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MTSO has some resume tips

Posted By: MTMidwest on 2008-09-16
In Reply to:

(Not sure if this is best board for my message but here goes.)


Am just a small business MTSO owner who posted a couple IC work opportunities on the job board the other day.  No problems there.  Had absolutely tons of responses and appreciate every person that sent a resume.  We're evaluating some very good candidates as a result of the ads and appreciate the MTStars boards for this venue.


However, after seeing the quality of resumes we received I just feel the need to give out a bit of advice to those MTs who are pasting resumes into their email response in hopes of getting a call back from an employer with a job opening.


A lot of resumes we received were clearly written and easy to read at first glance (those are the ones we kept).  However, most were not.


Because of this I’d like to offer a few resume tips to new and seasoned MTs when sending an email resume through the email pasting process.


Again, the purpose for my post is just my opinion and to alert some MTs that their resumes were so horrible to read, so completely convoluted and jumbled up that it would take days to decipher/separate the MT/transcription skills from the past employment, unrelated past jobs, and skills useless to transcription work, etc. 


Also, with the resumes we received over the past few days it was really hard to get through most of them to find out which sender had the best match with the skills we were looking for.  I've utimately had to just delete a lot of them because of not clearly seeing that from the paragraphs that went on and on, naming everything kind of work experience they ever had that is totally, completely, and useless when applying for this kind of work.


There are really good reference materials out there for doing a resume, but I have to say most of those setups are for job resumes that get printed and do need to have some relevant paragraphs relating to the job they're applying for.  These transcription positions are a completely different situation.


Therefore, I'd like to humbly offer my MTSO two-cents worth of advice to folks pasting resumes:


1) Resumes should never use the word I in any part of the resume.  It's not a letter, you should not refer to yourself in the first person.  Your resume is almost supposed to read like a 3rd party presentation.
2) Get rid of absolutely anything on that resume that is irrelevant to the type of transcription work for which you are applying. 
3) Get rid of old job listings.  No MTSO can possibly care that 10 years ago you worked at Burger King!
4)  Make LISTS of skills -- bullet, dash, arrow, anything to highlight your skills so the reader can quickly skim through that list.
5)  DO NOT write paragraphs as a mixture of employers, experience, and skills.  It's just too hard to read through those.
6) Please dont list E-V-E-R-Y course you ever took in your MT training program.  We don't care!  If you completed a training it's hoped you had those courses.  And, these course names don't take the place of experience.  Just don't do this. 

6) You don't have to list E-V-E-R-Y piece of computer equipment and reference marterial you own.  MTSOs assume you have the needed gear when you apply.  You might list a few to validate you have what the MTSO requires, but again make it a short list not a paragraph.  
7)  Applicants should send a resume that first of all is a match for what experience the job post says it's looking for.  Ortho is ortho, ENT is ENT, psychology is psychology (not psychiatry), and so on. 

8)  Past employers are extremely important; however, when applying for work via email I wouldn't list any of them at all at first.  If the employer is interested they will let you know that they would like your references. 
9) Best test for your resume:  Paste your resume into an email and send it to yourself.  You will see how you come across


CONCLUSION:  Most MTSOs just want the facts, Ma'am. 


In my opinion, a short and sweet resume is the best way to help an MTSO manager make a decision in determining if an applicant has the skills needed for the type of work they need help with, then to encourage that call back to the MT for the next step--work/test, whatever the MTSO hiring process is. 


I would like to encourage MTs to think about fixing up their resumes.  To that end, I’ve gone ahead and humbly posted a link to a sample bare-bones resume format that works very well when pasting into emails. 


Hope this is of some help to anyone who wants to improve their resume appearance and ensure a better response to their online email job applications.  Hope this is of some help out there.  It’s not all the answers and solutions, but again just my thoughts. 


Here’s the link to the document, it is just from my website.  Just click on the link below -- or paste into a browser address bar and press ENTER -- the file should automatically open in Word.


http://j.b5z.net/i/u/2032565/i/SAMPLE_RESUME_SETUP.dmt.2008.doc


I’d be happy to answer any emails regarding this.  Marcia - Data-Med Transcription, Inc.  (http://www.data-mt.com)




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Resume Tips & Tricks for Seasoned MTs!!!
We should all add these qualities to our resumes.  It's what they expect anymore anyway:

 

- An outstanding ability to take muddy, garbled jibber-jabber and severely fractured English in 155,000 dilects and turn it into unbelievably beautiful transcription, with no blanks!

