Resume and Cover Letter Writing Karen Malt MSN

Resume and Cover Letter Writing Karen Malt, MSN, RN Hazleton Area Career Center Objectives: 1. Define a Resume and How to prepare one 2. Define Letter of Application and How to Prepare one 3. Identify and Apply Job Interview Skills

What is a Resume? Your marketing tool A way to sell yourself A way to highlight your experience and accomplishment A way to get you an interview

What should be on a resume? Heading- name, address, contact info, etc. Objective statement (optional) Summary of qualifications (optional) Education Work experience Skills (computer, language) Honors/Awards/Affiliations

What should NOT be on a resume? Personal information such as age, ethnicity, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, children, etc. Personal pronouns such as “I”, “me, ” “My, ” etc. Use sentence fragments only Reference information

How do I get started? What are you applying for? What experience/classes have you had that relate to what you are applying for? Talk about yourself in glowing terms Use action oriented words You don’t have to include every job/experience you have had Just get it on paper! (You can revise later)

Example Jane Doe, LPN 4444 Antigua Blvd, San Diego, CA 92124 Janedoe@gmail. com 555 -5555 Nurse. SUMMARY * Thorough understanding of the role and responsibility of the Practical * Experienced practical nurse with a diverse clinical experience. * Well organized and excellent communication skills. * Self-motivated with a reputation as having superior leadership skills. EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS Hazleton Area Career Center Practical Nursing Department Graduated Highest Scholastic Average GPA 98. 8% 2017 American Red Cross Adult/Pediatric Frist Aid CPR/AED Valid through September 2019 Epilepsy Awareness Certificate Epilepsy Foundation Wyoming Valley Chapter September 2017 Luzerne County Community College 32 Undergraduate Credits Received between 2014 -2016

Example PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE LEADERSHIP SKILLS * Supervised multiple Certified Nursing Assistants in the Long-Term Care Setting. * Delegation of client assignments to the Certified Nursing Assistant. *Assisted the Registered Nurse in organizing in-service training for Certified Nurse Aides COMMUNICATION SKILLS * Adapted communication style to accommodate varying personalities. * Appraised and counseled staff on performance, work ethic, and values * Well educated on client confidentiality and protecting client information. * Effectively mediated staff conflicts and implemented realistic solutions EMPLOYMENT HISTORY 2014 - Present Licensed Practical Nurse Sunnyside Nursing Home 20010 -2014 Licensed Practical Nurse Lehigh Valley Hospital 2004 -20010 Certified Nursing Assistant St. Luke’s Manor 2002 -2004 Line Worker Air Products 2001 -2002 Cashier Sunshine Market

What is a cover letter? A way to introduce yourself and your resume Your opportunity to say why you are the right person for the job A chance to talk about skills that relate to the job that are not on your resume

Cover Letter Outline First paragraph: why are you writing? Reference the job you are applying for and where you saw it Second paragraph: link your education, skills and experience with the job description Third paragraph: ask for an interview and thank them for their review of your resume

Cover Letter Example Same Heading as Resume Date Name Title Company Street Address City, State, Zip Re: Job Title Dear Hiring Manager: I am applying for the Practical Nurse position that we discussed during the Health Fair at Lehigh Valley Health Network Hazleton Campus on (date). My varied employment experience and communication skills are my strongest qualifications. As you can see from the enclosed resume, I have a varied employment history, which allowed me a diverse clinical experience. My motivation and leadership skills, as well as my oral and written communication skills, should prove valuable in increasing (name of company's) client satisfaction. I am enthusiastic about pursuing a career with (name of company) because of its positive standing in the community and desire to settle for nothing less than care excellence. . I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and can be reached at (phone number) from noon to five daily. I will be in your area next week and will call you on (date) to discuss the possibility of an interview. Sincerely, (Handwritten sig. ) Your name, typed

