You've posted your mini-bios at the MB Freelance Marketplace in hopes of snagging a great freelance - or full-time - gig. Good for you! 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.

The critique of the week belongs to Allissa Hosten, whose profile begins with:

As a hungry, young, roving reporter I already have interviewed the likes of music legends such as Smokey Robinson; political dignitaries, such as Senator Hillary Clinton; and up-and-coming stars, such as R&B singer Alicia Keys-- and that was just as an intern. (Check out the thumbnail in my profile. I am pictured with Miss Keys, fashioning our fingers into our sorority symbol.) My tenacity is matched only by my curiosity, as evidenced by my rather diverse skill set: I studied biology at the baccalaureate level before attending J-school. Thus, with strong backgrounds in entertainment and health reporting, I would bring to your publication a vast knowledge base, speed, accuracy, and, of course, a knack for tracking down celebrities.

Jane says:

Allissa:

First, you need to edit your professional/personal overview. You asked me to be honest so I'm going to tell you that I don't think it's very well written. Tighten it up. Revisit it. Maybe add the names of some publications you have worked with (i.e., Jet).

In terms of your media list, you've got Food Chemical News listed first. Put that last on your list and get something sexier upfront (i.e., Jet).

I also suggest that you rewrite what you have under "other." It's too chatty. The potential hiring manager wants to know what else you have written or published, not how you decided to get into journalism.

Take a look at some of the other freelance editor profiles and see how they are written. In fact, take a look at the past critiques I have done and then review those profiles. Then, get to work! Good luck.

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), holla at the Marketplace people.