She said my resume was bad. Now what?

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I will be a CPCT as of July 30, 2010 when I take and pass my test. I went on an externship interview today for PCT because I'm at the end of my program. The interviewer liked me a lot, but said my resume was bad. I wasn't offended because I've used this resume style before and was offered a job at another hospital. Not to mention, I based my resume format off of an example I received from my mother. My mom actually received the resume packet from the Georgia Department of Labor. There is no hope at all if the GDOL doesn't know what kind of resumes employers prefer. Is there a particular style resume that's more acceptable than others? Please enlighten me. From my own research, there are 3 basic types of resumes, and you should only use the one that best fits your particular job history and experience. Anyway, I just want to feel comfortable about this meeting I have tomorrow with this very important RN Manager. She has the power to help me or get me hired at her hospital. I am being introduced to her by a friend, and I don't want to let him or myself down by giving her a bad resume. Please help? What style resumes do employers prefer these days?

Thanks for your help.

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Specializes in Junior Year of BSN.

If you have a long work history and skills that match the job, then go with chronological. If you haven't had many job, are a new grad, or change of career i.e. computer programmer to health care then go with functional. Check these websites:

http://jobstar.org/tools/resume/res-what.php

http://www.collegegrad.com/resumes/

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/719/1/

Or your states unemployment website has information too.

Don't list jobs that don't highlight the skills needed for this job. I.E. fast food, department stores (unless you worked in a customer service role since hospitals are into that now a day) or as manager or shift leaders at these type of jobs since this shows leadership quality. Some people put every job they've ever worked in a resume and that's not necessary.

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Thanks Cherish I really appreciate that. I went to school today, and told the career development counselor what happened on my externship interview. I was told that more than 3 people reviewed my resume over the past few weeks. They all thought the resume was good, if not great. So, I postponed my meeting to go down to the GDOL to see someone about my resume since they have the service available. Tonight two more people are looking at it. It has been proofread for errors atleast 10 times. My resume is error free. To be honest with you I am now offended by that lady saying it was bad at first glance because she didn't read it at all. I also have to admit that I'm really worried because a resume could potentially make or break a great opportunity. This could be my shot for employment at an awesome hospital. I'm looking at the websites you suggested right now. Thanks again. :-)

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I hate to sound like a turd, but anyone who can't take 5 seconds to read is not worth working for. If this person who didn't read but assumed your resume was terrible is of a low ranking, say human resources, position...see what happens, then if the outcome is negative and you still really want that facility, then bypass her if it is appropriate. Ambition can win or kill it, so tread lightly.

I don't think any of my managers have actually read my resume, they just have to have it on file for survey purposes. One even asked me to bring it directly to him because "HR" was a nightmare. Hired!

GL!!

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IckuRN thank you. I appreciate your honesty.

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I hate to sound like a turd, but anyone who can't take 5 seconds to read is not worth working for. If this person who didn't read but assumed your resume was terrible is of a low ranking, say human resources, position...see what happens, then if the outcome is negative and you still really want that facility, then bypass her if it is appropriate. Ambition can win or kill it, so tread lightly.

I don't think any of my managers have actually read my resume, they just have to have it on file for survey purposes. One even asked me to bring it directly to him because "HR" was a nightmare. Hired!

GL!!

I agree, most HR wont even look at the resume.

Its just a formality!

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Specializes in ER.

I agree with the above posters; most HR/some managers don't even read your resume. I know for the "Tell me about yourself", "Tell me about your work experience", etc, questions, that they want me to expand on what's on my resume, but some interviewers I had asked a few extremely basic questions that they shouldn't have had to ask had they read my resume. Gotta love HR.

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