 

- Oh, and don't worry, Mexican, Cuban, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Indian, or even rabid auctioneer doctors who speak so fast they could not understand them self on a play back . . .  no problemo!  It doesn't matter, because I am so good if it sounds remotely close with even one syllable barely audible or intelligible I will struggle until I get it.  I do this eagerly because I know you are selling me pride in my work, not a decent wage and because I dread your miserable QA autopsy of my work.

 

- Will work as hard as a slave for $3 an hour average with a college degree on the most gut-wrenching work you have, and all this without an occasional can of salve for the whip marks on my back.

 

- Will also fill in hundreds of entries for free on patient information, courtesy copies and researching things like how to spell Waccamaw even if I don't live in South Carolina.  Things  doctors could spell, or dictate clearly but won't because they are too lazy. 

 

- I will also run those dates of service through my magic crystal ball formula to know when the doctor says The patient was seen today, I should look back on the ADT screen and see when he dictated it to know what he means by when it was dictated.  I will do it because you will bonk me on the head and tell me, It's your job to do this for free!

 

While I am at it, I will run a medical quality assessment through my head to see if it sounds logical and reasonable for all medical sciences and diagnoses.  I will happily verify those medication dosages are correctly dictated because even if the doctor has been to medical school and I haven't . . . I should identify that 325 mg of Coreg will kill someone and correct it!  Again because, It's my job, to run around behind doctors and wipe their butt for free!!!  I'm happy to do that, even if I haven't had the benefit of medical school because . . . . yes, I'm that good baby!!

 

- And at the end of two or three years of struggling to make a wage above the poverty level learning all this garbage, if you find some foreigner will do my job cheaper to make you more money, don't sweat it!  Just fire me . . . in a conference call with 101 of my coworkers in mass humiliation.  No problem!

Think MTSO would toss resume with freeze on
x
How long does it take TransHealth to get back to someone when you send a resume? I sent a resume
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Has anyone gotten a job from any company not posting regularly from their resume in the resume
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Tips
It doesn't matter if you never get the same dictator again - utilize your word Expander by entering words, phrases, and text in chunks. You don't have to use it just for normals.

You should hardly type out any word or phrase fully - use that expander.

YES, it makes that kind of difference!

If you are a perfectionist, you need to decide on where your balance will be. What does your company call for in quality standards? Meet that standard, by all means, but make sure you are not going for overkill on the quality while you are only getting 3 reports a day typed. Proofread as you type, following 3 to 5 words behind.

Some are just faster at typing, period. Some are more knowledgeable so they have to research less.

It sounds like, from your post, that really increasing your Word Expander usage and maybe not being so obsessed over perfect reports will help you raise your production.

You can do it.
Thank you for the tips -sm-
I am sure the knowledge will come in handy for me sometime.
Now do you see why your tips

there are no more posts defending your tips for a resume.  You should be ashamed of yourself exposing applicants in such a way on this board.  This company you represent is definitely off my list.  What a scam.  You couldn't even post the link correctly, yet you are on here giving tips for resumes. 


These MTSOs are a dime a dozen...  I did read on your website that you always hire the best MTs, but I guess you fall short on recruiters, huh? 


Thank you for those tips, they will help.

What company is QT??? Q-Tips?

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I speed up the audio enough to still hear it but to be able to get through it faster. If i run into something I am not sure of, i just slow it down. I use ALL of the shortcut keys I can as well and run the spellcheck! :)
Yes, that is the platform but tips
not really, just very good, almost no errors at all on the reports and I had all VR all day today, love it. Use the mouse, just used to it.
I think they are taking tips from the Q then.

Either that or my QA person is moonlighting and working at #2 on the side.


Unbelievable.


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I found that I had to be mean.  No, I cannot babysit, take you places, loan you money etc..... I am working....... I found family to be the worst.  The husbands and significant others think they are exempt from this.  Call a million times a day.  Honey do you want to go..... with me and it is always during working hours.  They have odd working schedule and do not understand we have to work set hours.  I got a lot more done when I started being firm with people.


We use dial up so of course the phone is always busy but they are not afraid to use the cell phone.  Be firm and stick to your guns.  I found the best thing was having set hours because otherwise the DH wanted me to go everywhere with him on his days off.  I wonder how they would feel if the situation was reversed. 


