January 2020

In This Issue 

• Executive Greeting
• 2020 Conference: Call for Speakers
• Affiliate Highlight
• Upcoming Education
• Certification News and Training Programs
• Member Forums
• Member News
• Volunteer of the Month
• Board Bytes
• Share Your Expertise in Ask The Experts
• New and Renewing Members

Executive Greeting 

Dear NRWA Members,

Each January, to maintain my business license, I must report my previous years' business income to my local municipality. Seeing that figure, separated from the other numbers I use to measure success (Clients helped, workshops presented, and articles written), motivates me to focus on how I can maintain and grow a strong business so I can do what I love—help people achieve their career goals. I ask myself if there are new methods I want to implement and skills I want to improve so I can maintain a steady flow of clients.

When I speak with other career professionals who are contemplating their goals for the year, most are seeking a way to expand their professional network, increase their skills, build a profitable practice, or develop an effective program. If any of these are on your list of goals for 2020, I encourage you to start realizing them by utilizing your NRWA member benefits.

Four ways the NRWA can help you meet your 2020 goals:

1. Expand your network. Go to the Members Portal on the NRWA website to find ways to connect with other members on social media and our e-list. One of the many benefits of NRWA membership is access to hundreds of career professionals who are willing to provide advice and support in response to a post or email.

2. Build your professional confidence and knowledge. Completing a certification is a great way to build your confidence. If you have not earned your NCRW or NCOPE, consider adding the completion of one or both to this year’s professional goals. Another way to know that you are staying current with industry trends and practices is to attend our monthly webinars.

3. Increase your business income. If you have the capacity to handle more clients, respond to members’ e-list posts offering to refer clients or hire subcontractors. If your challenge lies in closing sales, consider taking the Sales Mastery course. Another option is to build your SEO by submitting an answer to our very popular Ask the Experts column. Perhaps one of the best ways to receive support and information on business development is to participate in the quarterly calls led by the Directors of Member Support.

4. Network, learn, and be inspired by attending this year’s conference. We will be in New Orleans from September 13 to 15 for three days jam-packed with workshops, events, and opportunities to meet other members.

The NRWA is a member-driven organization. Our programs are the result of member input and commitment. If one of your 2020 goals is to become more involved in the NRWA, I encourage you to let me know. Also, if you have an example of how your NRWA membership has helped you grow professionally, please share it with me at lorraine@interview2work.com.

Back to top

2020 Conference: Call for Speakers 

The National Résumé Writer’s Association is accepting speaking proposals for its 2020 conference that focus on best practices and trends in the resume writing industry. Presenting at the conference is a great way to showcase your expertise and your business and generate interest in your services among potential partners and clients. We invite you to submit your proposal. 

Click here for more details on the Call for Speakers Page

Click here to download the Speaker Submission form

Benefits of Presenting at the 2020 NRWA Conference

• Enhance your visibility and reputation in the resume writing industry.
• Continue the NRWA’s signature reputation of excellence in resume writing, education and awareness.
• Gain a greater appreciation of your own expertise as you prepare your presentation.
• Receive a 50% off conference registration discount.
• Obtain access to exclusive vendor pricing and sponsorship opportunities.

Conference date: September 13–15, 2020

Conference location: Royal Sonesta • New Orleans, Louisiana

Deadline for speaking proposals: January 24, 2020, 10:00 p.m., ET

Back to top

Affiliate Highlight 

Indeed is the #1 job site in the world with more than 250 million unique visitors every month. As the most comprehensive search engine for jobs, indeed offers free access to millions of jobs from thousands of company websites and job boards.

Are you currently seeking new talent to support your thriving business? As an NRWA member, your business is eligible to take advantage of an opportunity to sponsor your job opening on Indeed.com for free with a $50 credit in sponsored ads.

More than 100,000 employers have had success finding the right talent to fill their jobs on Indeed.com. You could be next! Sign up today.

To learn more about becoming a part of the NRWA Affiliate Program, visit The NRWA Affiliate Program page or contact Candace Barr, NRWA Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair, at candace@strategic-resume.com.

Back to top

Upcoming Education 

The ball has dropped, and the new year has begun! To help us continue the momentum we built in 2019, Wendi Weiner will kick off 2020 with a webinar focused on content marketing and social media. Drawing from her own experience and success in growing a social media presence to thousands of followers across all social media platforms and writing viral content for major publications and media outlets, Wendi will provide insights that show you how to incorporate content marketing and social media strategies into your resume business to help grow your brand and revenue to the next level.

Content Marketing and Social Media Strategies to Rock Your Business in 2020
Presented by Wendi Weiner, Esq., NCRW, NCOPE, CPRW, CCTC, CCM

Friday, January 17, 2020
12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m., ET

In this webinar, you will learn to:

• Map out your marketing strategy across all social media channels, which converts into more followers and more sales.
• Use client testimonials and client feedback to boost your business ROI.
• Leverage blog content and other marketing strategies to increase your speaking and media opportunities.

