Resume' question...

[SnowbirdinFL]

I just have a question regarding my resume'

I am apply for a second job as a patient care transport tech and I am currently a CNA. My current CNA position is my first and only healthcare position so far.

I am having a disagreement with someone I know about whether I should include my cashier/fast food jobs in my resume. I understand their point regarding the inclusion of relevant job experience but I am wondering if I choose to NOT include this info if it will appear as though I have something to hide.

I know I am going to have a hard enough time finding a second job but I am trying to put one less obstacle my way. Thank you in advance for your input.

[juliaann]

I would include a few of your earlier jobs. Since you don't have much patient care experience, putting your older, non-healthcare jobs on your resume will show your potential employer some of your work history...otherwise it will look like your current job is the only one you've had. Also, those other jobs can serve as employer references and can help your potential future employer get a picture of you as an employee...like how long you work at one place, what kind of responsibilities you've had, etc.

A lot of places now on your application require something like "past 3/5/whatever employers" or "past 5 years of employment history." You can specify if you are okay with that employer being contacted or not.

I would include enough past jobs to make your resume 1 full page. If you have more than that just title the section "Select employment history" or "Employment highlights" so they'll know you've had other work experience. That way it won't look like you're "hiding anything" and your resume can best portray your strengths.

[PDXnursing]

I have similar positions in my history and they actually helped me recently in an interview. Instead of describing my position as "waited tables, cash handling, food service" or something like that, I highlighted the skills from those jobs that I have transferred into my job as a CNA. Things like multitasking, crisis management, time management, critical thinking, quality control. Even though those positions aren't healthcare related, it is good to point out that you have transferrable skills from those experiences. At my interview I was able to describe how 10 years of customer service has helped me as a CNA when relating to both the patient and the family.

[anonymous1919, LPN]

I have similar positions in my history and they actually helped me recently in an interview. Instead of describing my position as "waited tables, cash handling, food service" or something like that, I highlighted the skills from those jobs that I have transferred into my job as a CNA. Things like multitasking, crisis management, time management, critical thinking, quality control. Even though those positions aren't healthcare related, it is good to point out that you have transferrable skills from those experiences. At my interview I was able to describe how 10 years of customer service has helped me as a CNA when relating to both the patient and the family.

This. I did the same thing. I wrote about my fast food job but I wrote I had great customer service skills, can follow procedures, etc... everything that worked well with nursing :)

[Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN]

Me too. You have learned how to deal with people and therefore know a little something, something about customer service. Put your skills on there rather than your job duties.