| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | How about "marketing brochure" instead of CV? Thread poster: Anmol
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Many of us freelancers are of the opinion we should not use the word CV or résumé when writing to agencies and direct clients, since it gives the impression we're applying for a position with them instead of being independent service providers.
Well, how about using "marketing brochure"?
I've decided to walk the talk, and taken the step to redesign my, er.., CV into a marketing brochure, complete with new SmartArt graphics from Word 2007, which would be a complete no... See more Many of us freelancers are of the opinion we should not use the word CV or résumé when writing to agencies and direct clients, since it gives the impression we're applying for a position with them instead of being independent service providers.
Well, how about using "marketing brochure"?
I've decided to walk the talk, and taken the step to redesign my, er.., CV into a marketing brochure, complete with new SmartArt graphics from Word 2007, which would be a complete no-no in a CV.
Any other terminology suggestions ? ▲ Collapse
| | | | | How about "marketing brochure" instead of CV? | Sep 29, 2009 |
I agree with your suggestion - How does a Portfolio sound?
| | | | | What about "a brief presentation of myself"? | Sep 29, 2009 |
Hello,
That a good thing your topic arrived when I was just about to send an e-mail to potential clients I met during an exhibition, joining my CV!
Thanks a lot!
| | | | | Yes, that's better | Sep 29, 2009 |
Sometime last year I had the pleasure of attending an evening workshop offered by the local translators association which made this same point more or less. Some fine examples of single page profiles or small brochures were shown, and the important distinction was made between a job-seeker's CV and materials that would better serve am independent translator interested in a sustainable business with direct clients.
However, I'll admit that although I have a few such documents under d... See more Sometime last year I had the pleasure of attending an evening workshop offered by the local translators association which made this same point more or less. Some fine examples of single page profiles or small brochures were shown, and the important distinction was made between a job-seeker's CV and materials that would better serve am independent translator interested in a sustainable business with direct clients.
However, I'll admit that although I have a few such documents under development I haven't finished them. Part of the problem was technical (my early test version of Nomadesk corrupted the documents), part of it is lack of urgency (too much work already), the rest is sheer laziness. However, for targeting specific markets I can't think of a better tool to use as part of one's approach. ▲ Collapse
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inkweaver 
Germany
Local time: 21:22
French to German
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| Good idea, thanks a lot ... | Sep 29, 2009 |
I will definitely look into designing one when I get around to it.
At the moment I really lack the time, but this will be on top of my agenda.
I have always disliked the idea of sending out a CV, which does not really seem suitable for a freelancer. But this seems to be a nice professional alternative.
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 20:22
Member (2007)
English
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| Certainly agree with ditching the CV | Sep 29, 2009 |
Paulo Eduardo - Pro Knowledge wrote:
I agree with your suggestion - How does a Portfolio sound?
Checking on the usage of freelance + portfolio, I came across graphic artists in the main - well they would, of course, have a portfolio.
But this link specifically refers to us translators too:-
http://www.odesk.com/blog/2009/06/20-tips-for-a-winning-freelance-portfolio/
| | | | | How about .. | Sep 29, 2009 |
How about "Subject specialization" as a heading?
Ie, a short list of qualifications, experience, etc. The shorter the better.
| | | | Laurent KRAULAND (X)
France
Local time: 21:22
French to German
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| The Business Presentation | Sep 29, 2009 |
Keynote or Impress and even the unavoidable PowerPoint can help creating nice alternatives ("business presentations") to the outworn CV or résumé. I like the idea of being able to add some semi-dynamic contents to a document which is boring by nature.
[Edited at 2009-09-29 15:37 GMT]
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Samuel Murray
Netherlands
Local time: 21:22
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
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| Barriers of entry | Sep 29, 2009 |
Anil Gidwani wrote:
Many of us freelancers are of the opinion we should not use the word CV or résumé when writing to agencies and direct clients, since it gives the impression we're applying for a position with them instead of being independent service providers. ... Well, how about using "marketing brochure"?
The problem is that you have to call the document something, because you have to refer to it in your e-mail. If you call it a marketing brochure, some people may not read it because they would suspect it contains a lot of marketing language and very few hard facts. And I don't think calling it a CV or résumé is a bad thing as long as your e-mail is clear on the fact that you're offering your services as a freelancer.
