You've posted your mini-bios at the MB Freelance Marketplace in hopes of snagging a great freelance - or full-time - gig. But, are you completely satisfied with your listing? Do you think you've described your accomplishments, specialties and skills in the best possible light? Let's check in with our expert, Jane Ashen Turkewitz, the premiere resume writer for MediaBistro, in our weekly segment where a real Marketplace profile, just like yours, is critiqued to give its owner insight on how to make it even more effective. As a former media recruiter, Jane has reviewed thousands of resumes and has successfully placed candidates at Time Inc., Hearst, Hachette, Primedia and other major media companies. Turkewitz has written hundreds of resumes for writers, editors, publishers, sales executives, marketers, graphic designers, business managers, technology executives, public relations professionals and others.

Today's critique belongs to Stephanie Hoover, whose profile begins:

Specializing in Pennsylvania Writing & Research Projects -

- Secondary emphasis on Maryland, Delaware and D.C.

Jane says,

In your profile, you focus on Pennsylvania and your region quite a bit. I wonder why you think this should be your emphasis. If you are looking to branch out, (which I am assuming you are as you are paying for a profile in this national forum), I think your overview should paint a better all around picture of who you are. It's not that you specialize in "Pennsylvania writing and research," as you put it, it's that you specialize in writing and researching history, business and local politics. Illustrate that your work can transcend Pennsylvania.

When it comes to marketing, I like the idea of using concise bullets to get one's point across. However, I don't think this style works for a freelance profile. Go back to the drawing board with your overview and write a paragraph that describes your specialties, skills and most stellar accomplishments. Draw the reader in so that he or she wants to know more about you.

In terms of the rest of your profile, I'd limit the chatty nature throughout, streamlining your copy to be more professional.

If you'd like your profile critiqued by Jane (and really, if you took the time to create one you should have the best one possible), drop a line to the Marketplace people.