More Thoughts on Freelancers and Resumes
My post about How Important is a Resume for Freelance Writers? has led to some interesting comments. Some people think they are a valuable marketing tool, while others are less sold on the value of this document.
I’ve been doing some thinking as well, and have a different idea to present. Maybe we should be moving away from the idea of presenting a resume to a potential client. Before you immediately dismiss the idea, look at it this way:
A Resume is for Someone Looking for a Job
When you are a freelancer, you are not looking for a “job.” The relationship you have with a client is not one of an employer and employee. Your “boss” is not your client; you are the boss. You are the President and CEO of “Me, Inc.”
You don’t work “for” your client; you are working “with” them. They are paying you to provide a service and you do need to do what you can to make sure that they get what they want. That’s just good business. Now the question becomes whether you need to produce a resume like a job seeker to do business with someone.
Let me ask you this: The last time you were looking for someone to do work for you, did you ask to see their resume? Have you asked your doctor, dentist, or the person who came over to fix your dishwasher for their credentials? I’m thinking you didn’t and it wouldn’t have occurred to you to do so.
Are freelancers not professionals too? Of course we are. Just for the record, if someone asks to see my resume, I’m happy to provide them with a copy, but I don’t automatically volunteer it. The last new client that I worked with made the decision without seeing my resume or any writing samples (even though I did offer to provide them). We just talked about what I could do to help his company reach its goals, and agreed to work together.
Could it be that clients are more concerned about what you can for them now than what you have done in the past? I would be interested in hearing your opinion.
I agree in many cases that a resume shouldn’t be required. However, my specially-tailored writing resume shows a lot of editorial and writing experience. I believe this gives me an advantage over a lot of people when I apply for writing jobs. I’m always happy to include my resume, and sometimes will even if it’s not requested. (As long as it doesn’t specifically say not to).
My resume offers, at a glance, the scope and breadth of my editorial experience more so than a cover letter.
And as far as asking for a resume when hiring a doctor, plumber, etc… No, I don’t, but I MAY ask them questions such as, “How long have you been in business? Who else have you worked for? What degrees do you have? (in the case of doctors, etc.) Then again, I am a “problem patient” and I’m likely to put doctors under a very harsh microscope and if I don’t like what I hear, I’m leaving. I’ve already been through two pediatricians and 3 OBs. LOL
I didn’t do that legwork when I recently hired a lawyer — I ‘purchased’ on price alone — and I’m paying for it.
I’m not so sure I agree with this. A resume tells so much more about a writer than a cover letter and writing samples. In the internet age we don’t always talk with our clients on the phone and email doesn’t cover everything. For instance, if I see a resume that shows a writer bounces from client to client without any long term commitment it might tell me this is not a reliable writer. Writers with long term, happy clients are more likely to catch my eye. There are other reasons I like resumes as well.
Now, I can’t speak for others writers but I can say this. My business – and caliber of clients – picked up as soon as I had a writing resume drafted up several years ago. It really made all the difference, I think because potential clients saw me in a more professional light? I just updated my resume, and again, the results were positive.
Is it necessary? Probably not. Is it a bonus? Absolutely!
My writing “resume” is very different from the one I used when I was in the traditional job market. I use it to show potential clients what I bring to the table in terms of education and experience. I think when it is coupled with some writing samples it can help to show clients the range and the quality of work I can provide.
While I may not ask a service provider to show me their credentials, it is because I am hiring them from a reputable service, or on the recommendation of someone I trust. I would not hire an electrician off of Craigslist to rewire my house without some assurances that they are competent.
My resume shows people who I am, and that I can do what I claim to be able to do. It helps differentiate me from someone that is just getting started and may not have the experience and skill set that I have worked to build.