Going on a Job Hunt
Posted under: I’m really thankful to have my job, but lately, I’ve found a few other positions that I wanted to apply for. I spent loads of time polishing my resume and cover letter. My wife, also a writer, scoured it for weaknesses: Grammar, spelling, scan-ability are as important as highlighting your accomplishments, so I carefully edited it. I felt pretty good about it — at least until a professional resume writer reviewed it. www.jobfox.com provides a services in which they will critique your resume at no charge. They provide this services as a loss-leader. They tell you what’s wrong with it, and then they hope you’ll spend $399 on a rewrite.
When I received my critique, there were a number of ways I discovered I could make my resume stronger. Despite the careful editing, I dug out the resume writing book again and laboriously inspected each word’s impact on the overall presentation.
We know, as writers, that refining our craft is a part of the process. We know that intentional practice helps us to become better writers. We know that we have to put the piece away for a short time before picking it back up, and, if needed, to have multiple people look at our work. Sometimes, though, we need a gentle nudge that reminds me about the importance of peer review (or multiple peer review).
With this in mind, network with other writers and writing experts, seek out those who are successful. In yesterday’s post, I provided a site where writing teachers hop online for a bi-monthly live chat. Google Groups is another way to connect to other writers. Media Bistro is a third resource where you can find jobs, take classes, or connect with other writers.
What are your most helpful writing resources? Submit your favorites, and I’ll compile a list.
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