of Your Experience Each description should include dates of employment, job title, and name and city/state of the organization Start each description of your work experience with an action verb that provides a general scope of your abilities Include most important responsibilities and achievements When describing work experience outside of healthcare, identify and describe relevant transferable skills Professional Experience

4 Home Health Aide Whoville Home Health Agency 2010 present Whoville, New York Worked with a wide variety of clients in the home. Performed wound care, dressing changes, assisted clients with activities of daily living. Provided education, counseling, and emotional support to patients and families. Multidisciplinary collaboration with other members of the health team. Shift manager Panera Bread Company Boardman, Ohio Supervised ten employees in fast paced restaurant environment. Responsible for ordering supplies, training new staff members, and providing customer service. Designed bagel delivery system that resulted in improved customer waiting times. References Usually a minimum of three required Prospective employer is able to gauge you through the eyes of the people you were associated with or have worked for Instructors, teachers, past employers, and co-workers are good choices for references; family members and friends usually not used Make sure you have spoken with your potential reference before using their name References Cherry Ames, RN Nurse Manager, Whoville Home Health Agency (650) Cherry_Ames@WhovilleHH.org Sam Covelli CEO, Panera Bread Company (330) SCovelli@bagels.org Or may state: References available upon request Cover Letter Should accompany your resume Address your letter to the person with authority to hire or the person designated to interview you If unable to obtain that information, use a functional title, such as Dear Nurse Recruiter or Dear Human Resources Director Do not address the cover letter as To whom it may concern or Dear Sir or Madam

5 Phrase your letter so it is professional but still warm and friendly Show that you know a little about the organization Be specific. State the position for which you are applying and how you heard about it Be brief: a few short paragraphs, all on one page Putting It All Together July 6, 2011 Laydee Bird, Human Resources Director Mountain View Nursing Home 3651 Mountain View Rd. Poland, OH Dear Ms.Bird, I am writing in response to your advertisement in the Youngstown Vindicator for the position of LPN in the Mountain View Nursing Home. I have a strong commitment to the geriatric population and agencies that provide such a vital service to this population. I was employed as a home health aide while obtaining my LPN licensure. During that time, I was part of a multidisciplinary team that provided comprehensive care to clients. I am interested in working for your organization because of your strong reputation for quality, individualized care, and the opportunity to use and further develop my management and organizational skills as a LPN. I will contact you next week to schedule an interview. I can be reached at (330) Sincerely, Mary Poppins, LPN Putting It All Together Mary Poppins, LPN 3 Chimchimcherie Lane Chimney Sweep, LA (100) practicallyperfect@aol.com Recently graduated LPN who is highly motivated and resourceful. Excels in team collaboration. Excellent organizational and critical thinking skills. Seeking a position in a healthcare environment to provide quality patient care while expanding my nursing and managerial skills. Licensure and Certification Education Licensed Practical Nurse, Ohio Practical Nursing Program, Columbiana

6 (2011) Continuing Education Professional Affiliations County Career and Technical Center Basic Cardiac Life Support IV Certification Updates in Wound Care Symposium National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service, Inc. (NAPNES) Special Abilities Fluent in Spanish and American Sign Language Awards and Honors Cherry Ames Student Nurse of the Year Award (2011) Publications and Presentations How to Survive and Thrive in Nursing School in AJN, June 2011 Putting It All Together (con t) Professional Experience Home Health Aide Whoville Home Health Agency 2010 present Whoville, New York Worked with a wide variety of clients in the home. Performed wound care, dressing changes, assisted clients with activities of daily living. Provided education, counseling, and emotional support to patients and families. Multidisciplinary collaboration with other members of the health team. Shift manager Panera Bread Company Boardman, Ohio Supervised ten employees in fast paced restaurant environment. Responsible for ordering supplies, training new staff members, and providing customer service. Designed bagel delivery system that resulted in improved customer waiting times. References Available upon request The Interview Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!!! Familiarize yourself with the organization Review your resume to highlight your strengths and remind yourself what you may need to compensate for. Identify your transferable skills. Self- Care Tips: go to bed early enough so you feel rested on interview day limit your intake of caffeine eat breakfast: select a combo of protein and carbs to give you energy practice deep breathing exercises

7 The Interview Dress to impress Dress professionally and conservatively Limit or omit perfume or cologne Keep jewelry to a minimum Arrive early At least 15 minutes before scheduled appointment Bring a file that contains a copy of your license, CPR card, and your resume Display confidence and respect Smile and greet the interviewer Shake hands Wait to be offered a seat Respond to questions with careful thought Keep responses clear, direct and succinct Thank the interviewer for the opportunity of being considered for the position Interview Questions Motivation Why do you want to work at this facility? Education Where did you receive your training? What certifications do you hold? Professional What is your philosophy of nursing? Do you belong to any professional organizations? Contribution What can you offer this organization? What makes you right for this job? Scenarios or case studies Describe a difficult decision you ve made and the process you went through to reach that decision. Describe a time when you had to handle an irate physician, co-worker, or patient. How did you handle it and what were the results? Follow-Up Post Interview Sending a follow-up letter is an opportunity to reinforce a positive perception of you

8 A professional way to maintain contact Include: An expression of appreciation for the opportunity to discuss and be considered for the position A reference to something that was discussed as a reminder and reinforcement of your experience or skills Additional information, or new reasons for your interest in the job A clarification, if necessary, about something that was discussed in the interview that you want to provide additional information about An anticipation of hearing from the interviewer again The End References: Nursing Leadership, Management, and Professional Practice for the LPN/LVN in Nursing School and Beyond. (4 th ed.) Anderson, Mary Ann (2009)F.A Davis Company: Philadelphia Your Career In Nursing. (6 th ed.) Vallano, Annette (2011) Kaplan Publishing: New York