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Topic: Resumes
| Author | Message |
| womaninbooks | Posted – 11/18/2007 6:05:59 PM | show profile I know we've talked about this on the board in the past, but I feel like this is something that needs updating... I have to write a resume for a writing project, but my work experience is lengthy. Should I stick with only recent stuff to keep it at 1 page? Or only editing and writing related projects? And how much do you reveal if your business writing client list is confidential (i.e. project topics)? I'm afraid I'll look like a flake because my freelancing entails 3 different kinds of jobs (including teaching) so when I gather just my writing stuff, my chronological experience is full of holes. Is it more important to just have writing experience? |
| writesonwater | Posted – 11/19/2007 1:30:15 AM | show profile It's hard to say without looking at your stuff -- you might try listing it (with details changed is fine) so people can give better advice. I used to do resumes for a living, and have read tons of books on it. I can tell you opinions differ, and Pam who is Foodlit on here is in HR I think and offers great advice generally on HR topics. For me: My resume is 1 page, and lists writing/editing related work experience, chronologically from present on down. In between full-time related gigs, my time is accounted for with freelance writing -- so continuity isn't an issue.. Also, I generally list years and not months and days for my resume -- 1993-1997, 1998-2004, 2005-present -- that sort of thing. This covers a multitude of little gaps and I've never had it be an issue. My freelance resume includes time spent teaching in a university program for gifted kids -- since the subject matter was journalism. Good luck with your writing project! |
| writesonwater | Posted – 11/19/2007 1:31:51 AM | show profile My resume includes these categories up front, ahead of linear experience, which can flex a bit for confidentiality: Recent projects include: Recent clients include: |
| womaninbooks | Posted – 11/19/2007 7:10:21 AM | show profile Thanks much writesonwater; I'm going to revise again with your ideas in mind -- I revised my resume yesterday and got it to 2 pages, which still isn't good enough, I know. Right now, though, it looks strange; instead of chronology, I have everything listed by type-of-work (recent editorial projects, recent writing projects, recent translating projects) and it looks thorough but odd without dates. I guess I'm concerned because everything before my freelance life gave me a good knowledge base but won't necessarily contribute to my abilities as a writer (like I've got on my resume that I have an MFA... do I really need to include my assistantship as a teacher of writing in my chronology?) |
