Resume

Resume Guidelines

The Resume

• Your resume needs to appeal to the reviewer/HR person reading it within 1 minute of being opened (actually closer to 10 seconds to say "yay" or "nay") 
• It is very important that your resume has all the correct layout, content and formatting
• The font style used should be simple, clear, decent which looks professional
• Keep your resume font style same as your cover letter.
• All resumes are ONE page in length since HR staff won't read more than one page.
• Anything you can add to your resume to highlight your strengths and your character will serve you very well.

Components of the Resume (chronological order, most recent first)

• INFORMATION SECTION
• WORK OBJECTIVE
• EDUCATION
• WORK EXPERIENCE
• ACHIEVEMENTS / HONORS
• MEMBERSHIPS

Information Section

• Provide the identifying information at the top of the resume. You can center the information, or left-align it.
• One thing to keep in mind is that the entire format must be simple and clean.
• Remember, you only have 1 minute  or less to make your resume stand out.
• The simplest format can be the most professional.
• Remember, you only have ONE page to 'sell' yourself to the recruiter.

Education Section

• Education is one of the most necessary parts of a resume.
• The employer wants to know what level of education you have achieved.
• Present your education in reverse chronological order - the most recent first.
• Make it easy to read - and consistent from entry to entry.
• Make the important information jump out at the reader.

Work Experience Section

• The Work Experience should be presented in reverse chronological order – the most recent first.
• The reader wants to know what you are doing currently, for how long, and what you have done in the past roughly 10 years.
• It is not necessary to provide an employment record further into your past then about 10 years.

Certifications

• If you have any certifications list them here.
• Examples would include BLS, ACLS, CCRN, PCCN, OCN
• Make sure you list the expiration date of the certification as well.

Achievements/Honors Section

• This section will allow you the opportunity to list briefly what sets you apart from the competition for this position.
• You might have been listed on the Dean's list at your university.
• You might have been named the Most Valuable Employee at a previous job.
• You might have raised a significant amount of money for a Volunteer/Charitable project that you organized.

Polish

• Right side blocking for cover letter and resume is appropriate, in some cases you may use center the text of the cover letter
• Print letter and resume on same type of good white or ivory paper (for your portfolio and if you mail or for you carry some extras) .
• Check for spelling errors. Spell check does not catch them all!
• Do not use contractions or abbreviations.

You may or may not have information for all of these categories, but use this as a guide.  The point is, it needs to be clear, concise and able to be read in 1 minute or less!!  That's all the time you get to sell yourself to your employer.  They get hundreds of resumes, what should make them stop and give you a chance????  Keep the resume to ONE page in length.  Print your resume and review it...does it flow?, is it easy to read?, does it grab your attention?  is it easy on your eyes?...if you can say no to any of these questions...FIX your resume before submitting. 

Below is an example of students in the past, keep in mind they are NOT perfect but they can give you an idea of what you should be aiming for.  

 Grading rubric available for reference. Check Schedule for Due Date.

STUDENT SAMPLE RESUME