Comments on: Deal Makers and Deal Breakers: How to Get Your Resume to the Top of the Pile http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/09/deal-makers-and-deal-breakers-how-to-get-your-resume-to-the-top-of-the-pile/ The Internet's #1 Freelance Writing Community Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:42:16 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Back to Basics Part 3: 11 Things NOT to Do When Applying for a Freelance Writing Job | Freelance Writing Jobs http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/09/deal-makers-and-deal-breakers-how-to-get-your-resume-to-the-top-of-the-pile/comment-page-1/#comment-49436 Back to Basics Part 3: 11 Things NOT to Do When Applying for a Freelance Writing Job | Freelance Writing Jobs Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:22:05 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1947#comment-49436 [...] job application, whether it’s an online form, an emailed cover letter, or writer’s resume, is the first impression a potential client will have of you. Your writing never needs to be more [...] [...] job application, whether it’s an online form, an emailed cover letter, or writer’s resume, is the first impression a potential client will have of you. Your writing never needs to be more [...]

]]> By: Back to Basics: Step 1 How to Get Started Finding a Freelance Writing Job | Freelance Writing Jobs http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/09/deal-makers-and-deal-breakers-how-to-get-your-resume-to-the-top-of-the-pile/comment-page-1/#comment-48593 Back to Basics: Step 1 How to Get Started Finding a Freelance Writing Job | Freelance Writing Jobs Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:07:16 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1947#comment-48593 [...] rates, where to find jobs, the types of writing, how to write a cover letter, putting together a resume or writing website and [...] [...] rates, where to find jobs, the types of writing, how to write a cover letter, putting together a resume or writing website and [...]

]]> By: Heather Strickland http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/09/deal-makers-and-deal-breakers-how-to-get-your-resume-to-the-top-of-the-pile/comment-page-1/#comment-44199 Heather Strickland Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:20:15 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1947#comment-44199 The advice from everyone was great. I've stated before I am relatively new to the freelance business, though I worked in public relations and marketing for nearly 10 years. I always understood the importance of well-written, personalized cover letters and top-notch resumes when applying to traditional jobs. Similar to Tee's post, I am a little confused about references to cover letters, resumes and applications as they relate to securing freelance writing jobs. Traditional job advertisements of course tend to ask for cover letters and resumes to be emailed for faxed. However, the advertisements for freelance jobs tend to provide details about the job and suggest interested parties contact the person offering the job. Are you all expecting resumes? Am I OK in assuming the response I provide in my email would be considered my "cover letter?" Another question I have is what is meant by applications? I recently sent a reply to Brian Pipa regarding the job posted here for the CandyAddict.com writing gig. (Brian, the umpa lumpa wanna be says "hi") I tried to address each of Brian's requirements in my email. I may have ventured a little over the top creatively speaking – I hope not though. Brian, like several others in this post, mentions applications in a response in this post – "When we’re hiring and have 50 applications in front of us…" I'm just curious. What is meant by application? Am I missing something, or is the term merely meant to refer to those people who "applied" meaning they replied? Also, I do blog, but to date what I've written has just been silliness and stuff for friends and family. I am currently creating a writing-related blog in WordPress. However, until I get that up and running, I've been giving people a link to my ifreelance.com portfolio http://www.ifreelance.com/pro/43390. Does anyone have any opinions as to whether this is a good idea or not? I'll stop with the questions now! What wonderful people you all are to share your insight and experience. Heather i_write@ymail.com The advice from everyone was great.

I’ve stated before I am relatively new to the freelance business, though I worked in public relations and marketing for nearly 10 years. I always understood the importance of well-written, personalized cover letters and top-notch resumes when applying to traditional jobs. Similar to Tee’s post, I am a little confused about references to cover letters, resumes and applications as they relate to securing freelance writing jobs.

Traditional job advertisements of course tend to ask for cover letters and resumes to be emailed for faxed. However, the advertisements for freelance jobs tend to provide details about the job and suggest interested parties contact the person offering the job.

Are you all expecting resumes? Am I OK in assuming the response I provide in my email would be considered my “cover letter?”

