Charlotte Weeks, career coach to physicians and a professional resume writer, advises physicians that they need a great resume when applying for non-clinical positions.
Ms. Weeks will be speaking at the SEAK Nation Non Clinical Careers Conference to be held on October 25-26, 2014 in Chicago, IL.
Q. Ms. Weeks, what mistakes do you see physicians make when they start their career transitions?
Specifically when it comes to written materials, I’ve noticed two main issues:
1) Wanting to keep too much information on their resume. It’s a good idea to have a “less is more” approach so that the most relevant information stays on the document. Even though it can be difficult to leave off accomplishments you’ve worked hard for, it’s important to keep in mind what the employer wants to see on a resume.
2) Not being on LinkedIn. People not on the site are missing a huge opportunity to be in front of decision makers, connect with people in their new industry, or remain in touch with contacts they’ve already made.
Q. how important is a great resume in making a career change?
It’s vital. Employees want to interview/hire someone who can do the job they have open. The resume has to show that they’re a fit for the position and often this means transferable skills and the most relevant qualifications should be showcased.
In short, the resume must be focused on showing that the candidate can do the job they are going for as opposed to the jobs they’ve done.
Q. why is your standard medical curriculum vitae not appropriate when applying for a non-clinical position?
Because non-clinical employers expect to receive a “traditional” resume designed to market the candidate – something they can quickly skim through and that highlights the most pertinent information.
Q. how long should a solid physician resume be ideally when applying for a non-clinical position?
The same as is the norm with any non-clinical, non-academic resume: 1-3 pages. For the vast majority of physicians, 2 pages is ideal.
The Preconference Workshop, How to Find & Land High Paying Non-Clinical Jobs will be held on Friday, October 24, 2014 at Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel & Conference Center, Rosemont, IL. This hands-on, intensive workshop will show physicians contemplating a career change how to locate and land lucrative nonclinical positions. The focus is on finding and landing jobs paying as much or more than clinical medicine. The course will conclude with each physician drafting a customized action plan of how they will find and land their first non-clinical job.
Charlotte Weeks is an executive career coach and professional resume writer. She is the CEO of Weeks Career Services and the Past President of the National Resume Writers’ Association. Ms. Weeks is a Certified Career Management Coach, a Nationally Certified Resume Writer, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer. Prior to starting her own firm, Ms. Weeks worked in Human Resources at the American Medical Association. She is the author of the books, I Want to Work in an Association – Now What??? And 101 Ways to Enhance Your Career, has contributed to the books Resumes That Pop, Step-by-Step Cover Letters, and The Twitter Job Search Guide, has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, and has made numerous media appearances.