The Isolated Blurt BDSM Thread

[OzoneRed]

I hate writing resumes. Despise it.

I guess if your life follows a relatively straight line and most of your history relates to whatever job you're seeking then it's not so bad. But when you're a Jill of All Trades, on paper everything just makes you look unfocused and not serious. Blurg.

But the agent needs a writing CV, so I'm slogging through. I wish I had more publishing credits...sigh.

Emphasize the fact that your diversified experience qualifies you for a large number of positions, especially positions which require a variety of skills. Like, management.

 

[Keroin]

Emphasize the fact that your diversified experience qualifies you for a large number of positions, especially positions which require a variety of skills. Like, management.

Thanks Ozone.

It's actually a CV for my writing agent to send out with the manuscript for my novel - so I'm not really applying for a position, per se. And it does have to be quite specific.

But for other circumstances, yes, that's good advice.

 

[Cattypuss]

I lost my CV when I last moved house.

Which means I can never move jobs again - cos I'd rather die than have to recreate my CV from scratch.

 

[Keroin]

I lost my CV when I last moved house.

Which means I can never move jobs again - cos I'd rather die than have to recreate my CV from scratch.

Good Cod I know that feeling right now!

I might enlist some help from a local editor. It is truly that mind boggling and painful. I can bang off 50 pages of fiction like...that. But a one page CV? BLURG!!!!

But, while I avoid doing that, I'm enjoying some funny cat videos.

 

[the captians wench]

I've been trying for a couple of years to write a good resume, and apearently have failed completely.

Trying to go from a mcjob to a "proper" 9-5 sit down type is hard, especially with out the proper resume. The fact of the mater is that I've done all sorts of things that would translate, especailly the managing people bit, but Mom's only ever had experience writing cronological ones and 7 years a mcyd's just isn't grabbing attention. And I'm having an aweful time trying to write a skilled based one. I've even considered paying to have one prepared for me.

 

[Cattypuss]

I've even considered paying to have one prepared for me.

That can be a very good investment in some cases if you can find the right person (personal recommendations are good).

 

[chy_girl]

Take a cupping class at leather fest. I bet they have one.

I won't be attending Kinkfest this year. Maybe next year will be the year to go.

I hate writing resumes. Despise it.

I guess if your life follows a relatively straight line and most of your history relates to whatever job you're seeking then it's not so bad. But when you're a Jill of All Trades, on paper everything just makes you look unfocused and not serious. Blurg.

But the agent needs a writing CV, so I'm slogging through. I wish I had more publishing credits...sigh.

Yeah, but if you tossed in a few stories to go with each job you held I bet is would be a very interesting book when you done!

 

[Cattypuss]

This holiday is coming about 6 days too late.

 

[eastern sun]

Thanks Ozone.

It's actually a CV for my writing agent to send out with the manuscript for my novel - so I'm not really applying for a position, per se. And it does have to be quite specific.

But for other circumstances, yes, that's good advice.

Will you include a bio? I think a publisher would be interested in your life experience as well as previously published material. (And six published pieces is quite honorable, in my opinion. Didn't some of them win awards?)

 

[chy_girl]

This holiday is coming about 6 days too late.

 

[Cattypuss]

Thanks Chy. To be honest I have very little to complain about but the timing is all off. Still, better late than never (probably). Two more sleeps til the holiday but I doubt they will be actual sleeps lol.

In the last 7 days I have (in no particular order) -

- played my part in an emergency divorce (my husband booked his wedding before thinking to divorce me- d'oh), which involved a LOT of running around and trying to get hold of pension figures, asset valuations etc

- visited my elderly mother in hospital nightly (long drive)

- had more work to get done at my full-time job than a human could do

- had a hugely mentally traumatic (albeit hugely positive) outcome from some innovative psychological therapy I have had in the last month

- had almost no sleep

I am what you might call frazzled. Best timing for the holiday would have been 6 days earlier than it is - i.e. straight after the mental trauma.

I tell ya, I have never been to NYC and I may never go again, so this may well be a once-in-a lifetime trip... but that's by the by - if he doesn't spend the entire 6 days and nights there just holding me and stroking me and telling me everything's ok now I may just have to have a big sulk.

[/over-long blurt]

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

I've been trying for a couple of years to write a good resume, and apearently have failed completely.

Trying to go from a mcjob to a "proper" 9-5 sit down type is hard, especially with out the proper resume. The fact of the mater is that I've done all sorts of things that would translate, especailly the managing people bit, but Mom's only ever had experience writing cronological ones and 7 years a mcyd's just isn't grabbing attention. And I'm having an aweful time trying to write a skilled based one. I've even considered paying to have one prepared for me.

I can see the dilemma, but you can do it! I'd emphasize the skill set, not the job. And doing what you do does take a resourceful skill set.

Watch out for the job scam sites.