Another question I have is what is meant by applications? I recently sent a reply to Brian Pipa regarding the job posted here for the CandyAddict.com writing gig. (Brian, the umpa lumpa wanna be says “hi”) I tried to address each of Brian’s requirements in my email. I may have ventured a little over the top creatively speaking – I hope not though.
Brian, like several others in this post, mentions applications in a response in this post – “When we’re hiring and have 50 applications in front of us…” I’m just curious. What is meant by application? Am I missing something, or is the term merely meant to refer to those people who “applied” meaning they replied?

Also, I do blog, but to date what I’ve written has just been silliness and stuff for friends and family. I am currently creating a writing-related blog in WordPress. However, until I get that up and running, I’ve been giving people a link to my ifreelance.com portfolio http://www.ifreelance.com/pro/43390. Does anyone have any opinions as to whether this is a good idea or not?

I’ll stop with the questions now! What wonderful people you all are to share your insight and experience.

Heather
i_write@ymail.com

]]> By: What’s Up Wednesdays: Working It Out || Beyond the Rhetoric || http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/09/deal-makers-and-deal-breakers-how-to-get-your-resume-to-the-top-of-the-pile/comment-page-1/#comment-43308 What’s Up Wednesdays: Working It Out || Beyond the Rhetoric || Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:01:14 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1947#comment-43308 [...] Writing Gigs has compiled advice from a number of notable industry professionals regarding how to get your resume to the top of the pile. What are the deal makers? The deal breakers? Check out the opinions of folks like Darren Rowse, [...] [...] Writing Gigs has compiled advice from a number of notable industry professionals regarding how to get your resume to the top of the pile. What are the deal makers? The deal breakers? Check out the opinions of folks like Darren Rowse, [...]

]]> By: Tee http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/09/deal-makers-and-deal-breakers-how-to-get-your-resume-to-the-top-of-the-pile/comment-page-1/#comment-43064 Tee Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:17:54 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1947#comment-43064 Thanks Alik. I'll take the advice. Thanks Alik. I’ll take the advice.

]]> By: Alik http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/09/deal-makers-and-deal-breakers-how-to-get-your-resume-to-the-top-of-the-pile/comment-page-1/#comment-43029 Alik Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:43:31 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1947#comment-43029 When sending an application, it's all about being intuitive. I used to hire writers for a local magazine, and last winter when I put out a craigslist ad looking for writers I got a wave of under-qualified and under-enthusiastic writers. Most of them evidently didn't read my ad, and many of them had poorly written cover letters and writing samples. If you take your time to craft a well-written cover letter, resume, and portfolio then you will have that much more of an edge over those applicants that didn't take their time. Also, if you're new at writing resumes and writing samples, then find a friend or family member who is business savvy to look it over and give you pointers. It never hurts. When sending an application, it’s all about being intuitive. I used to hire writers for a local magazine, and last winter when I put out a craigslist ad looking for writers I got a wave of under-qualified and under-enthusiastic writers. Most of them evidently didn’t read my ad, and many of them had poorly written cover letters and writing samples.

If you take your time to craft a well-written cover letter, resume, and portfolio then you will have that much more of an edge over those applicants that didn’t take their time. Also, if you’re new at writing resumes and writing samples, then find a friend or family member who is business savvy to look it over and give you pointers. It never hurts.

]]> By: Tee http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/09/deal-makers-and-deal-breakers-how-to-get-your-resume-to-the-top-of-the-pile/comment-page-1/#comment-42986 Tee Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:30:00 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1947#comment-42986 Could someone give a few words of wisdom on what a basic cookie cutter cover letter looks like? (Say that 5 x!) Are there certain rules to follow? I've never sent a cover letter when applying for a writing job. I've been freelancing for about 3 mo. and had 5 gigs, (okay, so 2 of them were from someone I know, but it still paid.:) and for the most part, I only apply for jobs when it's a subject I'm familiar about. @ Deb- Thanks a bunch for such a helpful article...I read FWJ everyday and always look forward to learning something new! Could someone give a few words of wisdom on what a basic cookie cutter cover letter looks like? (Say that 5 x!)
Are there certain rules to follow? I’ve never sent a cover letter when applying for a writing job. I’ve been freelancing for about 3 mo. and had 5 gigs, (okay, so 2 of them were from someone I know, but it still paid.:) and for the most part, I only apply for jobs when it’s a subject I’m familiar about.
@ Deb- Thanks a bunch for such a helpful article…I read FWJ everyday and always look forward to learning something new!