Maybe becoming an NCRW is one of your top goals for 2020 and you’d like to know how your work measures up to NCRW standards, as well as learn about the exam and qualification process. Or you’ve been wondering if the Writing Excellence Certification Preparation Program is right for you. Whichever scenario applies to you, we have an offer you can’t refuse.

If you are interested in attaining your NCRW, don’t miss Norine Dagliano’s free webinar on January 24:

Out With The Old and In With the New...An Insider's Look at Writing Excellence Standards and the NCRW Grading Criteria
Presented by Norine Dagliano, NCRW, NCOPE, and Writing Excellence Instructor

Friday, January 24, 2020
12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m., ET

In this webinar, Norine will present all the information and handouts from session one of the nine-session Writing Excellence Certification Preparation Program. This presentation will cover the following:

• The 500-year evolution of the resume.
• How resumes and cover letters have changed and what's driving the changes.
• A side-by-side comparison of the traditional and the modern resume.
• An overview of modern resume strategies, essential and optional sections to include, and formatting style.
• A thorough description of the NCRW qualification and exam process.
• An inside look at the NCRW exam grading criteria and point system.
• The most common reasons candidates fail to pass the exam.

Webinars presented during the last two years are available through the On-Demand Webinars page of the NRWA website, and many offer CEUs.

NRWA webinars are an excellent way for you to share your knowledge and expertise while gaining recognition within the resume writing industry. If you are interested in–or even considering–giving a presentation, please contact me at mjeanaustin@talentspresented.com. Speaker suggestions are also always welcome.

Finally, mark your calendars for February 21, 2020, when Georgia Adamson will present “Cover Letters that Open Doors.” More information will be posted about this important presentation soon.

Back to top

Certification News and Training Programs

Certification Programs

The NRWA offers two powerful certification programs to give you the tools you need to stay abreast of trends and best practices in writing resumes and LinkedIn profiles.

NCOPE Certification: The Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE) program is designed to help you understand best practices, craft powerful LinkedIn profiles, and expertly navigate LinkedIn's back end.

Developed and taught by Tom Powner, this interactive program will help you unleash the power of LinkedIn and give your clients a competitive edge. Upon successful completion of the program, attendees earn the NCOPE Certification.

The next NCOPE program starts on January 16 and runs through February 12 with live 90-minute sessions every Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., ET.

NCRW Certification: The Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) program is recognized as the premier resume writing certification. Becoming an NCRW means that you have achieved the highest standards of excellence in resume writing. Your NCRW designation will help you attract higher-caliber clients, raise fees for your services, build your brand, and grow your business. Make 2019 the year you become an NCRW!

Visit the NRWA website for more details

Writing Excellence Certification Preparation Program: The NRWA's comprehensive writing excellence program has helped resume writers across the industry polish their writing skills, prepare for career-advancing industry certifications, and charge higher rates for their services.

Last year we even added more valuable benefits to the program—more educational resources, greater professional opportunities, and a clear path to help you advance your career!

Each session attracts a variety of participants, from new and experienced business owners to workforce development center staff to HR professionals.

The next 9-week live program will run from February 12 through April 8 and meets every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., ET.

Visit the NRWA site for more information and to register.

About the Instructor: For more than 30 years, job seekers and professionals in career transition have relied on Norine Dagliano for expert advice, practical insight, inspiration, and support to help them get paid what they deserve doing work that they love. An NCRW and valued member of the NRWA, Norine developed the Writing Excellence Certification Preparation Program in 2015 and continues to refine, enhance, and update the coursework to keep up with emerging industry trends.

Writing Excellence: Introduction to Resume Writing: The NRWA's Writing Excellence: Introduction to Resume Writing is a self-paced 9-module program that provides basic guidance to improve your skills, whether you’re a new resume writer or a seasoned professional. The course will teach you how to use marketing tactics in resume writing, how to persuade potential clients to buy, how to write stand-out cover letters, and more.

The newly revised program includes quizzes and a certification of completion and is available as individual modules or as a full course.

Visit the NRWA site for more info and to register.

Sales Mastery Course: The NRWA’s Sales Mastery is a powerful interactive program providing modern sales techniques that will help new writers and established career professionals overcome common objections and close more sales.

Developed and taught by Ellen Steverson, professionally trained salesperson, the Sales Mastery course will help you generate more sales with techniques that match your own voice and personal style.

The next 9-week live program will run from March 10 through April 14, 2020 and meets every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., ET.

Visit the NRWA site for more information and registration.

Professional Development and Training

Back to top

Member Forums 

The NRWA’s Yahoo e-list and Facebook and LinkedIn groups make it easy for NRWA members to connect and collaborate with other resume writers. Here are a few ways to engage in the e-list and social media groups:

• Generate new ideas: Learn how other successful resume writers have structured and are running their businesses for ideas you can implement in your own company.
• Share your knowledge: Establish yourself as a thought leader. You know what it's like to build a company from scratch and now can offer invaluable advice to benefit other members.
• Gain insight into our industry: Actively participating in our vibrant online discussion forums provides opportunities to capitalize on new and emerging trends, including increasingly sophisticated applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Access your peer group: Running a business from home is lonely work. Our forums provide the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other NRWA members.

