Monthly Archives: August 2010

Nursing Resume Sample: Key Points

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As the need for qualified nurses grows, so do the opportunities for those who already have experience. A well-written and well-prepared resume can help you land a great job in the nursing field. There are a few key points that you should keep in mind before you begin to write.

The Qualification Summary

The first portion of your resume after your name and contact information should be a qualification summary. You need to make a powerful statement to potential employees that you have the required experience and qualifications needed for the opening. It is one of the first parts of your resume that a potential employer will see. If you need help drafting this statement, you can find a nursing resume sample online to help you out. It should be more than two sentences but every word should be chosen carefully. Include your level of experience, credentials, and any areas you specialize in.

Employment History

Next, you will want to list, in detail, your nursing employment history. Make sure you include the type of facilities that you worked at, such as a long-term care of acute care facility. If you are not sure how to list an employer, a nursing resume sample will help you here, too. If you trained new employees or managed a quality assurance division, this should be included. Make sure you are prepared to explain any gaps in time, as you will probably be asked about them during an interview.

Education

In the education portion of your resume, a bulleted list works best, as you can list your current certifications, such as ALS, IV therapy, etc. This is very important, as many nursing positions are contingent on specific training, licenses, and certifications. Don’t forget anything here – it’s all important. If you are working towards a high degree, such as a BSN, add this, too.

You should also include any professional organizations you belong to, such as the National Nurses Association. This helps show employers that you want to stay involved in the different areas of nursing and to help promote workplace standards for the nursing industry.

Proofreading Is Imperative

Once you’ve finished, carefully check the resume for any errors. If possible, get a fresh set of eyes to look over it. People have a tendency to miss errors after they have read something a time or two, so it’s important to have someone else read it. You should also draft a cover letter for each hospital or facility that you are sending your resume to. It should contain a shorter version of the information in your cover letter. Highlight your experience and training and why you believe you would be a good fit for that particular hospital or medical facility.

In Closing

A nursing resume sample can be a tremendous help when you are stumped writing your resume. However, it is important not copy anything directly off any nursing resume sample, as most employers will know if you do. Write your resume with your own qualifications and summaries. Remember, you still have an interview or two to get through and you need to be confident in your answers.

Entry Level Resume Sample Writing Tips

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If you are job hunting for the first time or you are transferring over into a completely new career, you will need to design an entry level resume. While this does not mean you cannot highlight your skills and experience, it should be written a little differently from one you would create for your current employer. Entry level jobs are available with almost every company, as they want new ideas and fresh attitudes within their business. In order to land one of these jobs, you are going to have to dust off your writing, communication and English skills. Finding a great entry level resume sample to get inspiration from will also help.

Five Tips for Creating an Effective Entry Level Resume

First of all, don’t dwell on the fact that you do not have the experience to apply for a job with the company that requires more skills. Just because you don not know everything about the industry does not mean you cannot learn. Your ability to learn and implement new things into your work day is one of the most important qualities you can highlight on this type of resume.

Second, make sure your resume accurately reflects the skills you do have, such fantastic communication or clerical skills. If you have some previous experience, it’s vital that you list that as well. Include any equipment you can operate, the training you have completed, and your education. You have to make sure your resume stands out from the dozens of others that the company will receive.

Third, if you have a stable work history, include it, too, even if it is in a completely different industry. In decades past, many people stayed at one job for thirty years. While there are still those that do today, many people move from job to job to gain experience, a better salary, or a better working environment. If you can show that you are dependable, reliable, and ready to stay past the orientation, you’re going to have a better shot than many of the applicants.

Fourth, if you don’t have much of a job history, then you should highlight your accomplishments and skills. Include any volunteer work, as this shows initiative on your part. You can often an entry level resume sample that helps shift the focus away from your employment history and onto your skills. Everyone has something they can list as an accomplishment – you just have to determine the best way to word yours.

Fifth, make sure you include a cover letter with your resume. Some employers don’t even glance at a cover letter, but many will. It will give you a chance to explain a little more about why you want the job and why you’re the best one for it.

A Few Final Thoughts

Choosing the right format for your entry level resume is important, too. Use a functional format if your resume lacks the employment history, as this one is used to highlight accomplishments and skills. A chronological format is great for those with a stable work history, but may have a lack of education past high school. You can find an entry level resume sample for each of these types of formatting all over the internet.

