I don’t like to talk about myself very often. I struggle in large groups to be more than an observer unless I feel that I could be an expert on something. That’s ok though, because I believe strongly that in order to learn, you have to take things in. Just because I’m not a chatter box doesn’t mean I’m not interested! Perhaps that is a personality quirk? Maybe it makes me unique? Or just weird?
Well, any way you slice it, writing a cover letter is hard. Why brag about accomplishments and life experiences? I just am not that person. I don’t exaggerate my resume or add skills or experiences I don’t have, and I think that limits my exposure to hiring managers. I mean, I didn’t know that other people DO THIS on such a frequent basis that I am considered odd for NOT doing it. I even write a completely new cover letter for every single position I apply for. It is a time commitment. I carefully consider the requirements of each position and how I would fit into the culture of each organization. Sometimes I back out before I’ve actually applied because I don’t tick all of the boxes.
And maybe that’s why I have a hard time changing jobs.
Or perhaps it’s because a bulk of my professional experience comes from working with kids. I have seen the look in the eyes of someone who hears I’m a co-owner of a creative tech company, but that my professional experience post college was in childcare. I’m typecast. I don’t want to be typecast. I have an art degree, and yeah, I do have experience working with children, but my passions are creative in nature. I like to root out the purpose of a creative project and bring artistic elements and hidden meanings to creative jobs. I like to help wordsmith your stories, or photograph important events. In other words, I like to give your idea physical presence.
“But once you work with kids, you will always want to work with kids, right?”
-everyone, probably, who thinks this is a universal truth
The answer is no. While I enjoyed supervising a childcare site, that chapter of my life is closed. I am a parent who wants to be present for my own child’s endeavors. I have an art degree and have been working with musicians, businesses, organizations, and individuals on creative projects since I was in college. (I won’t say exactly how long that is)
But I am finding it hard to show?– brag? – explain how my professional experience has prepared me to do things outside of childcare.
Do you have any idea how organized, calm under pressure, well spoken, forward thinking, strategic, and good humored I had to be in order to do my work with children (and their parents) effectively? I was commended time and time again for excellence in curricula, trainings for staff, managing change, and retaining staff through a district-wide shortage. I was the youngest promoted person at my job. And because it was childcare, it didn’t pay me the kind of wages my skills would have earned me elsewhere. When my daughter was born, I resigned after learning that my net pay would have been $200 a month after daycare.
I’m proud of the work I did working with youth. Without that experience, I wouldn’t be half the mom or designer I am today. I just have to wordsmith a cover letter together that allows other people to look past a job title and look at the skills earned in the position. But, remember, it’s hard for me to talk about me, even if I’d have a great time talking about you and your accomplishments. Maybe it’s time I treat myself as a client?
Good luck to me, I guess, as I continue to venture out seeking employment! If you’d like to hire me, drop me a line! I’d love to learn what kind of project you have in store.