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If I were you, I might attempt to explain that I am more traditional than flashy.
If you want to draw him out, ask him what he considers traditional and what he means by flashy.
Craig
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Chris Morton
Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2014 9:56 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Resume styles
Hi All,
This just came in. I've been undergoing a series of interviews for a position with a NY manufacturer of high-tech instruments. It's a relatively young company, has a strong market position and is owned by a Fortune 500 entity. They've had but a single technical writer in their entire history.
She was with them five years before moving closer to family and vacating the position. I've read her LinkedIn profile and thought her qualifications were rather average.
Out of the six gentlemen I've spoken with by phone, one fellow seems to be the one I'm having the most trouble convincing that I'm the right candidate. He was quite surprised to learn that a good number of us haven't worked full-time for the same company all of our adult lives, that we tend to move around and accept a succession of short-duration contracts. I've explained that I'd still be full-time at HP had that company remained what it once was (or had any idea where it's presently headed). One has to eat.
I've also attempted to explain that a varied career such as mine (and perhaps yours) makes me more well-rounded and capable of seeing things in a different light. I view this as a huge plus. Also, our Craig Cardimon has been reposting many an article that essentially states this same thing; the days of the pension and gold watch are long gone, that each of us needs to think of ourselves as entrepreneurs, etc. And although I'm delighted to be freelancing at this time and have two good clients, Obamacare is ridiculously expensiveâeven for the crummiest, least-expensive plan. In addition to the exciting challenges of a new full-time gig, I'm keen on the benefits package a FT position such as this offers. The initial req read as if it was written with me in mind.
So.... I have my own ideas as to how to proceed, but was wondering how you would answer this question:
I spent a fair amount of time reviewing your work posted on LinkedIn. I see a lot of resumes and resume styles and one thing was really bothering me regarding your resume. I found its style to be very traditional and the formatting more difficult to follow than other resumes I have reviewed.
Considering your expertise is in Technical Writing, I was wondering why you wouldnât approach your resume in a much more flashy visual style such as your LinkedIn webpage. Can you comment?
Thanks
> Chris
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