Writing a Thank You Letter After Interview

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You’ve made it through the two most difficult phases of find a job – the resume and the job interview. It is hard enough to create a resume that captures a potential employer’s attention. Getting through the job interview and feeling as though you stand a chance also isn’t easy. However, you are not done yet. Instead of sitting around waiting to get the call, it’s time to write a thank you letter. A thank you letter after interview is a great way to make sure you are not easily forgotten.

When Should You Send a Thank You Letter After Interview?

It is considered good business etiquette to send a thank you letter after interview. It gives you a chance to stand out to the employer and they will appreciate the gesture. When should you send it? The answer is as soon as possible. The next day is best, as many companies only spend one or two days on interviews. The letter will not do you any good if they have already filled the position.

What to Write

A thank you letter after interview does not have to be a two page letter that includes all the points in your resume. It should be a personal note that thanks the interviewer for their time. You should include a couple of quick, positive points about the interview and if you forgot anything during the interview, you can add it in as well. This might be that you can work different shifts or weekends.

Address it to the person with whom you interviewed with and get it in the mail as soon as possible. While email is certainly replacing the traditional postal service, it’s not quite good etiquette yet to email a thank you letter after interview. However, if you have interviewed a good distance from home, email is faster and may be appropriate. If possible, though, drop the letter in the mail.

Common Questions About Thank You Letters After Interview

One of the most common questions about thank you letters and job interviews have to do when you have multiple interviews before a decision is made. In most cases, you will not interview with the same person, so it’s best to send a note after each interview. If you do interview with the same person, send a note after the second meeting.

Another question that often arises is what to do when if you cannot remember the name of the person you interviewed with. Unfortunately, this is quite common, but you should make a conscious effort to remember their name. If you don’t, then you could call the company and ask which person was conducting interviews or ask for the proper spelling. These thank you notes should be a personal as possible, so don’t make the mistake of send a note addressed to the “department head” or the general company mail.

In Closing

Writing a thank you note to the person you interviewed with is the right business etiquette. A thank you letter after interview helps keep your name and your resume in the minds of those responsible for hiring and you can often address anything you forgot to mention in the interview.

Check Out the CareerRush Free Thank You Letter After Interview Example

Resume Objective Examples and Writing Tips

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Most employers receive dozens, even hundreds, of resumes for one single position within their company. Those resumes that stand out are for the people that get a call to come in for an interview. Getting to that stage of the hiring process is difficult and it’s going to require a resume that captures the employer’s attention. One of the most important part of your resume is the objective.

Creating a Great Resume Objective

A detailed objective is one of the most important bits of information you can put on your resume. If you need to find resume objective examples, they are all over the internet. However, some are not very good, so you need to know what a great objective consists of and how to create it.

Each time you apply for a new position, you should look for new resume objective examples and change the objective. For example, if you are applying for a customer service position, focus more on that than you would for a sales position. Choose one or two skills that will benefit the company you want to work for. If you will need a high level of computer software skills, accentuate that in your objective.

State your goals in your objective. Be specific and don’t use generic terms. Here’s another example of a generic objective: “Looking for a career in the sales industry.” Instead, create a generic objective: “A position that will further my career in the automotive sales industry and lead to a sales manager for a major automotive corporation.” These types of specifics will get your resume noticed. Your short term and long term goals should be included in some facet in your objective.

You should also be assertive. Let the person reviewing the resume see that you know exactly what you want and how to get it. Convey your desire for the position, but also let the employer know why you are the best person for the job. However, arrogance is not looking kindly upon, so don’t push the assertiveness too far.

Where to Find Help if You Need It

There are a number of places you can go to find help with resume objective examples. Your local career center has professionals that have helped hundreds of people create the impressive resumes that get people hired. They have resume objective examples you can look at and they ask the right questions to help you express your goals.

The internet has several resume objective examples, too, but as mentioned above, some of these may not be what you need. They may be too simple or geared towards the wrong industry. Just because a resume objective sample is given, doesn’t mean it’s right for you.

In Closing

When it comes to your resume, you can improve the chance of getting called for a interview with the right objective. It should be concise, contain your short and long term goals, and list one or two skills of yours that the employer needs. Make sure you look for new resume objective examples for each resume you send out so it is tailored to an employer’s specific needs. Don’t use generic objectives and make sure that your proofread your resume several times before sending it out.

Law Enforcement Resume Example Writing Tips

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One of the most difficult resumes to write can be for a law enforcement career. Many of the skills that law enforcement professionals use everyday are not something you can put into words. Because of this, a law enforcement resume example is very important.

