That's not pay, that's a bad tip

Phillip Blanchard · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 3:03 pm

Since many of us don't have the money for a professional rÃ©sumÃ© writer, you've probably written it yourself. You may even have had someone look over it. But has it been copy-edited? Trust a reporter: Copy-editing changes everything. If you're not lucky enough to have a copy editor as a friend (or as a friend of a friend), then call up your local newspaper and get connected with a copy editor on staff. Offer the editor $20 to look over and edit your rÃ©sumÃ© in his or her free time. (US News)

*** ... and, I hope, the editor will laugh and hang up. ***

Bumfketeer · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 3:13 pm

"Lucky enough."

SusanV · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:41 pm

Jeez. I knew it was deteriorating over there, but that is a new low.

Powderhorn · **Posted:** Sun Dec 21, 2008 4:26 am

$20 covers the header and "objective" -- but nothing else.

Editer · **Posted:** Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:25 am

I dunno, $20 for 15 minutes' work sounds OK to me. Especially in cash.

SusanV · **Posted:** Sun Dec 21, 2008 5:07 pm

The problem is that it's likely to take a lot more than 15 minutes.

Editer · **Posted:** Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:40 pm

Not for $20 it won't.

copynomad · **Joined:** Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:07 am **Posts:** 623

I've done it for free for newspaper friends. I can't see doing it for money.

Powderhorn · **Posted:** Wed Dec 24, 2008 1:19 am

copynomad wrote:

I've done it for free for newspaper friends. I can't see doing it for money.

For newspaper friends or just even friends in general, sure. I like helping people I've known for years tighten up their resumes. But when we look at it as a paid model, that's different. A number of years ago, I had a friend who was a mechanic and would change my oil for the price of the oil -- no labor. He sure as hell charged labor for anyone who wasn't a friend.

Heartodixie · **Posted:** Wed Dec 31, 2008 4:08 pm

If you're not desperate enough to do work for strangers for nothing (or if you're just pissed off at her audacity), call U.S. News and get connected with Ms. Wolgemuth.

I'm sure she, too, would enjoy the added bullshit-call traffic.

Haughtiness aside, I've worked with editors who waitressed and did retail clerking to make ends meet. They'd probably be tickled to be asked to use their expertise for sidework. (And I've also worked with "copy editors" who didn't have the word skills to edit anything. Buyer beware, I guess.)

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That's not pay, that's a bad tip

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