Resume/employment help for non-medical

[wondy]

Hi - thank you for clicking.

I start Level 1 classes on a BSN in the fall. I have no medical experience on my resume. I have been operations management, or some other type of business management for over 20 years. I feel like I need to find employment in the medical industry but am not getting any positive responses to my resume submissions.

I have been submitting my resumes directly to the employer website, staffing agency or 3rd party recruiting sites, as applicable.

What can I do to get my foot in the door to get any experience in a medical/health care environment?

I would appreciate any feedback you can offer.

Thank you!

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

It helps to know someone. If you have family or friends working in healthcare, ask for a recommendation. Also, most states will allow you to apply for CNA certification after your first semester of nursing courses. If that's the case in your state, you might find it helpful to hold off on finding a job until you can apply for CNA positions.

[cleback]

What kind of positions are you applying to? Most medical, patient care jobs require a certification or license of some sort, which you don't have yet.

[wondy]

What kind of positions are you applying to? Most medical, patient care jobs require a certification or license of some sort, which you don't have yet.

I have been applying for entry level work that according to the position details I have the qualifications for and basic entry level positions. I am looking for ANYTHING in the hospital: transporter, scribe, customer service, admitting clerk, PCA, housekeeping, etc.

Do you feel there is a position that I would be better suited to applying for? I haven't chosen anything that requires certifications or X length of experience in the medical position.

Honestly, I expected to at least get hired for night shift housekeeping....

[amoLucia]

You have 20 some years "business management" experience. To many, you might seem overqualified for entry level positions like a NOC housekeeper. That might NOT make you appear as an attractive applicant. Entry level positions are just that - bottom of the totem pole with minimal wages, least desirable scheduling, and no oppor'ty for any operational say-so impact. And healthcare facilities are very pecking-order and turf-protective oriented. An employer might see you as becoming dissatisfied quickly and becoming a threat to rock-the-boat status quo.

Thiink about it - as a 'business manager', how would you view a candidate's resume who'd be crossing over much like yourself?

I'm not sure what your resume looks like, but you may have to tone it 'WAY down'. And a covering letter might really have to strongly explain why you're looking for new career endeavors.

If you want 'healthcare', seriously consider certification as a CNA, HHA, or MA. You'd offer a skill that's usable and usually in demand.

[wondy]

You have 20 some years "business management" experience. To many, you might seem overqualified for entry level positions like a NOC housekeeper. That might NOT make you appear as an attractive applicant. Entry level positions are just that - bottom of the totem pole with minimal wages, least desirable scheduling, and no oppor'ty for any operational say-so impact. And healthcare facilities are very pecking-order and turf-protective oriented. An employer might see you as becoming dissatisfied quickly and becoming a threat to rock-the-boat status quo.

Thiink about it - as a 'business manager', how would you view a candidate's resume who'd be crossing over much like yourself?

I'm not sure what your resume looks like, but you may have to tone it 'WAY down'. And a covering letter might really have to strongly explain why you're looking for new career endeavors.

If you want 'healthcare', seriously consider certification as a CNA, HHA, or MA. You'd offer a skill that's usable and usually in demand.

I have no doubt that what you have said about being overqualified is the main impediment to gaining entry level employment. I have known this was going to be an issue. I was hoping that knowing I am seeking to transition to a new industry would give the HR rep a reason to see where my skill set transfers to the healthcare segment.

In my position, I would certainly have no problems offering employment to someone from another industry as long as I could see where their skill set transfers.

I do intend to sit for the CNA test in December, after my first semester -- as Double Helix also suggested. I was just hoping to find a way in the door sooner rather than later.

[oldpsychnurse]

I have no doubt that what you have said about being overqualified is the main impediment to gaining entry level employment. I have known this was going to be an issue. I was hoping that knowing I am seeking to transition to a new industry would give the HR rep a reason to see where my skill set transfers to the healthcare segment.

In my position, I would certainly have no problems offering employment to someone from another industry as long as I could see where their skill set transfers.

I do intend to sit for the CNA test in December, after my first semester -- as Double Helix also suggested. I was just hoping to find a way in the door sooner rather than later.

You might have a better chance at a nursing home. They're hard places to work but always looking for help. After you have a little experience, and hospitals can see you're serious about health care, then you'll have a better chance of getting hospital work.

[cleback]

Amo gave terrific advice. You will probably do well to tone down your resume. Not meant to degrade any job, but these positions are generally not considered "skilled", so emphazing a skill set transfer probably is not going to help. It may be easier to wait until you have your CNA certificate. That way it may be more apparent that you're trying to switch careers.

[malamud69, BSN, RN]

1 page...bam! Done! Resumes are actually rediculous formalities these days...I say that with much experience from both sides of the coin...make it exciting!