Comments on: Do you use a resume?

By: Micah

Micah — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:00:12 +0000

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.

By: Carla Gade

Carla Gade — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:17:04 +0000

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.

By: Misti

Misti — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:32:26 +0000

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!

By: admin

admin — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:53:34 +0000

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.

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 01:55:17 +0000

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?

By: allycat

allycat — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 01:48:54 +0000

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!

By: Amy Ulibarri

Amy Ulibarri — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:42:30 +0000

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.

By: Kenna

Kenna — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 02:03:42 +0000

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.

By: Tom Wrona

Tom Wrona — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:51:09 +0000

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.

By: Erik Hare

Erik Hare — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:15:11 +0000

(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!