Good luck to you


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Tips on the application process
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X


Thanks for the tips! Think I'll avoid them like the plague! :) nm
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Any tips/hints/advice, fellow MTs???

I am posting to ask my fellow MTs for some tips/hints/advice/suggestions.


I'm starting a new position tomorrow which uses the Meditech platform.


Yes, I know MediTech is rather antiquated, clunky, and a general pain.  It's the version where one cannot type into Word and paste into MediTech; everything has to be typed directly into MediTech.


It's been EONS since I've used MediTech and I'm going to be very rusty.  Does anyone have any quick tips, hints, or refreshers they can throw my way to make my transition back into time a bit less stressful? 


I appreciate anything you guys can offer


 


Cheryl Flanders' Tips '.N Techniques

Does anyone know if this is compatible with Word 2007?


Thank you (as always).


 


Tips for Handling Offensive Posts -- SM

If you find a post offensive:


Read a post that offends you?  Make sure you think about what is upsetting about it.  Is it personally upsetting or is it against posting guidelines? 


If it is just upsetting for you, my advice:  Ignore it.  Don't respond.  If you respond, you are feeding that opinion and it will more than likely incur another post, etc.


If it is against posting guidelines, report it using the REPORT THIS MESSAGE button.  Or, copy the URL and send to me in an email (cher@mtstars.com).


Remember, that just because you dislike a post does not warrant its removal.  You must be responsible for what you read and post for yourself.  If a certain poster gets under your skin, don't read his/her posts.  Just ignore those posts.  Don't allow yourself to be drawn into a tit-for-tat argument that ends up getting you into trouble along with others.  Be responsible for yourself. 


Moderator


 


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Isn't that the truth! Do these "resume tips" apply to oversees too? sm
Because they sure get our jobs..... 
Isn't she an MTSO owner - which MTSO ? Just curious. n/mnn
nnnn
No but I sent them a resume - sm
They never responded to it.  I have a ton of experience, too.  Doesn't bode well for them to me.
sent resume
I sent a resume to MDtalknet and am waiting for a response, I even live in the same town, not that that really makes a difference.
Sent my resume in...sm

2 weeks ago and have not received an e-mail regarding testing.  I have 25+ years of experience, mainly acute care, 6 in radiology.  Wonder if they wanted more radiology experience. 


Are you sure they got your resume? I know that they are
hiring for ortho right now. I have been there 3 years and the account I am on is expanding and I know of at least two new accounts.

If you did not hear, I would either call or re-email.
Resume
Ok, thanks, I see it now.  Thank you!
Yes, I sent a resume - sm
I think I asked for more money than they pay because they thanked me for the resume and said maybe sometime in the future they would keep me in mind.  In other words, never.
Resume
Go Gal!  You reflect the sentiments of those of us who would not dare, but love to include your comments on our resume's.  Don't we all just love doing the header research for free!  Sigh, Is there light at the end of the tunnel?  God Love Ya!
I sent a resume
I sent a resume thru MTStars about 1-1/2 weeks ago, have 25 years experience doing all reports and have not heard a word from them.
Put your resume up
Put your resume up and say you are looking for minimal part time work. Good luck!
resume
I just leave it as is pasted in. susan
Thanks, I sent the resume but have not sm
heard anything yet. Keeping my fingers crossed!
I'd get my resume in
to the small hospital quickly before somebody else does. I wouldn't say anything to your current hospital and if you have to give them a decision, say you will take the radiology job. Could be weeks or months before that other hospital has an opening.

If the outsourcing goes badly, radiology won't change over for a long time (hope, hope).

Radiology is all about anatomy and contrast. The bet book IMO is HPI's Radiology Imaging Words and Phrases, but you'll also use a lot of your Stedman's books like ortho, neuro, GI, Ob-Gyn, cardio, and even lab books.
I sent in a resume,

Ok, I sent in my resume
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resume
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Other flags to me were changing jobs often, big gaps in employment, or lack of specific experience for the specific position.

If none of those apply to you, I'd just agree with the other posters that business is just generally slow right now and it's not personal.
Same here. I sent them resume. They were
nm
Thanks..I just sent them my resume...sm
Do you happen to know why they have a banner on the career page that says Military Spouses Welcome? I was just wondering.
I sent them my resume
I sent them my resume and have yet to hear back. Advanced sounds like a great company to work for. It's just I've applied several times in the past and I never do hear anything.