Ask A Recruiter

Question:

Should I include personal information, such as hobbies and interests, on my resume?

Answer:
In all honesty, while you are trying to present yourself as an individual with broad interests, and a life outside of work, unless the interest is of relevance to the job you are applying to, I would miss it off. Most hiring managers don’t read that stuff. And, depending on what your interests are, you run the risk of labeling yourself in a certain way, or offending someone with differing views to your own. What might be relevant? If you are applying to a position where organizational skills are important, and you organized a carnival for your local PTA, that would be worth mentioning. But generally, when your resume is being read, the reader is simply looking to see if your skills match the position, nothing more. The other information can be shared, as appropriate, during a face to face interview.

– Eileen Dick, Recruiter

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with Eileen? Have further questions? Leave your thoughts in the comments section and Eileen will reply.

Ask A Recruiter : Applicant Tracking Systems with Brenda Witkemper

Ask a Recruiter
Question: I keep hearing that the key to landing an interview today is to include “buzz words” on your resume that a corporate website will recognize? Should I tailor my resume for these online systems?
Answer: Yes…. and No.
Most large companies today (including healthcare organizations) utilize some form of electronic applicant tracking system. These systems enable candidates to upload resumes and apply for opportunities 24/7, from any internet-accessible computer. These systems file and store candidate data and job order requests, run initial skill and certification screens, rank applicants in terms of relevance, and alert hiring managers of any strong “matches” in the queue.
If you plan to submit your resume to a prospective employer via the web, it is important that you use accurate (and perhaps popular) industry terminology when describing your job roles and responsibilities. Doing so not only decreases your chances of being screened-out of the process prematurely, but it also sends the impression that you are fresh and “in the know” within your chosen field. No matter your years of experience, you should always strive to stay current in ever-changing technologies, fields of thought, and industry nomenclature. So, make sure your resume reflects your efforts!
However, please take caution! I’ve seen a few resumes lately that seem to include more “buzz words” than actual content! This makes me cringe… While pasting a nonsensical litany of key words on your resume “might” get you through that initial computer screen, the human pair of eyes on the other side of the system won’t be so easily fooled! It may be 2009, but your resume still needs to be comprehensible!
Here’s another helpful tidbit: Reputable Recruiters most frequently deliver their candidate’s credentials directly to their hiring authorities, bypassing these systems altogether!

Issue with Age?

If you’ve ever felt that age was a roadblock to your job search, maybe you should reconsider. Typically candidates make a bigger deal about age then it should be. Age discrimination in healthcare IT is rare. In fact, our industry seems to appreciate and herald years of experience. If you still feel as though age is hindering your job search, look internally. Ask yourself these questions:

* Do you portray confidence on your resume and in interviews by promoting your experience as an asset and highlighting your accomplishments?
* Are you exposing age on your resume or cover letter? If your resume includes statements such as “a 62 year old is seeking…” or “I can contribute 40 years of experience…” you may want to consider replacing with statements such as “talented professional is seeking…” or “I can contribute 20 plus years of experience…”
* Do you have dates on your degree? They aren’t necessary on a resume. But, you will want to include on all employment applications.
* Did you know you could replace your early work experience with a line item such as “Non-industry or early career experience can be provided upon request”?
* How do you present in an interview? You don’t have to walk into interviews with the most stylish, trendy clothes, but steer clear of clothing or accessories not of this decade. For instance, shoulder pads and sock ties went out in the 80’s, tweeds in the 70’s, and so on. A classic black suit is always safe.
* Do you feel the need to make excuses about your age in an interview? Why? It’s not necessary to bring it up.

Don’t let age be an obstacle in your job search. Follow these simple tips and spend your energies focusing on your positive attributes and conducting a winning job search, rather then focusing on potential negatives like age.

IR Beat, American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009

Take a few minutes to listen to this month's IR Beat as Recruiter Eileen Dick interviews Michael Shaffer and Rick Tomlinson from ARRA regarding the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, specifically the HITECH Act and how it is and will continue to impact Healthcare IT