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Getting On : Career
Creative Writing | from Jules - Sunday, May 13, 2001
accessed 1808 times Surviving in a cult for 20 years proves loyalty, dependability, and a keen understanding of human relationships, but somehow potential employers don't seem to appreciate these basic facts. How I explain my unconventional employment history. When I first decided to get a "real job", the first dilemma was a creating a resume. How was I going to truthfully portray myself on paper to look both qualified and normal?
My first step was to buy a book on the subject. I found http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0028633946/o/qid=991311088/sr=2-1/ref=aps_sr_b_1_1/002-2241143-3850411
"The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Resume", which sounded about right for me. The next step was to figure out what I had actually done. I knew I had worked like a dog since the age of 12, but what specifically had I accomplished and been responsible for?
Written in plain terms, my work history would have looked something like this:
1986 – 1995 The Family/Children of God, India, Philippines, Belgium, UK, Italy
- Fundraiser, teacher, nanny, maid, data entry clerk, administrative assistant, cook, housekeeper, seamstress, youth leader, office coordinator, band member, graphic artist, project manager, general manager, other duties as required
- Salary: $0.00
1996 – 1998 Escort Service, Canada
- Call girl, exotic dancer, pro. sub, bookkeeper, receptionist, customer service rep, salesperson, other duties as required
- Salary: 40-50% commission
A lot of work, and obviously showed both loyalty and versatility, but somehow I didn't think a resume like this would attract the type of employers I was looking for. The next step was to figure out how to put this into terms that would portray the kind of image I needed. Since I felt capable to do the work that I was applying for, I figured a http://resume.monster.com/samples/functional/ functional (as opposed to a http://www.western.tec.wi.us/placement/chronologicalresume.htm chronological) resume would be the way to go. That way I could emphasise the skills I had, and play down the dubious places I had used those skills.
First I listed exactly why I was qualified for the position, making sure to use lots of positive adjectives, (humility gets you nowhere). For example:
- Innovative and highly motivated
- Excellent leadership skills, with over three years of management experience
- Versatile, with exceptional communication skills
- Experienced and capable with all aspects of client management
Since the experience I had was extremely varied, I focused in on things that were related to the field I was applying for. The list was something like this:
- Administrative assistant
- Project Manager
- Office Coordinator
- Customer Service Rep.
- Youth Leader
That looked a whole lot more respectable.
Next, I wrote out specific accomplishments in these different areas, things I was proud of doing, not just my general responsibilities. For example, I replied to letters to the national mailbox on the Family posters distributed in the UK.
Public Relations Office Coordinator:
- Managed Volunteer Recruitment and Public Relations mail correspondence for the National Office of UK based non-profit organization
- Set up digital records and classification systems for all correspondents
- Assisted with editing and publishing official transcripts of International Youth Leadership Training Conferences held throughout Europe
Then I translated this into the language of my industry. I used http://resume.monster.com/components/phrases_verbs/ action verbs and http://resume.monster.com/components/quantifying/ numbers when possible. Quantifiable results written in business lingo looked a lot better than a vague description. For example:
- Designed and implemented workflow procedures for correspondence office, reducing processing times by more than 50%
sounds a lot more impressive than:
- Set up filing system for incoming letters
I had to also make sure that I was comfortable with anything I was writing, as I needed to be able back up any claims, and confidently explain in more detail to an interviewer.
The Internet/New Media industry requires a certain amount of technical knowledge as well. Although I did not have any experience, I had taken a short course in web development, and I listed the skills I had learned in this course.
Employment history needed to be listed, so I tried to remember the alternate business names of the dodgy "companies" I had worked for:
- The Family (UK) was aka > > Voluntary Services
- Escort Agency was aka > > Northern Enterprises
For education, I didn't list high school as (apart from the fact I never went) only someone who is 18 would put that down. I did list any technical or computer/office related "courses" I had taken in the Family. During the teen home/victor program years in the Family, some of the places I was in had run a number of "vocational" programs, some of which I was out of detention long enough to participate in. Since I lived in Canada, I listed these as in the UK. I really did know this stuff, and really did go through these programs, so I felt comfortable doing this.
