Freelanceing
OK so here is the crux of my situation. I have been working as a writer, freelance, for longer than I have had my degree and it is the bulk of my decent experiance (eveything else is clerical) The list is getting to be rather long. I want to include it on my resume, but I dont want my entry level resume to be three pages long. So the way I see it I have three options.
1. Include a paired down version of the list
2. Include the list as a seperate attachment
3. Include a link to the list on my resume for employers who want to view it.
I think option three is a bad idea, at least for my paper resume, because it makes it harder to view the listings. It requires the reader to follow up, and I'm just not that trusting. The first one isnt bad as an idea itself, but I hate to cut out good experiance, because its all I have right now. I may go with option two, but I have to find a way to format it without it looking like a second resume.
Also- I'm slighly scared that listing my freelance work will be offputting to traditional employers, who seem to me want employees to work exclusivly for them. Either to advoid possible ethical conflicts, or in the case of less ethical companies, to limit your options, so they can keep their talent.
Katie-
That's great that you have such a long list of accomplishments. I also had too many experiences to fit on a one-page resume. I left several items off even after shrinking the font and truncating margins :). You can see examples at my site: www.hellorealworld.com.
Do keep it to one page. I would go with option 1. The purpose of the resume is to get the interview...you just need enough material there to get them to consider you.
Feel free to bring the separate attachment (option 2) to the interview. Some people have suggested to me that I prepare a portfolio for the interview. This is the place for supplemental info, not on the resume.
-Jengyee
It's good that you're looking at several ways to format your resume. Let me suggest that you do a modified version of your traditional format. Have a section heading that reads "Freelance" and then do one-line bullets of your history for the more significant assignments. Underneath the "Freelance" heading, you'll want a new section for "Traditional Work Experience."
Since your goal is writing, there are certain things you'll take with you on your interviews. A good, can-do attitude is one. Three copies of your resume is another (one for you, one for your interviewer, one extra just in case). A list of your references is another thing you'll want with you (again, three copies in case they want them; same distribution as the resume). You'll also want to take writing samples with you. In some circles, a collection of these is also called a portfolio. It's good to have an online portfolio as well in case you have someone who wants links to content rather than paper floating around.
As to length of resume, I don't blame you for not wanting to exceed two pages. However, many recruiters and hiring managers are talking about the length of the resume these days. Their conversations say they are more interested in the meat of the document than the length (although they still do not want War and Peace). Electronic resumes have obviated (to some degree) the bane of lengthy resumes. However, I would err on the side of keeping to two pages.