What’s hot — and not — in 21st-century resumes


KEITH CARLSON BSN, RN, NC-BC


I What’s hot


Check out job boards — Job boards have changed for the better over the years in terms of navigability and user interface; most are fairly easy to use, and


available positions can be found through fi lters, including location, specialty, type of facility and other criteria. Many generalized job boards exist for nurses seeking a variety of positions. These sites often allow the applicant to create an online profi le that acts as an ersatz resume. On some sites, recruiters and potential employers can peruse user profi les, contacting nurses who appear to have the skills or experience they’re seeking. Visit the new Nurse.com jobs board: https://jobs.nurse.com/.


A professional summary — Many resume-watchers think having an objective on a resume is old school. Something like, “Skilled, compassionate nurse seeking


challenging med/surg position,” is admittedly pretty generic and won’t get noticed. However, if you compose several paragraphs and bullet points detailing your real-world ac- complishments (including those that are quantifi able), your summary will be more attractive, especially if you gear it toward the position for which you’re applying.


Keywords — Rather than buzzwords (i.e., team player, collaborative, compassionate), try using


keywords directly related to the position in question. For example, if you’re applying for a job in quality improvement, use words that demonstrate related knowledge of quality improvement and quality assurance. Buzzwords can seem empty; keywords can catch the eye. Hint: Use keywords from the ad for the position and the company’s mission statement. Hit them with their own language.


f you ask a group of managers what they recommend nurse applicants include on their resumes, they would agree on many common pieces of key information. However, there are always new opinions about 21st-century resumes, and nurses should keep updated on what’s hot and what’s not.


What’s not


Buzzwords — Unlike keywords, buzzwords are the words you think they want to hear, such


as team player, collaborative, effi cient. Do these words really describe you or a generic nurse who is kind of like you? Be creative and thoughtful in your use of language; don’t waste precious real estate on lackluster vocabulary.


References — Please do not write “references available upon request” at the bottom of your


resume. This is a given. You will be asked for references on the application; that’s the appropriate place for them.


Managers/supervisors — Do not list past or present managers and supervisors on your resume. Manag-


ers come and go, and putting someone’s name and phone number on your resume who may no longer be employed at that facility is bad form.


Invest in your resume


A resume needs to be well-written, neat, organized and grammatically fl awless. Do you spend money having your hair cut? Do you get your suits dry-cleaned? Do you change the oil in your car? If so, spend money on having your resume edited by a professional; consider it an investment in your marketability. Review and update your resume every six months. When


you change your clocks for daylight saving time (apologies to those in Arizona) and change the batteries in your smoke alarms, also review your resume. You never know when you’ll need it, and a solid, updated resume will serve you just like a well-maintained car, a nice haircut and a freshly cleaned suit. •


Keith Carlson, BSN, RN, NC-BC, Nurse.com’s career advice columnist, is the board-certifi ed nurse coach behind NurseKeith.com.


26 Visit us at NURSE.com • 2016


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