Why Freelance Writers Struggle to Write Their Own Resume: A 25-Year Journey
Why Freelance Writers Struggle to Write Their Own Resume: A 25-Year Journey
As a seasoned freelance writer with over 25 years of experience, I have encountered many challenges, but one of the most frustrating is the difficulty in composing my own resume. This article delves into the reasons behind this predicament and offers professional advice on how to create an effective resume that showcases your skills and experience.
It’s Extremely Hard to Write a Résumé for Yourself in the First Place
Writing a resume is not just a task; it's a reflection of your career journey and a marketing tool designed to grab the attention of potential clients or employers. For someone like me, with 25 years of experience, the challenge lies in objectively summarizing a vast body of work.
Freelance Writing Résumés are Hard to Write Anyway
Freelance writing involves a wide range of projects and clients, each with its unique demands. Your portfolio includes everything from non-fiction articles to manuals and instructions, making it a diverse and complex landscape to capture in a single document. Moreover, the freelance writing industry often has a reputation for being ruthless, requiring creators to continually prove their worth and stand out from the crowd.
Professional Help is Worth Considering
Given the challenges involved in crafting an effective freelance writing resume, the recommendation is often to seek professional help. A trained professional can provide an objective perspective, help you highlight your achievements, and ensure that your resume stands out. The cost of professional assistance is often justified by the potential return on investment, in terms of securing job offers or attracting more clients.
A Comprehensive Guide to Writing Your Freelance Writing Resume
If you decide to tackle the task of writing your own resume, here are some key elements to consider:
1. Professional Summary and Areas of Expertise
Start with a professional summary that captures who you are as a writer and what you bring to the table. This section should be concise and compelling. Follow it with a list of your areas of expertise, including subjects you excel in writing about, such as business, technology, health, or lifestyle.
2. Career Highlights Section
Incorporate a Career Highlights section on the first page. This is a three or five bullet summary of your most significant achievements. Highlight projects that showcase your writing ability, such as major articles, books, or other notable works. Include any special recognitions, such as awards or commendations.
3. Educational Background
Provide a detailed record of your education, including your college or university, degrees, GPA, class rank, and any notable achievements, such as giving a commencement address or being named Class Historian. This information builds credibility and emphasizes your formal training.
4. Professional Experience
List your professional experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. Include the name of each company, your job title, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements. Use quantifiable metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact, such as the number of articles published or the growth in your client base.
5. Freelance Writing Experience
If you have freelanced over the years, be sure to highlight this experience. Enumerate the types of publications you have worked for, including names of magazines, newspapers, and websites. Mention any articles, columns, pamphlets, books, and reviews you have published. If you have won any significant awards, such as a Pulitzer or a National Book Award, be sure to include them.
6. Extracurricular and Community Involvement
Provide information about your extracurricular activities and any community service or civic organizations you have been involved in during your college years or beyond. Highlight any notable achievements or leadership roles you have held, as these add depth to your resume and demonstrate your commitment to personal and community growth.
7. Special Skills and Accomplishments
Include a section dedicated to your special skills, such as fluency in a foreign language, artistic abilities, or any unique achievements, like raising championship Dobermans or serving as the Concert Mistress of a local symphony orchestra. These details make your resume more personal and unique.
The Importance of Objectivity and Flawless Execution
Remember that your resume is a form of writing, and just as you would with any other project, the most important thing is to start by getting words down on paper. Allow for some time to let your words "marinate," giving you a chance to revisit and refine your resume. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentor to ensure that your resume is error-free and effectively showcases your experience and achievements.
While it may be tempting to engage in some creative boasting, resist the urge to overflatter yourself. The goal is to strike a balance between confidence and real substance, ensuring that your resume accurately reflects your abilities and achievements.
By following these guidelines, you can create a compelling and effective resume that truly represents your 25 years of writing experience. The effort invested in crafting a well-composed resume is often rewarded, leading to more job offers and a stronger professional reputation.