The Law Enforcement Professional

The primary duties of a police officer, sergeant, detective, or command staff can vary significantly between agencies. In addition to effective communication and clerical skills, your resume should also reflect the practical knowledge that goes with the job. This includes specific law enforcement objectives, methods, procedures, and programs. Your resume should also reflect excellent analytical and interpersonal skills.

A great law enforcement resume example will categorize the major areas of experience and responsibilities. Potential employers want veterans with experience and increasing levels of responsibilities. Even if you have don’t have a lot of experience in the field, you can show prospective employers the other skills you have developed through your career. This includes your leadership abilities, dedication, positive work ethic, and any of the cross functional fields that are often required by law enforcement professionals.

In most cases, the basic requirements of a law enforcement job are quite similar across the country. Since there isn’t much room for expounding on the obvious, keep these skills and requirements to a minimum. Most law enforcement agencies specifically list their training requirements, so they can weed out those that don’t qualify. If you meet those requirements, keep the reference to it minimal in your resume. However, you should highlight aspects of your experience, such as working for a large agency, if you are looking for employment in a similar environment.

Keyword Placement

If you are uploading your resume online, look for a law enforcement resume example that focuses on using relevant keywords to create emphasis. There are several keywords that you should include in your law enforcement resume. These might include crime analysis, community oriented policing, traffic enforcement, field experience, or crisis management. In some cases, these keywords can help potential employers find your resume among the hundreds of others.

Awards, Interests and Activities

Many police officers have received awards for different aspects of their career. They may have extensive training in a several different areas or have completed specialized programs. This should be included on a law enforcement resume, as it may be just the thing that sets yours apart. This may include domestic violence training, specialized drug enforcement training, or a high rate of DWI convictions. This shows that you are not only good at your job in certain areas, but that you have all the skills necessary to be successful in all areas.

In Closing

A law enforcement resume example can be a great help in creating an effective resume. If you are using a chronological resume, make sure all your dates line up to avoid any suspicious gaps. If you do not have several employers to list, then you should use a resume style that will highlight your accomplishments, training, and education. Most law enforcement agencies receive hundreds of applications and resumes for each position. You must ensure that yours stands out from the crowd.

Check Out CareerRush’s Free Resume Examples Now!

Job Interview Tips: Why Should We Hire You?

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The number of questions that an interviewer can ask is virtually unlimited. Some questions you can easily prepare for, such as those about your educational qualifications and your work experience. Others questions, especially those that are open-ended, can be quite difficult. One of the questions that can be quite frustrating is “Why should we hire you?” If you have an interview ahead of you, here are a few job interview tips to help you answer complex questions such as these.

The Right Answers

This question can easily make or break an interview. It’s really not one that you want to answer off the top of your head. Before the interview, it is important that you garner some information about the company. This bit of background will help you develop an answer that shows the company they really should hire you!

Your answer should include a point about what the company needs and why you’re the one they should hire to fulfill that need. If the position is for a highly skilled position, you should highlight your experience and training. If the position calls for exceptional people skills, then you should include a statement or two about how well you can communicate and respond to people’s needs.

The Wrong Answers

It is easy to say, “I’m the best person for the job.” However, you do not know the qualifications of the other applicants and this response shows arrogance. You also do not want to sell yourself short, either. Don’t say something generic, such as “I’ve always wanted to work in this industry.”

This question is usually one of the first ones an interviewer will ask. Your answer will help set the tone for the rest of the interviews. Most job interview tips are centered around showcasing your skills and experience. However, there is a point when you need to show your knowledge of the company. Not only does this show initiative on your part, it also could be the difference between you and another person getting the job offer.

Crafting the Right Answers

Job interview tips will always tell you that preparation is key to a successful interview. They usually list several questions that you should expect and be prepared for. What first comes to mind when you hear the question, “Why should we hire you?” Is it because your skills and experience perfectly fit their requirements? Perhaps it’s because you want to become part of their growing and evolving company. Make sure your answer is to the point, but you should give more than just a sentence or two.

In some cases, the interviewer is more concerned with how you respond than exactly what you say. Anyone who does interviews on a continual basis has heard some very strange answers. In some cases, those answers may be overlooked if the interviewee is confident, without being arrogant, professional, and personable, without begin too casual.

