Resume Workshop
For three days now I've been staring at a blank screen, trying to revise my resumes. (I have one that showcases my education and non-profit experience and another that highlights my retail and consumer products experience.) Isn't it odd that, after spending all day, every day reviewing others' resumes for weeks on end a few months ago, I can't seem to even start to revise my own resume? Or maybe that's why I've had this blockage -- because I know how important that first half-page is, and it feels daunting to me.
This morning at 6 AM I decided that enough is enough and I got out of bed, made myself a strong cup of coffee and sat down in front of the damn persistent blank screen. And then I began to type and edit. By 8:30 I had completed both resumes and, although they're not ready to send out yet, I finally feel that sense of accomplishment I longed for on Monday night. I decided to emulate the format that my dear friend and former manager, D, used for her resume: profile, career highlights, skills & qualifications, experience, and education. Because I've done quite a bit of freelance as well as employment work, a quick review of my experience presented in the traditional chronological resume format makes it look like I "job hop." Not good. But more and more, I really want to go back to being in business for myself and starting my own consulting firm for youth media development.
The other good thing about this format is that I can quickly revise my resume in the profile to highlight what's important for any particular position or to emphasize freelance and contract work.
So, what do you think? Here it is, with both "profile" sections -- and with the names of the companies I've worked for omitted, for obvious reasons. Yes, I am open to critique! (And I'm also open to job offers...)
PROFILE
Ø Passionate educator and executive producer of inspiring media products for youth focusing on healthy lifestyles and positive development
Ø Results-oriented, compassionate leader and motivational manager of both internal staff and external contractors
Ø Detail-oriented, organized program and product manager with expertise in developing and supervising budgets, timelines and contracts
Ø Dedicated writer, researcher, curriculum developer and educational/developmental specialist
Ø Enthusiastic marketer with experience in research, branding, package design, user testing, and peripheral material development
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Ø Designer, Developer and Executive Producer of FUEL and CHILL, innovative, award-winning video series for youth focusing on reducing childhood obesity rates and managing teen stress
Ø Lead educational design consultant of award-winning Blue’s Clues software products for young children
Ø One of the original five members of what is now Disney Interactive and designer of Disney’s first educational computer games
Ø Designer and Producer of Edmark’s award-winning math game, Carnival Countdown and educational design consultant for other successful Edmark products
Ø Successful freelance designer of educational media products for publishers such as McGraw-Hill, Microsoft, The Learning Company, Educational Insights, and KnowWonder
PROFILE
Ø Experienced designer and producer of award-winning media and consumer products for the youth market
Ø Familiarity with production in a variety of media: software (Internet/CD/DVD), film, and print
Ø Results-oriented, compassionate leader and motivational manager of both internal staff and external contractors
Ø Detail-oriented, organized program and product manager with expertise in developing and supervising budgets, timelines and contracts
Ø Enthusiastic marketer with experience in research, branding, package design, user testing, and peripheral material development
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Ø Lead educational design consultant of award-winning Blue’s Clues software products for young children
Ø Designer, Developer and Executive Producer of FUEL and CHILL, innovative, award-winning video series for youth focusing on reducing childhood obesity rates and managing teen stress
Ø Designer and Producer of Edmark’s award-winning math game, Carnival Countdown and educational design consultant for other successful Edmark products
Ø Successful freelance designer of edutainment media products for publishers such as McGraw-Hill, Microsoft, The Learning Company, Educational Insights, and KnowWonder
Ø One of the original five members of what is now Disney Interactive and designer of Disney’s first kids’ computer games
Ø Project and Program Management
o Oversee all aspects of production, from original concept through completed, shipped product
o Create, oversee and manage product budgets and timelines
o Hire, manage and mentor internal staff. Provide team leadership and management..
o Hire and manage contractors – artists, writers, producers, directors, musicians, developers, SMEs, etc.
o Initiate and oversee contract process with outside resources
o Manage website development process
Ø Content Design and Development
o As key design team member, contribute creativity and educational expertise – from brainstorming through finished product
o Write design specifications – preliminary to final
o Create accompanying activities and other peripheral materials
o Establish storylines, scripts and character design
Ø Marketing
o Conduct market research
o Create, administer and analyze surveys
o Contribute to package design
o Assist with branding efforts
o Write sell sheets and other marketing copy
o Compile competitive product comparisons
o Plan, implement and supervise product playtesting sessions
Ø Video Production
o As Executive Producer, hire production company and oversee all aspects of video production, from treatments through post-production
Ø Writing and Editing
o Guides (education and consumer markets)
o Game content and specifications
o Activities and peripheral materials
o Help files
o Packaging and other marketing copy
o Web content
Ø Curriculum Development and Educational Consulting
o Specify educational goals and objectives
o Correlate product design with relevant state curriculum standards
o Devise ramping and problem sets
o Oversee educational content development
o Assure that activities are developmentally appropriate
Ø Web
o Create content
o Assist with interface design
o Manage website development process
TEACHING EXPERIENCE (Education resume only)
Various teaching positions, including infant and toddler, pre-school, kindergarten, elementary, learning-disabled and adult programs
Certified Childbirth Educator (ICCE)/Labor Assistant (Doula): Teach Prepared Childbirth, Refresher, and Sibling classes. Provide labor support.
EDUCATION
HONORS AND AWARDS
The Aurora Awards: Gold Award (2004)
HeSCA (Health Sciences Communication Association): Bronze Award (2006)
CHILL:
“In the System”: 2005: Honorable Mention, Chris Awards (Columbus International Film & Video Festival)
"Playing the Part": Communicator Award of Distinction
BLUE'S 1-2-3 TIME ACTIVITIES:
Parent’s Choice Gold Award, 1999
BLUE’S TREASURE HUNT:
Parent’s Choice Noteworthy, 1999
CARNIVAL COUNTDOWN:
1998 Directors' Choice Award—Early Childhood News
1997 Developmental Software Awards—KIDS Project
1997 Best Software Award for Ages 6-9—Child Magazine
1997 Top 100 CD-ROMs—PC Magazine
1997 Platinum Award—Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
1997 Award of Excellence—Technology & Learning
1997 Bronze Apple Award—National Educational Media Network
2 comments:
I think your resume looks good. More importantly, I'm highly impressed you're associated with Blue's Clues. That elevates you to practically rock-star status as far as my 6 yr. old is concerned!
Nice Job. I will link to this article. Also please take a glance at ICanFreelance.com for any work at home jobs or freelancers you need.
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