June 2024

Hi, Everyone!

Have you registered for the NRWA Reignite conference yet? I have! I would love to see you there!

Still haven’t decided? You can read about some of the sessions, below. It’s going to be one of our best gatherings yet! 

I always think of the conference as an investment in myself, and every year I learn something. But the best part is always the people. It’s wonderful to be with industry colleagues. If you work solo, as I do, it really can boost your spirits and reassure you that you’re not alone in your business. We are all wrestling with the same business and industry issues.

Ruth Sternberg 

Also in this newsletter, you can read about the Writing Excellence Boot Camp. It’s a great program, intended to help you ramp up your skills and apply for certification as a Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW). 

Another great opportunity to shine is the NRWA’s annual Recognizing Outstanding Achievement in Resumes (ROAR) contest. Submit your best resume work! Putting your work out there to your colleagues can be intimidating, but you might be surprised at how far you have come. Find out, below!

We also have information that can protect you and your clients. Read about the latest digital scams and stay alert!

And don't forget: June is Pride Month! Read about the ways you can support LGBTQ+ friends, family, and clients

Enjoy this issue! It’s always a joy to bring valuable information to you. As always, if you have an idea for an article, contact me at ruth@confidentcareersearch.com. I can help you shape and share it.

Ruth Sternberg

In This Issue:

• Have you registered for the NRWA’s signature event, the 2024 Reignite Conference?
  
• Is Earning Your NCRW Credential on Your To-Do List?
  
• Get Ready to ROAR!
  
• Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams
  
• Pride Month 2024: A Time to Celebrate Unity and Acceptance

Have you registered for the NRWA’s signature event, the 2024 Reignite Conference?

This year’s conference will be held October 8–10, 2024, in Providence, R.I.

Visit the conference website link to register.

The conference is a great chance for you to connect with colleagues and hone your skills. It features:

• Powerhouse keynote speech
• Post-conference session from an industry pro 
• Jam-packed breakout sessions taught by career experts to help you improve your skills and grow your business
• Two evenings of fun: We build in time to network with new colleagues, reconnect with old friends, and see a few sites.
• Earn 10 CEUs when you attend these information-packed sessions.

The Solopreneur’s Playbook: Essential Life Lessons That Drive Business Growth

Ten life lessons to navigate the highs, lows, roadblocks, and unexpected twists and turns of building and running a business to reach your business goals faster with confidence and less stress. 

Presented by Chelsea Jay, NCRW, NCOPE, CPCC. In addition to helping job seekers, Chelsea mentors new business owners on how to implement processes into business for efficiency, pricing strategy, niching down, and finding your own voice as a business owner.

Navigating Client Relationships: Overcoming Challenges and Maximizing Opportunities

An interactive session designed to discuss challenges and workable strategies to foster client loyalty and satisfaction and increase referrals and repeat business. 

Taught by Shoni Bell, NCOPE, CPRW, owner of Summit Resume Service and a self-described career services nerd. Shoni prides herself on delivering presentations that are honest, inclusive, and engaging. Her training style will have attendees learning and laughing at the same time.

Strategic Content Creation: From Ideas to Execution

A comprehensive strategy for leveraging tools such as ChatGPT to generate, measure, and boost engagement on engaging marketing content. 

Taught by Annette Richmond, MA, NCOPE, a content-marketing consultant, former NRWA board member, and founder of Black Dog Marketing Strategies. Annette helps coaches, consultants, entrepreneurs, and business owners use content-marketing strategies for sustainable social media visibility and growth. 

The Truth About Resume Keywords: Optimize for Human Eyes 

Attendees will learn a foolproof resume-keyword-optimization process designed to enhance a client’s chances of appearing in recruiter ATS searches and help them land interviews. 

Taught by Ashley Watkins Thomas, NCRW, NCOPE, a job-search coach with Write Step Resumes, former NRWA board member, and corporate recruiter. Her job-search advice has been featured in major publications, including HuffPost, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. 

Unlocking Success: Elevating Careers with Communication and Behavioral Style

A deep dive into leveraging the DISC method to showcase client soft skills and enhance your practice’s value and revenue. Presented by Rob Rosales, NCRW, NCOPE, CDCC, founder of EZ Resume Services, past NRWA president, former division director, and hiring manager. 

Leveraging LinkedIn for Higher Education and Beyond 

A behind-the-scenes, interactive look at LinkedIn for higher education. Presented by Anne Lynch, who holds an MFA in creative writing. As the communications and alumni manager of Georgia Tech’s Denning Technology & Management, current and former students joke that she is a walking LinkedIn. 

Contribute a Conference Door Prize!