Join us on one or all three forums! Introduce yourself and participate in lively discussions on resume writing, technology, client management, marketing, sales, and other aspects of our industry.

Member News: New Business Owners 

What an exciting year it’s been! Here is some interesting news from some of our members. Let’s all celebrate the great things that are happening for your colleagues.

Wendi Weiner, The Writing Guru, Miami, FL, was recently named the 2019 Best Career Professional from Career Directors International (CDI) through its "Kick Butt Award." The award, created in 2018, honors the legacy of Pat Schuler who represented fearless innovation, mentorship, and other contributions to the resume and careers industry.

Virginia Franco, Virginia Franco Resumes, Charlotte, NC, recently collaborated with 4 industry colleagues to launch Job Search Secret Weapon - a job search membership platform. Once up and running, Virginia says they will be introducing an affiliate program!

Norine Dagliano, ekm Inspirations, Winchester, VA, was recently contracted by DeVry University to develop and teach a 4-part webinar series for their career services staff and contract resume writers. Using a portfolio of before and after resumes and cover letters she wrote for college students and new graduates, Norine will take participants through the steps of planning the resume strategy, crafting the resume summary and experience sections, and repurposing the resume content for LinkedIn profiles and cover letters/e-notes. There are approximately 25 participants from DeVry sites across the country. Norine was also excited to learn that samples of her work were accepted for publication in Expert Resumes and LinkedIn Profiles for Executives and Managers by Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark. Order your copy today.

Heidi Scott Giusto, PhD, Career Path Writing Solutions, Apex, NC, was quoted in a recent article by Considerable, “Looking for consulting work in retirement? Here’s how to negotiate your rate.”

Volunteer of the Month - Amy Adler 

Paul Bennett
NRWA Conference and Marketing Committee Member 

Amy L. Adler, MBA, CMRW, is President of Five Strengths Career Transition Experts in Salt Lake City, Utah. For 11 years, she’s empowered executive-level clients by providing comprehensive services (resumes, career transition assistance, and social media strategies) that put her clients first with hiring teams. She loves working with senior players because “they have complex, deep career stories and are never straightforward clients.”

Amy volunteers across the industry, including with the NRWA’s Public Image Committee (PIC) where she handles the technical aspects of the “Ask the Experts” website.

How did you first become a member of the NRWA?

What prompted you to get involved with the PIC?

I volunteered to work on the Ask The Experts website because I love WordPress (the platform, HTML, and CSS), and the PIC commitment specifically required those skills. 

The people in this industry are amazing, talented, kind, and always willing to help. Contributing to that culture and community in whatever way I could has been extremely rewarding.

What might someone be surprised to know about you? Or what do you do when you aren’t working or volunteering?

I recently took a university class on human evolution, which not only illustrates my commitment to continuous learning, but also that there are always opportunities to grow outside one’s comfort zone and beyond the limits of one’s typical roles.

Nancy, you bring tremendous value to the NRWA, and we're so fortunate to have you in as a volunteer. Congratulations on being recognized for your efforts and results!

Back to top 

Welcome to our new and renewing members for the month of December 2019!  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.

• Carol Adams - Ideal Resumes, LLC in Lafayette, Louisiana
• Jeannine Bennett - Vision to Purpose in Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Arnie Boldt - Arnold-Smith Associates in Rochester, New York
• Stephanie Carter - Resumes For Hire in Moreno Valley, California
• Adelle Dantzler - Dantzler Solutions LLC in Washington, D.C.
• Norma Davila - The Human Factor Consulting Group in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
• Laurie Feigenbaum - Feigenbaum Publishing and Resume Consultants, Inc. in New York, New York
• Arnie Fertig - Jobhuntercoach in Melrose, Massachusetts
• Virginia Franco - Virginia Franco Resumes in Matthews, North Carolina
• Vince Fulco - Weisisheng Corporate Management Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd. in Schenectady, New York
• Alexine Garcia - El Paso Professional Resumes in El Paso, Texas
• Jeanne Hanks - Visual-Career-Guides, LLC in Dublin, Ohio
• Latasha Jefferson - Empowered Writing Services in Winter Park, Florida
• Hope King in Duluth, Georgia
• Gail Martin - Dream Chaser Resumes in Riverside, California
• Amanda Martin in Jacksonville Beach, Florida
• Debra Ann Matthews - Let Me Write It For You: Job-Winning Resumes in Clarksville, Tennessee
• Sally McIntosh - Advantage Resumes LLC in St. Louis, Missouri
• William Mitchell - The Resume Clinic in New Orleans, Louisiana
• Juliet Murphy - Juliet Murphy Career Development in Tustin, California
• Tali Nance in Jacksonville, Florida
• Bonnie Negron - Bonnie Career Services, Inc. in Iselin, New Jersey
• Sarah Pfister in San Mateo, California
• Jeremy Pilarski in Fort Myers, Florida
• Bruce Sprague - RoadMap Resumes in Seattle, Washington
• Mary Ann Victor in Shelby Township, Michigan
• Arlene Wanetick - Life Working, LLC in Northbrook, Illinois

Back to top

Forest Hill, MD 21050