Yet another busy day yesterday. I tweaked an article, interviewed for another one, organized a few more details for another client, and started a template for an ongoing project. And I marketed. Always that.
I did have time to hit the forums and the blogs. I’m seeing this prevailing theme among writers – “You don’t need a résumé.” I’ve heard it four times this week, and it’s only Thursday. Some writers state the case for why résumés don’t matter anymore.
Too bad it’s not true.
Okay, so when they say “résumé” they’re referring to that chronological, dry nightmare of writing that makes no sense to any client’s eye. That’s not the only kind of résumé there is. There are several ways to put together a résumé that shows your talent, your successes, and highlights those skills that make you the perfect fit for their project.
Call it what you will – CV, portfolio, whatever – just don’t think you can go without it entirely. There will always be a client out there who wants to see what you’ve done.
Let’s start with what a résumé is:
According to Wikipedia – A résumé “is a document used by individuals to present their background and skillsets.“
So taking that literally, your website is your résumé as much as any traditional resume. So is your brochure, if you’ve added your project successes to it.
But I’m a freelance writer, you say. Those things are for “employees.” Why do I need one?
Because you want to show your clients a snapshot of your background. Without it, you’ve got nothing.
So if you’re still with me and still think you want to put a résumé together, let’s see how writers can do it.
A traditional “print” freelance résumés should be set up so that the skills you have are highlighted first, followed by a list of project successes that relate to your client’s business area. For example, my résumé starts with a short summary of my career. This one is for technical writing:
Experienced, skilled specialist with proven results in both media and corporate communications venues. Trusted developer of media collateral and technical documents that advance client goals. Technical writing specialist widely published in risk management and commercial insurance areas.
Next, list your areas of expertise. Like this:
Insurance • Risk Management • Healthcare Management • Human Resources
Customer Relationship Management • Internet Security • Business • Finance
Technology • Security • Educational Writing • Real Estate • Energy • Life Settlements
Next comes your professional experience. Depending on the client, your list can change. For instance, when I’m reaching out to magazine clients, I start with a list of magazines where I’ve published. When working with Web clients, the list of Web projects goes first. And the same with corporate clients.
I typically list my education and additional training, mostly because I paid through the nose for it, but also because my degree is relevant to what I do. If I had a degree in say Archaeology, I wouldn’t list it unless I’m pitching to do some writing in that field.
That’s it.
Setting it up for the Web is a little different. I recommend a page dedicated to listing your services, such as ad writing or press releases, and then another page with specific projects (and links where you can).
On both the résumé and the Web portfolio, feel free to list any client kudos you’ve received (with their permission, of course). These are also great to add to your brochures and marketing copy.
How do you show clients your background? What has worked for you? Do you call it a résumé or something else?
13 responses to “The Résumé Debate”
Way back in the 1900s, in my first lovingly hand-coded, clunky looking website, I had a link to my resume. I still *have* a CV that I probably send out twice a year upon request, but that's about it. I am confident I do more resumes for OTHER people on an annual basis than I do for myself…
In any case, you're 100% right about tailoring the resume to the target audience. If you have a prospect interested in your resume, no sense in being lazy about it.
I have a page on my website with links to articles and such (that I think I'm going to update today, thank you for the reminder!) I also have a Word Doc resume that I adjust and send out when requested. I have one specifically tailored for writing jobs and one specifically tailored for editing jobs.
In the past week or so I've had two places request my resume. Unfortunately, the file is still stuck over on my old computer. I was able to find an e-mail I sent a month or so ago with an attached .pdf of my resume, so I downloaded it.
That's about when I realized it was time for a revision. I used to have two different resumes, and I think it's time to go back to that system.
I saw one exchange the other day about whether or not writers need resumes and couldn't stop laughing. (Hey, it's funny when writers get fixated on one narrow definition or word.) The funniest thing to me was reading replies from people who were only responding to boast about how they're so successful they no longer need resumes. Right.
Jake, same here. I've written a ton for others. My own finally got a facelift recently (that old adage that the electrician has the house with the faulty wiring and the contractor lives in a rundown shack.)…
That sounds like a good idea, Amelia. Having both is a great idea. Last year, I used my CV more than I did my website page.
Paula, maybe we read the same forums. I ran into one comment like that, too. I thought it was, well, interesting. Even successful people need resumes. For me, it's a great way to keep track of what the devil I did last (my memory is like a sieve sometimes).
I keep a selection of Writing Credits or resumes which I tweak for various possible jobs… and yes, a version is also on my website… who says we don't need 'em?
I'm with you, Lori, as usual.
I have my Bio Paragraph — conversational style with relevant information, both long and short versions.
I have my MASTER CV — the list of everything I've ever done, categorized by theatre, film, novel, short story, article, and other relevant categories. Also lists pro bono clients and other volunteer work, along with education.
From those, I pull relevant material to create whatever slant a particular resume needs. I update my general freelance resume every few months, but there are also fiction-slanted, teaching-slanted, article-slanted, etc.
If the client wants a resume, he gets a resume. That's part of the interview process — can you give the client what he asks for? If you can't supply something as simple as a requested resume, why would he think you could grasp the textures of his business and communicate it well?
Anne, I have versions too – mostly to keep it all straight in my own head. 🙂
Devon, I want to bottle you and sell that wisdom – "If you can't supply something as simple as a requested resume, why would he think you could grasp the textures of his business and communicate it well?"
Thank you! Exactly that.
I have:
1. A cv outlining my skills and experience which I tweak to suit the assignment I'm applying for. I send this out to potential clients on request
2. A biographical page on my blog with links to samples of my work, and a Word document I usually include in my letters of introduction
Damaria, that's exactly what even the writers arguing that you don't "need" one have, yet they're not seeing the correlation.
When I've mentioned the fact that I've had clients ask to see my resume on more than one occassion on forums, blogs, etc., other writers often express surprise. If you haven't been asked yet, chances are someone will eventually so it's a good idea to keep it updated and DEFINITELY make sure it's targeted specifically for the client/opportunity that your going for – to ensure that you stand out.
See, that's exactly my experience too, Kim. I've been asked for a resume, for a CV, for a portfolio, for samples… I don't understand how anyone, writers included, can go through a career without a list of accomplishments, projects, background, what-have-you.
There are always people who ask for a resume, so I have a version on my computer which I update at intervals.I have a resume page on my site, updated less often, and a list of publishing credits, updated approximately monthly. There's no reason that it has to be the traditional format, though I keep one of those as well, just in case.
Well informative and interesting aspects discussed about resume related issues.
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