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M$2.55
Could our experience on Mahalo be added to a resume?
It's time for a run-though of my resume again, and I've been busy thinking up the best ways to shamelessly promote myself. I certainly believe I've made some considerable accomplishments on Mahalo, some of which could really help me out in the job world and add value to a resume. Some relate to my field (IT) and others would simply help to round out my resume.
Consider that I use all parts of the site.
A few things I've thought of...
Maybe "page management" could be considered as experience with SEO/SERPs? What else could a page manager be considered... an administrator? Maybe regular updating of pages (i have 70) could be considered site maintenance? Other qualities would include helpfulness, people skills, writing, grammer, planning, organization, maybe page design... more?
(I'm on the How To Team) Could we go as far as to list this as, say, freelance writing? Is that even allowed by Mahalo? What if we didn't mention the site's name? Great writing skills can get you quite far in any profession, and the fact that you've been paid for it proves it's quality. Also, having articles which win contests certainly shows they are good work. maybe this could be listed as an accomplishment?
Any other opinions? Anything else that a Mahalo user could add to their resume to add some variation and value?
Consider that I use all parts of the site.
A few things I've thought of...
Maybe "page management" could be considered as experience with SEO/SERPs? What else could a page manager be considered... an administrator? Maybe regular updating of pages (i have 70) could be considered site maintenance? Other qualities would include helpfulness, people skills, writing, grammer, planning, organization, maybe page design... more?
(I'm on the How To Team) Could we go as far as to list this as, say, freelance writing? Is that even allowed by Mahalo? What if we didn't mention the site's name? Great writing skills can get you quite far in any profession, and the fact that you've been paid for it proves it's quality. Also, having articles which win contests certainly shows they are good work. maybe this could be listed as an accomplishment?
Any other opinions? Anything else that a Mahalo user could add to their resume to add some variation and value?
voted interesting: hillo M$0.05, jasoncalacanis M$0.50
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Hi, Well, great question, and @robbrown won best answer when it was posed by @demanda 48 days ago...in fact it has been asked in a few different ways a number of times.
@demanda 's question: http://www.mahalo.com/answers/resumes-cover-letters/should-i-reference-my-time-spent-on-mahalo-on-a-resume
Here are the links to the other questions and responses - as people had lots of great things to say - and you might want to take a look...
@soundboy asked: http://www.mahalo.com/answers/mahalo-answers-community/does-mahalo-count-as-a-job
@sticks_hick asked: http://www.mahalo.com/answers/technology-and-internet/if-one-decided-to-work-on-mahalo-com-listings-for-one-year-solid-and-could-prove-their-work-could-it-be-listed-on-a-resume-as-a-job
In short, most responders agree that you can put your experience at Mahalo on your resume, but you will want to be careful where you place the 'job' on the resume sections and how you provide 'proof' of employment - so to speak...
Good luck... :)
@demanda 's question: http://www.mahalo.com/answers/resumes-cover-letters/should-i-reference-my-time-spent-on-mahalo-on-a-resume
Here are the links to the other questions and responses - as people had lots of great things to say - and you might want to take a look...
@soundboy asked: http://www.mahalo.com/answers/mahalo-answers-community/does-mahalo-count-as-a-job
@sticks_hick asked: http://www.mahalo.com/answers/technology-and-internet/if-one-decided-to-work-on-mahalo-com-listings-for-one-year-solid-and-could-prove-their-work-could-it-be-listed-on-a-resume-as-a-job
In short, most responders agree that you can put your experience at Mahalo on your resume, but you will want to be careful where you place the 'job' on the resume sections and how you provide 'proof' of employment - so to speak...
Good luck... :)
| Asker's rating: |
Thanks, great answer!
voted helpful: smartweb, soundboy, buddawiggi
I like all of the above, having a history in IT myself, and see that your achievements here could be considered personal and professional experiences. As my "history" is mostly in support, training and technical writing, I see that experiences on Mahalo could also include these. If you have written "how to" pages, these could "technically" be considered technical authorship, training and support (sorry about the repeated word there, really bad authorship that LOL)
If you have helped others, that can be considered "support" and if any of these were flagged as "best answer", well there is an achievement in itself.
Im not sure about the terms and conditions here, but I have looked through and see no mention of not using this information to promote yourself in the offline world.
Simply use links (obviously written if it is a paper resume) indicating what area of your skills are supported by these achievements.
I wish you luck and success in your endeavours. Its a jungle out there, take care.
If you have helped others, that can be considered "support" and if any of these were flagged as "best answer", well there is an achievement in itself.
Im not sure about the terms and conditions here, but I have looked through and see no mention of not using this information to promote yourself in the offline world.
Simply use links (obviously written if it is a paper resume) indicating what area of your skills are supported by these achievements.
I wish you luck and success in your endeavours. Its a jungle out there, take care.
source(s):
20 years experience in IT
20 years experience in IT
Well, Mahalo is still a bit young for this.
However, for an Internet Marketing or Sales position, you could focus on "community building" and the SERP's. These are common things for folks with traditional SE experience. People may not work for Google, but a key skill of an "Internet Marketer" is to play the SE game.
