Why resume writing isnt fun…

I got a couple of emails about yesterdays post, and thought maybe I could clarify things about my dislike of resume writing…

I’m a website designer. Its what I do, its what I’m good at. I’m NOT a writer.

I’m also not a braggart.

Sure, if we’re talking about my kids, I can brag all day with the best of parents. Want me to brag about my family? No problem.

But ask me to brag about me…and well, I don’t do it so well.

Its not that my accomplishments aren’t something I am proud of, but as a designer…as an artist…when asked to talk about my own work, I’d rather just point at the work and say, “See for yourself.” It’s either good or it isn’t. No amount of bragging or seasoning with buzzwords will change my work. I do good work. On occasion I do GREAT work. I don’t do BAD work.

That’s not bragging, that’s work ethic.

If a site stinks, I wont let it go live. Because it does a disservice to both the client and myself. Even when “client” means “the company I work a 9-5 for”.

There is also a multitude of things you just cant put in a resume…the forum isn’t right for that sort of thing, the format doesn’t permit it, and good lord where would you even start?

How do I explain the fact that Peter Bowman of DesignFX was the first to see anything even remotely resembling a web designer in me? He took a chance on me, and it paid off. For BOTH of us. 15 years ago, I was an out of work print designer, having been laid off AGAIN by an advertising agency. And in my zeal to find a new job, I was going door to door at ad and graphic agencies, portfolio in hand, hoping something somewhere would click. I walked into the offices of DesignFX cold, no appointment, no call ahead, I knew NO ONE in the company…and to make matters worse, I thought DesignFX was a print graphic design shop. It wasn’t.

As luck would have it, Peter, the CEO, was standing there with Eric, the art director, talking with the receptionist. And they agreed to sit down with me. I went through my entire spiel and showed my portfolio proudly, hoping these strangers would give me work. I will NEVER forget this, but Pete looked at me and said, “Do you know anything about websites?” and I explained that the web was a huge hobby of mine, and showed him the beginnings of what would eventually become this site you now read. Pete dug through my site a bit, chatting with me the entire time, and then said, “When can you start?”

How do I put on a resume that paying me to build websites, which is already my hobby, is like paying me to watch TV? Through this chance Pete took on a kid who liked to fart around with websites, I got to work with small local companies, large regional hospitals, and one of the largest banks on the East Coast.

How do you put that on a resume?

How do I explain Lou Dobbs? How do I explain that he was EXACTLY the same guy you used to see on TV every night? How do I explain that he was the toughest boss I ever had, but also the most honest, fair and forthright? You see, Lou didn’t mince words back in the days I was at CNN. Lou wasn’t the type to say, “Well, this isnt quite what we’re looking for…” he would say, “This stinks. Do it again.” He expected excellence. And he expected it right now, not tomorrow. He taught me how to cut through the clutter and deliver work with speed and precision, he taught me that if I have 7 ideas, I need to get all 7 of them on the table and let the client decide what works.

I got to work at CNN. CNN. And my boss was one of the most recognizable guys in the business. I got to create work for stories that were read and trusted all over the world. Imagine that. Politics aside, I still have the utmost respect for Lou Dobbs, and Craig Foreman, his 2nd in command..and the habits I learned at CNN while working for them, I will carry for the rest of my life.

How do you put that on a resume?

I’ve had experiences like this throughout my career, and I’ve grown because of it. Become BETTER because of it.

Yet, none of this is good copy for a resume.

So what would YOU write?