Interviewing- Get to Know Yourself Why should the interviewer hire you rather than someone else ? · Know your strengths, job-related skills, workrelated interests, goals, and your basic values and attitudes towards work Be Prepared · Review your work history and education · Make several copies of your resume · Make a list of your qualifications and experience

Get to Know Yourself, cont. Practice Interviewing · See the list of Commonly Asked Interview Questions and answers · Use the STAR interview answer technique to answer each question. This is done by the following: · S/T—Describe the Situation or Task · A—Describe the Action you took to improve the Situation or complete the Task · R—Describe the Results which occurred because of your Action

Research the Employer Research the Company Background · Research the companies history, mission, values products or services, business methods, standing in the industry and organizational structure · Research the position that you are applying for Research the Company Location · Plan your route/transportation to the interview, locate parking, be prepared to show up 15 minutes early for the interview

Dress for Success ◦ Dark two-piece suit, white dress shirt or blouse, conservative shoes (closed toe, low heel for women) ◦ Showered, clean shaven, little cologne/perfume, well-groomed hairstyle, carry breath mints ◦ Little jewelry, no visible tattoos, not too much makeup and conservative nail colors for women

Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Interviewing “Do’s” · Wear the appropriate clothing and be well groomed · Be polite and courteous to all persons in the building and office · Be 15 minutes early · Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake · Make plenty of eye contact with the interviewer · Smile and have good posture · Be a good listener

Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Interviewing · · · “Don’t’s” Don’t chew gum or smoke Don’t wear too much jewelry, perfume or makeup Don’t interrupt the interviewer Don’t look at your watch during the interview Don’t volunteer negative information about yourself and don’t criticize former employers or coworkers

Types of Interviews One-on One person will be interviewing you only Group Several candidates are interviewed at once Panel You alone are being interviewed by a panel of several employees Multiple Several interviews set up with different members of the same company

Typical Steps in the Interview Process Establishing Rapport ◦ Arrive 15 minutes early, Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, and make small talk Questions About You ◦ Make your responses positive, organized and informative, Use the STAR technique

Typical Steps in the Interview Process, cont. Questions for the Interviewer · You should have two or three questions prepared to ask the interviewer · This expresses your interest in the company Concluding the Interview · Thank the interviewer by name · Express interest in the position Arrange a reason and time to call back

Interview Follow-Up Send a Thank You Letter within 24 hours of your interview · 76% of those employers polled indicate that it is helpful for a job candidate to send a thank-you note after the job interview · This is an excellent opportunity for you to let the employer know how interested you are in the position while thanking them for their time and the opportunity to interview

Who Do I Contact If I Have Questions or Need Assistance? Contact Human Resources ◦ (ooo) ooo-oooo for an appointment ◦ Visit Human Resources Department at the Facility ◦ Email the Human Resources of the Company

Letter of Resignation A resignation letter officially gives notice to your employer that you are leaving the company. It is the professional thing to do. You want to leave a job with a good rapport between you and your employer.

Letter of Resignation A resignation letter should include the following: a statement of intent that you will be leaving your job the name of your official staff position the date of your last day on the job gratitude to your employer for hiring you a highlight of your time there (optional) an offer to train your replacement well wishes for the future of the company your contact info

Letter of Resignation Sample Jane Doe, LPN 4444 Antigua Blvd, San Diego, CA 92124 Janedoe@gmail. com 555 -5555 April 26 th, 2018 Sheila Smith Nursing Home Administrator Sunnyside Nursing Home Hazleton, Pa. 19900 Dear Ms. Smith, I would like to inform you that I am resigning from my position as a Practical Nurse for Sunnyside Nursing Home, effective May 15. 2018. Thank you for the opportunities for professional and personal development that have provided me during the last three years. I have enjoyed working for Sunnyside Nursing Home and appreciate the support provided me during my tenure with the company. If I can be of any help during this transition, please let me know. Sincerely, (Signature) Jane Doe, LPN

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