Writing a winning resume

Healthcare Financial Management, Sept, 1994 by Steven J. Bohn

Writing a resume can be an exasperating task. Condensing years of experience into a concise, easy-to-read, achievement-driven format requires careful thought.

Two fundamentals should be considered when creating a winning resume: the reade and the purpose. The average amount of time a hiring manager spends "reading" a resume is about 30 seconds. Thus, whether the reader is a chief executive officer, vice president of finance, human resources professional, or executive recruiter, simple, concise, direct references to positions, responsibilities, and performance are advantageous.

Form and style

Because of the importance of a good first impression, it is vital that a resume be aesthetically pleasing and no more than two pages in length. (Other pages containing information such as a list of references or salary history can be furnished individually upon request.)

Individuals preparing a top-notch resume should use high-quality, bright white or eggshell-colored bond paper. The resume should feature a conservative typeface, and it should be produced on a laser printer. Also, a resume should b mailed in a large envelope so that it arrives neat and unfolded. In general, th professional, conservative approach is always the safest initial presentation.

Since lack of attention to detail can irrevocably compromise a candidate's chances, it is important to proof the document thoroughly, so that any misspelled words, grammatical errors, or typographical errors can be corrected. Business associates and friends can make good proofreaders.

Content

When compiling the body of a resume, individuals should provide dates for when degrees and professional credentials were earned, and for their employment history. Employment history should begin with one's current position and chronicle all earlier positions. Every major job responsibility should be detailed thoroughly yet briefly. For example: "Direct reporting responsibility for financial services (accounting, reimbursement, budget), information systems medical records, patient accounting, admitting, and registration."

The resume should highlight and, if possible, quantify specific and verifiable achievements. Achievements should be illustrated concisely. For example: "Achieved increased reimbursements and implemented cost containment strategies. This achievement might be further detailed with brief illustrations of cost-saving accomplishments: "1) Improved operating margins from 4 percent to 11.1 percent; increased cash reserves from $18.4 million to $34.3 million from 1991 to 1993. 2) Selected, negotiated, and implemented $5.1 million information systems project. Completed project on time and within budget. Achieved fee concession of $164,000 from software vendor. 3) Negotiated health maintenance organization management contract buy-out. Secured net present value savings of 18 percent over the life of the contract."

Individuals should refrain from using rambling, flowery descriptions of their responsibilities. Active verbs and phrases will empower statements and eliminat an "obituary style." Words such as, executed, initiated, upgraded, or reversed can be very effective in establishing the value of a job candidate's past performance.

Individuals should under no circumstance fabricate any element of their resume. Ethics alone should eliminate this temptation, but the repercussions simply are not worth the risk. Individuals should be comfortable if asked to elaborate on any piece of information in their resumes.

A question often debated is what to do with the almost obligatory statement of the job candidate's "objective" at the beginning of the resume. Many feel this statement is either too general to tell the reader anything, or so narrow and specific that the candidate is forced into a confining niche. It also takes up precious space on the first page. (It is estimated that 80 percent of the 30 seconds of review a resume receives is spent on the first page.)

An alternative to using an "objective" statement is substituting a summary of experience. In a tightly written format, a summary can convey a job candidate's depth of experience and education. For example, "MBA and CPA with diverse healthcare financial management experience. Direct responsibility for operating budgets to $285 million. Significant accomplishments in acute care, nursing home, and managed care settings."

Cover letter

If individuals are responding to an advertisement, their cover letters should show how their experience specifically matches the requirements stated in the ad. Listing the criteria stated in the ad in one column and one's corresponding skills in another column is a simple and effective way to illustrate qualifications and encourage further review of the resume. When specifics are not available (or when one is forwarding a resume for more general purposes), the candidate should highlight achievements in the letter so the reader need no work to identify strengths and experience.

A winning resume requires careful preparation and execution. If proper consideration is given to the fundamentals, a resume can be a powerful tool. A resume will not generate a job offer, but it can earn a job candidate an interview.