A lot of colleges have career centers with good resume advice sites; here's one from USF with lots of good examples.

https://usf.optimalresume.com/

When I was trying to write a new one, one of the best things I did was look at interesting ones others had written.

Good luck!

 

[the captians wench]

That can be a very good investment in some cases if you can find the right person (personal recommendations are good).

That's problem 2, I don't know of anyone who's bothered to have one made for them!

I seem to know only 3 types of people:
ones who really have no sort of career goals, they just do what ever job they can do to make what ever money they can make, and bitch about it in the end to any one who will hear.
or ones who are perfectly happy, maybe even enthusiastic about their job and want to do nothing else
or ones who went to a trade school to get the job they have because it pays well.

In any case, none of them have ever tried to switch professions, nor even had a resume made (except internal ones) let alone pay for one to be made.

I can see the dilemma, but you can do it! I'd emphasize the skill set, not the job. And doing what you do does take a resourceful skill set.

Watch out for the job scam sites.

A lot of colleges have career centers with good resume advice sites; here's one from USF with lots of good examples.

https://usf.optimalresume.com/

When I was trying to write a new one, one of the best things I did was look at interesting ones others had written.

Good luck!

This is what I've been doing (tho I will look up the link when I have more time). My problem is, most of the examples I find have been from people who have worked in more than one type of job, or at least at different companies. Before Mcd's I was a house wife, and before that I was a teenage who never held a job more than 6 months. I don't have a lot of diversity to work with, tho I've done some pretty impressive stuff (if I may toot my own horn) with in my current profession.

It's just hard getting people to see how that might translate. Hell a lot of the skills I've aquired with the mcjob, I use to manage my little costume business. Profit plans, projections, budgets, advertising, employee relations, time management, basic accounting.

But the whole mc thing really puts people off. It gets very discouraging.

 

[Keroin]

Yeah, but if you tossed in a few stories to go with each job you held I bet is would be a very interesting book when you done!

LOL, oh yeah, I have a few on-the-job stories.

Will you include a bio? I think a publisher would be interested in your life experience as well as previously published material. (And six published pieces is quite honorable, in my opinion. Didn't some of them win awards?)

Thanks for the compliment, ES.

Yes, I will put in a brief bio, on the advice of some of my writer friends. Flesh myself out, as it were.

And yes, I have about half a dozen award-winning and/or short-listed stories that haven't been published anywhere, so that helps beef it out. It probably doesn't look as sparse as I think it does.

I gave myself ten years to get the point where I was actually making a living as a writer. I'm nearly seven years in, and I'm on track, so I feel good about that. Of course, I always want things to move faster...

 

[Cattypuss]

Go To Bed, Cattypuss!

Ffs!

 

[Sir_Winston54]

I hate writing resumes. Despise it.

I guess if your life follows a relatively straight line and most of your history relates to whatever job you're seeking then it's not so bad. But when you're a Jill of All Trades, on paper everything just makes you look unfocused and not serious. Blurg.

But the agent needs a writing CV, so I'm slogging through. I wish I had more publishing credits...sigh.

The story credits you listed in other posts in this area of the thread certainly should include not only the *published* stories, but also those awarded/short-listed (unpublished) stories, because those *do* add depth to the CV. A short paragraph of some of the jobs/activities you've had/done that have had impact (read: you've used those experiences to give depth and first-hand knowledge to the stories), especially if you can, in the listings of the stories involved, say something like, "Drew heavily on my experiences as a stunt performer in movie 'XYXGFP' for the protagonist's background."

.... My problem is, most of the examples I find have been from people who have worked in more than one type of job, or at least at different companies. Before Mcd's I was a house wife, and before that I was a teenage who never held a job more than 6 months. I don't have a lot of diversity to work with, tho I've done some pretty impressive stuff (if I may toot my own horn) with in my current profession.

It's just hard getting people to see how that might translate. Hell a lot of the skills I've aquired with the mcjob, I use to manage my little costume business. Profit plans, projections, budgets, advertising, employee relations, time management, basic accounting.

But the whole mc thing really puts people off. It gets very discouraging.

List, in your resumé, the housewife years between the teenage jobs and moving into McD's. *Emphasize* your progression from newbie McD'er to management position, with each succeeding position leading to more responsibilities and overseeing of other employees. *Specify* the items you listed in the sentence before "But the whole McThing" in each position of greater responsibility. SHOW GROWTH, "even if" it's growth at McDonald's. Potential employers DO look at that.

 

[midwestyankee]

Yes, I will put in a brief bio, on the advice of some of my writer friends. Flesh myself out, as it were.

I suppose it would be a rather non-conventional cv, but I can think of a pictorial way that you might rather conclusively flesh yourself out. (see leaves, banana)

 

[chy_girl]

Thanks Chy. To be honest I have very little to complain about but the timing is all off. Still, better late than never (probably). Two more sleeps til the holiday but I doubt they will be actual sleeps lol.

