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!

By: Erik Hare

Erik Hare — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:42:55 +0000

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!

By: Cindy F.

Cindy F. — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:35:23 +0000

Dear Deb-
Thanks for the tip! I appreciate your feedback.

Cindy

By: admin

admin — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:33:19 +0000

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.

By: Cindy F.

Cindy F. — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:25:16 +0000

I think a writing resume is a good thing but most places you apply to still want clips!

By: Ann G.

Ann G. — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:26:04 +0000

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.

By: Christina

Christina — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 08:29:05 +0000

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.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:38:54 +0000

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.

By: LaWanda Ray

LaWanda Ray — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 21:03:25 +0000

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.

By: Sally

Sally — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:50:15 +0000

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.

By: Sharon Hurley Hall

Sharon Hurley Hall — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:28:11 +0000

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.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:47:05 +0000

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.

By: allycat

allycat — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:32:06 +0000

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

By: Archna

Archna — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:09:03 +0000

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.

By: Katharine Swan

Katharine Swan — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:05:53 +0000

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.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:46:47 +0000

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!