Comments on: The Résumé Debate

By: jaylen watkins

jaylen watkins — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:08:30 +0000

Well informative and interesting aspects discussed about resume related issues.

sample resume template

By: Sharon Hurley Hall

Sharon Hurley Hall — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:55:39 +0000

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.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:45:38 +0000

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.

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:18:29 +0000

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.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:17:50 +0000

Damaria, that's exactly what even the writers arguing that you don't "need" one have, yet they're not seeing the correlation.

By: Damaria Senne

Damaria Senne — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:08:53 +0000

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

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:20:10 +0000

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.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:06:38 +0000

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?

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:51:28 +0000

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.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:09:02 +0000

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).