Resume Writing FAQ
What is a resume?
A resume is a marketing tool designed to showcase your most relevant qualifications with the sole purpose of landing an interview for the position you seek.
What is the optimal format for a resume?
For job seekers who are seeking a position while currently enrolled in school (as a student nurse) or upon degree completion as a full-time professional, the resume format preferred most by hiring managers and recruiters is a reverse chronological resume – where the most current information (degrees, position/role) is listed first.
Can my resume be longer than a page?
Yes, resumes can be up to two pages, but never more than two. A one-page resume is optimal for job seekers who have limited experience and are pursuing their first degree. A two-page resume is required for job seekers who are pursuing an advanced degree, or who are career changers - those with more education and experience to market.
How long will an employer review my resume?
Employers will spend on average 5-7 seconds scanning a resume at first pass. Your job is to organize, prioritize the most relevant aspects of your education, skills, and experience so the reader can quickly (and easily!) learn about your qualifications.
Are resumes and CVs the same thing?
No, resumes and CVs are distinct documents used for very different purposes. Resumes are limited to two pages in length and are used for job seekers who seek a position as a professional in a specific industry. (Nurses would target positions in a healthcare setting, for example.) A Curriculum Vitae (CV), Latin for “Course of Life”, is a comprehensive, multi-page document which details the breadth of an individual’s academic and professional accomplishments that is primarily in academic and research settings.
Are resume templates recommended?
No. Most resume templates do not follow the standard resume writing guidelines recommended by most career professionals and they are to be avoided for this reason.
Is there anything that should be omitted on a resume?
As a rule of thumb, pronouns (I, we, my, etc.), subjective skills (team player, hardworking, punctual, etc.) and articles (i.e. “the”, “an”) should be omitted.
Where do professional references go on a resume?
Professional references are to be listed on a separate document and are not a part of a resume. Generally, employers will request you provide three (3) references. Employers typically do not ask for references until you are being considered for the position for which you are being interviewed.
Tips for formatting a Stand-Out Resume
When constructing a polished resume, the rule of thumb is “less is more”. For a clean look, consider the following:
- Margins - .50”
- Font Size – 11 pt. (preferred), may reduce to 10.5 pt., or 10 pt., if needed
- Font Color: Black
- Font type: select a plain (non-fancy) font such as Times New Roman, Calibri, Ariel.
- Consistent font – keep to same font type/style throughout for a clean, professional look
- Line spacing – single line space, with 0 added space before/after each line to maximize the use of the page
- Formatting – The rule of thumb is “less is more”. Best to limit formatting for optimal readability
What should I include in my resume?
Resumes should reflect one’s education, accomplishments, and contributions, and provide an overview of the most relevant qualifications and “transferable skills” in an easy-to-read format. Resumes detail the most recent (relevant) experience acquired over the last five to ten years, but they can include additional experience well beyond ten years.
To showcase your qualifications and experience, it is recommended to organize and prioritize content into specific sections/headings according to relevancy and importance.
Required Sections on a Clinical/Nurse Resume
Contact Information
- Name
- City, State/Zip code (omit street address)
- Primary phone (mobile)
- Primary Email (school address preferred while currently enrolled)
Education
- Education section should appear at the top of your resume for ~3-5 years following degree completion. List university degrees only (omit high school diploma)
- Unlike a job/position where you include the start date of your employment, hiring managers and recruiters only want to know the “expected date of completion for your degree. List only the month year you “expect” to complete your degree. For all other degrees, list only the month and year of completion.
- GPA is generally a datapoint that most employers want to see.
Certifications/Licensure
- For nursing professionals, this section should appear immediately following education.
- List all certifications and
Clinical Placement Experience/Rotations
- List each clinical placement position along with the number of hours and specific unit.
Academic Projects
- For DNP students, this section is noteworthy to employers as this showcases relevant contributions to the nursing profession.
Optional Sections
Objective
- The best time to include an objective statement is when attending employer tabling or networking events.
- A well-written objective is tailored to the position you seek, with a focus on your specialty of interest, and the skills you hope to use.
Professional Summary/Profile
- Ideal for candidates with a minimum of five-ten years’ experience who have or are pursuing an advanced degree. It is the place to showcase “skill sets” which are ideally tailored to a specific industry and position.
LinkedIn URL
- Having a presence on LinkedIn is preferred but not required.
Honors/Awards
- Merit based scholarships, academic awards/achievements.
Skills
- Sort and label and prioritize objective/measurable skills
- May include proficiency level/qualifiers (i.e., beginner, intermediate, advanced, etc.)
- Do not include subjective skills (team player, organized, punctual, hardworking, etc.). It is best to include these descriptions in a well-written cover letter where you can substantiate these claims.
Additional Experience
All experience adds value to the resume. Working in various roles can reflect so many valuable “transferrable” skills to the nursing profession. Below are examples of experience headings you may create:
- Additional Clinical Experience
(Create this heading to list all your non-UMSON clinical placement experience used to showcase externships and other clinical roles including, medical assistant, scribe, etc.) - Research Experience
- Military Experience
- Leadership Experience
- Teaching Experience
- Additional Work Experience
- Volunteer Experience/Community Service
- Study Abroad/Peace Corps
Memberships/Affiliations
- List current memberships to student organizations (if currently enrolled), or professional organizations once you become a full-time nursing professional.
Publications/Presentations
- List any/all publications or conference presentations.
Professional Development
- This section is for various training/in-services, etc., that you might participate in to advance your skills and/or knowledge in the field of nursing.
Notable Recognitions/Achievements
- Examples Daisy Award, Employee of the Quarter/Month, etc.
Extracurricular Activities
- Showcasing extracurricular activities can be an added benefit as employers seek to hire a well-rounded candidate.
U.S. Citizenship Status
- Depending on the employer, citizenship status may be a requirement and adding this to a resume is beneficial.
Showing Your Impact, Skills, and Contributions with Descriptive Bullets
Detailing your work/roles with descriptive bullet statements is an effective and efficient way to showcase your contributions. Descriptive bullets should be detailed yet concise. Effective bullets may incorporate some or all the following:
- WHAT did you do? Begin each bullet with an action verb. Vary the action words as much as possible to prevent redundancy.
- WHY/RATIONALE did you perform this action?
- HOW did you perform this action? (Resources, materials, instruments, software, skills, etc.)
- HOW OFTEN do/did you perform this action? (Weekly, daily, hourly, monthly, etc.)
- WITH WHOM do/did you do this work/action? (Independently or with others? Include roles/titles)
- What was the OUTCOME/RESULT? (Who benefitted and how did they benefit?)
- QUANITFY what you can to provide extra clarity.
Example:
Sunshine Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Columbia, MD
Nursing Aid May 20XX – Aug. 20XX
- Assisted residents of a senior living residential facility with activities of daily living including bathing, toileting, dressing and meals.
- Administered daily medications and assessed and documented vital signs twice per 8-hour shift.
- Collaborated with nursing staff and social workers to create interactive social and wellness events to foster a sense of community and well-being including chair Bingo Night, trivia games, and holiday celebrations.
- Escorted residents to/from outings including shopping trips, local shopping malls, and entertainment venues.