Non-tradition position on applications

[PenforPrez]

Bear with me, this requires explanation.

I've talked before about writing quiz bowl questions; I can proudly state on my resume that I write for television. Because I do. ;)

The thing is, my writing work is very unusual, even in today's world. I write on a 1099 contract. I don't have a supervisor; the "boss" (note quotations) prods us more than any actual supervision. The legal address is the CFO's house in Kansas City. We are just a network of independent contractors; that's all the company is.

It's only a part-time thing; I make very little doing it. I'm paid per edited output; I make money per question.

But the problem is, I use that as a job plug. I have no gap in my resume because of the work (beyond question writing) that I do with that. But the thing is, I made enough money last year that my 1099 was sent to the government, and I had to declare it on my taxes.

Here's the problem: I think it's not helping me on my job applications for two-bit stuff. I'm getting the sense that it's confusing potential employers. I sum it up as "writing questions for academic competitons," that's about as well as I can sum it up.

How can I best describe this work on applications? Is it just making me hopelessly overqualified, or what?

Paul

[WorkInProgress]

Could you explain it as freelance writing?

How are potential employers confused about it? It seems straightforward to me. The best I can come up with is perhaps they don't see the connection between that job and what you're trying to do.

What experience from this are you trying to apply to the jobs you're trying to get? Punctuality? Good communication skills?

[PenforPrez]

Could you explain it as freelance writing?

How are potential employers confused about it? It seems straightforward to me. The best I can come up with is perhaps they don't see the connection between that job and what you're trying to do.

What experience from this are you trying to apply to the jobs you're trying to get? Punctuality? Good communication skills?

I'm more worried about omitting it and having it come up on a background check. I'm just trying to find something to make money, and around here, I need all the help I can get. Which, to me, means being honest. Not brutally, but showing sincerity.

I do explain it at certain times as freelance writing. But I also have an unofficial thing I do that I created for myself in trying to expand the market in Missouri HS play, and I've been successful thus far. I only mention that when I have to. I just worry maybe it makes me look like I'm overqualified, as I said before.

Paul

[wordsmith]

You don't HAVE to put all employment on a resume.

[PenforPrez]

You don't HAVE to put all employment on a resume.

It's on my resume as valuable experience; some people find it intriguing.

The problem comes when it's a less professional environment. I had trouble with that when I applied at that jewelry store. I omitted that, which made me appear to be unemployed since last October (which is, for the most part, true).

When I described my Wal-Mart job, I put down under "Reason for leaving" what I always put: I left to pursue another opportunity. Well, in the on-the-spot interview, I got called on that. He asked me to explain. I stuttered JUST a little, and explained that I was trying to find a better position to advance my career. I don't think that helped me a whole lot. :sad:

Paul

[WorkInProgress]

I think I'm confused about what you're looking for from us in the way of advice.

[PenforPrez]

I think I'm confused about what you're looking for from us in the way of advice.

I'm confused too, honestly. Not like that's news. ;)

I guess the biggest thing I'm wondering is how to explain this like in an interview for a two-bit position, or on an application so that it's all clear. Or am I doing that already?

Paul