SUCCESSFULRESUMES MARKETINGYOURSELF, YOURSKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS Dolare Seran March 13, 2015
Workshop Goals By the end of this session, you will: Be able to promote your transferable skills; Learn how to write an effective cover letter; and Learn how to write an effective resume
Your Cover Letter and Resume is your tool to capture the Employer's attention. NEED TO STAND ABOVE THE CROWD!
Use keywords (and their synonyms) throughout your resume
Key Words Carefully read Advertisements and use key words to describe your accomplishments Most employers use keyword-searches to screen resumes & cover letters. If your documents are missing the keywords you may be screened out of an interview. STAND OUT OF THE CROWD I
You can identify keywords for your resume by Search for jobs that you are interested in and describe your experience and skills using similar terminology. Remember you will have to tailor your cover letter and Resume to each role.
Key Words can include: The minimum diploma and or degree requirement The particular skills (technical, clinical) relevant to the job Up-to-date language & popular terms of the health sector (i.e. health promotion, determinants of health, interprofessional team, collaborative practice) Professional associations RNAO, RPNAO
Skills Hiring managers are looking for candidates with specific skills & qualifications they consider necessary for that position
Transferable Skills Along with technical skills, Employers want candidates with other skills Transferable skills are skills that you can take with you from one job to another You may have learned these skills in previous jobs, in school, volunteer work, raising a family
Transferable Skills 1. Effective communication: Presentation skills, Listening, 2. Problem-solving - creating new options/solutions 3. Organization - prioritizing 4. Leadership confidence, ability to motivate & inspire 5. Interpersonal skills, adapt to situations, flexible, empathy
Transferable Skills Illustrate in your Cover Letter and Resume that your transferable skills include: communication skills, conflict management and interpersonal skills.
COVER LETTER
The Cover Letter Purpose: Grab the Employer's attention Always address your cover letter to a Person Illustrate that you have the skills for the role and that you are a FIT!
First Paragraph Cover letter State the job or position for which you are applying Indicate how you learned of the position (ie: careersinnursing.ca) Mention your enclosed resume This section should be 1-2 sentences. Second Paragraph Indicate your qualifications for the position must be specific and relevant to the position Describe and illustrate how your experience qualifies you for the job
Cover letter Third Paragraph Relate your knowledge of the Hospital or employer: their vision/mission and how YOU can contribute to their organizational goals and objectives Fourth Paragraph Mention your willingness to meet for an interview Closing remarks: 1-2 sentences thanking the reader for their time and consideration Sincerely or Yours Truly, then your name; signed with designation
RESUME
Writing Your Resume The main purpose of the resume is to get you an interview or an opportunity to present yourself in person; the potential employer should be convinced that you are the right person for the job and want to meet you (Somers, 2002).
Resume A marketing tool Sells a product - YOU An effective resume represents your knowledge, skills and achievements in a convincing way gives the reader an immediate sense of who you are and what you can do for them (Donner & Wheeler, 2004).
Resume Format There are two main types of resumes: 1. Chronological resume 2. Functional resume
Chronological Resume Most common and more traditional nursing resume Education and work history are described in a reverse chronological order with the most recent experience first Highlights dates, positions, responsibilities Strong indicator of career advancement (increased responsibility)
Functional Resume Highlights individual skills and/or accomplishments Best if making a career change or if gaps in employment history Emphasis placed on transferable skills
Resume Headings 1. Caption First part of the resume Includes name, telephone number and e-mail address Usually centered at the top of the first page of resume
2. Objective Resume Headings Identify the position you are applying for Specifically related to the job you are applying for Must be concise, specific and focus on your skills Usually 1-2 sentences Provides an opportunity for you to customize your resume
Sample Objectives "To pursue a role as a Public Health Nurse with Hospital where I can contribute my strengths in health promotion, program planning and evaluation. To contribute expert clinical knowledge and skills in cardiology and be a member of the, interprofessional team in the position of Registered Nurse at General Hospital.
