Even for a skilled and committed writer, resume writing just isn’t getting the job done.
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I’m writing myself out of work.
To be honest up front; I am currently unemployed.
True, I could spin this and say “I’m a freelance writer, working on building up a portfolio,” but the truth is I’m not getting paid to write.
As to why I’m not getting paid to write, well, that’s a subject I’m not getting into in this post.
When a prospective employer reads my resume, I feel it is this fact that they are seeing most blatantly come to light.
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Back to that unemployed comment; I am currently without a means to earn sustainable income. I’ve also been in this position before, so you’d think that I would have figured out a way to avoid such a situation. When a prospective employer reads my resume, I feel it is this fact that they are seeing most blatantly come to light.
Due to technology I have filled out online application after online application. And while it is dehumanizing to put in my information into an online form and wait and wait and wait for a response that has yet to be a job offer, it is much faster than going to each job location in person and doing it there.
As time saving as this is, I feel it puts me at a unique disadvantage.
Again, I am a freelance writer. We can chop off “freelance” and just call me a writer. I’ve self-published a couple of novels and have a few blog posts published as well. I even took the time to research, write, and edit a white paper all on my own. So I feel I have at least some ability when it comes to putting thoughts down in a word document in a creative way.
I’m not a wordsmith, but I feel this is what I’m supposed to be doing with my life.
So when it comes to filling out an application for a job that I feel I’m qualified for, I fill in all the little boxes, attach a cover letter, and a resume. These are composed of words, and those words, though thoughtfully chosen and arranged, I feel do not accurately portray who I am.
Not as a person.
Not as a potential employee.
This isn’t me complaining about a system I feel is horribly flawed, that’s another topic for another post. Instead, this is me confessing that though I consider myself to be a writer, and that it is the career path I’ve chosen for myself, my words are not accurately painting a picture of Kyle Weckerly.
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Resumes and cover letters, as I’ve come to understand them, are basically sales letters where you sell yourself. Writing down exact examples, skills, certifications, etc., as to why I am the best candidate to fill the position that I’m applying for is selling myself. Up to this point, those words have not accomplished that.
I’m sure this falls under ‘irony.’
Another bit of honesty here; I’ve had poor relationships with previous bosses and supervisors. Be it that I’m a millennial or an introvert, or some other character flaw of mine, I haven’t gotten along too well with some of the people I’ve worked under. And yes, I have left jobs because I couldn’t get along with the person in charge. Those I worked with, however, thought I was a good guy, or at least got along with me. Customers were impressed with my professional demeanor and easy-going attitude. Parents of students said they were looking forward to the coming school year because they knew I would be teaching their child and approved of me as a teacher.
Yet, I didn’t like the person in charge, for one reason or another. Once or twice that person didn’t like me either.
I understand there is a need for experience and while I continue to write and post where I can, how can one get experience if someone does not hire them first?
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When thirty was fast approaching, along with a baby, I did some serious soul-searching and finally realized that it was writing that I should pursue as a career. My job history to that point, and the bridges I burned, did not seem to point in that direction.
Obviously, I’ve decided to go for it anyway.
I did the research, read books, joined a freelance writing group, set up my website, completed some webinars, and started pitching to various outlets where I felt this skill set would be in need and I could be of some assistance.
And yet — nothing.
I send out my resume, having honestly assessed myself in relation to the job description, written out every word to accurately depict my job history and how it makes me the best candidate for a job.
And yet — nothing.
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I understand there is a need for experience and while I continue to write and post where I can, how can one get experience if someone does not hire them first?
Or better yet, the jobs that I have held do yield a wealth of transferrable experience. Therefore, I may not have done exactly what the job description states, but I’ve done something similar before. Just because I’m not in that job anymore does not mean that skill set has gone away, or that I’m no longer in that job because I wasn’t particularly good at that skill set.
I can’t help but feel that I’m writing myself out of these jobs. But what can I do?
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This resume that I rewrite and send out with every job application, as flawed as it is, is the one thing that every potential employer asks for. I can’t help but feel that I’m writing myself out of these jobs. But what can I do? I can’t outright lie on these things. That will for sure destroy any chances of gainful employment.
Until I can find a better solution, I will continue to honestly write out resume after resume, cover letter after cover letter, and fill in every little box on all the online applications.
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Photo: Getty Images
Hi Kyle,
Your article is very well written. If you would like, get in touch with me, I think we can help you stand out because we’re all so much more than a Resume.
Regards,
Safwan Hak
https://www.9sharp.com/69799530
Hi Kyle, My friend Lisa Blacker showed me your blog. Isn’t she nice? Keep in mind that your resume is not you. It is a representation of your skills and experience designed to give the reader the information s/he needs about how you can help. Also I find that sometimes writers write dreadful cover letters–too much like a beautiful story about the past and not about the reader’s needs. I run a top-rated career success company, and I’d be happy to help you if you wish. Are you still looking for a job? Or looking to market yourself as a… Read more »
Thanks for the reply,
And yes, I am not averse to advice/help in any form.
I’ll be in touch!
Kyle
Hi Kyle. Well done article. I empathize with you on this subject as I’ve had a similar situation but for different reasons, and although I’ve published articles–I’m also a contributor to The Good Men Project–I have not yet completed writing a book. I wonder if you have applied with a reputable temporary or other placement agency? I have worked with a few including Manpower and they were able to place me in a great job at Caterpillar that I loved for 23 months. other agencies provided short-term assignments that helped pay the bills while looking for something better. You may… Read more »
Wow, thanks for the advice!
I will definitely be reading those posts in the coming week.
I’ll work on more content to publish as well!
Kyle