To all of you cake decorators that made cakes on your own before getting a job in a bakery, how did you incorporate that info on to your resume? Did you list yourself as freelance or self employed cake decorator? I'm trying to figure out just what needs to be worded and how as it's not time for me to return to the work force. All I have so far is references and portfolio available upon request, but with years of finance experience and no "professional" cake experience how can I appeal to bakeries?
Having made the jump from healthcare to pastry over 9 years ago, I know how you feel! Eventually, I found myself in the position of hiring people just like us: total career switchers.
I personally prepared a traditional resume, but listed cake decorating and baking in a Hobbies and Interests category with a 'photos and references available' phrase.
I wouldn't recommed calling yourself self-employed. That might imply that you aren't team oriented, even if you are. I've passed on applicants who emphasized that they do a large amount of freelance work and plan to continue. As an employer, I need to know that they would be availalbe in the busy season.
You are going to be upfront with a prospective employer at a bakery about your experience, so there really isn't a need to fluff it up on paper. If your work speaks for itself, no one is going to care what you did for a paycheck in the meantime.
Career switchers are often more interested in the work and more reliable employees because they chose this field after years of doing something else. I recommend emphasizing THAT in your appeal!
Best of luck to you!
Sharon
good info. I too was wondering about this and wondering if I needed a seperate resume, but then got to thinking and there wouldn't be a whole lot on it. LOL
I would take a portfolio of the cakes/cookies you have done.
I know this helped me when I went from healthcare to a portrait studio. I had been doing a lot of amature stuff for friends' events. Who also had me make their foods.
One of the gifts I would give them was a scrapbook for the event from beginning to end--including pictures of the food and the process of making their special event foods and setting up the cakes! (they usually got the gift about a month after the event)
I realized I had all those photos just sitting in the closet and decided that would help me...
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