Previous employment and education that is overseas is not likely to be scrutinised too closely if you are applying for an entry level job. However, I would recommend keeping it as accurate as possible. You don't want to lie, only translate the skills you have into terms that people will understand. For references, I used some respectable friends I had here in Canada, but other people leaving the Family have managed to obtain letters of recommendation from people they have worked with (or for) in the Family, which can also be used. (Employers will want to speak to at least two people though, so you need some local or reachable people as well).
Anyways, this worked for me, and at least got me in the door. Playing it by ear and picking things up very quickly are things that we are all experts in, our homes having been "blown about by every wind of doctrine" for most of our childhood, so once I got the job, learning to do it and survive in the corporate world was a whole other kettle of fish, but one I could cope with.
Having been in my industry for about 4 years now, I have enough "real work" experience, that I can scale back the questionable work listed on my resume, or leave it off completely, but it did help to at least start me on the capitalist road.
To download a sample resume click here--> http://www.mccc.edu/func2.htm |
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Reader's comments on this article Add a new comment on this article |  from Yoda
Tuesday, June 04, 2002 - 08:53
(Agree/Disagree?)
I've done exactly the same thing. Unfortunately no-one fell for it. I guess their used to some many Gippos trying it on. I DID manage to get a job though. Perhaps after this job I might get something a little better.
Here is MY guide to getting a job
1) Get the interview
2) Now you have a chance
3) Pray
4) Read some interview books, do your research on the company and bullshit like hell
5) If you don't get the job goto step 1
Thats it - the secret of success
(reply to this comment)
| from R.
Thursday, January 24, 2002 - 10:47
(Agree/Disagree?)
To Alf: Sounds like your a 14 year old obsessed with sex and need to get off it. Your acting like you have a crush and intrigued on the girl and reacting hostily just like a 12-14 year old would react. -Way too much spare time!!!!!!!!!
(reply to this comment)
| from Uncle Enoch
Wednesday, September 12, 2001 - 16:58
(Agree/Disagree?)
I tell you what! I would knock all you folks into shape! Knock! Knock! Either you take my soft knock or get bent or goodness knows what!? I tell you that if I would have talked the way you folks do again Dad & WHAM! Boy would he let me have it!
(reply to this comment)
| | | | | | | from Alf
Sunday, July 15, 2001 - 08:51
(Agree/Disagree?)
I left as soon as I could, and as for why do you really need to ask that question? I am currently engaged in 'head stuffing'. 'How was it for me?'..Well it was very nice thanks.
(reply to this comment)
| | | | | | |  From Jules
Monday, July 16, 2001, 22:36
(Agree/Disagree?)
I'm not in the US, but it works the same way here. I am a part time student, so it will take me longer, and I still haven't decided on a major.
I'm not sure that I agree with you that a degree in just anything is what counts. I think you may find that your field of study may affect your future career and earning potential, though I am not really the expert on this. Any other opinions anyone? (reply to this comment) |
| | from Alf
Saturday, June 23, 2001 - 18:28
 (Agree/Disagree?)
You were a call girl? Ha Ha.. Maybe you should include a 'sexual health' section. Or lurid stories of your own adventures may increase traffic to the site. Just a few friendly suggestions.
(reply to this comment)
| From Jules
Sunday, June 24, 2001, 11:48
(Agree/Disagree?)
Thanks for the helpful tips Alf. I suppose I could tell a few colourful stories of life as a "working girl". On the other hand, I think most of us have read enough detailed descriptions of other people's sexual exploits to last the rest of our life.
