Medical Transcriptionist Resume Help - Annie

Posted: Aug 30, 2010

I would really appreciate any help you are willing to give me.   I have not been having much luck finding a job and am getting desperate.  I am wondering if my Resume may be putting me at the bottom instead of at the top of the contact list.   I have over 30 years of experience and my resume contains the names of 15 companies that I have worked for (I sometimes had 2 or 3 jobs at one time, but I include everyone because some were Acute Care and others were Clinic Specialties).  I am looking for Employee status, so this question is directed mostly to anyone who has recently applied for Employee status work.  However, if you are an Independent Contractor and would like to respond, I would appreciate hearing from you also – just indicate that you applied as an Independent Contractor.  I know having periods of time missing can put up a red flag, as well as the perception of “job hopping,” and I am at a loss as to how to balance my resume to make it more in line with what the Human Resources Specialist/Recruiter/Agent is looking for.    I have read on some “how to apply for a job” or “how to prepare the ultimate resume” sites that although you should cover all years continuously (evidently being unemployed is like having leprosy for employers), some also say that 10 years is sufficient.  Others state omitting jobs that are not directly relevant to the job posting (like a job working for a grocery store when we are looking for work as a Medical Transcriptionist) can also be omitted, with some kind of note with something like “unrelated positions not included – all-inclusive resume available upon request.”  It would be nice to know if you were offered a job after you interviewed, but that is not my main goal.  Right now, all I really want is a chance to talk to the Human Resources Specialist/Recruiter/Agent after they look at my resume.  Some places test, but others only have a Resume to go by, so there is a lot riding on that one document.    Questions:   Have you received a call/Email after sending in only a resume with the following on it:   1.  The names of all the companies you worked for, but NO DATES 2.  The names of only the companies you worked for in the past 10 to 15 years (even though you have more than 15 years of experience total) 3.  Omitted the names of non-pertinent companies  When you had that initial interview, did anyone question your resume, such as “why only 10 or 15 years” or “why did you leave out dates” or “what companies did you work for during the periods that you left out.”  Are those things really imperative for the Human Resources Specialist/Recruiter/Agent to know before they offer you a job?    Thanks so much for any help you are willing to give this desperate Medical Transcriptionist.    Feel free to Email if that is your preference.  Annie