Mahalo is different, but it's not that different.
If I was applying for an Internet Marketing or Sales position, I might list Mahalo something like this:
During the past x number of months, I have been working in a freelance capacity on Mahalo.com. I have played a role in building the community by creating xxx number of targeted pages that carefully answer user submitted questions. Additionally, I have built xxx number of SERP's by hand using traditional SE tools and methods. These pages currently rank in the top xx% of all pages on Mahalo.com and I am continually optimizing them for increased exposure throughout the Internet.
That's pretty rough and completely off to the top of my head. However, you get the idea... I think that it's possible to list Mahalo on your resume. However you'll want to focus on the tangible stuff around here like content creation and SERP statistics.
Depending on the exact position, you could even use Mahalo as way to differentiate yourself. Mahalo is growing and you could say that you're one of a handful of people in the world who knows how to use Mahalo effectively as a marketing platform.
However, for an Internet Marketing or Sales position, you could focus on "community building" and the SERP's. These are common things for folks with traditional SE experience. People may not work for Google, but a key skill of an "Internet Marketer" is to play the SE game.
Mahalo is different, but it's not that different.
If I was applying for an Internet Marketing or Sales position, I might list Mahalo something like this:
During the past x number of months, I have been working in a freelance capacity on Mahalo.com. I have played a role in building the community by creating xxx number of targeted pages that carefully answer user submitted questions. Additionally, I have built xxx number of SERP's by hand using traditional SE tools and methods. These pages currently rank in the top xx% of all pages on Mahalo.com and I am continually optimizing them for increased exposure throughout the Internet.
That's pretty rough and completely off to the top of my head. However, you get the idea... I think that it's possible to list Mahalo on your resume. However you'll want to focus on the tangible stuff around here like content creation and SERP statistics.
Depending on the exact position, you could even use Mahalo as way to differentiate yourself. Mahalo is growing and you could say that you're one of a handful of people in the world who knows how to use Mahalo effectively as a marketing platform.
voted helpful: spoon, cheapgamer, buttonpusher, girlieq3000, chriswingate
here is a similar question from @demanda sometime back.
Should I reference my time spent on Mahalo on a resume?
Should I reference my time spent on Mahalo on a resume?
Writing for an informational, social network like Mahalo.com would be a great experience to add to any resume. Employers are always interested in learning about the types of hobbies or job-related activities their future employees engage in; and it also provides them with extra insight about which individuals could be the best candidates for their team.
Anyone considering adding their Mahalo.com work to a resume, would want to make sure that their answers are well thought-out, succinct and complete. The entries on your resume should make you look like a star, not add to any doubt the employer may already have. If you've never made a resume for yourself, the following sites should provide you with some ideas and guidance:
Buildaresume.com
Resumebear.com
Pongoresume.com
Using the free information, on these sites, you'll be building great resumes in no time, and adding all the valuable answers and pertinent advice you've provided here at Mahalo.com will definitely improve your chances!
Anyone considering adding their Mahalo.com work to a resume, would want to make sure that their answers are well thought-out, succinct and complete. The entries on your resume should make you look like a star, not add to any doubt the employer may already have. If you've never made a resume for yourself, the following sites should provide you with some ideas and guidance:
Buildaresume.com
Resumebear.com
Pongoresume.com
Using the free information, on these sites, you'll be building great resumes in no time, and adding all the valuable answers and pertinent advice you've provided here at Mahalo.com will definitely improve your chances!
source(s):
Buildaresume.com
Resumebear.com
Pongoresume.com
Buildaresume.com
Resumebear.com
Pongoresume.com
voted helpful: chriswingate
It probably depends on what kind of resume you have where you list Mahalo.
