Get to know other resume writers in our community with our “10 Questions” series!
Today’s profile is Linda Whited, NCC, CCC, of Time to be Career Savvy. Linda has been a resume writer for six years. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Career Counselor (CCC), and member of the National Career Development Association (NCDA).
1. Why did you decide to become a professional resume writer?
My calling is to help more people make confident career decisions. I believe that the hours we work should matter and not just be a means to an end or paycheck. So helping others with their resume – and their career story – equips them to move toward meaningful work.
2. How did you get into the career industry? What did you do before?
I have always been intrigued by a job if the person describing it is fired up about what they do. I could be a trash collector if I met someone who felt called to do this work. :)
So I figured, instead of job hopping all the time, I might be better suited to support others to find that passion and enthusiasm for work. I am driven to help others to find meaningful work because I believe it can change the world, one person at a time.
3. What do you typically wear when you’re working?
T-shirt and yoga pants. I work from home.
4. What is your best habit, and what is your worst?
My best habit is my optimism. I find the positive in almost everything and this helps me problem solve and makes me a better friend to everyone.
My worst habit is probably having social media on my phone. I tend to scroll as a time waster and usually regret it.
5. What is your favorite object in your office? Why?
Probably the coffee mug with the hot coffee in it. It changes daily, but each mug has some fun memory or association with it, and coffee fuels my day.
6. What is your “go to” technique or secret when you get stuck when you are writing a resume? How do you get unstuck?
I get up and walk around or go outside for some fresh air. Moving my body changes my perspective.
I get up and walk around or go outside for some fresh air. Moving my body changes my perspective.
7. What is the best career advice you ever got?
To think of a career as less of a ladder and more of a smart phone — the iOS is always there, but the apps come and go based on my needs at the time. We don’t need to always be progressing upward as our needs change over time. Changing that metaphor has been freeing for me and my clients.
To think of a career as less of a ladder and more of a smart phone — the iOS is always there, but the apps come and go based on my needs at the time. We don’t need to always be progressing upward as our needs change over time. Changing that metaphor has been freeing for me and my clients.
8. How do you unplug?
I love movies, especially Marvel movies, so I watch them with my husband and then share the stories with my kids. We act out scenes with action figures. Captain Marvel is my favorite. #girlpower
9. What ONE thing would you change about your business or the career industry if you could?
I would make applicant tracking systems consistent so the rules we follow to optimize resumes would work 10/10 times. I’d also make sure everyone had a career mentor and became a mentor themselves because networking matters and is a barrier for so many.
10. What are your favorite social medial accounts to follow?
@CareerLeaders on Instagram (Career Thought Leaders)
@TheArtofCharm on Instagram (and Podcast)
@ckyourprivilege on Instagram
@brenebrown on Instagram
@sarahdjohnston on LinkedIn (Sarah [Dougherty] Johnston)
Connect with Linda on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmwhited
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmwhited
Find her company on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/timetobecareersavvy
Follow Linda on Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/lindamwhited