Preparing Your Resume

Introduction

It is estimated that, out of every 100 resumes received, only two interviews are given. With those odds, your resume needs to be interesting enough to the prospective employer that you get an interview.

How do you do that? You use SELECTED FACTS. Selected facts are those particular skills, experiences, accomplishments, training, and whatever else you can bring to a company that match closely with their needs and desires. Be honest--some people do check references!

Formatting Your Resume

	Remember to include "white space." This suggests you are self-assured and don't need to fill every inch of the paper. It is attractive to the reader and easier on the eye.
	Use upper case letters for titles or heading. Try not to overdo it though, as this tends to cancel the attraction.
	Use italics or bold to emphasize a dramatic accomplishment.
	Use bullets to make points or set apart lists of accomplishments.
	A misspelled word on a resume is "permission" for your resume to be trashed. Have someone with a good eye check your resume for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Parts of a Resume

	Name, address, and phone numbers.
	Education.
	Work Experience.
	Certifications/memberships.
	Awards/achievements.
	Listing your "Career Objective" is optional. Sometimes listing it can knock you out of the running for job openings of which you were not aware. Instead, consider including a synopsis at the beginning of your resume that briefly summarizes your experience and education.

Ten Common Mistakes

Misspellings, typos, poor grammar. We have already spoken about this, but it bears repeating.
Not results oriented. Show the prospective employer what you accomplished on the job.
Overwritten. Avoid using long paragraphs and sentences that say too little.
Hard-to-follow information. Organize your information so it is easy to read. Begin with your most important point, e.g., education if you have just graduated, and then go from there.
Misdirected. Do not mail unsolicited resumes. If you hear of an open position, contact the company to verify the opening and find out where to direct your resume.
Poorly typed and printed. In our line of work, flawless resumes are imperative. If you do not have access to a laser or ink-jet printer, have a friend print it for you or take it to a print shop.
Too long. Unless you have a Master's degree or above, try to limit your resume to one page. Keep it clear and concise.
Too much personal information. Leave out your height, weight, age, sex, health, and marital status.
Too sparse. If you only list dates and positions, what is going to interest the person hiring?
Tries too hard. Avoid fancy typesetting and exotic paper stocks that distract from the clarity of your presentation. Many experts say that any paper color is fine, as long as it is WHITE, WHITE, or WHITE.

SAMPLE RESUME

Pat Bowen, CMT

106 Norway Lane

Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Phone: 865-483-2332

FAX: 865-482-3662

EDUCATION

Review of Systems School of Medical Transcription, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Certification of Completion, December 12, 1997.

Comprehensive course work (480 hours) in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, grammar and punctuation, proofreading and editing, equipment and technology, ethical and legal responsibilities as a medical transcriptionist, and professional development. Transcription of over 200 medical reports, covering eleven medical specialties, utilizing the SUM (Systems Unit Method) Program. Review of Systems is approved to operate by the State of Tennessee Coordinating Board for Higher Education and follows AAMT’s (American Association for Medical Transcription) model curriculum.

Southwestern College, Winfield, Kansas · Bachelor of Arts, Biology · May 1986.

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION SKILLS

Extensive computer knowledge, including use of WordPerfect 5.1, MS Word, and macros.

Thorough knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, laboratory, and disease processes.

Proofreading, editing, and formatting skills.

Ability to use modem and navigate the Internet.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Association for Medical Transcription, Student Member.

Tennessee Association for Medical Transcription, Member.

WORK HISTORY

Medical Transcription Internship via Review of Systems School of Medical Transcription and California Medical Transcription · 10/97 to 12/97

Worked from home via modem and phone lines, transcribing dictation for a large teaching hospital. Transcribed at least 80 hours of dictation, including discharge summaries, letters, consultations, operative reports, and clinic notes. Received considerable exposure to ESL (English as a second language) dictators, as well as wide variety of medical specialties.

KPL Gas, Kansas City, Tennessee · 01/91 to 12/97 · Word Processing Specialist

Used MS Word, Excel, and Access software.

Coordinated merged mailings to customers.

Trained new employees on word processing software and procedures.

Received "Employee of the Month" award on several occasions.

	Extensive computer knowledge, including use of WordPerfect 5.1, MS Word, and macros.
	Thorough knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, laboratory, and disease processes.
	Proofreading, editing, and formatting skills.
	Ability to use modem and navigate the Internet.

	American Association for Medical Transcription, Student Member.
	Tennessee Association for Medical Transcription, Member.

	Used MS Word, Excel, and Access software.
	Coordinated merged mailings to customers.
	Trained new employees on word processing software and procedures.
	Received "Employee of the Month" award on several occasions.