Here’s a little story for you. Once upon a time, an editor sat at her computer and looked over her client list. Over the years, she had carefully kept track of who referred each of her clients, or how else each had followed the crumbs and arrived on her virtual doorstep. She was amazed to find this: after nine years in business, almost 75% of her clients had been referred to her by some other happy camper. One client had referred 14 other clients to her. Others, when they were satisfied with the work done for them, had the editor do work for each of their children. Still others sent their office colleagues or friends, some of whom in turn sent their colleagues or friends. Yeah—by now, you have guessed I’m that editor. And I am pleased to say these connections are the number one way I have been able to build my business. This is not just because I live in a small town where everyone knows my name. Many of these referrals have come from all over the country, and lately from … [Read more...]
Employment Gaps: What’s Missing from Your Résumé?
Maybe your gap in employment wasn't as bad as this fellow's (I don't think there's much I can do for him)—but it's an issue I very often encounter with my clients. It may be an extended period of unemployment, a return to work from family leave, or a move from current employment back to an earlier career. Whatever the reason, well-constructed resumes can help to address gaps effectively. Try these tips Here are some quick tips from career experts, which I have used myself: Create what’s called a “hybrid” résumé, which includes both your skills and your job history. Start out with the transferable skills you can offer a employer and examples of your most notable and relevant accomplishments, rather than with your chronological job history. Use terms that are most relevant to the jobs you are applying for, not so much those of your past positions. Describe volunteer or temp work, special projects, training courses, memberships or self-improvement during … [Read more...]
Disciplined Learning and Growth
By Janice Beetle of Beetle Press and The Creative Thanks to Janice for answering my call for guest bloggers. She talks about the craft of writing and the importance of continuing one’s professional growth. My third grade teacher, Mrs. Lambson, wore her graying hair in a thick bun snug at the nape of her neck. She was a bit of a scowler, the kind of teacher you could imagine shaking a ruler at you to make a point. I remember walking to her desk one day to ask her how to spell a certain word. “Look it up in the dictionary,” she told me without making eye contact. She did not explain how one looks up a word one does not know how to spell. So, I went back to my desk, and I did not look up the word in the dictionary. Mrs. Lambson could have suggested that I come up with my best guess at spelling the word in question and look that creative spelling up in the dictionary. She could have suggested that I continue to refine my guess until I found the correct spelling. Instead, I … [Read more...]
Livin’ Large at the Library
When’s the last time you went to your local library? Do you know what they can do for you? Some years ago, I almost cried when I read about the possible closing of many of the Boston Public Library branches due to shortage of funding. Thank goodness it did not come to pass. Brian McGrory, one of my favorite Boston Globe writers, captured my feelings perfectly in his article, Treasure Islands at Risk . After you read Brian’s article, do you still say to yourself, “Who cares?” Well, I care. Let me tell you why. As someone who’s experienced my own funding shortage, I have and continue to use my local libraries for my pleasure reading and for work. I love the homey feel of each small library, the smell of polished wood and aging books, and the idiosyncracies of each employee, many of who became my friends over time. There’s nothing quite like having someone look up from what she is doing and smile when I come in the door, ask what she can do to help me—and it’s not home, where my … [Read more...]
Home Offices Are for Wimps—Not!
Ah, the joys of a home-based business. Not having to change out of your jammies to begin writing. Being able to just leave to do an errand whenever you want. Roz Chast’s cartoon in the 12/6/10 New Yorker, called “The Freelance Life”, uses the punch line “Honey, I’m STILL HOME!” Great life, huh . . . oh, really? I’ve worked from a home office for over 20 years. It’s not for the faint-hearted. Witness the bored cat who takes a leisurely stroll over your computer keys; the unfinished projects lying around the house that call out faintly to be completed; the realization that you’ve just spent the last seven hours tapping away without a break. It’s a challenge even for the most self-disciplined among us to work at home successfully. So, I offer a few tips for those of you who are in my situation and haven’t been doing this for your whole lives yet. Change out of your jammies. Pretend you are really going to work. I’ve found that if I don’t put on at least my lined jeans, … [Read more...]