Transcript What is a resume? - Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Steps to Help You Land the
Interview and Get the Job
Career Services Center
 Christy Meriwether, Managing Director
 Donna Balko, Employer Relations
Steps
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Step 1 – Self Assessment
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Step 2 – Networking
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Step 3 – Constructing a Winning Resume
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Step 4 – References
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Step 5 – Cover Letter
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Step 6 – Letters of Recommendation
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Step 7 – Thank You Notes
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Step 8 – The Interview
Begin with a Self Assessment
In preparation for your career, think
about:
– What is your starting point?
– What makes you unique?
– What are your strengths and
weaknesses?
– Where are you headed?
– What are your goals in 1, 5, 10 years?
Reconsider these questions throughout
your career.
Networking
In some industries, at least 60% of jobs are found
by networking.
What is a resume?
It is usually the first impression you will make on a
potential employer, so create interest by telling
them why they should hire you!
Summary of relevant experience
Screening tool (good and bad)
It is an invitation for an interview
Career planning tool
General Tips for Resumes
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Name at a 16 font size
Headers (Education, etc.) at a 12-14 font size
Use a horizontal format
Text underneath headers is at an 11-12 font size
Readable and clear font
Acronyms spelled out when not commonly known
When spelled out do not put acronyms in
parentheses unless using them more than once
General Tips for Resumes
Which if the following statements is true regarding the
correct length for a resume?
#1 It must be only one page.
#2 One to one-and-half pages is okay.
#3 If you have a lot of experience, it can be as long as
you want.
General Tips for Resumes
Do not write in first or third-person, except in
the Objective Statement where you can use
pronouns, “I” or “me”
Use action verbs to describe school and work
experiences and use proper tense
Use bullets for lists – not for one item
No pictures, graphics, or URLs
If your resume is two pages, put your name on
the second page
Finish strong
• Proofread and have others proofread!
• Print on resume paper and use a quality
printer
• Also use for cover letter and reference page
Sample Elements of a Resume
Name, Address, Phone, Email
Objective
Education
Clinical Experience
Related Work Experience
Certifications
Honors/Awards
Community Engagement
Professional Memberships
Objective Creation Tips
Keep it concise, targeted and relevant
Focus on your skills how you will benefit the
employer
Should be crystal clear about career direction
Varies depending upon the job you want
Objective Format Example
Begin with what you are seeking
Add what you will bring to the position
End with how you will help, benefit, or improve the
hospital, etc.
Keep to one sentence
Objective Format Example
Great examples:
Example:
To secure employment as a Graduate Nurse in which I can utilize my ______
skill(s) to_________.
Seeking a Critical Care internship in which I can utilize my ____ to______.
Education
 Name of school plus city and state
 Bold the university and/or college names
 Do not list high school
 Degree, month, and year (do not say “anticipated”
graduation date)
 GPA optional (if over 3.0)
Example
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, Lubbock, TX
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, May 2014
GPA: 3.0
Clinical Experiences with Education
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, Lubbock, TX
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, May 2014
GPA: 3.0
Clinical Experience
University Medical Center, Lubbock, TX
Oncology, Fall 2013 or October 2013 – November 2013
• Observed hospice referral and was mentored on easing the emotional
impact of impending death
• Assisted…
Surgical Intensive Care Unit, University Medical Center, Fall 2013
• Conducted hourly neurological checks on a patient suffering with
coup contrecoup lesion
• Translated for the nurses and physicians on the unit for a patient who
only spoke Spanish
C l i n i cal E x p e r i e n c e s a s a S e p a rate H e ad in g
University Medical Center, Lubbock, TX
Oncology, Fall 2013 or October 2013 – November 2013
• Observed hospice referral and was mentored on easing the
emotional impact of impending death
• Assisted….
Surgical Intensive Care Unit, University Medical Center, Fall 2013
• Conducted hourly neurological checks on a patient suffering
of coup-contra coup lesion
• Translated for the nurses and physicians on the unit on a
patient who only spoke Spanish
• Placed a nasogastric tube on a patient in the SICU
C l i n i cal E x p e r i e n c e s a s a S e p a rate H e ad in g
Relate bullets to your objective
Use bullets that begin with action verbs
Two lines or shorter in length
Think in terms of a process
Hospitals want to know your performance in the
following areas:
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Competent bedside care
Use of high level equipment
Performance in high level procedures
Good communication skills
Teamwork
U s e t h e J o b D e s c r i pt i o n a s a G u id e
Job Responsibilities: Implements and monitors patient care plans. Monitors, records
and communicates patient condition as appropriate. Monitors and documents
patient's condition and effectiveness and timeliness of care and/or interventions;
evaluates, updates and revises plan of care to facilitate achievement of planned and
expected outcomes. Serves as a primary coordinator of all disciplines for wellcoordinated patient care. Administers prescribed medications and treatments in
accordance with approved nursing protocol. Notes and carries out physician and
nursing orders. Assesses and coordinates patient's discharge planning needs with
members of the healthcare team. Assesses educational needs of the patient and
significant others considering cultural issues and other special concerns. Provides
teaching and educational material as appropriate. Validates and documents patient
and family understanding of teaching.
