Stephanie H. Drake, MBAExecutive Director, ASHHRA

Creating a Valuable Resume

Objectives

1. How to create an well-organized resume2. Writing an professional cover letter 3. Figuring out what you what next

The Resume• Is a snap shot of your career• One or two page summary of your education,

skills, accomplishments, and experience

Writing YOUR Resume• 5 parts:– Objective– Executive Summary or Selected Achievements– Work Experience– Education– Skills and Accomplishments

The Objective or Summary

• An objective tells potential employers the sort of work you're hoping to do

Executive Summary• Or sometimes called Selected

Achievements • This is a opportunity to put

together 4-6 bullets that taut your greatest accomplishments

Be Specific• In today’s market many healthcare

organizations have applicant tracking systems that scan resumes looking for key words related to the position you are applying to

Work Experience• Briefly give an overview of work that has taught you

skills• Include your work experience in reverse

chronological • Include:– Title of position, – Name of organization – Location of work (town, state) – Dates of employment

Action Wordsachieved acquired

administered analyzed

coordinated created

cultivated designed devised edited

enforced

established forecasted founded launched

negotiated originated oversaw

performed produced

reorganized trained

Education• Your most recent educational information is

listed first• Include your degree (A.S., B.S., M.A., MBA,

etc.), major, institution attended, minor/concentration

• Mention academic honors

Memberships, Certifications and Awards

You may want to add:–Key or special skills or competencies– Experience in volunteer

organizations–Certifications or awards received

Resume Checkup

• Run a spell check on your computer before anyone sees your resume

• Get a friend to do a grammar review• Ask a mentor to proofread and review

Resume Design

• Use a font size of 10 to 12 points • Use non-decorative typefaces• Choose one typeface and stick to it• Do not use horizontal or vertical lines,

graphics, or shading

Common Mistakes

* Mis-spelled words* Not touting accomplishments* Vague information about your role

References• Ask people if they are willing to serve as

references before you give their names to a potential employer

• Do not include your reference information on your resume

The Cover Letter

• This is your opportunity for the employer to see your writing skills and see a snap shot of you

What’s in a Cover Letter?

• Purpose • Audience • Content • Format

Format of a Cover Letter• 1st Paragraph (2 or 3 sentences)– job applying for – personal contacts with the company

• Body (2-3 paragraphs)– Qualifications relative to the position

• Conclusion (1 paragraph)– State your earnest interest– Request an interview

Gatekeepers

• Unexplained gaps in dates could indicate that the applicant is hiding something

• Degrees listed from unfamiliar colleges or universities could mean no degree at all

• Lack of preciseness or vagueness in past job responsibilities could indicate a false job listing

What to do next?

• Where should you look? • Should you post your resume

externally• How to apply to the job? • Should you follow up? • Is networking important?

Your Next Career Move• Talk with individuals in roles that interest you• Really try to do some soul searching about

what would make you excited

Key Areas to Post Your Resume

• Linked In • Company Job Postings• Professional Society Job Boards

Top 10 Qualities Employers Seek

• Communication skills (verbal and written) • Technical Skills• Honesty/integrity • Teamwork skills (works well with others) • Interpersonal skills (relates well to others) • Motivation/initiative • Strong work ethic • Analytical skills • Flexibility/adaptability

QUESTIONS.