Enhance your brand's presence and engagement by becoming a door prize sponsor. By supporting the NWRA annual conference in this way, you're not only boosting your brand but also contributing to a richer, more engaging industry event. This can include a product, service, book, gift card, or anything else of value. We will acknowledge each contributor in front of the entire conference, acknowledging your valuable support and enhancing your industry stature.

To learn more or to discuss your sponsorship, please get in touch with vincentvitale@twc.com

Is Earning Your NCRW Credential

on Your To-Do List?

By Kathy Keshemberg, NCRW, NCOPE

NRWA Certification Chair

Have you thought about becoming a Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW)?

If so, here is the perfect learning opportunity for you to consider: The Writing Excellence Boot Camp. This is a six-week, hands-on, intensive experience focused on preparing candidates for the NCRW process. 

The application deadline is June 12. The next class runs from June 19 through July 31. Classes meet 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Eastern time.

How do I know if Boot Camp is right for me?

The Boot Camp is geared toward someone who writes resumes on a regular basis. It’s said that “practice makes perfect,” and the more opportunities you have to integrate what you’ve learned during the training, the better prepared you will be to successfully complete the certification process.

We recommended that you have 2–3 years of resume-writing experience; however, two recent NCRW candidates who were somewhat new to the profession when they joined Boot Camp are now certified. At a minimum, we require good baseline writing skills along with a willingness to listen to feedback and apply what you learn. 

How is the training structured?

Classes are delivered live over Zoom and consist of a PowerPoint presentation followed by class Q&A and discussion. Participants receive a description of a fictional job seeker. Instruction takes them through the steps to develop the client’s resume and cover letter, from discovery and strategy planning to final copy editing and formatting, with each session building upon what was taught the previous week.

Weekly homework assignments are based on what was covered in each session. Each participant receives custom feedback from the instructor and is asked to share their assignment with the class the following week. This powerful exercise allows everyone to see how others have approached the same information. 

The Boot Camp provides something you won’t receive from typical training: one-on-one mentoring throughout the six weeks. You send the instructor samples of your client projects and receive detailed feedback about things you are doing well and areas where you can improve. You can meet one-on-one with the instructor via phone or video to discuss strategy, identify grammatical and formatting errors, and explore ways to improve the content and messaging.

How do I qualify for enrollment?

Because of the intensive, hands-on nature of the training, we limit class size to 3–6 participants. To ensure that all participants will get the most out of the process, we evaluate your current skills and the likelihood that you will successfully complete the NCRW certification process. 

To accomplish this, we have an application process. If you are interested in enrolling in Boot Camp, submit a sample resume and cover letter to certchair@thenrwa.org. The Certification Commission will review your submission to determine if you are ready for Boot Camp. (Please note: You will not receive detailed feedback on your sample. We are using it strictly to determine if you are at the same skill level as other participants).

Should your samples reveal a current skill level that measures up to NCRW standards, we may encourage you to bypass Boot Camp and register directly to begin the certification process. One applicant for our last Boot Camp moved directly to the sample submission and exam and is now certified. So, apply now, and see where you stand!

Is the program successful?

If you’re fully committed to attending the sessions, completing your homework, submitting multiple writing samples, and applying what you are taught, you can expect a high return on your investment. Our first Boot Camp ended mid-December 2023, and three of the four graduates are now Nationally Certified Resume Writers. The program really works!

Kathy Keshemberg owns A Career Advantage, located in Appleton, WI, helping clients by writing resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. Her work is featured in more than 10 books of successful sample resumes and cover letters. Kathy also leads the NCRW certification process.

Get Ready to ROAR!

Calling all resume writers! The NRWA Annual Resume Writing Competition is here, so get ready to showcase your exceptional skills and creativity. The Recognizing Outstanding Achievement in Resumes (ROAR) competition offers a platform to demonstrate your mastery of industry standards while elevating your credibility and visibility.

The winner in each category will receive:

• A FREE one-year membership renewal in the NRWA ($175 value!)

• Formal recognition at the 2024 Annual Conference in Providence, Rhode Island

• Promotional exposure through the NRWA newsletter, website, social media, and more!

Here's what you need to know:

Familiarize yourself with this year’s categories, catering to various career levels and special circumstances.

• Select your best resume entry per category, fictionalizing all sensitive information.

• Review the guidelines and judging criteria.

• Submit your entries for just $25 each!

