Warning! A resume is merely a facilitation tool; it is a first step, not an end in itself. Some job seekers believe that the preparation of a good resume is the most important part of their job search, but even the most stellar and professional resume does not ensure success. In truth, a good interview is the most important, so if you only intend to read one chapter in this book, this is not the one. Nonetheless, as you embark on your job search, you will frequently be asked for your resume. Without it, you cannot go to the next step, an interview. Therefore, your job search must begin with the preparation of a resume.
The Three Types of Resumes
There are three types of resumes historical, functional, and narrative. Because the historical resume is by far and away the most commonly used format, it is the primary focus of this chapter. At the end of the chapter, I will also provide examples of functional and narrative resumes and discuss their appropriate use.
Historical Resumes
A historical resume is arranged in reverse chronological order. Let us examine each of the seven individual items in the historical resume in the order they normally appear in:
- Name, address, and home and business phone numbers
- Education
- Experience responsibilities and accomplishments
- Professional affiliations
- Personal information (optional)
- Outside interests
- References
Danger! Using a home computer to prepare your resume, an increasingly common practice, can be hazardous to your job search. First, because of all the storage space they have, many computer buffs throw everything, including the kitchen sink, into the resume. Remember, your resume should not exceed three pages. The second danger of using your home computer to prepare your resume is the temptation to print it out on your dot matrix printer. Certainly, you can maintain your resume on your home computer, but print it out on the office laser printer or use a professional printer for the final copies.
Do not use gimmicks or attention grabbers to make your resume stand out. The only attention such misguided attempts receive is negative attention. Our in house "Ripley's Believe It or Not of Resumes" includes resumes printed on pink paper, pre crumpled ("don't throw this away without reading it") resumes, and resumes with dollar bills attached (indicating a willingness to invest in a search). My firm has received elaborate brochures and resumes accompanied by hospital promotional material a half inch thick.
None of these gimmicks benefits the candidate, because what matters is the information we need in order to assess whether the client's job and the candidate's background are a good match. Do not resort to gimmicks to gain attention. Do strive to make your resume the most professional one that the reviewer will see. Highlight the important information, quantify it, and let the process take its course.
You have prepared an accurate and informative resume and are ready to forward it to the reviewer. What next? Proofread your resume. Ask two other people whose intelligence you respect to proofread it for you. Check the correct spelling of any word you are not sure of. Often, someone who receives a resume containing a misspelled word will circle the word and circulate the resume throughout the office for the enjoyment of all. When Marilyn Quayle sent out 5,000 Christmas cards in 1989 with a misspelled word, "beakon," the vice president's wife received national negative publicity, and of course I don't need to mention what her husband's creative spelling, "potatoe" did for him. Don't let that happen to you.
Functional and Narrative Resumes
Although the historical resume is the most useful and common form, I will briefly describe the other two kinds of resumes: functional and narrative resumes. The functional resume groups your different duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments without regard to their historical perspective. People changing industries might decide to use this format to show how their responsibilities and accomplishments relate to the job in question. Despite what resume houses tell you, functional resumes are very infrequently used. Fewer than 2 percent of resumes received at Tyler & Company are functional resumes. When a candidate with whom we want to work submits a functional resume, we return it and request a historical one.
The other kind of resume is the narrative resume. A narrative resume reads like a letter. Usually, the candidate will highlight the different experiences that pertain to the position for which he or she wants to be considered. As with functional resumes, we ask job seekers to replace a narrative resume with a historical one.
There are a couple of simple reasons why the historical resume is the best format. First, it is easier for the reader to discern the person's employment history and most recent accomplishments. Second, because the most important items are listed on the left, and because we read from left to right, this format is easier to read.
Resume Checklist
- Use the historical format.
- Do not include the job objective.
- Avoid gimmicks.
- Do not exceed three pages.
- Proofread twice.
- Print the resume on high quality paper.
- Print with a laser printer or a professional print shop.
- Do not submit a photocopy of your resume. Take the time to send an original.
Question: I am very concerned about the confidentiality of my job search. A friend of mine is willing to act as a middleman on my behalf. Is this a good ploy?
Answer: Absolutely not. Prospective employers do not want to deal with intermediaries in order to contact the individuals, unless the third party is a bonafide employment specialist. Using a buddy as your front person makes you seem incompetent or secretive.
Question: I am interested in three different types of positions and wonder if I should prepare a different resume for each type of job. What is your opinion?
Answer: Not a good idea. You ought to be able to use one resume for every type of job because you can use your cover letter to highlight the experience and training that relates to the position in question.
Question: But what if I am asked to bring a copy of my resume with me to the interview?
Answer: That's fine, but you can still attach a cover letter to the resume to describe your suitability for the job.
Question: I have separated from my employer, but have twelve months in severance pay. What is the best way to show this on my resume?
Answer: After a while, say, three months, it would be misleading and even improper to show that you are still employed, so you should give your termination date. Due to the current volatility in health care, being unemployed is common. The stigma it bears is less than in years past. Nonetheless, be prepared to explain the circumstances of your termination in a positive way during the interview.
Question: I am so concerned about keeping my search confidential that I don't want to include the name of my current employer on my resume. What should I do?
Answer: If you work for an employer well known and highly regarded in your field, then you are missing one of the major advantages of having worked there. In any case, it would be very unusual to omit the name of your current employer, so I would recommend listing it.
Question: I rejoined a former employer after a two year absence. How do I explain this on my resume?
Answer: You can handle this situation in one of two ways: (1) treat it as separate employment, or (2) indicate the gap with an asterisk and refer the reader to the section of the resume where the earlier employment is described.
Question: At one point in my career, I worked for an organization for only two months. Must I include that position on my resume?
Answer: Here the issue is disclosure. By not including this position, you risk damage to your integrity in the event that the reviewer or potential employer finds out about the position. But placing it in the section on employment would give it too much prominence. So include it briefly and matter of factly. One way to include the information without giving it equal importance with your other positions is to mark it with an asterisk near the end of your resume. Of course, if you are a recent graduate, include all the relevant summer jobs you have held.
Question: I have heard that placing my photograph on my resume is a good way to get attention. Is there any value added?
Answer: Absolutely not. A photograph on a resume is very unusual in the health care field; we are not in the entertainment or modeling business. As with other gimmicks, a photograph will make you stand out, but not in a professional way.
Tyler's Tip
Use action verbs in your writing. Verbs convey what you have done, what you are doing, and what you can do. And that is why people want to hire you because you get things done. I suggest the following action verbs: chair, control, decrease, develop, direct, edit, establish, handle, implement, manage, negotiate, review, revise and supervise.
At the same time, cut out extra words by using verbs instead of nominalizations. For example, writing "implemented" instead of "conducted the implementation of streamlines your resume. Also, avoid using the verbs "utilize" and "facilitate" because they do not specify concrete action.
