Misread resumes looks like I have more experience than I do

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I'm having a bit of a problem...

Well, I don't know if it's my problem or not but something is going on and I don't know what to do about it. I worked med/surg for a little bit under three months for my first job. I worked from the beginning of November to the end of January. Because I worked from 2011 to 2012, hiring managers and recruiters who are just skimming my resume and falsley assume I worked a year in med/surg. I noticed that in the last 3 interviews I have gotten, EACH ONE had made that mistake and had chosen to interview me because they believed I had one year med/surg. It is very embarassing to tell them IN THE INTERVIEW that no, I only worked from November 2011 to January 2012, which was only 3 months, not a year. And thusly, the interview ends because, obviously, I do not have enough experience. Since Jan 2012, I worked 3 months between march and june in 2013. So in the past two years, I have had a total of 6 months experience. I mean, I am fortunate that I am getting responses to my job applications and every time I get a call about my application, I get excited. But since I started looking for work again since june, it's been an emotional roller coaster to have this happen. I feel jerked around.

One thing this has taught me is that once I get that magical year experience, finding a job will be SO MUCH EASIER. The New Grad year sucks.

So my question is what can I do to my resume that will keep recruiters and managers from making this mistake? I can't help that they skim resumes. But it's very embarassing for me to have to correct this mistake to people who are looking to give me a job. And hopefully, no one else will have to go through this either?

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Specializes in NICU.

put the months down on the resume

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I have all the former positions on my CV listed by "(month)/(year) - (month)/(year)" followed by the specifics about the position. I've never had anyone be confused about how long I was in a position.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

If you just put years (e.g., "2012-2013")...yes, that can very well mislead recruiters about your work experience.

I agree with the other posters: put the months down. Do that until you have at least a year's experience. After you get that year, then you can go back to listing by years if you choose.

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If you just put years (e.g., "2012-2013")...yes, that can very well mislead recruiters about your work experience.

I agree with the other posters: put the months down. Do that until you have at least a year's experience. After you get that year, then you can go back to listing by years if you choose.

(I have almost 30 years' experience, and I still list all my positions with the specific months -- never occurred to me to do otherwise. If one just lists the years, that could mean two months with that employer (12/12 - 1/13), or two full years (1/12 - 12/13). Big difference. :))

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
(I have almost 30 years' experience, and I still list all my positions with the specific months -- never occurred to me to do otherwise. If one just lists the years, that could mean two months with that employer (12/12 - 1/13), or two full years (1/12 - 12/13). Big difference. :))

And I stand corrected :D I didn't think about that.

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And I stand corrected :D I didn't think about that.

(I wasn't trying to "correct" you, just underscoring your main point. :) )

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I do put the months. This is my resume:

Summaryof Qualifications:

I am an RN with a proficiency of practicein the ability to prioritize care, manage time, and communicate effectively asappropriate to Registered Nursing.

Example of Essential Duties:

Assess, plan,organize, and provide nursing care to assigned patients in accordance withphysician instructions; make preliminary observations of, and prepare patientsfor, medical treatment.

As directed, administer prescribed treatment and medications includingdispensing as ordered to patients; chart treatment of patients and record andreport significant changes in condition and general progress of patient.

review the post hospital care plan with the patient/family, establishing acontact regarding timeframes and responsibilities; follow plan through adischarge

Instruct patients in carrying out physician's orders; may transcribephysician's orders to working records.

Education:

Loma Linda University School of Nursing

Class of2011

Associate Degree in Nursing

Loma Linda, California

Walla Walla University

Class of 2006

Bachelor Degree of Arts

Psychology Major

College Place, Washington

RelatedWork Experience:

March 2013 – June 2013

Registered Nurse

Hacienda Rehabilitation and Health Care Center

November 2011 – January 2012

Registered Nurse – Med/Surg

Mountains Community Hospital

License/Certificates:

Current California Registered Nurse License -#797064 Exp. 01/31/2015

BLS certification – Exp. 05-2014

PALS certification – Exp. 08 - 2013

ACLS certification – Exp. 09-2013

Other Work Experience:

February 2007 – March 2009

Preschool, K-12 Substitute Teacher

San Jacinto Unified School District

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Man, that came out bad... but I do put the months

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(This is a little off-topic, (and it is as far as I could stand to try to read), but, if I were reviewing resume's, I would be kinda put off by someone with three months' experience describing her/himself as having "a proficiency of practice" in anything to do with nursing. Nobody is proficient after three months. Maybe rewrite your opening statement to make clear you are a newbie?)

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Man, that came out bad... but I do put the months

No worries, I fixed it for you. Sometimes when cutting and pasting from Word or other word processing program, those tags come in. Your best bet when cutting and pasting is to do it from Notepad, Text Edit or another formatting-lite text editor. Or report the post, and a staff member will wander over and fix it for you.

And I agree with Elkpark: one isn't proficient after three months. After at least a year--and more like two years depending on the area--you can start to claim proficiency.

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Sounds good. Maybe that's throwing people off on my experience level

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