Do you use a resume?
August 8, 2007 by Deb
Filed under Freelance Writing
Up until six or seven months ago, I never had a “writer’s” resume. When applying for gigs I’d send a cover letter along with links or clips so the potential client could see samples of my writing. I never felt a resume was necessary since the cover letter listed all of my places of employment. I’d say I landed one out of every five gigs.
Just after I landed the gig with About, I noticed my cover letter was looking a little crowded. I decided to look into a resume. I checked with a few resume writers and some of them were just too rich for my blood. Instead, I found a template online and used that as my guide. I listed my notable employers, my notable achievements, my interests, areas of expertise, and a bullet pointed list covering my various skills and duties. Then I shortened the cover letter to include only the highlights of my writing/blogging career.
After that, believe it or not, I landed every single gig for which I applied. I hope it’s my skill that landed me the jobs, but I like to think the resume had something to do with it. I used to think a writer’s resume wasn’t necessary, but now I’m singing its praises. Mind you, I don’t apply to as many jobs as I used to, I think I’m set for a while. My resume has given me the confidence to apply for jobs I wouldn’t have considered before. That in itself is worth it.
Do you have a writer’s resume? If so, how is it working for you?
Discuss…
Deb
See my other blogs
Please support FWJ
I do use a writer’s resume, but I don’t know if it really makes a difference. People usually asks for clips anyway. I would love to hear what other people think the difference is between a regular and writer’s resume.
Funny, I just finished sending off my resume a few minutes ago and realizing that it really needs an overhaul.
I do have a resume that I send out, but I think it could be better. I’m not sure how to highlight my writing assignments on it. I know it needs to be reworked.
Deb, could you post a link to the template that you first used for your writer’s resume?
Oh, my resume has landed me gigs. I’ve applied for jobs where only resumes are asked for and not clips, believe it or not. I usually land gigs using my resume if the gigs are science related because I hold a related degree.
I’d like to spiff up my resume soon. Perhaps I’d take a leaf out of your book and find myself a template.
Hi Deb, I use something I call a credit list. It’s over at http://www.annewayman.com/resume.htm
It works quite well for me… I also have it in a .txt file for folks who can’t take attachments and in a word file for those who can.
Most of my ghostwriting work these days comes from phone calls and proposals.
A
http://www.thegoldenpencil.com
I am just starting out as a freelance writer and only have two jobs to my credit. How can I develop a resume with this little information? I work full time in the medical field, and I know employers deem this as insignificant compared to what writing jobs I have attained. Any suggestions? Deb, can you provide the template you used as your guideline?
For the first year or so I was freelancing, I had a very basic, boring resume. It was the inline format and as a result was about three pages long. The only nice thing was that it always loaded into online job search and application sites without doing anything funky.
Around the same time as I gave my website a makeover, I also revamped my resume. I noticed almost immediately that I started getting more frequent and more positive responses from potential clients.
Like Deb, I’ve discovered the value of a professional-looking writer’s resume. I think it’s always a work-in-progress, though. Just the other day, I revised my resume again, and added an abbreviated list of publication credits.
You can see my resume here. I am in the process of updating the file to reflect the new resume, so if you don’t see the list of published credits, check back a little later.
I realize I am one arrogant bastard at times, but when I see a listing that requires a resume I just pass it by. I’m tired of a world based on credentials and all that other nonsense. The question should be, “Can this clown write?” If a potential client doesn’t have their eyes on that prize I probably won’t get along with them.
Now that I’ve had a few dry spells and gotten a chance to bid on gigs with bigger clients, I may have to do a resume. If I do one (tomorrow?) it’ll be tight and pointed. But I hate it all the same.
Got one that I created in much the same way – from an online template. I’ve had rave reviews from both employers and writer friends, who shamelessly steal the template for themselves.
In general, I don’t send the resume unless it’s requested. I do, however, spend time on the query letter, making sure it’s both creatively presented and what the client asked for. To me, the bigger sin is not following the damn directions!
Lori –
I got the idea for my resume in pretty much the same way. I just searched online until I found a resume format I liked, and made a few modifications on it to customize. I, personally, love the template I used, and I think that the sidebar makes it perfect for anyone who freelances or runs a small business.
I started freelancing fulltime a few months back. Before that I worked for a major bank for four years. When I apply to jobs that are financial/business oriented I send my finance resume showcasing my experiences at the bank along with a cover letter explaining my in depth/first hand knowledge of finance, investments, etc. and clips of articles I have written. If the job is non-financial, I simply send a cover letter with clips.
Once I’ve got enough clips, I do intend on creating a writer’s resume. I see my freelancing as a business. And when in Rome…the business world responds to resumes. That’s just how it’s structured. No need to recreate the wheel.
Yes I use a resume and heck yes it does work! In fact, I’m so busy I really shouldn’t be here
PS Deb, those of us who compete with you are glad that you’re not currently in the market 
-allena
I can’t find the template I used, I’m sorry to say. I don’t mind emailing it if you want to drop me a line at freelancewritingjobs@gmail.com.
That looks like a great template, thanks, Deb. My resume is also outdated. I think I need to make it more like Anne’s and send it out with every query.