]]> By: 09/07/2008 Writing Jobs and Links : PoeWar.com Writer’s Resource Center http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/09/deal-makers-and-deal-breakers-how-to-get-your-resume-to-the-top-of-the-pile/comment-page-1/#comment-42940 09/07/2008 Writing Jobs and Links : PoeWar.com Writer’s Resource Center Sun, 07 Sep 2008 19:06:40 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1947#comment-42940 [...] Deal Makers and Deal Breakers: How to Get Your Resume to the Top of the Pile: This is a great article. Several people who work with freelancers weigh in on what to do and what to avoid. [...] [...] Deal Makers and Deal Breakers: How to Get Your Resume to the Top of the Pile: This is a great article. Several people who work with freelancers weigh in on what to do and what to avoid. [...]

]]> By: Samar http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/09/deal-makers-and-deal-breakers-how-to-get-your-resume-to-the-top-of-the-pile/comment-page-1/#comment-42903 Samar Sun, 07 Sep 2008 11:15:57 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1947#comment-42903 Excellent Post! I'm a new entrant in the freelancing world. I've been blogging personally for 4 years and blogged in a semi professional blog for 2. When asked for blogging experience when I apply for a blogging job, I've always given the blog url of my posts done for the professional one. I've never stated 4 because I won't be able to back up that claim as I think its unprofessional to send links to my personal blog even if that showcases me as a writer/blogger more through my posts. Any differing thoughts? Excellent Post! I’m a new entrant in the freelancing world.

I’ve been blogging personally for 4 years and blogged in a semi professional blog for 2. When asked for blogging experience when I apply for a blogging job, I’ve always given the blog url of my posts done for the professional one. I’ve never stated 4 because I won’t be able to back up that claim as I think its unprofessional to send links to my personal blog even if that showcases me as a writer/blogger more through my posts.

Any differing thoughts?

]]> By: jennydecki http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/09/deal-makers-and-deal-breakers-how-to-get-your-resume-to-the-top-of-the-pile/comment-page-1/#comment-42863 jennydecki Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:18:28 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=1947#comment-42863 My great-grandmother always told me not to judge people's spelling, because, "Spelling is a gift, not a learned trait." It's sad she can't use the computer, because spell check would have been her best friend. She was a C level exec at a Chicago company until she retired, so she wasn't saying that out of ignorance or fear. She just couldn't spell. Neither can my husband. One thing I do have to say, though, is that my husband will re-read anything important before sending and many times will have someone else read it as well. I mean, we all have online friends, how much time would it take to have someone else scan your cover letter? Oh, I also tweak my resume to add the company's name I'm applying for in a few places. That way I took the effort with a good cover letter, and follow that through into the resume. If I don't have an "on topic" writing sample, I'll throw one together for the application, too. I figure it's about the company's brand, not mine. That means the goal of my application, resume, etc. is to show the company what I might potentially look like to the readers. Putting those details in helps the hiring person see me as a potential part of the team instead of an applicant at arm's length. My great-grandmother always told me not to judge people’s spelling, because, “Spelling is a gift, not a learned trait.”

It’s sad she can’t use the computer, because spell check would have been her best friend. She was a C level exec at a Chicago company until she retired, so she wasn’t saying that out of ignorance or fear. She just couldn’t spell. Neither can my husband.

One thing I do have to say, though, is that my husband will re-read anything important before sending and many times will have someone else read it as well. I mean, we all have online friends, how much time would it take to have someone else scan your cover letter?

Oh, I also tweak my resume to add the company’s name I’m applying for in a few places. That way I took the effort with a good cover letter, and follow that through into the resume. If I don’t have an “on topic” writing sample, I’ll throw one together for the application, too.

I figure it’s about the company’s brand, not mine. That means the goal of my application, resume, etc. is to show the company what I might potentially look like to the readers. Putting those details in helps the hiring person see me as a potential part of the team instead of an applicant at arm’s length.

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