What is wrong with people ?

[ewrn]

I am a new grad who has had trouble finding a job so my husband said he would talk to a friend of his that has connections to see if he could get me a job. I was optimistic about the idea and emailed the man my resume to pass along. Today he sends me an email back about how I need to tweak my resume to get better results so I made changes but I didn't agree with listing all the skills I performed during clinicals because I have not performed them enough to be proficient which is understandable as a new grad. He sends me another email back saying ...

This resume is not different than the one you sent me. I have a question: how has this resume been working successfully for you? How many jobs and interviews has it gotten you?

Okay I can understand what he means but then he sends this to me ...

I sent out again without finishing and editing. Oh well, remember the resume is only a ticket to entice the employer to give you an interview. Once we tweak your resume, my nursing friend and I will give you a mock interview.

- on your objective: "Seeking RN position, preferably nights and weekends. Willing to work flexible hours and overtime as needed by my employer. My husband and I are childless, supportive of each others career, and he will be dependent on my income for several years so he may start his own mechanic business."

That will definitely put you in the interview pile. At the interview, tell them you cannot have children and you are not looking to adopt or explore alternatives. Remember, you can always change your mind. Maternity is always a concern with younger workers. They cannot ask, but you can tell them.

If you do not drink alcohol, put it down. If you do not smoke, only put it down if you also do not drink alcohol. Otherwise, never mention it.

I thought this was inappropriate and I was upset that he thought it okay to put my personal business out there like that. My husband must have told him a have a condition that can cause infertility but I would never tell an employer that. Do you think I'm overreacting?

[queenjulie, RN]

THAT IS INSANE. I would be enraged if I were you. I know you need a job, but this guy is totally out of line and sending incredibly inappropriate personal information to potential employers--I would tell him not to contact you again and not to send your resume to anyone else.

[AngelicDarkness]

I never put an objective in my resume unless it is simple and to the point that I am a nurse looking for experience in what the employment field is. I always change my resume to each job I apply to. I'm 22 years old, I'm bound to have children some day either through natural or adoption, but I don't think that is my potential employer's business unless they ask me during the interview process - in that case, vague all the way. I've seen many nurses get hired on for approx 6 months and then become pregnant, so they work their mat. leave hours required. It isn't a big deal. Then people like me become hired for mat. leave contracts:)

[Lucky724]

This guy is either screwing with you or has some serious problems..I agree w/the above poster..I would not have any further contact w/this guy or anyone who works for him.

[kids]

Honestly? In a word, your 'Objective' is awful.

Way, way too much personal information, based on that alone I probably wouldn't read any further.

[2011nursetobe]

This guy has no clue what he is talking about IMO. Don't mention aspects of your personal life. In my opinion, do not even let the employer know you are married, and especially don't mention kids, whether you have them or not. That is none of their business. As for the drinking and smoking, WOW....Why the HECK would you put that on your resume???? If I was an employer, I'd think you were insane putting that on there! They do their own drug tests for the drugs they think are important. Ditch those guys....please.

[ewrn]

I did not edit my objective the way he wanted and I never would put personal info out there like that. I was so upset because I'm trying everything to get a job and I think he is just getting a laugh at my expense. I was crying my eyes out because I wanted to get a job, work for a year or so then try to have a baby. I called my husband at work about this and he knew I was upset so he came home and tried to call his friend about the emails.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Please do not put ANY information about family in your letter or resume. It shows lack of professionalism. Also, I suggest you ditch any of those stated preferences about shifts.

Tell your husband to keep his lips zipped about your personal business too. That is the sort of thing you only tell your inner circle.

As for that guy...what exactly does he do for a living? He has no clue about resumes. It is almost as if the guy comes from a completely different culture. I will say that I have interviewed many women who have outright said they were not going to have a family. It is not that uncommon a practice for women in certain professions to offer that up front. I do not think it is appropriate for an interviewee to open that door.

Also, I would suggest that you not have our husband contact this guy about the emails. You are meeting inappropriate with inappropriate. I would make what changes you feel are professional and resubmit the resume to him along with a note saying something like "Thank you for your time and feedback. I have made changes to _____ as you suggested but, on reflection, will omit the more personal information." Or something like that. Just because the guy is an idiot and gave idiot advice -- it does seem he spent some time on reviewing you resume and giving feedback.

[Katie5]

Wrong! No personal information.

And right, if you performed the skills, then you did it, go ahead and put it down. You have some skills at it, just not competent and I do believe that on your training you will get more than enough time to become competent with the skill. But if you DID it , then put it down. Don't short-change yourself.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

I did not edit my objective the way he wanted and I never would put personal info out there like that. I was so upset because I'm trying everything to get a job and I think he is just getting a laugh at my expense. I was crying my eyes out because I wanted to get a job, work for a year or so then try to have a baby. I called my husband at work about this and he knew I was upset so he came home and tried to call his friend about the emails.

"Seeking RN position, preferably nights and weekends. Willing to work flexible hours and overtime as needed by my employer. My husband and I are childless, supportive of each others career, and he will be dependent on my income for several years so he may start his own mechanic business."

If this was your original objective then you did have personal information on it and far too much. You are telling them you are married, have no children, that your husband is going to start a business and will be dependent on your income. You also expressed a shift preference.

Call your college and make an appointment with someone from there careers section who can work with you on your resume. Then take it to one of your previous instructors or a NURSE that you know and ask their opinion.

Good luck

DV

[ewrn]

My resume never had that objective. That is the one he wanted me to put. My object was this :

OBJECTIVE: To obtain a position as a registered nurse

[dorisc1981]

reading your post enraged me. Some people think they help with crticism. I understand the "sympathy" he is trying to get you but is absurd to put anything personal on a resume. Take no help or advise from this so called help. When you time will be will be. Post your resume on job seeking sites and just wait. Like people said have a career center or a fellow nurse help you with your resume. All you need is for someone to forward it not change it. Here is a neutral nursing objective: To secure a position as a registered nurse in a dynamic and challenging acute care setting where I can continue to develop my skills in patient advocacy and collaborative practice.