January 2018
Mary Jo King, 2018 NRWA President
Happy new year, friends! The signs point to a strong economy in 2018, which in my experience, means an active job market where people feel more confident in exploring career transitions. May you all have more business than you can handle this year.
We’ll be doing our best to help you with that. The mission of the NRWA is to increase industry visibility, encourage ethical practices, promote excellence, and raise industry standards. Over our 20-year history, there has been an ebb and flow of attention given to each of these items, because, as a volunteer-driven organization, we tend to place our resources where they are most needed. This year, however, we expect to be functioning at unprecedented peak levels on all fronts.
In 2017, President Michelle Dumas led the integration of Bower Management Company, charged with managing day-to-day operations, streamlining processes, and supporting strategic development. This has revolutionized the way we work and freed board members to focus on service quality. The 2018 board is a Dream Team, combining enthusiastic fresh talent with multiterm board members and the return of amazing former board members—all of whom are poised to take advantage of the change.
In the coming weeks and months, you will be invited to contribute your expertise to several strategic initiatives designed to ramp up our visibility in the marketplace, both as individual practitioners and as the premier organization for resume writers. I encourage you to email me or your favorite board member at any point to discuss ideas, concerns, or volunteer prospects.
Today I am thankful to Michelle, to Andrea and Tim Bower, and to the 2017 board members who collaborated to bring us to this moment of opportunity. I am honored to serve the NRWA as president in 2018, and thank you for your trust. Here’s to a brilliant year!
Sincerely,
Mary Jo King
2018 President, National Résumé Writers Association
NRWA Educational Program: Save the Date for ATS Webinar
Do you know the latest strategies to help get your clients’ resumes through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software?
If you’re not sure, then mark your calendar and plan to attend the next NRWA Educational Program, featuring Pat Criscito with an “ATS Update.” Criscito will present a two-part webinar that encompasses the information she shared at the October 2017 NRWA Conference in Lombard, IL. Learn about the good, the bad, and the ugly of ATS.
Part one of the program will be offered on Friday, February 23 from 12-1 p.m. Eastern. Part two will take place a few weeks later, on Friday, March 16 from 12-1 p.m. Eastern.
Registration information will be sent out through email, so watch for that notification. But in the meantime, mark the dates and times on your calendar.
Spring 2018 Writing Excellence Course
The National Résumé Writers' Association is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Spring session of the Writing Excellence program!
Time and Location: The training will begin on March 1, 2018 and end on May 24, 2018. Instruction will be delivered via live webinar every Thursday from 6:30 - 8:00 PM, EDT. This unique 11-week program includes PowerPoint slides, dozens of samples and writing resources, real-time class discussions, custom homework assignments, one-on-one instructor feedback and support, and an inside look at the NCRW exam process. All sessions will be recorded, with unlimited access for training participants.
Classes start March 1 and seats are limited. Register now!
This 11-week webinar program, taught by Norine Dagliano, Nationally Certified Resume Writer and designed by industry experts will help you…Whether you are a novice resume writer who wants to learn industry best practices and develop the skills to craft exceptional resumes and cover letters, or you are an experienced writer who wants to enhance your skills and attain the NCRW credential, this program is for you!
Don’t wait another year to refine your skills, command higher fees, increase your client referrals, and rise above the competition. Click here for registration and information.
Volunteer of the Month - Brittney Beck
We are pleased to announce Brittney Beck as January’s Volunteer of the Month. Brittney currently helps on the Conference Committee.
Brittney is unique in that she works for a parent company, Vocamotive, and with a partner, Adam Zajac. Vocamotive was established as a vocational rehabilitation company that provides services to injured job seekers within the Illinois workers compensation system. A few years ago, a separate department was created, which provides comprehensive career services (resumes, LinkedIn profiles, interviewing preparation, career coaching, etc.) to a range of individuals all around the world. After beginning her career in the vocational rehabilitation side of the business, Brittney transitioned into working in the career services division where she interacts with mid-level professionals to senior executives in a variety of industries.
How did you first get involved with the NRWA?
I got involved with the NRWA about a year after graduating from college and was just getting started in the career services industry. My mentor was already involved and urged me to join as well so I could expand my knowledge and get to know other great industry leaders. The rest is history!
