Thirty Seconds to a Successful Work at Home Resume
A Home Business Article Contributed by Marsha Maung
Thirty Seconds to a Successful Work at Home Resume
Many people think that resumes or CV is only for job seekers looking for full-time employment but that is not right - work at home freelancers ALSO need a resume or CV!
And the truth be told - it's even MORE IMPORTANT to the work at home freelancer than it is for people looking for full-time jobs. But why, you may be asking? Well, for one thing, the potential client/employer will probably not get a chance to meet up with you face to face (chances are, you're telecommuting or live thousands of miles away). Therefore, the only interview the potential client/employer is going to get is with your resume, cover letter and CV.
Strike a Chord Within the First 30 Seconds!
Yes, research shows that employers and clients don't have all the time in the world (who has? ) and you have right about 30 full seconds to make an impression. If they read past 30 seconds, your chances are good. If they drop your cover letter into the bin within 15 seconds, apply elsewhere with a better cover letter and resume!
How to Write the Best Work at Home Introduction
Writing a work at home introduction letter can be a little tricky. You need to make it sound personal without making it sound like you're chummy. You need to make it sound professional without making it sound too stiff - like you've got an attitude problem.
You need to to tell them that you are a serious work at home person and you have a deep and keen interest in developing a telecommuting relationship with their company. Get right down to how your work at home services will benefit their business. When explaining what your work at home services is all about, write intelligently and knowledgeably. The focus should always be THEM THEM THEM!
The Worst Kind of Cover Letters from Work at Home Business Owners Are
...(drum roll)... cover letters and introductions that says nothing about how the work at home person can help and benefit the client! Some of them go on and on and on about how their work at home arrangement benefits THE FREELANCER, not the employer. Some of the worst ones I have seen tells me everything about the background of the person, kids, husband/wife, the reason for the work at home arrangement and the kind of help that he/she has at home to enable the work at home business to continue to exist.
Clients and employers won't hesitate to chuck such letters out of the window! Let's face it, we're not writing an autobiography and unless the client/employer is your penpal, they are generally uninterested in your family arrangement, your kids and your work at home arrangement. They are VERY, VERY interested in knowing how much experience you have in the field and also how your services/products can benefit the company.
But is it better to use a CV or resume for the work at home freelancer? And what in the world is the difference anyway?
Work at Home Resume
Yes, the best option for the work at home freelancer is to use a resume! The difference between the CV and resume is the length and content of the document. The resume is shorter, clearer and more concise. To the point. The Curriculum Vitae (commonly known as a CV) is longer with detailed accounts of past experience, education history, proficiency in languages...etc. For the work at home freelancer, cut to the chase and use the resume. Short, sweet, concise and clear!
And remember, hit the right chord (or bone, if you want) within the first 30 seconds!