The health article is a good idea. I was thinking of adding this as a section to this site. There are a number of factors from a medical standpoint which may contribute to being in a high risk category. ie: Becoming sexually active at a young age, insufficient paediatric care, ignorance of family medical histories, extreme distrust of health care professionals, enhanced addictive tendencies, multiple sexual partners, drug use, prolonged childhood trauma, excessive arrogance and antagonism, etc.(reply to this comment) |
| | From Alf
Sunday, June 24, 2001, 12:54
(Agree/Disagree?)
Becoming sexually active at a young age, insufficient paediatric care, ignorance of family medical histories, extreme distrust of health care professionals, enhanced addictive tendencies, multiple sexual partners, drug use, prolonged childhood trauma, excessive arrogance and antagonism?
Speak for yourself Jules!
Just because you became a whore and went on a bender when you left the family does'nt mean we all did!(reply to this comment) |
| | From Speedx3dave
Monday, November 05, 2001, 19:42
(Agree/Disagree?)
Alf, I like to see how you would have ended up if you were a young female who was sexually molested at an early age, and yes it is a fact, most family members never had proper pediactric care.
Instead they were instructed on how to be healthy by some pervert who's medical expertise dated back to the Dark Ages.
Alf, Lighten up you Jerk!
(reply to this comment) |
| | From EyesWideShut
Monday, August 20, 2001, 04:59
(Agree/Disagree?)
Alf, stop being so awful.
I see what Jules in saying and I agree. I was never a call girl, I have never been adicted to anything--except biting my nails, but I very well could have been, and partly because of the things she listed there. I'm sure 90% of the X-member youth that might read what she said here would agree. Maybe 99.9%, you being the odd one out.
Find another place to be a pain in the ass; the whole point of this site is to get in touch with old friends and people that understand where you're coming from, not to make new enemies or even wade through the shite that you're wasting our energies with. (reply to this comment) |
| | From Jules
Sunday, June 24, 2001, 14:53
(Agree/Disagree?)
Whoa, chill out there. These topics have nothing to do with prostitution. They are behaviours that could result in medical complications. (Honestly now, I threw the last one in just for you.) Of course a lot of young exmembers were a lot more sensible than I was when I left, and perhaps had more support from their families or relatives. That's one of the points of this website, to show that, contrary to popular opinion, second gen-exmembers are intelligent, articulate, competent, grounded, successful, and are "moving on" with their lives.(reply to this comment) |
| | From auty
Sunday, July 08, 2001, 00:34
(Agree/Disagree?)
Hats off to you Jules for being so honest. Alf, just to let you know a lot of young girls that left the Family have ended up in some type of sex industry. Perhaps not to the extreme that Jules went through, but definately border-line. I personally was an exotic dancer from the age 19 (when I left the family) to the age of 26 (I am 27). I have several friends that work in Vegas (that were in the Family) and others that work in several states. It's not uncommon for the young women to choose this industry, as we were raised with no education in a highly sexual atmosphere. (reply to this comment) |
| | | | | From Speedx3dave
Monday, November 05, 2001, 19:53
(Agree/Disagree?)
Alf stop being so jealous because your not desirable enough to have been a little twinkie call bitch! The fact of the matter is that because someone is a Dancer or Call Girl dose not mean that they are whore bags or such, I'm sure some are a bit permiscuous, but for the most part those women you refer to as whore bags may actually at the time needed an income and somehow could not support themselves on minimum wage and so chose to do their task! Not everyone had a mummy or dada to get support from, or prestigious relatives to Wipe their ass you bum.(reply to this comment) |
| | | | | From indigogirl
Friday, July 20, 2001, 15:32
(Agree/Disagree?)
well, have you considered the fact that as a "boy" you just would not have had the same kind of opportunities?
i mean you would have had to be gay to have some kind of 'market' at all that would make the trade possible or appealing to you. maybe that is what made you so "good" as opposed to Jules. :)
the world is VERY different depending on whether you experience it as a male or a female. Even in the Family it was the same. You cannot compare your experiences to the experiences of a girl raised in the Family -- besides, can anyone give me stats on the male female ratio of SGA's empoyed in the sex industry? Ha! That would once again show how heavily gendered the issue is, and how little you understand about the problems and the inequalities inherent in that 'gendering'.(reply to this comment) |
| | | | | From indigogirl
Sunday, July 22, 2001, 21:11
(Agree/Disagree?)
