Strategic Resume

I am a non-traditional student who has had training in resume writing, but this training was 20 years ago. Doing this workbook on Strategic Resumes has brought me to the here and now.

I went to school directly after graduating from high school and received a degree in business/secretarial studies. I worked for several years in this field. I got married, had two children, and then I got a divorce. It took five years after my divorce to seek a change in my life. I went back to school to become a Registered Dental Hygienist. My change-readiness became a driving force in my life. I had a clear plan and goal. Many obstacles tried to alter the plan, but I was ready for a change and nothing was going to stop me.

I am now a month from graduation and find myself without a current resume and finding it difficult to relate the two fields of study into a resume that reflects my current goal of working as a Registered Dental Hygienist.

My knowledge of a resume was a format with standardized information. BORING!!!!!! I learned a new way of thinking in doing this course. I could be creative in formulating an effective resume that would be a sales tool in obtaining an interview and a job.

When following that standardized format it was pretty simple to write a resume, but in being creative and compiling information from any area of my life to correlate with my objective took some internal thinking and planning.

In reviewing my strengths accomplishments and qualities, I was left with a great sense of self-esteem. I am a well-trained qualified person who will excel in this career choice.

My goal in writing this resume is to be set apart from other candidates. I want the employer to take notice. The approach used here is a targeted approach. By defining what I want to do and then backing it up with the remainder of my resume, I will increase my chances of success.

In writing an effective resume, I needed to think about what qualities a Dentist would want in an employee. I want to portray myself as someone a Dentist needs without sacrificing my wants and needs.

The eight-step approach to formulating a resume was extremely beneficial.

Step 1: DEFINE YOUR OBJECTIVE Ð'- I had a very clear picture of what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to work as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH). It was very difficult for me to break it down. There are so many aspects to a job as a RDH, so many specialties that an RDH can go into. I really had to focus on what I really wanted.

Step 2: ASSESS YOUR MARKETABILITY Ð'- This was really a stretch for me. My perceptions of my own value and worth had to change so that I could convince and employer to take a second look. If I do not have a belief in myself, there is no way I can convey this to an employer. My commitment in receiving this degree is the driving force in obtaining a job. There are no other choices. I have worked long and hard to achieve this skills needed to excel as a RDH.

Step 3: SELECT YOUR FORMAT Ð'- The ChoicesÐ'...

1) The Chronological Format

This is like a history of your job experiences. Because of my change in careers, my job experience does not reflect my career choice. This would not be the best choice for my resume.

2) The Functional Format

This format focuses on an individuals key skills and achievements. This would be good but my secretarial skills could be useful in a dental office.

3) The Combination Format

This blends the best elements of the chronological format and the functional format.

The combination format is what I choose