It’s challenging to prepare a resume. Although it’s just a document, it represents an individual’s professional background. It can help a person land an interview; however, if it’s not done well, it can mean the candidate never gets in the door. There are two types of resumes: traditional and skills-based resumes. Which is best for you?
Basics of a Traditional Resume
The traditional resume has been around for a long time, and that explains why it’s become a tradition. This type of resume usually contains an objective and/or career summary statement and a chronological listing (from most recent to past) of all employers along with related accomplishments. That’s why it’s also known as a chronological resume.
When deciding whether to use this format, it’s helpful to consider the candidate’s experience as it relates to the position. With this tried-and-true classic, if most of the candidate’s experience is relevant to the position, it may be wise to keep it in this format. Otherwise, the candidate may lose the reader before the bottom of the page.
Basics of a Skills-Based Resume
As the name implies, a skills-based resume focuses on the candidate’s skills, rather than on the chronology of the candidate’s experience. Specifically, this resume style focuses on specific skills and particular aspects of the candidate’s experience, centering on those that are most transferable to the job the candidate is seeking.
This type of resume, also known as a functional resume, focuses on transferable skills and de-emphasizes individual positions, job duties, and employment dates. This type of resume is often used by candidates who want to make a career change, as well as those who have holes in their work history. It allows them to focus more on the skills they’ll bring to a new job, and relegates dates of previous jobs, as well as less-than-relevant experience, to the background.
Important Reminders
No matter which type of resume a candidate chooses, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Although people in healthcare professions focus on the healthcare skills they bring to the table, they must focus on computer skills, as well. Healthcare and hospitals are using ERM systems now or looking forward to using such systems. If two candidates are otherwise equal, computer skills, or lack thereof, may be a deciding factor.
Regardless of which type of resume a candidate chooses, it’s important to remember to skip unnecessary information. Although it may be tempting to include every detail, spending a lot of space on things that are not relevant to the job has never been considered wise. Finally, creating a resume that’s free of typos and grammatical errors will never go out of style, so it’s best to proofread the resume before sending it in.
Which Type of Resume Works for You?
At 365 Healthcare Staffing Services, we specialize in the recruitment and placement of healthcare professionals in per diem, travel, and permanent assignments in healthcare facilities across the country. Which type of resume do you use? We’d love to see it, and we’d love to work with you. Give us a call at 310.436.3650 today!
