I have a couple resume questions. In my case, I will have completed a few degrees "out of order" so to speak. My progression looks like this: AOS, AA, BA, ADN, MBA, BSN I'm thinking about how to list these. I'm leaning against chronological- because I think it looks odd, and my dates will be confusing. Especially since have had at least 2 degrees going at all times with huge overlap. Here are the (projected) dates: BSN, 2013 MBA, 2012 ADN, 2012 BA, 2008 AA, 2008 AOS, 1990 Here are a few of my questions- 1. Since I'll be a career changer, how much of my prior work history should I include on a resume? I obviously didn't wake up at age 40 and get my first job- so I'm inclined to list a few positions. If I do this, then it stands to reason that I would list my education from that time as well...or not? 2. I'm thinking of rearranging my degrees, leaving the dates off, leaving my AA and AOS off, and putting them in this sequence, what do you think? *I have to leave the ADN on because that's where I'll get my RN. If I leave it off, it looks as if I got my RN through a BSN program which is deceptive IMO. MBA BSN BA ADN A nurse friend of mine suggested doing a nursing-only resume, with relevant info- previous career info written as "upon request".... I don't think that would work well in my case since I won't have anything relevant besides my education and a professional membership lol. Oh, I do have volunteer experience that is from about 5 years ago - but no employment in health care. So, thoughts on that are good too.
Jennifer, I don't list dates on my degrees unless required. I usually list in order of level with graduate first and undergraduate next. (Decling order) I also agree with your friend that you might consider listing only relevant degrees. But if your work experience is supported by the degree then I would include it. For instance, in your culinary degree you included business and management aspects that would readily lend themselves to other business verticals. Kevin
List none, some, or all your degrees. List them in the order you wish. Include or omit dates earned. Don't trick anyone. In other words, be honest and as complete as the situation calls for.
I use a tailored functional resume and emphasize areas that I think will be of interest to the employer/client. I would only list applicable degrees: BS 2008 ADN (enrolled - planned graduation 2012) BSN (enrolled ????- planned graduation 2013) I would not list associate degrees unless the title was in a different field than your BS and relevant to the position. Just a guess but it would seem like a knowledge of nutrition would be of use to a nurse so if you have that experience list it. There are lots of Internet sites that address resumes for someone changing careers (I just plugged in resume career change and up came 8,700,000 results !!!!!). Incidentally my medical provider and local hospital all use computerized records so their medical staff have to be familiar with using computers.
What kind of job are you hoping to get with this resume? Are you looking for a job while completing your ADN ( That is associate degree in Nursing?). If so what kind of job are you looking for? Or are you just wondering for when you have your RN and want to get a nursing job? I think that would make a difference. Since my DH has been out of work his former company paid lots of money to send him to a job search company. They have taught him alot about writing good resumes. I had him read your OP and the first thing he said is what I asked in the title
Jennifer, Having to sift through many hundreds of resumes in my hiring experience, my $.02 worth: 1. Most important, do your resume in plain text. These days all major companies scan them and zero in on key words applicable to the position. That means you find some of those target words in the job description and include them in your resume. 2. Keep the resume no longer than two pages, one is better if you can manage. 3. Depending on your age, only include the past ten years or so in your work experience. You never, ever want to give an indication of your age. In your field, older jobs won't mean much since things change so quickly. 4. By all means, definitely include your volunteer work as it might relate to your field. That's experience, even if not paid. 5. Agree with most posters, list your highest level degrees then in descending order. If a degree is not complete yet, put the date when you expect to be done. 6. Do not, under any circumstance, list your hobbies/interests, your marital status, any of your GPAs, your "goal" or a statement of what you're seeking on the resume. Waste of time -- nobody cares and it takes up very valuable resume space. Also, about references -- just say "available upon request." Some companies don't bother, some do. Again, you don't want to waste resume space! 7. Do include specific accomplishments that helped each company. People want to see what you did, not just what you offer in theory. 8. Cover letters to go with each resume -- do your homework, research the specific company, then tell them why you want to work for them and why you would be an asset to their organization. Don't use a cookie cutter approach to cover letters. Big no-no. 9. Finally, never ever indicate what your salary requirements are, especially on a resume or application, for any position until they indicate they want to hire you. Just write or say "negotiable" or "I hope to be paid according to my experience, ability, knowledge and commensurate with other similar positions." I hope this helps. This approach has worked for me as a hiring manager/director as well as potential employee. Carole
