On "dumbing down" résumés

[mclennan]

On a bevy of job interviews over the last week or so, I'm finding that my experience and credentials are actually detrimental in interviews. Of course no one is direct about it, but I can ascertain from comments and remarks by hiring managers/interview panels that they clearly think I'm overqualified or I'll demand top pay.

I have 7 years experience as a BSN RN, have 3 ANCC certifications, CCM certification, and a Public Health Nurse license. I've worked Public Health, ambulatory/urgent care clinics, home health, and both inpatient and telephonic case management. Quality experience across specialties, great references, clear licenses with no restrictions, comfortable with several EMR/EHR systems, etc. Nothing terribly special but I've done okay in 7 years.

I'm pursuing part time work in CM, urgent care, clinic or even LTC as a plain old staff nurse. I have zero desire to be in management or administration. I just want to be an RN. And don't need to make top dollar.

Here's what I hear in interviews:

"Oh! With all these credentials you should be applying to management positions!"

"So, tell me why you're applying for this position. With your experience & certifications you could probably get a DON job or make a lot more than we can pay."

"Can you tell us a little more about all your certifications & credentials and how you'll utilize them in this job?" (Said with a suspicious tone)

"You know, (after a cursory glance at my résumé) we have a couple of supervisory & line management positions open."

I try to cheerfully respond with a clear statement that I'm just looking for humble RN work at this time, and that pursuing management or DON is something I'd like to consider at a later time. (I don't want to sound totally lacking in ambition). This seems to confound interviewers. One of them INSISTED on forwarding my paperwork to administration, saying "you would be a perfect fit for an admin position, I'm sure you're a fabulous clinic nurse but I think you're ready to move forward." She was being complimentary and enthusiastic, I didn't get the sense that she thought I'd be a CRAPPY staff RN or anything like that....it was nice of her but she didn't seem to understand.

I wish I could just blurt out, "I'm not going to demand big bucks or special snowflake treatment, or throw my weight around. I just want to patch people up quietly for fair pay!!!" But I really can't do that.

Frustratingly, it looks like I will have to remove some credentials from my portfolio and "simplify" things a bit.....I swear.....only in Nursing does twisted stuff like this happen. New grads can't get a leg up, and experienced RNs seem "expected" to pursue management/admin as soon as they have a few years in the trenches. I was told to get board certified at a Magnet hospital I worked at, and did....but now, those certs are scaring the payroll departments of other potential employers. We can't win. Anyone else have thoughts on this? Any feedback appreciated, I promise not to get defensive! :)

P.S. This post is NOT a humblebrag, I repeat, not a humblebrag. I really don't think I'm much of anything; in fact I'm shocked these places think I'm qualified for management! It's a smaller town so maybe the pickins are slim? I dunno.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

They would just like you to acknowledge, OP, that you will work for their starting pay. Regardless of certifications (as you "won't need to use that here") that you have years of experience (can we get her here, not have to orient her long, and still pay starting pay?)

Or another thought is that unfortunetely, you are at a place where nursing--for many multi-year nurses--is of clinical nature. They would like to have new hires be customer service oriented. Mold them into their own image. It is a hard sell when your nursing practice has cultivated to the point of customer service not being the #1 priority.

Revamp your entire approach. Use the facilities mission statement as to how it applies to your practice. Use "evidence based practice" "HCAPS", and "meaningful use" as your buzz words.

At the end of the day, they really don't care what you are competent in. They do care that they can pay you less, and your focus is on the dollar.

[grudgrime]

You don't need to sound like you are lacking ambition BUT you need to be completely honest. Why don't you say, I've done this and I've done that and I've found that what I really enjoy is "this" and that is where I think I belong. "I've found my calling in ....."

I think that they would be impressed that someone so motivated (obviously with your credentials) has found their passion and is perusing it.

[iluvgusgus]

On another floor I worked on, we had a very experienced nurse who was also a NP working as a staff nurse and she had no desire to charge, either. So, I think if you just say to them "I enjoy working at the bedside and dont see myself working in management" they would respect that. They are probably afraid of you replacing them eventually! My sister listed all her management experience on her resume and was applying to minimum wage customer service jobs. She never got hired until she took all that off her resume, probably because they were scared she would outshine them and replace them. Are you able to list up to the past 5 years experience only on your resume? I remember hearing once that 3-5 yrs nursing experience is that sweet spot in a nurse's career where she isn't "over-qualified" and won't command top dollar just yet.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I wonder the same thing since the positions I've held are charge or management. I don't necessarily want to remain in management roles for the next 20 years, especially the way health care is going, but I think employers tend to categorize potential candidates.

[Patchouli]

Maybe they are afraid you will not stay. With all your experience, maybe they consider you a hire risk since you are applying for a job below your credentials. That you'll get "bored" with the position in which you are applying for.