I’ve decided to revamp my resume today in light of this discussion (thanks to Deb and everyone else for this discussion!).
Glad to see so many of you credit your success with a good resume, as hopefully that will make a difference to my success rate. I’m getting positive responses, but just not getting the gig in the end at the moment.
I had to do a writer’s resume because few employers associated my regular job with any type of writing ability. But, I am relatively new to freelancing so it hasn’t landed me any real jobs yet.
I actually have several resumes, partly for stylistic reasons and partly because I have had more than one type of career. I keep them up to date as possible, and they have snagged me jobs. Still, I’m thinking it’s time I sat down and revised the lot.
I’ve gotten a few gigs with a combination of my resume and writing samples/clips. I update my resume every few months. Whenever I’m looking for new work, it’s necessary to put out my most recent experience. I think once you have a basic template, the update isn’t really so bad.
I have to agree with Erik. I run a book review website, and I’ve seen some “professional” resumes that have turned me off. I never ask for a resume when I need reviewers, but many send them anyway. I think the funniest ever was a woman who claimed to have a Masters in English and in her goals she’d used there instead of they’re. I called her on it and her excuse was that she’d hired a professional resume writer and never noticed the mistake.
While that may have been true, it leaves me to wonder why someone with an English degree who wants to prove she can write would then use a professional resume writer.
As for the jobs I’ve landed, they were always based on submitting a link to my website in a cover letter. I may land more with an actual resume, but I’m happy with my method. If asked, I may provide more.
I think a writing resume is a good thing but most places you apply to still want clips!
Cindy, I don’t use a resume to replace clips. I either link to clips in my cover letter, or attach clips with the resume. I shortened my cover letter and use my resume to detail my experience.
Dear Deb-
Thanks for the tip! I appreciate your feedback.
Cindy
I admit it, this thread has inspired me. Thanks to Deb and everyone else, I will be writing a resume.
Lest Ann G think I am selling out after her supportive story, this isn’t going to be your usual routine about credentials and all that.
Whether I’m writing grants or doing PR work or acting as a string for a paper, it’s all about telling stories. You find the theme, and use the details to get that theme into the reader’s ear – and then their heart and brain.
My resume will be a perfunctory list of skills and details, and then it will be my own story. I will show them what I do rather than tell them I can do it.
Some potential employers won’t like it, but eff ‘em hard for all I care. If people want the same, old same-old they shouldn’t hire me.
I have been inspired. My pale-o/male instinct for selling out just as much as I have to, and no more, is still working well enough to keep me in freelancing. Thanks, everyone!
(Diversion away from the thread – my apologies)
Ann G, could you send me an e-mail as wabbitoid47 at yahoo.com ? I’d like to do some book reviewing, but I feel strange doing it for the sites that have reviewed my own book. Thanks!
I not only use a resume, I have multiple resumes geared to different markets. I have one each for general editorial, technical writing and training and course design. The information is pretty much the same in each one; it’s the emphasis that varies. In addition, in my cover letter, I direct prospects to my online bio and portfolio.
I did let all three resumes get up to 11 pages long, which I have to admit was ridiculous. I’ve since trimmed them back to three or four pages each.
I think the reason a lot of companies ask for resumes is that they just don’t know any better. It’s SOP for almost every other kind of job and they just try to stuff writers into the same pigeonhole.
My web site is my work. I get a lot of gigs from clients looking at my web site.
If they want my resume, I send it with a link to my site.
At times, I can tell when a potential client doesn’t know how to find an experienced writer.
They ask for more samples or a test.
I will send another sample but query the test.
I do have a resume, but it’s not very good! I really need to work on it, as it is basically my resume from 7 years ago when I worked as a legal secretary. I might actually get a few better jobs if I rework it.
I need to chime in here again because today I got not ONE BUT TWO compliments on my “cv” and “credentials”, which yes made my day. THese were both jobs that I found here and on problogger, and both of them I sent my resume. So I guess it works!
Question about what to put on a resume – when do you stop putting your college activities on it? It’s been well over a decade since I graduated (doesn’t seem like it). Do employers still care that I was president of the Communications Department, writer, layout editor and photographer for my college paper, section editor for the yearbook, blah, blah, blah?
Should I only keep the college stuff that pertains to writing or chuck it all completely to make room for the more recent stuff?
Robin – I think with most writing gigs, it’s not necessary to include college unless you need to show a particular specialty. It’s different if you’re looking for a job out it corporate American.
I don’t include school or my past corporate history on my writer’s resume, only my freelance history.
I don’t really own a resume, but it’s something that I’m realizing I should make. Resumes can be useful tools, and I imagine it could help reassure potential clients who might be skittish about my youth.
At any rate, it can’t hurt if I do it properly.
Thank you for these tips on making one, everyone!
This was a helpful post. It motivated me to update both my business and writing resumes and polish off some writing samples. I gave me the confidence I needed to seek some freelance work. I got 3 gigs as a result! Thanks, Deb.
This is a good topic. I don’t have a writer’s resume either. Hopefully, I can have one in a month though when I can list some published works maybe or be able to cite a column. Normally I just give samples of my work.