A Few Final Thoughts

An interview can be stressful. The best job interview tips help you prepare for it and create the right answers. Companies are used to nervousness during interviews, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Answer the question, “Why should we hire you?” before you go into the interview, so you are not stammering around trying to find the right words.

Entry Level Resume Example Writing Tips

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Many first time job-seekers feel as though it’s impossible to land a job without any experience. While this is true for many jobs that require substantial on-the-job experience, there are a number of opportunities for entry level workers. Even if you don not have a lot of experience, you can still find an entry level resume example that will help you capture a potential employer’s attention. Here are some tips to help you create an entry level resume.

Find a Great Entry Level Resume Example

If you can find a great entry level resume example, it can really help. However, there are a few things that you have to watch out for when you are using one. Many people simply plug in a bit of their own information and turn in the resume. Unfortunately, many employers are aware of this and will look for these types of resumes. It shows dishonesty and if you do this, your resume is likely to end up in the trash. Don’t use the entry level resume example word for word to create your own resume. It’s time to be creative and use the sample for inspiration.

Choose the Right Format

Obviously, if you don’t have a lot of jobs to list, you do not want to use a chronological format for your entry level resume. A functional resume is often best for those without a job history. This type of resume helps highlight your skills and education. You can include the skills you have, such as clerical and communication skills, computer software competency, or specific training you received in high school or college.

It is often tempting to over-embellish an entry level resume example but it’s really not advised. It could end up hurting your career later should you actually get hired. If your employer finds out later that you do not have the skills you claimed to possess, you could end up let go. It’s not worth it to tell these little white lies on your resume.

Is Your Resume a Little Short?

It is important to remember that companies are always looking new talent and fresh ideas. Just because you don’t have years of experience doesn’t mean that you won’t get called for an interview. This is especially true if a company is looking for an entry level employee.

One way to add some substance to your resume is to volunteer. It shows initiative, which is one of the most important attributes that companies look for. It may be something as simple as volunteering at a local animal shelter on the weekend or as complicated as traveling abroad to help with disaster relief. These types of things are important to employers and should be included on your resume.

A Few Final Thoughts

If you are trying to land a job at a specific company, make sure you pick the right entry level resume example and include something relevant to that industry. It may take some time to create a line or two that doesn’t involve stretching the truth, but it’s worth it in the end. It could be the difference between a call for an interview and your resume ending up in the “not this time” pile!

Customer Service Resume Sample Writing Tips

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The customer service industry encompasses so many different positions. When you are creating a resume that is targeted to this niche, a customer service resume sample can help you. You can get some inspiration as to what you should include, as well as what you should leave out. Developing an effective customer service resume is essential for landing that job you’ve always dreamed of.

Tips for a Great Customer Service Resume

One way to make sure your resume sticks out from the others is to include numbers and percentages. These might be from increasing sales or decreasing customer complaints. It could be from creating a better way to streamline a process, resulting in less man-hours. If you handled a tremendous call load, then list the number of customers you were able to take care of while still maintaining a high level of care. Work the numbers into your resume and watch how many interviews come your way.

Customer service jobs are always in high demand, whether it’s in a retail store or in a call center. The customer service resume example you use should be one that is tailored to the industry in which you want to work. Listing tons of call center experience may not be the direction you nee to take for a position in a department store. Choose right customer service resume sample for the career path you’re interested in.

As for that customer service resume sample – make sure you don’t use the same working in your resume. Employers are very familiar with the templates available on the web and they look for resumes that are similar. Make sure you change up the wording and create a resume that’s truly your own. A generic resume isn’t always best, either. Instead of listing your objective as “to become a customer service manager” use a specific goal, such as “to become a customer service manager in the clothing sales industry, where my ten years of design and sales experience can add value to the customer service team.” Direct your objectives to each company you apply for instead of one objective for hundreds of job openings.

Listing Accomplishments and Education

When you are listing your accomplishments and employment history, make sure you detail at least one that benefited the company in terms of customer service or sales. These industries are so closely related, that you can easily add both to your customer service resume. 

In terms of education, list all colleges you attended and define what your major was. You don’t have to list your GPA, but if you carried at 4.0, it certainly won’t hurt. If you took accelerated classes in high school, include those, as well. If you are still continuing your education, include your current college, too.

In Closing

Make sure you don’t embellish the customer service resume sample resume too much, as this can come back to haunt you if you were hired. Most employers spend a lot of time completing backgrounds on prospective employees and nothing will kill your chances of getting hired faster than lying. A well written resume will capture the attention of a potential employer, so make sure you take the time to proofread it; a simple misspelling can often cost you an interview.