Re l ate d Wo r k E x p e r i e n c e
Place of employment, city, state, month, and year of
employment
Position held under place of employment
If you have limited space, put the position in front of the
place of employment so it is on the same line
Bulleted experiences beginning with action words
Example
Hospice of the South Plains, Lubbock, TX
June 2011-August 2011
Nursing Assistant
• Provided hospice-related healthcare in nursing homes, assisted living centers and
patients’ residences
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Assisted patients with ……
O t h e r H e ad e rs
Certifications
American Heart Association, CPR/BLS and First Aid Certified
Honors
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Dean’s List, Spring 2013
Community Engagement
March of Dimes Walk America, Volunteer and Fundraiser
Professional Organizations
Texas Nursing Students’ Association, Member
Refe re n c e s
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References Available Upon Request
Last item on the resume
 Signals the end of the resume
 May help you stand out
Reference Page is Separate from Resume
Include your Page Header at the Top
Center and title the page “References”
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Name, credentials, title, address, phone, email
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Left justified
Refe re n c e s
References
Meghan Rowen, MSN, RN
Instructor, TTUHSC School of Nursing
3601 4th Street, MS 6264
Lubbock, TX 79413
Office: 806.743.2730
Cell: 806.500.5555
[email protected]
Finish strong
• Proofread and have others proofread
• Proofread again
• Print on resume paper and use a quality
printer
• Also use for cover letter and reference page
• Did we mention….proofread
More about proofreading
• Watch for words in ALL CAPS.
• Don’t rely on spellcheck alone:
I am experienced in all faucets (facets) of accounting
Strong Work Ethic, Attention to Detail, Team
Player, Attention to Detail
Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest
chain store.”
Hope to hear from you, shorty.
C ove r Lette r
• Your marketing piece when you are not there
• Remember, do not repeat the information in your resume
• Include why you became a nurse
• Be specific. Don’t just tell them you are qualified. Give
examples.
C ove r Lette r
First paragraph – Introduction
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Introduction with information about the job you are applying to
Second paragraph – Body
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Why are you interested in the position?
Why their hospital?
Why did you go into nursing? What sets you apart?
Be specific
Final Paragraph – Closing
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Indicate you hope to meet with them
Make reference to your contact information
Thank them
L ette rs o f Re co m m e n d at i o n
• Think of the image you want to put forth and choose people
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who can write to support that image
Meet with each of them and tell them what you are applying
for and why
Ask them if they would be able to provide you with a strong
letter of recommendation
Give them 3-4 weeks notice
Provide them with information about the job, who/where to
mail the letter, deadline and resume
Be prepared to provide them with a summary of your
accomplishments
I te m s to Re m e m b e r
When applying online
Resume
Cover Letter
When applying in person
Resume
References in case they ask for them
Generally, references are requested during or after
the interview
P r i o r to t h e I nte r v i ew
Do your homework
Review the hospital’s website and learn facts
Saves interview’s time and is impressive
Get the name of the person you will interview with
and use it as it is music to their ears
Review the job posting again
Be prepared to answer and ask questions
Ty p e s o f I nte r v i ews
Phone interview (usually for screening candidates)
Face-to-face interview with one person. Usually a
nurse recruiter or human resources
Group interview with several nurse managers
A r r i v in g fo r t h e I nte r v i ew
Take resume and references
Turn off the cell phone or leave it in the car!
Do not be seen absorbed in your phone
Arrive 10-15 min. early
Treat everyone you see politely
D u r i n g an d A f te r t h e I nte r v i ew
Shake hands and have good eye contact upon
greeting the interviewer
Practice, practice, practice
• Listen
Thank the interviewer following the interview and
shake hands
Send a handwritten thank you note ASAP
B e h av io ral Q u e st i o n s
Behavioral questions are very common among
hospital recruiters because past behavior is a
predictor of future behavior
For example: Describe a situation when you went above
and beyond what was expected of you.
Be prepared
Mock Interview
Ste ps to A n swe r i n g B e h av i o ra l Q u e st io n s
Describe a situation when you went above and beyond
what was expected of you.
Describe a specific situation
Identify hindrances or challenges
Explain the action(s) taken
Discuss the results or outcomes
Evaluate or summarize what was learned
B e h av io ral Q u e st i o n s
Practicing your responses will help you recall past
situations
Avoid the following pitfalls:
Not giving enough detail
Being unprepared
Being too rehearsed/polished
T h a n k yo u
• Send a thank you to the recruiter(s)
• References are important and deserve a BIG thank
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you.
Handwritten notes are the best
Follow up with your references to let them know
what job you landed
N o te E xam p le
Dear Ms. Adams,
Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the _____.
I am very interested in the job and feel that I have the skills you
desire. I enjoyed meeting you and learning more about _____
and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Re s o u rc e s
www.ttuhsc.edu/son/career, For Students
Career Counseling
Donna Balko, Career Counselor/Employer Relations
Christy Meriwether, Senior Director
Resume Builder (Optimal Resume)
“How to Guide”
Interview Stream (interview prep)
Jobs
Job search (Career Shift) – use group code “soncareers”
Current Job postings
Hospital information sheets
Library of Resources
Re s o u rc e s
Library of Resources
 Resume Building PowerPoint
 Resume Planning Guide
 Cover Letter Planning Guide
 Action Verbs
 Interview Planning Guide
 Top 10 Interview Questions
 Interview Questions (Sample Behavioral Questions)
“One important key to success is selfconfidence. An important key to self-confidence
is preparation.”
–Arthur Ashe