Writing a Resume

Sometimes the hardest part about landing a new job, is simply getting your foot in the door. One thing opens doors faster than anything else, and that's a good resume.

A lot of people make resume writing mistakes that they are not even aware of. These little mistakes will cause your resume to be deleted or thrown into the trash bin.

Check out my latest article written for Fastweb. "Tips for Writing a Great Resume" will show you how to write a resume that gets you called for an interview.

Before you send out that next batch of resumes check out this article.

Apologies and Gratitude

I've been away for a while. Not sure what happened, but somewhere along the way I got tired, frustrated, doubt-filled, lost...

I couldn't bring myself to write a single word for several weeks. Perhaps that break was a good thing. I'd previously written a post about getting out of a slump. So while I was in my own personal slump, I did many of the things on that list. I did a lot of reading, reflecting, and journaling.

The other day I confided to a friend that I didn't want to dream or plan anything anymore because I am tired of disappointment. Immediately after saying this, I came across a blog post over on For Harriet.

 Gratitude: The Secret to Achieving Your Dreams spoke to me in such a "right on time" way that I couldn't believe  it. It was just what I needed to hear in that moment.

If you're tired of feeling frustrated and disappointed, perhaps you are focused on the wrong things. Head over to For Harriet and check out the post today.

Why We All Need Mentors

I wrote an article a few months ago for Monster College about the importance of finding a mentor.
My own mentor, Deesha Philyaw co-author of the forthcoming book, Co-parenting 101: Advice from a Formerly Married Couple on Parenting Across Two Households, reminded me yet again why having a mentor is so important.

After receiving a ton of rejections for a certain piece of writing I decided that it was time to ask for some help. I admit I'm not very good at asking people for help. A mentor, however, is someone who can help you to figure out areas where you are going wrong. Deesha was able to see several areas where I could improve that piece of writing. Her feedback was so valuable, and now I have direction!

No matter what industry you aspire to work in, or how many degrees you may have, learning never stops. We all have areas where we could improve. A mentor is the perfect person to show you the missing links. Whether you are in school or not, finding a mentor is important for your growth.

Check out my article for some good places to find a mentor, and if you can think of more places please leave them in the comments section.

Do Not Shelve Your Dreams

I just read the most beautiful essay over at writingismydrink. Like last year, the graduates of Theo Pauline Nestor's memoir writing class gave a public reading of their work.

This essay by Deirdre Allen Timmons touched me deeply. I think this essay will speak to anyone who has a dream, who has struggled to find support for that dream, or has watched a family member or friend try to tear that dream to pieces.

Timmons ends her essay by saying,

Do not stop.
Do not shelve your dreams.
I don’t believe in it.

No matter how hard it gets, I don't believe in shelving dreams either. It's never too late!

Go over and read this powerful essay today.

After Graduation

I just received one of those after graduation surveys from Chatham University, where I got my Master's degree. I can hardly believe it has almost been one year already since graduation. The survey asked questions like, "What did you major in, have you found a job related to your field of study yet, will you go on and get more education, and how much money do you make?"

Just yesterday I was cleaning up my email box and came across so many emails from last year, and also when I first began my Master's degree program in 2010.  In all of the old emails I saw a very unsure and nervous person, and yet a determined one. There was  A LOT that I did not know (and still don't know) about my career field. I had lots of questions, and with everything I did I wondered, "Am I doing this right?" "Will anyone ever want to publish my writing?" etc.

 

Now, one year later, although I still get nervous about lots of things, I can see my growth. While filling out the survey, of course I would have been happy to be able to write that I have a full-time job that is writing intensive (I don't), or that I'm currently making $100,000 + per year (I do not), I'm still happy to have made progress.

 

Although it has been difficult, and I've been unsure of my steps 90% of the time, I am moving forward and having some successes along the way.

I have a great mentor now who helps me whenever I get stuck or want to wallow in self-pity or as I call it "rejection-pity."  Slowly but surely my publication and résumé credits are growing. So while I may not be able to say that everything is perfect post-graduation, I can say that I'm heading in the right direction.

Late Bloomer

Over on Theo Pauline Nestor's blog "Writing Is My Drink" she talks about her evening job at the University of Washington where she teaches a  Memoir writing class for UW’s Extension Program.

In the program she has adult students of all ages, including a 90-year-old woman. They all take her class and courageously write their life stories, no matter how painful. At the end of the program each student gives a reading of their work before an audience.

One particular student, Star Roberts, wrote a piece entitled "Late Bloomer" (page down to see the essay) in which she talks about doing everything in life later than the norm. Now at the age of 55 she has embarked on a writing career. It is something she has always wanted to do from the time she was a child, but as is usually the case, life distracted her.

Take a moment and read this inspiring essay by a woman who understands that "It is never too late to be who you might have been."

Star Roberts Reading her work.
 (Photo:Sandy Barnes)

Harriet and Me

I love the movie Harriet the Spy and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Based on the children's novel of the same name by Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy has been a source of inspiration for me for many years.

If you are not familiar with the story, Harriet is a self-proclaimed spy. She travels around her neighborhood spying on her neighbors, classmates, and friends. She writes down everything she sees in her notebook.

 There are so many parallels between Harriet and me. Growing up I always had a composition notebook-like the kind that Harriet writes in- with me. My journaling was seen by some as obsessive. I wrote down my every thought, every dream, every observation in my notebook, much like Harriet.  In the movie Harriet's parents demand that she stops writing as a punishment and it is obvious that she is lost without her notebook. When sent to see a therapist she lights up when he allows her to write again. He tells her parents in the end that Harriet will make a great writer one day.

I found out today that my favorite professor Deesha Philyaw signed a book deal! I was so excited and inspired as a writer to work harder. I immediately wanted to watch Harriet the Spy to get in touch with that side of myself that absolutely loves writing and doesn't worry about anything else.

What books or movies inspire you career wise? Are there any characters you see yourself, your dreams or aspirations in? Please share them.