Summary of Qualifications/Profile A typical Profile or Summary section might consist of: Your interpersonal and communication skills including any applicable language skills Key job-specific skills - supported by examples, quotes from employers or quantification. Computer skills
Qualifications/Profile Example Dynamic Public Health Nurse (PHN) who provides evidence informed nursing care through comprehensive health assessment, supportive counseling, education, advocacy, case management and collaboration with other professionals Excellent oral and written communication skills, 2010 recipient of the Award of Excellence in Communication at Effective team leader with strong analytical and decision making skills recognized for collaboration and team-building skills Proficient using a variety of computer software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Enthusiastic, personable and professional
3. Education Resume Headings Include name of the educational institution and its location, degree/certificate obtained, major, year any honors obtained. Reverse chronological order
Resume Headings 4. Professional/Clinical Experience Start with most recent/current job Under each entry, include: dates of employment, job title, name and location of employer Under each position entry, write a brief description of your job responsibilities and YOUR accomplishments pertaining to the key words identified
Professional/Work Related Experience Include a bulleted list of your experience highlighting key skills and achievements Illustrate how you went above and beyond your responsibilities, earned any awards, showed initiative (i.e. improved workflow, enhanced patient satisfaction, saved money or time, preceptor to new staff, built positive relationships) Use action words to begin each bullet point describing your job activities and accomplishments
Action Words Achieved Administered Advised Analyzed Assessed Assembled Carried out Completed Coordinated Collaborated Communicate Composed Delegated Delivered Developed Designed Directed Demonstrated Diagnose Distributed Established Evaluated Explain Employed Formulated Functioned as Facilitated Gathered Initiated Inspected Introduced Maintained Managed Motivated Monitored Operated Performed Planned Published Presented Programmed Researched Reported Taught Trained Utilized Wrote Hayden, J (2000). Marketing Yourself: Part 1
Pay close attention to what tense your verbs are with present-tense for your current job & past-tense for your past jobs. Do not use the same verb for consecutive bullet points.
Resume Headings 5. Volunteer Experience Illustrate how the transferable skills you have gained is relevant to the role you are pursuing. 6. Professional Activities Include membership and/or involvement in professional organizations (i.e.: RNAO) or other special interest groups Include professional activities such as internships, part-time nursing assistant, research projects or other such initiatives
Resume Headings 7. Publications & Presentations Include publications you ve authored newsletters patient education materials professional articles letters to the editor any material you ve co-authored (BPG development with RNAO)
8. References Resume Headings At the bottom of Resume "Will be furnished upon request" On a separate sheet of paper, prepare a list of references (2-3 references) including supervisors Don t attach a reference list to your resume unless requested Include your reference s full name, title, address & phone # **Before listing someone as a reference, ask for their consent and inform them of the position you are applying for
Tips for a great resume! Resume DO s Resume should be a max 2-3 pgs Emphasize accomplishments & results Personally customize your resume for each position to which you apply Include your name & # on each page of Resume Proofread! Proofread! Proofread! Resume DON Ts Don t include irrelevant information photograph, birth date, nationality, or religious/political affiliation Don t use acronyms unless they re spelt out the first time Don t mention salary Don t attach reference letters Don t send out indiscriminately, send to a person
RNAO Above the Crowd Professional association of Registered Nurses in Ontario, Canada The strong, credible voice leading the nursing profession to influence and promote healthy public policy, and clinical excellence Best Practice Guidelines is a signature program of RNAO
VISIBILITY Above the Crowd Volunteering at RNAO be a Student Ambassador, Get involved at the local level at RNAO chapters opportunity to meet Executives/Leaders Participate in the development of Best Practices Guidelines (even be recognized in the Publication) Participate in Interest Groups & Community Events Attend RNAO'S Annual General Meeting able to see how nurses have a voice NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK
Questions? Dolare Seran dseran@rnao.ca
Reference Websites http://www.rnao.org/page.asp?pageid=122&contentid=1161&siten odeid=199&bl_expandid= http://www.rnao.org/storage/69/6385_career_guidance.pdf http://www.rnao.org/storage/69/6390_job_interviews.pdf http://www.rnao.org/storage/69/6386_self_assessment.pdf http://www.rnao.org/storage/69/6387_the_job_process_cover_let ters_and_resumes.pdf
Reference Websites https://careers.sso.queensu.ca/student/map/resumesandinterviews/i nterviewtypesprepquestionsresponsesfollow-up.htm http://www.suite101.com/content/resume-writing-help-action-verbsand-transferable-skills-a248002 http://www.ceswoodstock.org/job_search/resumeskillstransf.shtml http://www.ceswoodstock.org/job_search/resumeweb.shtml https://careers.sso.queensu.ca/student/map/resumesandinterviews/ coverletters.htm
References: Banks, C. (2002). Prepare to succeed. Nursing Standard. Vol. 17 (5), p. 96. Donner, G. & Wheeler, M. (2004). Taking control of your nursing career. Toronto: Elsevier Hayden, (2000). Career development: Marketing Yourself Part 1. Health Promotion Practice. Vol. 1 (2), p. 118 122. Ireland, S. (2002). A resume that works. Searcher: Special Issue. Vol. 10 (7), p. 98-109 Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (2004). Career counseling resource package. Shinn, C. (2004). Career guide. American Journal of Nursing. Vol. 104 (1), p. 34 37 Somers, M. M. (2002). The complete guide to resume writing for nursing students and alumni. John Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland Taylor, C. (2002). How to find your ideal job. Nursing Standard. Vol. 16 (37), p. 37 48. Waddell, J., Donner, G. & Wheeler, M. (2004). Building your nursing career. Toronto: Elsevier.