English Content, Writing

Mom job hunting, an open cover letter

First of all I hope you are enjoying your day and I am glad you are taking the time to read this letter. I know it is not the most conventional of cover letters but I promise you that if you read it until the end, at least you could say you have heard a story.

My name is Paola B. Sur and I am a stay-at-home mom (out loud this statement sounds like a rehab meeting introduction, but perhaps this is on some level similar.) I have had this job for 4 years and it is, and will always be, my most important one. Also I am a Colombian bilingual English/Spanish writer with more than 10 years of experience. Currently I am looking for another job. A job that I can feel passionate about, that I can come to every morning with a smile in my face even though is Monday; ultimately, a job where I can learn and grow.

Besides running after a toddler and a preschooler I write. Parenting, obviously, became one of my passions and not only is my life but also, my inspiration. Thanks to my two wonderful kids I have been able to get ideas and pitch stories as a freelancer in my so-called free time. However, my ultimate writing passion is fiction-fantasy (and no, it’s not because I am obsessed with Game of Thrones) but because I wrote a fantasy novel for young adults titled El Lago de los Milagros (The Lake of Miracles). It is about the intense battle between good and evil internal to every human being, and the capacity to choose our own destiny, in a world where dreams are the real purpose of life. I am currently writing a second part. (Actually, think about it like The Lake of Miracles being my The Hobbit).

I earned a Master of Arts in Communication from Georgia State University in 2011. My graduate thesis Team Edward or Team Jacob? The portrayal of Two Versions of the “Ideal” Male Romantic Partner in the Twilight Film Series, was published by LAP Publishing. I wrote this thesis because I am also a chick-flick-philiac (great name for a blog isn’t it?)

You have to know that my biggest professional achievement has been co-founding and serving as editor-in-chief of Muévelo Magazine, an entertainment publication targeted to the growing population of Hispanic professionals in metro Atlanta. After two years in the Atlanta market, we shifted the magazine into a female-oriented concept with a positive lifestyle/entertainment focus. I transformed Muévelo from a local magazine into a national publication, with distribution in top Hispanic Direct Marketing Association (DMA) markets, including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, Phoenix, San Antonio and Atlanta. It all ended in 2006, but this was one of the most rewarding experiences in my life.

I understand that being outside an office environment for a while could be perceived as a lack of experience or as a hole in my career. But let me tell you something. As a mom I have developed more skills than in any other job I had before: organization, attention to detail, work under pressure, budget management, leadership, work as a team member, resourcefulness, time management, and most importantly responsibility. So experience, I don’t lack (as Yoda would say).

It is so difficult for a mom like me to get out there and meet new people, and to try to jump-start my career without being judged. But I am trying. I have sent the traditional resume and cover letter before, hopping for a job or an opportunity, but I guess I was not speaking from my heart. I came to the realization that a writer who doesn’t speak from the heart is not a writer at all. So this cover letter is the result of that.

Now, if you give me the chance we can meet in person, probably we can have a cup of coffee (remember I am Colombian), and perhaps you may give me the job I am looking for, or know someone who can, or maybe we can just learn from each other.

Also, I would like to invite you to my home. Hold on… don’t call me crazy just yet, I am not talking about my actual physical home, I mean my blog. www.paolasur.com is a space I consider my writing home, a place with open doors for everyone who wants to enter and read what I have to say.

At the end of the day I am just a dreamer, just as maybe you are, you were, or you will be. So, I know deep inside you understand my point. I am attaching my resume with this email for your consideration, or if you ever need something to read while being insomniac. All joking aside, I hope you have a nice day and honestly, I am really looking forward to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Paola B. Sur

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