Cover Letter Examples of What to Say and What Not to Say

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Many people don’t take the time to create a professional cover letter to accompany their resume. However, a cover letter is one of the most essential parts of your job search. While there may be a few employers who do not read cover letters, most of them do. It is the first impression that a potential employer will get of you and the best way of making sure it’s exactly right is by using cover letter examples of what to say and what not to say.

What Not to Say in a Cover Letter

A cover letter full of those glaring errors will simply get your resume dumped into the trash can without a second look. Make sure your grammar and spelling is correct to the last letter. To ensure that you have not overlooked any mistakes, get someone else proofread to your letter. When looking for cover letter examples, if you find even one mistake, skip that sample and move on to another.

Secondly, never send a generic letter. It is always better to mention the company and a fact or two about the industry. These might include a recent product release or an award. The company website is a great place to find that information. It may take a few moments to complete the cover letter for each company you are sending your resume to, but it’s worth it.

Don’t forget to include the position you are applying for, as most companies are hiring for more than one position at a time. You do not want your cover letter and application to end up in a pile that gets forgotten about. Another thing to consider is that you may want to include the department where the position is available, as well as a contact name, if provided.

What to Say in a Cover Letter

You should include your name and contact information, unless the company specifically requires that you leave it out. You should also include the best time to contact you by phone. This will help you avoid missing that very important call.

You should say a few words about the position and explain why your experience and training makes you the perfect candidate. You should also quickly list relevant accomplishments and awards, quantifying them when possible. Also include specific goals for your career that this job opportunity will help you achieve – however, don’t make it sound as if this job is simply a stepping stone to another. Most employers do not want to hear that you are only planning on sticking around a short while.

Do use perfect grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Even one small error can get your cover letter and resume to the bottom of the pile. One of the best ways to understand what you should include in a resume is to find cover letter examples. Most job hunting websites have several cover letter examples for different industries. These examples can provide a lot of inspiration for a cover letter you can be proud of.

In Closing

The right cover letter and resume can ensure you get that call for an interview. A cover letter should be no more than four or five paragraphs and only one page. You should not staple it to your resume and it should contain your signature. Of course, if you are sending it by email, that’s not possible. Just make sure you shortlist the best cover letter examples possible to increase your chances of an interview.

Job Interview Tips: Tell Me About a Weakness

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One of the most intimidating moments in a job interview can be when you are asked to tell your potential employer about a “weakness.” It can be especially difficult because you spend your time pumping yourself up for the interview and then you have to describe something negative about yourself! However, the right job interview tips will help you tackle this portion of the interview and tell the potential employer what they need to hear without lying.

Use a Weakness as your Strength

One of the best job interview tips for these difficult questions is to answer the “weakness” question with one of your actual strengths. If you have a tendency to take the job home with you, it shows that you value dedication and commitment. Perhaps you are impatient when a task is not completed properly but you tend to take care of the matter yourself. These types of answers show that you are not looking to pawn the work off on someone else.

Another weakness that really isn’t a weakness is being organized to a point of perfectionism. However, you have to be careful here or you could end up sounding as though you cannot work well with others. You might also want to tell your potential employer about a task that you had trouble with at your last employer, but add that increased training or repetition took care of the problem. This shows that you have initiative to learn and improve your performance.

What Not to Say

Sometimes, even with the best intentions, an interviewee will list a weakness that is truly a weakness an employer does not want to hear. These might include that you are lazy but working on correcting the problem or you don’t work well with others or that you hate smokers. These are not the types of things you want to tell a potential employer. You also don’t want to take badly about your former employer – in any way. Listing your weakness as you couldn’t leave the last rotten company you worked for because of financial reasons isn’t what you want to say!

Some of the best job interview tips are those that help you prepare for any question. You won’t always be asked difficult questions, but many employers want to know how you handle adversity or being put on the “hot seat.” It’s okay to take a moment and think about your answer. Don’t just blurt out the first words that come to mind.

In Closing

When you are searching for job interview tips, look for those that offer sample questions of what you might hear in an interview. These will allow you to write out answers and practice ahead of time. No one likes to be surprised in an interview. It can cause you to say things that simply don’t come out as planned. When you are asked about your weakness, respond with something positive, as well. You’ll be surprised at how well this works and how often it can actually be a great turning point in the employer offering you the job!

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