Each entry will be “blind judged” and assigned a point value based on the following criteria:

• Positioning, strategy, and creativity (15 points) *

• Layout, design/format, and readability by the human reader and the ATS reader (20 points) *

• Keyword optimization for the target (15 points) *

• Technical writing accuracy and grammar (30 points) *

• Value focus with specific accomplishments (20 points) *

Here are the categories:

• New Graduate/Entry-Level 

• Professional 

• Mid-Level Manager 

• Executive 

• Transition – Military/Return to Work 

Select your BEST resume in any category (limit of one entry per category for each contestant). Fictionalize all names, contact information, company names, and optional company descriptions. Prepare a strategy statement for each entry. Don’t forget to include the job listing on which you based your resume submission (if you don’t have access to the exact job listing you used, please include a similar job listing).

Entries close at midnight, Eastern Time, on July 31. Winners will be announced at the NRWA Conference in Providence, R.I. 

Nervous about entering? One way you can prepare yourself for excellence is to sign up for the NRWA’s six-week Writing Certification Boot Camp. The next class begins June 19. 

The Boot Camp application process closes June 12. To apply, send an email to certchair@thenrwa.org. The program is great preparation not only for the ROAR contest, but for earning the gold-standard industry credential, Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW).

Here’s what 2023 ROAR winner Julie Maahs, who earned her NCRW credential in 2022, has to say about competing:

“I became aware of ROAR in 2021 and saw it as a level of resume writing that I might achieve in the distant future. After completing the Writing Excellence Program, winning a ROAR seemed much more attainable because I understood how the resumes were put together. I was still hesitant to apply because my experience was mainly with college-aged students and new grads, and it didn’t seem to align with the current ROAR categories. When the new graduate category was added, I decided I should give it a try.

 “I didn’t know if I was good enough to win, and I felt like it was a long shot. But I thought I might as well enter and see what happened. It seemed like a safe way to find out exactly where my skill level was. The worst thing that could happen would be that I wouldn’t win, and I could always try again next year!”

Julie won in the “new graduate” category. You can see her winning resume and other award recipients here. The honor has been a boon for her work as assistant director for career readiness at Minnesota State University, Moorhead.

 “I work at a college career center. Winning this award has increased students’ trust in my feedback on their resumes and cover letters when I meet with them,” she said.

 It also increased her confidence.

“I was a featured speaker at a state conference last month and will be speaking at a national conference this fall. I would not have applied to be a speaker without that confidence,” Julie said.

Her advice is, “Just try it! The worst thing that can happen is that you don’t win. The process of perfecting a resume to submit taught me a lot and was great practice. I’m very glad I put myself out there.

Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams

By Ruth Sternberg, NCOPE, Watercooler Editor

Just before 2020, when I was working as a wedding officiant, I got a request, ostensibly from a father, to perform a ceremony for his daughter and her fiancé. It sounded a little “off” to me, but I cautiously agreed, and he said he would send me a check covering my fee.

A few days later, I received the payment, except it was for more than I had specified. I immediately knew that this was a scam, and I shredded it, then blocked him.

This is a common tactic some fraudsters use to get some of your money. They send you an overpayment and then ask you to deposit and to refund the surplus. Then you find out the check is bogus. And it’s too late.

This happens to job seekers, too. They may be seemingly sent advance wages, only to find out they have been duped when the check bounces. 

Phishing scams aimed at job seekers and professionals involved in job placement are alarmingly prevalent and cunning in their execution. These scams are designed to pilfer personal and financial data or to directly extract money from unsuspecting applicants and professionals.

Here are some more common scams your clients might encounter:

• Fake Job Listings: Scammers often post enticing job offers on renowned job boards, on social media, or via direct emails, demanding sensitive information or fees to "secure" positions or for supposed training requirements.

• Interview Impersonation: Individuals posing as recruiters conduct fake interviews via calls or video chats to gather personal or financial data.

• Email Phishing: Emails, seemingly from legitimate companies, promise job or interview opportunities but contain links to deceptive websites intended to capture credentials or deploy malware.

• Remote Work Scams: Offers for high-paying, minimal-effort remote jobs that require upfront investments for non-existent equipment or training.

• Pyramid Schemes and MLM Scams: Deceptive job offers that actually require an initial investment for recruitment rather than remuneration for genuine work.

• SMS Phishing (also called “smishing”): Job offers sent via text with links leading to phishing sites or to solicit personal data.

It can happen to us, too. Here are some examples:

• Fake Job Referral Requests: Scammers, posing as employers, may request client referrals leading to malicious sites.

• Impersonation of Potential Clients: Prospective clients might send harmful files, masquerading as resumes, which when opened, install malware.

• Business Email Compromise (BEC): After compromising email accounts, scammers send requests for personal data or payments under the guise of legitimate operations.

• Payment Redirection Scams: Professionals are misled into sending payments to fraudulent accounts.