Redesigning your résumé or CV in the form of a marketing brochure is not a bad idea, though. Since you're not applying for employment, your résumé can take any form you think is suitable for transferring the relevant information to your client. But call it a résumé -- there is nothing wrong with that word.
| | | | Daniel Šebesta
Czech Republic
Local time: 21:22
Member (2007)
English to Czech
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I think I use my website in a way similar to what Anil is suggesting. It is, in fact, an online marketing brochure. It contains information on my education background, specialization fields, working language pairs, etc. Unlike a regular CV, it is written in full sentences and makes use of some marketing language.
I refer all new clients (i.e., both direct clients and agencies) to my website. While I generally do not send my CV/résumé to direct clients (however, they can still find... See more I think I use my website in a way similar to what Anil is suggesting. It is, in fact, an online marketing brochure. It contains information on my education background, specialization fields, working language pairs, etc. Unlike a regular CV, it is written in full sentences and makes use of some marketing language.
I refer all new clients (i.e., both direct clients and agencies) to my website. While I generally do not send my CV/résumé to direct clients (however, they can still find it in my ProZ.com profile if they want to), agencies sometimes insist on receiving something titled CV/résumé. Although a "marketing brochure" might convey the same information, some agencies might reject that design just because it is titled otherwise.
Nevertheless, for freelancers who contact direct clients but have no personal website, a "marketing brochure" could be a good idea as a CV replacement.
Daniel ▲ Collapse
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I'm intrigued by Anil's idea and believe it's worth some serious thoughts. I would prefer to call it a portfolio though. I agree that some outsourcers might not read something called marketing brochure, because there is already too much advertising material about.
What form would you suggest? What would you include in it? I will definitely think about developing my own portfolio. Some suggestions?
Annett
| | | | Niraja Nanjundan (X)
Local time: 00:52
German to English
| I use my website too | Sep 29, 2009 |
Daniel Šebesta wrote:
I think I use my website in a way similar to what Anil is suggesting.
I refer all new clients (i.e., both direct clients and agencies) to my website
Instead of attaching my "CV" to replies to enquiries from clients, I just provide a link to my website. So far, clients are pleased with that solution and are quite interested in having a look at my website.
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Kristina Radziulyte
Lithuania
Local time: 22:22
Member (2006)
English to Lithuanian
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Moderator of this forum | Proz profile? | Sep 29, 2009 |
I think that the best "CV" is in fact my Proz profile - it contains all information a potential client might need, including education, specialisation areas, rates etc. The problem is that it's an online thing and I just had this crazy idea (please comment!):
what if we had an option to convert our Proz profiles into a PDF version of so called "CV"?
We could use it when quoting on jobs (this PDF could be automatically / manually attached to our email) and wherever we need to provid... See more I think that the best "CV" is in fact my Proz profile - it contains all information a potential client might need, including education, specialisation areas, rates etc. The problem is that it's an online thing and I just had this crazy idea (please comment!):
what if we had an option to convert our Proz profiles into a PDF version of so called "CV"?
We could use it when quoting on jobs (this PDF could be automatically / manually attached to our email) and wherever we need to provide this "CV". ▲ Collapse
| | | | Rick Henry
United States
Local time: 14:22
Italian to English
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Kristina Radziulyte wrote:
what if we had an option to convert our Proz profiles into a PDF version of so called "CV"?
We could use it when quoting on jobs (this PDF could be automatically / manually attached to our email) and wherever we need to provide this "CV".
If you use Firefox, you can already convert the page to a PDF fairly effortlessly using the "Print to File" function.
This won't help with automatically attaching to job quotes, but for sending any other kind of email, you could just attach the saved file.
R.
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| | | | Kristina Radziulyte
Lithuania
Local time: 22:22
Member (2006)
English to Lithuanian
+ ...
Moderator of this forum | What would it look like? | Sep 29, 2009 |
If you use Firefox, you can already convert the page to a PDF fairly effortlessly using the "Print to File" function.
This won't help with automatically attaching to job quotes, but for sending any other kind of email, you could just attach the saved file.
Oh I didn't know that, as I don't have FireFox. Now I wonder what this PDF CV would look like. I assume this print would produce a regular screen-shot like file, no?
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