Jennifer, I too have review over 1,000 resumes and conducted over 100 interviews and my wife and I created a presentation on resume and interview skills. We were going to offer this free to out processing military but it can be difficult to get someone from the military to call you back...even when you are giving something away...anyway. Here are some tips *Resume should go back 10-15 years so it does not expose the job-seeker to age discrimination. *Resume should be bulleted. *Keep the template simple, do not use the Microsoft template – it is overused. *Decide if the format will be chronological or functional. *Resume should be accomplishments-driven and not duties-driven. - Never use expressions such as "Duties included," "Responsibilities included," or "Responsible for." *List high-impact accomplishment. Use action words such as Managed, Instituted, Resolved, Organized, Installed, Repaired, etc. *Quantify the results whenever possible: increased sales by 30% or reduced downtime by 15%. *What were the results of your efforts? How have you helped your employers to: Make money, Save money, Save time, Make work easier, Solve a specific problem, Be more competitive, Increase efficiency, Build relationships, Expand the business. My favorite cover letter (not sure is the formating will work) should be a table like format that makes it easy to match what they want and what you have Your Requirements ........... My Experience Five years experience ........... Over ten years experience... Network troubleshooting ........... Experience install, troubleshooting,.... Associates degree ........... Bachelors Degree in Engineering Computer certifications ........... MCSE, MCSA, A+ Sales support experience ........... Over three years experiences as a sales engineer.
Thank you so much everyone- I am printing out this thread as we speak. My concern over prior job history, is that it really will tell my age <snicker> My job, which I just left so I could go to school double time, was my employer for 17 years. So, it will be obvious that I'm not in my 20's. Also, my "biggest" responsibility was in my first 4 years with them- I was in administration. I only worked as a teacher the past 13 because it was a great fit for my family. It's been a long time ago, but "at that time" I really had a lot of success and accomplishments in that position. I even earned awards for the program, and a pretty good award for myself. If I list that job *which I feel like I almost have to do* then do I list the education that prepared me for that position? What about any of those honors? As a chef instructor- my resume rocks. As a nursing student, it's blank lol. I plan to apply for a part time entry level job in my last year of school. My intent is to pursue this job at the hospital I want to work for. I'm hoping that this would lead into a full time RN position at graduation. (internal applications, at least at my CC, were always strongly considered above outside applications) I also hope for a seamless transition into the BSN program with no gaps. If the timeline works like I hope, my first RN resume will have my "BSN-in progress" on it. *my MBA will be done by then though too, not sure if I should include that or not- my intuition is saying no- that it looks showy for someone just starting out in the field.... So for now, my resume is just playing around- but I want to have the bones ready so I can add relevant experiences to it. I anticipate getting involved in the student associations on campus. Let's hope that I don't scare the young women. LOL
I would focus resume skills on people leadership but with a shortage of nurses it should not really be an issue getting a job. Have you considered something like picking up your CNA (certified nursing assistant) in the first few weeks/months of school so you can get some hands on? The pay will be low but if you do one shift a week or two weekends per month you will have some patient contact experience. My niece did this as she worked through LPN scope. CNA courses (in Florida) are something like a 40 hour course and LPN/RN students usually are eligiable to test and apply for a license in early on.
>> I don't know if it's unique to our program or not, but our first semester course does qualify you for the CNA right off the bat. I do plan to work as a CNA after my second semester. Excellent suggestion- thanks. Oh, and I found that cover letter style you like- very nice.
