WELCOME to my newsletter, Reader! I've dubbed it From My Keyboard to Your Screen. That's FMKTYS for short. Catchy, isn't it? I send it out once a week to share info about resume writing, job searching, careers, cover letters, LinkedIn, and the like, usually with a link to my blog or other resources for additional reading. Let's get into it...

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Happy Tuesday! I've been thinking lately about how my approach to resume writing is a lot like how I approach my hobby of knitting. No, really. Stay with me...

I've always been into needlecrafts - my foundation includes cross-stitch, embroidery, and crochet, all learned when I was a kid. I learned to knit in high school (taught by a Norwegian exchange student), then set it aside entirely until 2019.

My first project upon restarting was a simple hat, knit in the round with one color of yarn. The hat required several basic, foundational knitting skills: casting on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch (alternating those makes the ribbed border), and decreasing to make it round at the top. I made several simple hats, practicing the basics, learning as I went, and improving both speed and technique with each one. Then I decided to try socks.

Sock knitting uses the same basic stitches as hat knitting, but the construction is more complicated. When I want to learn something new, I research it to death, then I dive in and learn by doing. That's how I approached sock knitting. I found a blog post that included precise details on exactly how to knit a sock that's wearable. I joined that author's Facebook group, where I interacted with other aspiring sock knitters. My first pair was far from perfect; I became impatient and rushed to create the toe before the foot was long enough. But I learned a lot from the first practice sock, and have since made numerous pairs in all sizes, all completely wearable.

With all knitting, there are basic patterns but infinite variations and modifications one can pursue. That's where knitting becomes less of a science and more of an art. With socks, there are different ways to knit a heel, for example. Or, you can work cables and other fancy stitches into the body, or use different yarns. These techniques add visual interest and require a higher level of skill.

I approach resume writing in a similar way. I'm constantly researching best practices so I can improve my technique. I spend time networking with my fellow resume writers. I take courses to improve my skills and am going to pursue professional certification. I look for ways to get better and better, and I learn through doing.

My finished product has improved significantly through my experience completing over 60 resumes. With each new project, I learn things that make me a better writer. My foundation is built upon a wealth of HR knowledge - experience that enhances my ability to create a resume that will impress a hiring manager. And the more resumes I write, the better equipped I am to serve each new client in a variety of industries and career stages.

I'll be back with a new blog post next week. Till then, here are some of the socks I've knitted.

Until next time -

My very best,

Meg McCormick Martin, SHRM-SCP, NCOPE

Member, National Resume Writers' Association​
Voice/Text | 301.578.6550

Want to schedule a conversation? click here!

​HRMeg.com​

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