Whether you have a resume grouped by skills and abilities or strictly grouped chronologically, you can put relevant Mahalo bits in each category that it fits in such as web content management, awards, writing skills, publications or online publications, hobbies, technical skills, community service, memberships, contract work, freelance work, wherever it applies. Don't hesitate to use the Mahalo name, in fact include the url of it and of anything you are proud of or just your membership page http://www.mahalo.com/member/girlieq3000 it depends if it is an electronic submission the electronic url is a courtesy so that they can easily verify your work and find out if you are telling the truth or just making something up, if it is a paper submission then the mahalo url and your membership start page may be easier for them and just tell them which tab to press for each and which page or pages you are most proud of but if it is for the Awards category I would put the full url no matter how long as people tend to exaggerate and maybe someone would go to the trouble of typing in all the letters to make sure you are on the money - that is why it is important that you identify Mahalo, you can also put a link to more info about it as a courtesy or a nice article about it so they know what you are talking about http://www.mahalo.com/mahalo or some nice article I think there was one that rated them in the top 200 or so websites all time for visitor stats, that kind of thing and good luck. Jason appreciates mention of his company to employers probably more than most companies because he uses the money for an advertising marketing person and does other things with it like pay us :)
Remember that no matter how many people tell you not to use Mahalo, and not to specifically mention things, think of the person hiring and how they feel, what they are looking for in an employee. If they are looking for a textbook techie that can't speak to anyone but can speak to computers you would not find Mahalo to be an advantage, but if you are looking to show the prospective employer in a verifiable, factual way that yes, you can communicate in writing, yes, you can read and understand and synthesize and collaborate with others and respond to complex situations and think on your feet not only in code but in sentences, then you probably will get an edge over someone who sounds glossy but can't prove anything at all. More and more employers are aware that people are padding their job applications with grand sounding things that are even full of lies, just research lying and job applications, and note how many people get tossed from their jobs and are reported in the press even for claiming things that they have done but have not. If I were you, I would not hesitate to ask whoever at Mahalo you have talked to more that knows your work to give you a reference, even if it is an extra reference one more than is needed, and I would give that person all the links to all the things you have done, and a copy of the job ad or sample of the kind of ad you are applying for, and also some of the kinds of things that you have in mind where there are areas you feel they can comment on. I know Mahalo can't write references for all 9 million unique users from a month, but for someone like you who has reached a higher level and participated a lot I am sure that they would take the time to do something for you and it benefits them the company as much as you, because more people will hear about the benefits of participation in Mahalo and who knows your entire next employer company may end up using Mahalo for their workplace trouble shooting questions and also for their fun surfing and recreation time and it will raise the level of that company overall, because you know what benefits you have gained at Mahalo, and can and should include a small blurb about that in your application somewhere. Good luck! You only need to catch the eye of one employer, so don't worry about the crowd just go for it.
Whether you have a resume grouped by skills and abilities or strictly grouped chronologically, you can put relevant Mahalo bits in each category that it fits in such as web content management, awards, writing skills, publications or online publications, hobbies, technical skills, community service, memberships, contract work, freelance work, wherever it applies. Don't hesitate to use the Mahalo name, in fact include the url of it and of anything you are proud of or just your membership page http://www.mahalo.com/member/girlieq3000 it depends if it is an electronic submission the electronic url is a courtesy so that they can easily verify your work and find out if you are telling the truth or just making something up, if it is a paper submission then the mahalo url and your membership start page may be easier for them and just tell them which tab to press for each and which page or pages you are most proud of but if it is for the Awards category I would put the full url no matter how long as people tend to exaggerate and maybe someone would go to the trouble of typing in all the letters to make sure you are on the money - that is why it is important that you identify Mahalo, you can also put a link to more info about it as a courtesy or a nice article about it so they know what you are talking about http://www.mahalo.com/mahalo or some nice article I think there was one that rated them in the top 200 or so websites all time for visitor stats, that kind of thing and good luck. Jason appreciates mention of his company to employers probably more than most companies because he uses the money for an advertising marketing person and does other things with it like pay us :)
Remember that no matter how many people tell you not to use Mahalo, and not to specifically mention things, think of the person hiring and how they feel, what they are looking for in an employee. If they are looking for a textbook techie that can't speak to anyone but can speak to computers you would not find Mahalo to be an advantage, but if you are looking to show the prospective employer in a verifiable, factual way that yes, you can communicate in writing, yes, you can read and understand and synthesize and collaborate with others and respond to complex situations and think on your feet not only in code but in sentences, then you probably will get an edge over someone who sounds glossy but can't prove anything at all. More and more employers are aware that people are padding their job applications with grand sounding things that are even full of lies, just research lying and job applications, and note how many people get tossed from their jobs and are reported in the press even for claiming things that they have done but have not. If I were you, I would not hesitate to ask whoever at Mahalo you have talked to more that knows your work to give you a reference, even if it is an extra reference one more than is needed, and I would give that person all the links to all the things you have done, and a copy of the job ad or sample of the kind of ad you are applying for, and also some of the kinds of things that you have in mind where there are areas you feel they can comment on. I know Mahalo can't write references for all 9 million unique users from a month, but for someone like you who has reached a higher level and participated a lot I am sure that they would take the time to do something for you and it benefits them the company as much as you, because more people will hear about the benefits of participation in Mahalo and who knows your entire next employer company may end up using Mahalo for their workplace trouble shooting questions and also for their fun surfing and recreation time and it will raise the level of that company overall, because you know what benefits you have gained at Mahalo, and can and should include a small blurb about that in your application somewhere. Good luck! You only need to catch the eye of one employer, so don't worry about the crowd just go for it.
voted helpful: girlieq3000
Yes for not so good jobs, but no for really good jobs.
sure yes. you have to explain however, what exactly you do at mahalo, and how that improved your skills. you may also add expectations.
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I think your answer is great! Since you've linked to the other discussions of this, it is my opinion that yours will be the best answer. =)
Linking to the other discussions allows @Girlieq3000 to get much more out of her question than if we just posted the same answers over in this thread... there have been so many great ideas on how to include Mahalo experience in a useful way that can highlight the skills a potential employer will need to know about. Nice to see them all brought together like this. =)
Bravo! I'm nominating you for the AotD!
I appreciate the 'nod'.