well, you are barely worth a reply, your mind is already made up from what I see. oh god, another ignorant, presumptuous, self-centered know-it-all. btw, how would you ever know my sexual orientation? For all it's worth I could be a straight or gay male writing this. The problem is when you talk people and your perception of them instead of sticking to the issues, something I don't see you doing at all. (reply to this comment) |
| | | | | | | | | | | From Jules
Wednesday, July 11, 2001, 05:06
(Agree/Disagree?)
That's a bit rich coming from you "Alf". What do you think your mother was doing for most of your childhood? BTW, let's think a bit about what you did become: a "hateful and intolerant person", a self proclaimed "Nazi"--or at least a confrontational, condescending jerk. All the denial in the world won't erase the truth of what happened in the Family, about all we can really do is get on with our lives. We all came from the same place, experienced the same things, and face the same challenges. What is your problem? (reply to this comment) |
| | | | | From ian
Friday, July 13, 2001, 10:54
(Agree/Disagree?)
Alot of young people who left the family got involved in the sex biz in various forms, I know alot of girls that dance, my ex worked in Vegas and other states for awhile. I'm sure it's highly debateable but I can't see anything terribly wrong with prostitution other than the way society looks at it(and the damned high prices). It is odd that a person could accept nazi ideals and yet feel free to walk in the daylight and actually criticize others. By the way, I love strippers, they are the coolest girls to hang with, they are great in bed, they always have money, they always have friends. I haven't met a nazi I liked yet.(reply to this comment) |
| | | | | | | | From Jules
Thursday, July 12, 2001, 21:01
(Agree/Disagree?)
Who's hand-wringing? I don't think I owe you or anyone else an explanation (let alone an apology) for my life. It is what it is. I'm now an e-commerce/IT executive, does that make me a "better" person? Are you really shallow enough to judge others after your own upbringing? As far as crappy lifestyles go, I would have to rate living in the Family as much lower than anything else. At least as a call girl I was well compensated, in the Family I had to sleep with jerks like you for free.(reply to this comment) |
| | | | | From Auty
Sunday, August 19, 2001, 01:44
(Agree/Disagree?)
Go Julie! Go Julie!
Sounds like dear Alfie needs to think before he types.
Me thinks he is a former adult member that was banging away at the little girls in the middle of the night, creeping around during dance nights and rubbing his dick on legs and what not. Eww . . .what a pervert. Alf, you need to SHUT your GOD DAMN mouth before you start making me angry . . .and then you'll see a STRIPPERS SHOW FLY UP YOUR ASS little boy. You're not ready yet to play with the BIG GIRLS, so how about one of the kindly bouncers kick your disrespecting, bad mouthing, perverted, more then likely can't-get-laid-without-having-to-pay ugly ass out of here. What happened dear, did someone say your pee-pee was too small before you handed her $20? (reply to this comment) |
| | | | | From Alf
Friday, July 13, 2001, 16:05
(Agree/Disagree?)
Fair enough t family was a shit lifestyle, but a whore's lifestyle has gotta be shit as well. Goin from t fam to prostitution isnt exactly a step up. Ian you seem to think that being a National Socialist is something to be ashamed of, not surprising I suppose seeing that you're a Jew. Never met a Jew i liked either come to think of it..(reply to this comment) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | From JJ
Friday, August 24, 2001, 05:12
(Agree/Disagree?)
Alf, why dont you just shut your face, you are just like all the other people in denial. You have the: "Just because it didnt happen to me, it didnt happen to anybody." wannabe-normal-syndrome. I see it all the time with some of the X-family people I run into every now and then. Jules made a very good point and we all think so too, so just go jerk off someplace else.. (reply to this comment) |
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