*snip*

It sounds like a hell of a schedule that would legitimately wipe out anyone. But the bright side is that it'll (mostly?) be out of the way for when your vacation does get here. That should free up some time to relax.

LOL, oh yeah, I have a few on-the-job stories.

*looks expectently at Keroin*
Come on... twisted minds want to know, dear.

Go To Bed, Cattypuss!

Ffs!

*softly sings a lullaby and provides melatonin laced warm milk*



My Blurt 1:
The piercing shop is doing a buy one hole, get the second one free sale that ends tomorrow. I'm thinking getting both nipples and my tongue and then getting my sternum piercing put back in.

My Blurt 2:
By attending the upcoming party I will have the opportunity to be supportive of one ex while risking seeing the other... in attendance with the ex that they are now dating.

*tired sigh*
So, on the off chance that someone tries to hug me, how much of a social faux pas would it be to take a step back, smile politely and say "no thank you" while in a room full of people?

Jesus, talk about the deep end of the pool for a first break up. I couldn't have made it more difficult if I'd have actually tried.

 

[Lizzie_Borden]

chy, get your nipples done, you'll love it.

Everyone, keeping your resume up to date even when you're happy in your job is important. You never know when that dream job will come along and you'll need to pass it on at the drop of a hat.


And for my blurt: OMG Where is Family Ties? Why is Sabrina on tv instead? Whhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?

 

[the captians wench]

List, in your resumé, the housewife years between the teenage jobs and moving into McD's. *Emphasize* your progression from newbie McD'er to management position, with each succeeding position leading to more responsibilities and overseeing of other employees. *Specify* the items you listed in the sentence before "But the whole McThing" in each position of greater responsibility. SHOW GROWTH, "even if" it's growth at McDonald's. Potential employers DO look at that.

I have that, but Mom says it's too long. I list too many of my accomplishments. She says a resume shouldn't be more than a page long if you don't have any special education. I could make mine 3 pages, but cut it down to two.

I just don't think cronological is the way to go, but I'm having a very hard time with the "skill based" format.

 

[Cattypuss]

I have that, but Mom says it's too long. I list too many of my accomplishments. She says a resume shouldn't be more than a page long if you don't have any special education. I could make mine 3 pages, but cut it down to two.

I just don't think cronological is the way to go, but I'm having a very hard time with the "skill based" format.

Why not do one that has a single (4-5-line) paragraph at the top summarising your skills and potential, and then chronological underneath, but just showing the two things (McD and then housewife)?

No doubt you have the dates and job titles and job descriptions for all the stages in your career at McD but there is no need to include them. What you could say is merely something like "After joining McD as a [job title] in [year], I was promoted rapidly until I reached my current position of [job title] in [year]," and then go on to describe what you think are your key talents and skills that have been developed in your time at McD, giving some broad-brush examples only if they are illustrative of those talents and skills.

This may be indicative of across-the-Pond cultural differences but I'd take a different tack from that suggested by MWY - if I were a potential employer, especially if I weren't in fast food, I'd be less interested in a list of job titles and descriptions showing gradually increasing growth, and more interested in the "oooh lookee - this woman was promoted rapidly over a number of years - she has both talent and staying power!"

Edited to add - this approach might make it easier for you to keep the document down to one page. Which I agree is what you should be aiming for if you can. Less is more. Employers don't have the time or the inclination to read long documents. A shorter one is more likely to be read properly than a longer one.

 

[Lizzie_Borden]

I have that, but Mom says it's too long. I list too many of my accomplishments. She says a resume shouldn't be more than a page long if you don't have any special education. I could make mine 3 pages, but cut it down to two.

I just don't think cronological is the way to go, but I'm having a very hard time with the "skill based" format.

I'd disagree that a single page is enough. I'd go with 2.

And bullet points are you friend. You don't need lengthy statements, except in a career summary********, better to go with punchy to the point list of skills and achievements. Resume reading is about word matching. They're looking for certain words so they can put you in the 'read in more detail' or the 'no thanks' pile. Make it easy for them to want to look at you in more detail by making it easy to find the right words.

And you can't win either way on referees. Some employers will ref check you before they interview, so they cull the list of potential interviewees. Some will interview, then ref check anyone they're seriously considering.

Agencies will ALWAYS ref check before passing your resume to the employer.

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

CW, forgive the reference here ("crappy jobs"), but I did think this article had some good advice.

 

[lovebound]

So I finally picked up the remote control bullet yesterday at the show.

I am so looking forward to this weekend.

 

[lovebound]

Dom-Dom-Dom!
It's the music marking the anticipation of the title...and it could be the title? Feel free to adjust for gender.

Why does everyone assume I'm the top? It happened a couple times at the show on the weekend too.. People are seeing something I'm not seeing..

Now, the important question:

What will your title be?

Taking suggestions!