|
DRAW FROM JOB ADS TO
CREATE YOUR RESUME
Before an artist can
sit down to a blank canvas and paint a masterpiece, he needs a reference
point such as a garden or bowl of fruit. Similarly, job seekers need job
ads to identify their required skills.
You are probably
like most people when it comes to describing what you do on a day-to-day
basis. You are on autopilot. You can do
your
job with your eyes closed because it is fairly routine
with the exception of a few special projects.
So why do you draw a blank when it comes to writing your resume? Sure,
you can cover the basics, such as the industry, the products involved
and maybe even touch on the types of clients and department you work in.
But what about really getting into the nitty-gritty about the scope of
your responsibilities? Do you know how to break it down and align it
with the requirements of a position?
This exercise is designed to help you work it out. Let's review a job ad
for a nurse.
* Must have experience assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating
pediatric patient care within a large medical facility.
* Must have
experience planning for expected outcomes of care for those patients
assigned.
* Must have
experience performing interventions according to identified priorities,
plan of care, and hospital policies.
* Must have
experience promoting interpersonal relations with patients, family, and
physicians.
* Must have
experience communicating pertinent information about patient, nursing
unit, and activities as appropriate.
If you were a nurse who had to write a resume, you might compose the
following statements:
* Provide exceptional nursing care to patients.
* Work well with patients, families and nurses.
* Report problems to physicians requiring immediate attention.
So, what is missing from this information? In reviewing the
requirements, you can see that it is too general and does not provide
enough detail to qualify for a position in a particular unit, within a
certain type of medical facility and working with a specific patient
population.
Many people might prescribe to the theory that nursing is nursing. But
this is simply not the case. A nurse works in either a private practice
setting, a nursing home or a large medical center. He or she can work in
any one of numerous specialty units such as pediatrics, critical care,
Operating Room or Medical Surgical. The list of units is extensive.
Would a hospital searching for a pediatrics nurse quality this job
seeker for the position? Chances are they would be more likely to
quality the job seeker who wrote the following in his or her resume:
* Provide quality pre- and post-operative care to 8-12 pediatric
patients on a busy pediatrics unit with 40 beds.
* Collaborate with medical and mental health teams to identify and
manage patients' and family needs.
* Develop patient care plans and discharge plans.
* Coordinate patient admissions and transfers.
* Educate patients and their families with a focus on expectation,
prevention, medication, at-home care and pain management techniques.
Now the reader can see what the patient population is, the type of unit,
and the scope of responsibilities. This is only a brief to make a point.
To take it further, examine each requirement and think about what you do
along those lines. Modify the sentences to make them your own and real.
The requirements are an excellent tool to help you identify what you do,
and to find great key words. In the end, you will be giving the reader
what they are looking for in a candidate.
About The Author:
Ann Baehr is a CPRW and President of Best Resumes of New York. Notable
credentials include her former role as Second Vice President of NRWA and
contribution to 25+ resume and
cover
letter
sample books. To learn more visit
http://www.e-bestresumes.com
|
