Q. I am wondering how to best structure my resume based on what skills and positions I would like to highlight for prospective employers. I have been at my current newspaper, a small daily, for four-and-half years. I began as a copy editor and worked for about two-and-a-half years before being promoted to special sections editor. After about 15 months in that position, I was promoted to news editor, which oversees the copy and design desks.
My newspaper also produces a glossy magazine, which we launched in July 2006. At that time, as special sections editor, I was chosen to be the designer on the product.
|
ASK JOE A QUESTION |
To get your question answered on this page, send it to Joe. Please include your full name in your message. If you prefer that your surname not be published, please indicate that. Sign up to receive Ask the Recruiter by e-mail. (Sent Monday-Friday at 8 a.m.)
| |
In January 2007, I was named co-editor of the publication along with the editor of our newspaper. I still design the product, so I am now news editor of the newspaper as well as the editor/designer of the magazine.
I am wondering how to structure my resume to highlight my skills. My actual title on business cards, etc., has always been the positions that are for the newspaper. However, in addition to my love for daily newspapers, I am very interested in magazines and may like to pursue a design job at a magazine in the future. Would it be acceptable to list the news editor and editor positions separately as if they are completely different publications, or better to list the magazine tasks in my skill sets below the news editor and special sections editor positions? Also, because I have held three positions at this newspaper, I am planning to organize my resume as if these were three jobs at separate organizations, so prospective employers can see my progression. Is this the way to go?
Thank you very much. I find your Ask the Recruiter column very helpful.
A. You are smart to use your resume to brand yourself. A good resume is more than just a chronology of positions held.
A good brand is legitimate, demonstrable and forward-looking.
Your brand is as a design and content director. You can't invent new titles just for your resume, but you can describe the formal titles any accurate way you choose. As these three jobs all happened at the same company, they should be broken out under the umbrella of the publication's name. Showing your rising progression will look good, but tell people you did it all at the same company. That is impressive all by itself.
Coming Friday: Low wages in entry-level newspaper jobs have her wondering whether broadcast would be easier. It might be worse.
Perhaps you're already doing this: Consider putting together different resumes...
