eidinger.com Blog

A resume is a communication document that is autobiographical and relates not only experience but job capabilities from work experience.  A proper resume requires thinking about the career objectives and the target audience.  It should prepared with the expectation that versions will live in electronic databases over the long run.  Thus there are rules that are common to all resumes that turn on the credibility of the document and by extension the character of the person who has prepared it.

Always:

• Focus on making sure the document is clear in meaning.
• Be factual as regards education & work credentials.
• Get all dates correct & account for all periods.
• Use examples & statistics to back up claims (i.e. I managed a team of ten people).
• Ensure that the document is perfectly correct.
• Share credit for achievements liberally, avoiding fantastic claims.

Never:

• Use pictures, ornate type, articles or other extraneous material.
• Exaggerate accomplishments – ever.
• Tailor resume versions spun to different circumstances.
• Use creative license in any way on any set of facts.
• Adopt a document style or format that is hard to read or illogical.
• Add birth dates, social security numbers or other information you would not want public.
• Discuss salary, role or job title expectations.

Dr. Richard Eidinger M.D. is a Senior Partner with Heidrick & Struggles in their Los Angeles Office.  He focuses on recruitment at the Board, Chief Executive and Senior Executive level in Life Sciences companies with particular focus on those working in Research & Development, Medical Affairs and Clinical Leadership.He counts among his clients some of the best-known names in health care, as well as those financial sponsors that invest in the segment. He brings an advisory style that is stakeholder oriented and aims to enhance enterprise value.  In addition to client duties, Dr. Eidinger has been the Managing Partner for the Life Sciences Practice in the Americas Region of Heidrick & Struggles, Inc.  Prior to his search career, Dr.Eidinger was an executive with Aetna and with FHP (now United Healthcare) where he held senior functional, business development and general management roles.  Dr. Eidinger joined Heidrick & Struggles from BankAmerica Ventures where he was an Entrepreneur in Residence.  Dr. Eidinger attended the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine. He completed training in internal medicine at the University of Western Ontario, was a Fellow in gastroenterology at the UCLA School of Medicine, and is American Board-Certified in internal medicine. Dr. Eidinger is also a graduate of the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA, where he earned his M.B.A. While at the Anderson School, Dr. Eidinger was awarded a Venture Capital Fellowship.  He is licensed to practice medicine in California, Arizona and Ontario.

Over the last dozen years I have interviewed hundreds of job candidates in my role as an executive recruiter.  My Company, Heidrick & Struggles, represents organizations looking  for critical talent to help build their businesses.  In this role, my colleagues & I are often the first step in a process that leads to the most desirable positions in business around the world.  Though many times our candidates end up as runners-up through no fault of their own, as often they squander their opportunity.  The moment in time when they had the stage and the prize was theirs for the taking.  Sadly there are common errors that candidates make – whether they were CEO’s, Board Members, famous or soon to be famous the errors repeat & so unfortunately does the unfavorable feedback.  This blog is aimed at the candidate world & offers insights that come from managing thousands of candidates through hundreds of recruitment processes.  I hope you find it valuable.