Escorting a resume?

[rvwnsd]

There's no certification or licensing for "consultant" of any sort. If you say you are one well, then, you are one.

 

It's one of life's dirty little secrets.

 

And let me tell you that many consultants have not a clue what they are doing. (That is not to say you don't know what you are doing)

 

Whatever term you use, be prepared with a response to the request for references, especially if the description fits into your area of study. Either have some trusted clients who would be comfortable providing appropriate, truthful feedback or a valid reason that they are not available.

 

In a field like counseling (which I would not recommend using due to licensing requirements, as Chris pointed out above) or life coaching, there's an understanding that the arrangement is confidential. Not only are the discussions confidential, but the identity of the client is confidential. Therefore, references from clients should not be expected and should not be provided.

 

Hi Chris,

 

I would recommend that you never put something on your resume that you can not honestly defend and talk about with some authority. You will find yourself across the desk from an astute interviewer asking you to explain, in detail, the item on your resume (what training did you have? what methodologies did you use? who were your clients? will they provide a reference? etc,). People who review lots of resumes have developed strong BS detectors and will be suspicious....

 

I agree with this paragraph. Careful preparation and thought about what aspects of escort work make you a candidate for your field of study will help should you decide to include that work on your application.

 

 

Using Consultant, Counselor or Life Coach will not work. ...

 

There's a way to make a title like consultant or life coach work. An applicant to grad school can do so.

 

...These titles without further description and a way to back them up are meaningless and will come across as total BS....

 

SundayZip, you just articulated how to make "consultant" or "life coach" could work. By thinking carefully about what aspects of escort work constitute life coaching and/or consulting, preparing a set of talking points, and developing an additional narrative for each one will work around this issue.

 

This reminds me of a colleague who was at a fairly low level in the organization and applied for a position that was a few steps up from where she was at the time. She was an individual contributor who worked for someone who gave directions, which he expected his staff to follow to the letter, as opposed to giving direction. Therefore, my colleague felt like she had no voice and did not have a shot at getting a promotion. She asked me for help preparing for her interview. We worked through a PowerPoint deck about what she did and how she contributed to the organization. Instead of focusing on her job title, not to mention the fact that she was permitted to do as she was told, we focused on job functions. We documented how she approached her work, how she prepared for doing her work, and the impact her work had on the organization. She studied that deck over and over and made modifications along the way. Next, she asked a handful of colleagues to interview her. She ended up not getting the position because another candidate who had more experience applied and was hired, but when her previous manager was moved out and a new one moved in she was able to convince her new manager to promote her. After a year or so she applied for another position at a higher level and was hired.

[rvwnsd]

I am up shits creak if I can't put it on my resume a 3 year gap of employment isn't good and I need one professional reference. While I can't put escort I do need to put something otherwise I can't apply to many universities.

 

I am going into mental health if that gives you any suggestions on creative titles.

 

I can't speak to graduate school applications, but I know in business I see "independent contractor" on resumes. You could use that and explain the aspects of escorting that pertain to your graduate studies. Professional references might be tough, unless a client would volunteer.

[+ DERRIK]

Chris

 

You likely have a few valued clients

 

Perhaps you can brainstorm with them

 

Perhaps a real reference

[+ glennnn]

Pulling for you!! For three years you have provided therapy and relief through a service between consenting adults. I don't want you to suffer for it. Fucking Victorian values!!

[Riley Wynters]

I would put Independent Consultant. Thats what I put on a recent leasing application and no one questioned it.

[+ SundayZip]

I am up shits creak if I can't put it on my resume a 3 year gap of employment isn't good and I need one professional reference. While I can't put escort I do need to put something otherwise I can't apply to many universities.

 

I am going into mental health if that gives you any suggestions on creative titles.

 

Hey Chris, I'm not sure I understand your intent. Are you trying to obscure the exact nature of your escorting work on a resume and then be open about it in an interview or if asked to elaborate? Or are you just trying to account for the 3 year gap in anyway that you can?

[+ Truereview]

I can't speak to graduate school applications, but I know in business I see "independent contractor" on resumes. You could use that and explain the aspects of escorting that pertain to your graduate studies. Professional references might be tough, unless a client would volunteer.

Now we are talking! I really like this title of "independent contractor." As a hiring manager, I can attest to the variety of uses on this job title as well as the gamut of skills and experiences captured under its umbrella.

