#Freelancer Journey Advice
Ep.38 — The Resume
Sometimes the options to earn income that “truly lets me express my creativity” as a freelance writer can get pretty sparse. Mayhaps because I tell myself,
“No, I don’t want to attempt to write another grant proposal for someone else,” with a pouty grin.
We’ll leave that up to the debate between passion vs. privilege, but at this point I can’t help but notice that the $$$ coffers are getting thin a lot quicker than the waistline is. Soon I’ll have to start rationing smokes. Now it’s getting serious.
Do I have to get a steady job? Am I once again cubicle bound? I’ll settle for a 3 month remote contract, thank you very much. No? Damn, I guess I have to start applying.
The Online Application Form
As I scroll LinkedIn, Upwork, Fiverr (not sure why) and the myriad employment sites that I signed up for for free (and soon forgot about) when they send opportunities to my inbox, I look for the applications that are in my wheelhouse AND have a fill-in form that is more than email and a CnV resume. This is because I truly believe it’s the present and the future, not the past, that should matter.
I dive in, upload an archived resume, and hit the writing sections/tests running. Blind. That should be different enough to cut through the HR’s cynicism whilst letting my writing talent shine through.
9 Itchibans later and I must alter the game plan.
Sigh-ittt.
Shi…gh!
I have to pay attention to the resume. Re-visit, revamp. Rethink.
The Damn Resume
Shifting perspectives here, I gotta say don’t bother hitting the “Top in 2023” Google rabbit hole. Been there, wrote that. Instead, concentrate on making your resume like an elevator pitch. Trust me, HR will thank you for it. The last thing they want to sift through is an artsy, over-stylised bio that scrolls for 3 pages in a PDF.
Try dividing each section so it reads as 5 seconds, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, and after that you’ve got ’em. Think of it as an elevator pitch that stops at ascending floors.
5 Second Mark
Take an original image or the company’s actual banner and add your name and the postion you’re applying for (in a smaller font) to that. Don’t add more to the position.
Beneath that in small font, put your email phone number and relevant (or most popular) URL Link.
15 Second Mark
Go straight to job experience and relevant experience here — not your entire job bio. Be recent, know the skills they’re looking for and show evidence. They don’t care if you won an essay competition in the 6th grade. Here’s an example:
Demon Cat Productions, 2008 — Current:
Duties included online promotional campaigns, customer email liasions, marketing blitzkreigs and web page content.
Don’t be afraid of honesty as an angle:
Birth — present:
Trying to find myself through the written word and I believe you’re the place…
Risky, I know. But why not if the well seems dry? Oh yeah, throw in any degree or certificate at this point that will enhance your value.
30 Second Mark
Last, you add your uniques skillset, BUT add a one-or-two-sentence “reason to hire me” preamble. Make sure you understand the requirements/skills here and show passion; why you can do it well. After that, give bullet points that accentuate. Another example:
“Coke Adds Life.” “Just Do It.” These kinds of slogans make me think about the product — and fuel my jealousy. I can do as good, maybe better. Especially with what your company offers. Here’s why:
*Unbound Imagination
*(link to writing example)
*Grammatical Vigilance
*(link to writing example)
*Deadline Savvy
*Affable and approachable — show off that vocabulary LOL
*(link to writing example)
*Hungry
Additional Hacks
1) Make the last word of your resume a hyperlink back to the top where your contact information is.
2) Don’t stray too far from the examples when asked to come up with something. Chances are high that either the company or the recruiter see these as successful and want to see an improved re-iteration. Don’t re-invent the wheel, just make yours less bumpy.
And (3), perhaps too obviously, tweak each resume from your template. But between opportunities tweak your template. Then label each save in a folder by date for later relevant reference.
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Cheers! I gladly acknowledge toxel for the awesome art I used in this article. If this advice helped or hindered, or quite frankly is something you felt you stepped in that the dog just laid, let me know! Until the next episode…
