Resume Writing Workshop Notes

Purpose and Importance of Resumes

  • A resume is the first “introduction” you hand to employers; it represents you when you are not in the room.
  • Within 30 seconds most hiring managers decide whether to keep or discard a resume.
  • Common reasons a resume gets tossed:
    • Visual clutter or overcrowded layout.
    • Personal photographs (family, pets, selfies, etc.).
    • Irrelevant information or poor organization.

Resume Formats

  • Chronological (traditional)
    • Lists employment from oldest to newest.
    • Works best when you have consistent work history in the same field.
  • Skills-based / Functional
    • Groups positions by relevant skill sets instead of by date.
    • Helpful if you have gaps, sporadic healthcare work, or a mix of unrelated jobs.
    • Strategy: group relevant healthcare roles together, move or omit unrelated roles.
  • Hybrid approaches are acceptable—choose whichever highlights you best for the specific job.

Required Content Sections

  • Contact information
    • Full legal name.
    • Full street address (not just city/ZIP).
    • Professional phone number & email.
  • Education
    • Schools, degrees, graduation dates, GPA (optional).
    • Certifications & licensure status (e.g., “APEX Exam – pending”).
  • Work experience
    • Position, employer, location, dates, bulleted duties.
  • Clinical experience
    • Treat this like work experience; list sites such as Mercy, Prep Hospital, etc.
  • Awards & honors.
  • Volunteer service.
  • Projects, engagement, leadership activities.

Highlighting Clinical & Relevant Experience

  • Even if you lack paid healthcare work, list clinical rotations prominently because they demonstrate direct patient care.
  • Use the name-recognition of well-known hospitals or clinics to your advantage.
  • Frame duties as accomplishments (e.g., “Assessed 15–20 patients per shift under RN supervision”).

Do’s and Don’ts

Do

  • Use short, concise bullet points (1–2 lines each).
  • Begin each bullet with a strong action verb (e.g., assessed, collaborated, implemented).
  • Tailor vocabulary to the healthcare field.

Don’t

  • Include photographs or decorative graphics.
  • Write in first person (eliminate “I,” “me,” “my”).
  • Overuse personal pronouns in the Objective or Summary.
  • Crowd the page; preserve white space.

Objective & Licensure Status

  • Objective statements should be brief, employer-focused, and pronoun-free.
    Example: “Seeking an RN position in acute care while preparing for the \text{APEX} licensing exam.”
  • In an Education or Licensure section, you may list: “APEX Exam – pending.”

Applying Before Licensure & Employer Expectations

  • Many employers will extend a conditional offer:
    • “We hire you now, but you cannot start until you pass the exam.”
  • Some facilities are willing to wait; communicate realistic timelines (e.g., “exam scheduled within the next 2 months”).

Action Verbs Resource

  • Instructor will distribute an “Action Verb” handout for resume use.
  • Keep a personal list so each bullet starts uniquely (avoid repeats like “responsible for…”).

Cover Letter Guidelines

  • Must include:
    • Your address, phone, email (header).
    • Date of writing.
    • Employer’s name, title, company, address (if unknown: “To Whom It May Concern”).
  • Personalize each letter—generic templates often cause plagiarism flags.
  • One page maximum; match font/style to resume.

References & Recommendation Letters

  • Ideal references: clinical supervisors, instructors, current or past healthcare managers.
  • Use their work address and phone unless they permit personal contact info.
  • Maintain relationships; professors may open doors or provide standing letters you can reuse.
  • Keep recommendation letters on file for future applications.

Online Tools (Resume.com) – Pros & Cons

  • Pros: free templates, healthcare-specific designs, integrated cover-letter builder.
  • Cons: certain fields are locked—difficult to remove or tailor specifics required for class.
  • Suitable for personal job searches but may conflict with assignment rubrics.

Instructor Support & Submission Logistics

  • Instructor offers full review of:
    • Resume.
    • Cover letter.
    • Reference page.
  • Process: email documents early; first-come, first-served.
    • Avoid “day-of” submissions; even 4 days before deadline is better.
  • Feedback based on an established rubric; resubmission allowed after edits.

Assignment Requirements & Document Signing

  • Sign-in sheet circulates during workshop; confirms attendance.
  • Tomorrow, students receive an e-document (proof of attendance). Steps:
    1. Instructor signs electronically.
    2. Student signs.
    3. Print and attach with final resume package.
  • If technical issues arise, email the instructor for help or reminder.

Length & General Advice

  • Resume should be ≤ 2 pages; aim for 1 page if possible.
  • Do not let your resume become a “book.”
  • Keep master copy with full employment history; cut down for each application.
  • Proofread meticulously; a second pair of eyes (friend, mentor, instructor) is invaluable.

Quick Checklist Before Submission

  • [ ] Correct format chosen (chronological / skills / hybrid).
  • [ ] Full contact info present.
  • [ ] No photos or first-person pronouns.
  • [ ] All clinical experiences listed.
  • [ ] Action verbs begin every bullet.
  • [ ] Objective references APEX status if applicable.
  • [ ] Resume ≤ 2 pages.
  • [ ] Cover letter personalized.
  • [ ] References confirmed and informed.
  • [ ] Instructor feedback integrated.