The Resume

[Kalli]

I know you aren't supposed to lie on a resume, but what if escorting was your full time income for several years?

Here's the truth:

Independent Escort XX/XXX - XX/XXX-Marketing
-Scheduling
-Established and maintained quality client relationships
-Consistent service
-Exceeded Expectations
-Reliable & Punctual
-Exceptional Performance Reviews
-Budgeting
-Responsible for listening, counseling, exploring, and pleasuring

So...here I am. It's the beginning of 2010 and during my break from the business I earned a Master of Accountancy degree. I'm currently applying for auditing positions, but... I hate lying on my resume. I hate it! I have this gap where it looks like I was not working at all. Granted, my work was the most fun I have ever had in my life, but I remained professional and reliable throughout. I am proud of the reputation that I earned and the way I handled my "business". Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions?

K

[Geritol]

You could say Consultant/Contractor/Trainer.

G

[notanewbie]

I hate to say it but Geritol is spot on.

oh, one more thing. If you got it flaunt it.

[boardman]

My only suggestion, FWIW.

Don't use notanewbie as a reference.

[Kalli]

Thank you for the advice. I've had a few interviews, but I have felt like the gap (or lack of experience) might have been what has kept me from landing the job so far. I like your ideas Geritol. I will still need to figure out how to describe my position (on the resume and in an interview).

Boardman, there would be a hit out on me if I used my real references.

[funnyboy]

This is a tough to answer...as a hiring manager and member of this board I have typed many 'perfect' answers only to delete them because they are crap.

If the gap was while you were taking classes you could say you did 'freelance consulting'.

I will continue to rack my brain but it is not as easy as I first thought.

[amtommytwo]

PM me the resume, I am interested. Really. I don't care what you have been doing in your personal time, if you have the technical training and experience, at least some in the field of interest. Half the battle in business is learning how to deal with difficult people, circumstances, this business should have taught you that, if nothing else. If you have a good attitude, willing to learn and understand that you will be paid for the talent you bring to the business the rest can be picked up on the job. If I don't have a position here, I may know of someone who does. I am always looking to help someone get started.

[boardman]

The problem is you don't have references and if you say you had a legit job they are going to want to check it out. It's going to be tough to answer why you don't have any references at this fictional XYC co.


The most convincing story I ever heard was someone that said they had been OOT taking care of a sick relative for the past couple of years who had since passed on and they were now looking to get on with their life.

It's still lying but I don't think you're gonna have a whole lot of choice but to tell a lie or two. Once you get that first job and earn references in the "real" world it will get much easier to be yourself.

Good luck!

[Guest021010-2]

Originally Posted by Kalli

I know you aren't supposed to lie on a resume, but what if escorting was your full time income for several years?

Here's the truth:

Independent Escort XX/XXX - XX/XXX-Marketing
-Scheduling
-Established and maintained quality client relationships
-Consistent service
-Exceeded Expectations
-Reliable & Punctual
-Exceptional Performance Reviews
-Budgeting
-Responsible for listening, counseling, exploring, and pleasuring

So...here I am. It's the beginning of 2010 and during my break from the business I earned a Master of Accountancy degree. I'm currently applying for auditing positions, but... I hate lying on my resume. I hate it! I have this gap where it looks like I was not working at all. Granted, my work was the most fun I have ever had in my life, but I remained professional and reliable throughout. I am proud of the reputation that I earned and the way I handled my "business". Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions?

K

What recruiters want is insight to WHAT you did that made a difference, and what is that difference in some specific, measurable, tangible terms. The phrases you used are nice, but oblique. Need to be more specific which is difficult in this case.

They also are going to want to know for whom you did WHAT.
Difficult given the career change unless you have a previous supervisor with a cover (plausible deniability) who can vouch for the claims of the resume.

Best regards in your new quest,


rr

[amtommytwo]

After further thought, I suppose you could describe such experience as a "Personal Concierge Service" business, which there are a lot of. Obviously the details of what was offered will need to be modified. There is no telling the absoluete truth to all activities. I also assume that you may be able to have some of the "friends" who received such service provide some form of a reference for you, if willing to do so.

Offer is still open.

[funnyboy]

I agree with the "personal concierge" title. You can also use this as a reason you completed your higher degree ie. met someone who inspired or whatever.

[Guest021010-2]

Self-employed consulting, concierge services.

Write several, by hand over a few days. Let your imagination flow. Anything is OK.
Let the ideas 'cool.' Set them aside. Sleep on it.
You may awaken with a consolidated 'boiled down' version, or not.
Write and rewrite.
Writing is tough work.
Writing well is even tougher.
Boil it down.
Get advice from hiring managers about the resume and the interview.
The resume will only get you an interview. Prepare for the interview. This may require some coaching.

Best regards,

rr

[LexusLover]

"For a period of time I had a series of personal relationships with men who provided me with my basic needs, but I felt like I should be more independent, so I decided to obtain an education that would provide me that independence and self-confidence, so that I would not feel like I had to be in a relationship to support myself. I am glad that I realized that a change would be good for me and I am now ready to assert that same sense of loyalty in a professional position, in which I can utilize not only the people skills I have developed, but the education and training I have obtained to prepare myself to provide a positive contribution to your company's stability and growth."

[boardman]

Originally Posted by LexusLover

"For a period of time I had a series of personal relationships with men who provided me with my basic needs, but I felt like I should be more independent, so I decided to obtain an education that would provide me that independence and self-confidence, so that I would not feel like I had to be in a relationship to support myself. I am glad that I realized that a change would be good for me and I am now ready to assert that same sense of loyalty in a professional position, in which I can utilize not only the people skills I have developed, but the education and training I have obtained to prepare myself to provide a positive contribution to your company's stability and growth."

Remind me never to play poker with you.

[Kalli]

Thank you all for the creative advice. I'm considering the Personal Concierge title because I could actually throw in some real experiences if asked. I think that may be better than the gap that I have on there right now.

Lexus, your description is well written, but more revealing than I want to be. I might get a boss who wouldn't make me work too hard. I really do want that personal satisfaction now.

As far as former friends acting as references, I would not feel right asking them to risk their reputations or careers by lying for me. Some might be willing to take that risk, but I could not ask them to do so.

Off the subject..."practicing interviewing" just reminded me one of my first few p4p experiences. I met someone over the internet and went to his office building in the Woodlands area. It was a mock interview. I was so nervous and I think he was too. We actually kept our interaction rather limited on that occasion. It was great fun though.

I better get back to looking for work. Thank you very much for your thoughts.