What prompted you to get involved with the Conference Committee?
After attending my first conference in Annapolis (2016), I really saw the benefit of the NRWA to people at all experience levels. In 2017, the conference was in my neck of the woods, and I jumped in, so I could provide on-site support before and during the event.
What do you wish others knew about the benefits of getting involved with the NRWA?
I wish people knew that the NRWA provides support on so many different levels. Through the different programs the NRWA offers, I learn about new topics that our industry is facing, best practices on writing, customer service, business processes, pricing, and more. In addition, and even more importantly, you are automatically connected to such a helpful community of writers who are more than willing to provide advice and ongoing support.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
Many probably don't know that my guilty pleasure is binge watching multiple seasons of TV shows. I LOVE finding shows that have multiple seasons then decompressing by watching them all at once. Best use of my time? Nope! We all have our kryptonite though, and mine is Netflix.
Interested in Speaking at the 2018 NRWA Conference?
The 2018 NRWA Conference will be held Oct. 4-6, 2018 in Seattle, WA.
The NRWA is the only nonprofit, member-driven resume writers’ organization in the world. One of the neat things about our organization’s annual conference is that the majority of speakers are members sharing their expertise with attendees.
Speaking at the conference offers several benefits, including the ability to enhance your visibility and reputation, network with your career industry colleagues, and receive discounted conference registration.
Topics you can consider for your presentation include: business operations, resumes, LinkedIn, job search strategies and trends, sales and marketing techniques, social media, subcontracting, technology, and writing.
All proposals will be considered for a 60-minute breakout session presentation. Formats for the presentation can be single presenter (you!), co-presentation (you and a colleague), a case study, hands-on application, or a panel discussion. It’s up to you!
For details about submitting your speaking proposal, visit:
http://thenrwa.com/2018-Conference
If you have any questions, please contact Adam Zajac, NCRW, the NRWA 2018 Conference Program Planning Chair, at azajac@vocamotive.com.
The deadline for submitting a speaking proposal (or proposals!) is Monday, Feb. 5 at 10 p.m. Eastern. Submissions will be judged by The NRWA Conference Program Planning Committee between Feb. 26 and March 6, and speakers will be notified the week of March 12 if their proposal is selected.
NRWA Writing Excellence On-Demand Training
Are you interested in developing or refining your resume and cover letter writing skills?
Do you want to build your confidence in knowing you’re following industry best practices?
Would you like to make 2018 the year you become a Nationally Certified Résumé Writer (NCRW)?
Are you highly organized and like the self-paced format of on-demand training?
If you answered yes to any of the above, The NRWA Writing Excellence On-Demand Virtual Training is for you.
Click here for registration and course details!!
Whether you are a novice resume writer or an experienced writer who wants to enhance your skills and attain the NCRW credential, this program is for you!
Is LinkedIn ProFinder Right For You?
Have you thought about using LinkedIn ProFinder in your career services business? Are you using LinkedIn ProFinder, but not having the success you hear that other resume writers and career coaches are having?
Join Thomas Powner, one of the NRWA Experienced Business Owners (EBO) representatives, for a free webinar, “Is LinkedIn ProFinder Right For You?” on Friday, Feb. 9 from 12:30-1:45 p.m. Eastern.
There is a lot of information — and opinions — about the pros and cons of LinkedIn ProFinder. This webinar will provide clarity about whether ProFinder is right for you.
Takeaways for attendees include:
The webinar will include a live demonstration of how Powner responds to LinkedIn ProFinder requests and how he communicates with ProFinder users. Powner also encourages attendees to come prepared to discuss their use of LinkedIn ProFinder — as well as other methods to generate leads using LinkedIn.
Register here:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6920969787694363137
The webinar is free and open to all active NRWA members. Space is limited on the webinar. A recording will be provided if you register and are not able to make the live program.
Welcome to our new and renewing members for the month of December 2017! Feel free to introduce (or reintroduce) yourself on our Facebook page or the elist.
Be sure to take this opportunity to network via our LinkedIn Group with other members of The NRWA and nonmembers who are career professionals.
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