 

Not related to grad school, about 5 years ago, I was part of a panel interview with a very handsome prospect for an associate role at my firm. He used a similar term (personal coach) to cover a 2 year resume gap. Since he was going for an opportunity in our wealth management segment, and he claimed he coached affluent clients on social skills, etiquette, and other personal life challenges. He then pointed to the "education" section of his resume and said: " got my coaching certification online thru NYU's school of continuing studies in 6 months." Pretty aggressive completion time. Our fact checker/recruiting screener did confirm it: ~ $4500 coaching certificate. He got hired. I know he used to advertise on RB - I used to drool over his ad. I loved his wise investment in a coaching certificate to complement his 2-year "gap."

[Kenny]

It's great that you have no shame in what you do, since there is no reason to be ashamed. But sex work is illegal most everywhere, so putting it on a resume is like listing " pot dealer" in the pre- legalized days. I'd avoid it.

[+ WilliamM]

Chris, Are you certain an interview is part of the application process at these universities. I know a few grad students from Asia and Europe. I can not remember an interview mentioned by American students either.

 

I understand that does not solve the resume question.

[Kuriousity]

You may be asked to provide a W-2 or pay stub as proof of income if you are extended an offer and the company cannot verify your employment. Have you filed taxes as an escort that would reflect your salary history?

 

This is for graduate school, not a job.

[ChrisWydeman]

Hey Chris, I'm not sure I understand your intent. Are you trying to obscure the exact nature of your escorting work on a resume and then be open about it in an interview or if asked to elaborate? Or are you just trying to account for the 3 year gap in anyway that you can?

I think my academic merits are pretty solid so more than anything I just want to account for 3 years

[ChrisWydeman]

Chris, Are you certain an interview is part of the application process at these universities. I know a few grad students from Asia and Europe. I can not remember an interview mentioned by American students either.

 

I understand that does not solve the resume question.

I am fairly certain I wouldn't be interviewed I just need to account for a gap in employment

[YoungAD]

This is for graduate school, not a job.

You are correct; I misread one of the posts above.

[LookingAround]

I think independent contractor or volunteer counselor is best. Jokingly I thought "hospitality-bed and breakfast."!

[+ WmClarke]

I am fairly certain I wouldn't be interviewed I just need to account for a gap in employment

You could just leave the gap. If they ask, tell them you were in a relationship and it has since ended. Your escort work is really none of their business unless you want it to be.

[+ quoththeraven]

You could just leave the gap. If they ask, tell them you were in a relationship and it has since ended. Your escort work is really none of their business unless you want it to be.

 

But they may wonder how he supported himself without a job. Also, no job may suggest he's not used to making the kind of effort and commitment grad programs expect. (I was going to say "working hard" but changed to less salacious terminology.) His relationship status is not a good thing to raise because it may imply living off another person, aka not a self-starter, and it's as much none of their business as the specific nature of his work is.

 

Chris - If no interview is required, I suggest going with life coach, sexuality consultant or the vaguer consultant or independent contractor, though those suggest follow up questions. Just make it clear you were self-employed.

[+ WilliamM]

Chris, I am assuming the application is for the fall semester, or a university on a term system.

 

Try to do some volunteer work in addition to what you decide is your job. I'm pretty sure I was accepted over others because of my extensive volunteer work on a child abuse hotline, although just being to talk and write about was good -- I never used the word extensive.

[LADoug1]

You could just leave the gap. If they ask, tell them you were in a relationship and it has since ended. Your escort work is really none of their business unless you want it to be.

I agree. Also many people take sabbaticals from school or work to travel, write, take care of family members or friends etc. You could explain the gap this way. Maybe it was time you took to clarify in your mind what your life-goals are. If you hence decided to go to graduate school this clarification could even work in your favor. I wouldn't list job titles that really don't apply and are difficult to explain.

[+ SundayZip]

You could just leave the gap. If they ask, tell them you were in a relationship and it has since ended. Your escort work is really none of their business unless you want it to be.

 

Also agree. Do not put something on your resume that is or could be viewed as a fabrication. Falsifying an application or resume is grounds for being fired from a job or kicked out of grad school. Once that resume is out there, you can't take it back. Do you really want to be dodging a lie (or the appearance of a lie) while starting your new, professional career? You're better off leaving the gap and and stating some personal reason if/when asked to explain.