Writing Between Bathroom Passes

I've got lots of experience and solid academic credentials. It should be easy to update my LinkedIn profile and, voilà, be an instant candidate for any writing and/or editing position. 

At least, that's what I thought. 

In reality, it took me three weeks and multiple job applications to finally realize that I need at least four different resumes to represent the types of work I do, each of which I should review and customize based on any job I apply for. 

If I'm searching for a silver lining to being unemployed, this is one. Looking for and applying for work has been a month-long exploration of who I am, what I've done, and what I want (and don't want) to do. I can't say I would have taken (or made) this time if it weren't for my current work "sabbatical." One of the perks of being back in high school is being able to work on this, at least partly, in between taking attendance and providing students with directions and bathroom passes. (Ha!)

Although I'm aware of the various roles and positions in my field, I don't think I fully realized the extent of writing and/or editing job titles until I began to apply for jobs: 

Writer, copy writer, content writer, newsletter writer, medical writer, technical writer, editor, copy editor, technical editor, medical editor, assistant editor, senior editor, managing editor, executive editor, editor-in-chief... 

The work also varies by context/deliverable, from peer-reviewed journals and print magazines to product and service websites, apps, marketing, tutoring, and more.

And then there are full-time, part-time, and contract jobs.

It's been several years since I updated my resume and so this has been a journey back in time and through memory to recall all the work I've done and how best to represent it to potential employers:

Technical editor, medical copy editor, senior editor, executive editor, managing editor, freelance writer. 

The process has also helped me to focus on the jobs I (really) want and to further segment those I may be best qualified for. This is key, I think, given that remote positions have become ubiquitous—100s of job listings on LinkedIn and literally 1000s of applicants. 

All of this begs the question: What do I want and what am I best qualified for? 

If I'm being perfectly honest, my ideal "job" would be part-time, freelance/contract work as a copyeditor/proofreader and/or blog/newsletter/article writer in health/medicine/science. That said, I'm also an experienced senior-level/managing editor. I may not prefer full-time work, but if the right job comes along (or if the part-time simply isn't enough), that's what I'll pursue.

One thing's for sure: It's been a productive way to approach my current work quandary. It's reminded me of how much I enjoy a thoughtful approach to what the future has in store.