• Phishing Emails: These target professional accounts with seemingly legitimate requests to verify or update account details, leading to phishing sites.

• Fake Software Offers: Scammers sell bogus software or tools at steep discounts, designed to steal payment details or disseminate malware.

• Credential Phishing: Emails purporting to be from industry bodies ask for credential verification via phishing sites.

Here’s what to do:

• Exercise caution with too-good-to-be-true offers, withhold sensitive data, vet companies rigorously, and rely on secure job-search platforms.

• Be vigilant about unsolicited contacts. Secure communication channels, regularly update security systems, and educate yourself and your clients about phishing risks.

• Verify the legitimacy of unexpected job offers or communications and educate yourself about phishing techniques to recognize and avoid scams.

We can protect ourselves and our clients if we remain alert, honor our intuition, and participate in regular updates on cybersecurity and handling online communications. In this way, we can increase our ability to safeguard personal and client data against these pervasive online threats.

Ruth Sternberg owns Confident Career Search, located in Rochester, N.Y., helping mid- to late-career professionals across the country rethink their directions and adjust their career paths for deeper life satisfaction. 

Pride Month 2024:

A Time to Celebrate Unity and Acceptance

By Eustacia A. English, NCOPE

June is Pride Month, the annual time to reflect on the progress made and the work still to be done in the fight for equality for the LGBTQ+ community.

The annual celebration commemorates the Stonewall riots of 1969, a pivotal moment in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. Pride Month serves as a reminder of the courage and resilience of the community and a call to action for continued progress.

Pride Month has great meaning for people who identify as LGBTQ+. It's a moment to respect their identities, experience a sense of acceptance and inclusion, and rejoice in the relationships and families they have created. Many people see Pride Month as a unique chance to live freely and authentically, without worrying about prejudice or judgment. This month is a time to celebrate the community's rich diversity and the advancements made in our pursuit of equality.

Pride Month celebration, however, isn't limited to the LGBTQ+ population. Allies should also take this opportunity to stand together and offer their support. Allies are essential in fostering an inclusive society because they challenge discrimination, including homophobia and transphobia. Allies can support the LGBTQ+ community and show them that they are not alone in their battle for equality by showing up to Pride events, dressing in Pride-related clothing, or just expressing their support online.

Pride Month is also a time to revisit how we can best serve our LGBTQ+ clients. Here are a few suggestions:

• Ensure that language used in resumes, letters, and profiles is inclusive and non-discriminatory.

• Use the client's preferred name and pronouns.

• Highlight experiences and achievements that reflect the client's skills and qualifications without forcing them to disclose their LGBTQ+ status unless they choose to.

• Help clients frame any employment gaps or transitions, such as those related to gender transition, in a positive, professional manner.

• Provide strategies for explaining name changes on resumes and during interviews.

• Encourage clients to include relevant advocacy, volunteer work, or involvement with LGBTQ+ organizations if they feel comfortable.

• Offer guidance on how to handle potential discrimination in the job-search process.

• Provide interview coaching to build confidence in discussing LGBTQ+ related topics if they arise.

• Assist clients in identifying and targeting employers known for their LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices. Use resources like the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index to find supportive workplaces.

• Encourage clients to connect with LGBTQ+ professional networks and mentors.

• Educate clients on their legal rights and protections against workplace discrimination.

• Provide resources for legal assistance if necessary.

As we commemorate Pride Month 2024 this year, let's not forget that the fight for equality is a never-ending quest. Even while there has been progress, much more needs to be done to ensure that the LGBTQ+ group is fully accepted in law and society. Transgender rights continue to be a divisive topic in many parts of the world, and there is still discrimination and violence against the community.

Pride Month, however, is a powerful reminder of the tenacity and resiliency of the LGBTQ+ community despite its difficulties. It's an opportunity to take account of the achievements, pay tribute to the bravery of those who dared to push for reform in the past, and recommit to the struggle for a more fair and just society in the future.

Let's commit to advancing equality, showing support for the LGBTQ+ community, and bringing about a society in which love is the only law as we celebrate Pride Month 2024. By working together, we can build a world where everyone is accepted, understood, and free.

Eustacia A. English is the owner of Resumes on Demand in Cherry Hill, N.J., where she provides resume writing and career-coaching services. She specializes in helping new graduates, nurses, and other HR professionals brand their careers. Connect with her at https://www.linkedin.com/in/eustacia/

Professional Development 

The NRWA offers live and on-demand webinars, a self-paced Resume Writing 101 course, teleseminars, and more opportunities for learning throughout the year.

Certification Programs 

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