This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jennifer Clinchy, owner of Clinchy Career Consulting. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I was a White House attorney for nine years, spanning three different presidents (Obama, Trump, and Biden). Six years ago,I started working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,but I still get teary-eyed when I think about my time in the White House. As the daughter of immigrants, I never dreamed I’d be reporting to work on Pennsylvania Avenue each day.
I loved that some of the brightest people in the country were my colleagues.I hold a dual degree in law and policy, and one of my responsibilities at the White House was to prepare presidential appointees for their Senate confirmation hearings.
In that role, I attended law school in Washington, D.C., where the federal government is omnipresent. I was drawn to federal jobs not only because of the perceived security, but because I felt thay mattered. With this work, I could help people, defend justice, and protect the surroundings.After about 14 years as a federal attorney,my salary is about $186,000.
I charge $2,000 to write a résumé and cover letter
I’d been reviewing résumés for friends, colleagues, and mentees for years. Then, in early 2020, one of my friends said, “You’re really good at this. Have you ever considered it as a career path?”
His question made me realise I had this latent talent that I’d never really considered harnessing. Soon after, the pandemic hit. I was used to traveling about twice a month for work, and when that stopped, I had time to spare.
I signed up for Fiverr and started writing résumés. Initially, I set my prices low, but I soon realized I wanted to emphasize quality over quantity. Today, I charge $2,000 for a résumé and cover letter. I spend manny hours reviewing each client’s history and experience to determine the best way to present them in the most favorable light.
The résumé income helps me repair my historic home
Over the past five years, I’ve earned more then $260,000 on Fiverr. I also work directly with clients, so my
