October 2024

Editor's Message
by Ruth Sternberg, NCOPE – NRWA Newsletter Editor

Fall is here! Depending upon where you live, this means beautiful foliage. But in a wider sense, for all of us, it can be a season of harvest as we realize the fruits of our hard work. It’s also a time for reflection and transition as we evaluate our plans.

The annual NRWA conference will provide lots of ways to do that. See below for a last-minute option to attend virtually and for opportunities to contribute door prizes and/or become a sponsor. You can also read about the NRWA’s grant program. This could help you attend next year. 

At the conference we also will officially unveil a new certification program through which you can become a Nationally Certified Career Transition Coach (NCCTC). The NRWA is known for its high-quality training programs, and this one is no exception! If you want to help clients who are struggling in their careers, this can help you get to the next level. Read below for details and stay tuned for more information!

Then keep scrolling to get some marketing tips. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish provides some easily actionable advice from her recent webinar. The link to access the replay is provided. 

Finally, if you are not a Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE), you have time to sign up for the certification course! See the last newsletter item for the info.

I hope to see you at the conference and beyond!

By Robert Rosales

Since 2021, the NRWA grant program has been a valuable resource for members facing financial challenges.

We have demonstrated our commitment again in 2024 with 11 grant awards. These grants are full and partial awards for NRWA memberships and annual conference registrations. Each recipient has been carefully selected through a rigorous evaluation process focusing on financial need, NRWA leadership, pro bono services, and commitment to career development.

The NRWA grant program offers the following types of support:

  • One-year NRWA membership: Recipients benefit from the ongoing professional development, networking, and industry insights available through the NRWA.

  • Annual conference registration: This allows recipients to attend our signature event, providing valuable learning experiences and the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and peers.

Why We Do This

The goal of the program is to ensure that members can remain engaged in the association and continue to contribute to the career services industry even in times of difficulty. The program supports career professionals experiencing health challenges, economic downturns, and other personal hurdles. With this support, resume writers and career professionals can continue their professional development and stay connected to the NRWA community. 

Who Is Eligible

This program emphasizes supporting long-term NRWA members who have held leadership positions or service underrepresented communities with pro bono support.

The application process is simple and confidential. We remove identifying information and assign each application a number, then send it be evaluated and scored by the NRWA grant selection committee, composed of the sitting president, president-elect, and immediate past president.

Scoring is based on NRWA leadership, community impact, financial need, and career goals.

The Application Cycle

Grants are awarded quarterly, with application deadlines on March 15, June 15, Sept. 15, and Dec. 15. Applications submitted after each quarterly deadline will be considered for the next cycle.

If you are interested in applying, be prepared to answer questions regarding your:

  • NRWA membership and engagement

  • Leadership roles within the NRWA

  • Client base, particularly regarding pro bono or reduced-fee services

  • Financial need

  • Long-term career goals

The NRWA recognizes the vital contributions of all its members, and this grant program is a testament to our commitment to supporting you in times of need. Whether you are an experienced career professional, an emerging leader, or someone dedicated to helping underrepresented communities, the NRWA grant program is here to help you continue your professional journey.

To apply, visit our grant information page

Together, we are building a stronger, more supportive community that uplifts its members and encourages growth, even in the face of adversity.

Take Your Career Services to the Next Level: Introducing the NCCTC

Thinking of helping your clients dig deeper into their career motivations and goals?

The NRWA is unveiling a new program leading to the Nationally Certified Career Transition Coach (NCCTC) credential. The first cohort will begin training on Oct. 29.

Whether you run a resume-writing business or work in career services, the NCCTC program will equip you to help individuals confidently discover or refine their career paths. 

Leadership and Career Coach Chelsea Jay developed and will teach this eight-week, bootcamp-style program. She has designed the program to be intensive, rigorous, and comprehensive. “You won’t get this level of interactive coaching instruction, at this value, anywhere else,” she said. 

Why Get Certified?

  • You will learn to assemble customized career-transition strategies for a diverse audience.

  • You will receive documents that you can use to help clients clarify their vision.

  • You will be equipped to expand your revenue and strengthen your client relationships. 

  • You will find new, fulfilling ways to guide job seekers toward long-term career fulfillment. 

Keep reading the Watercooler and Midweek Memo and watching for email alerts containing the registration link.

By Heather Rothbauer-Wanish, Ph.D., NCOPE

Editor’s Note: Get additional tips from Heather by viewing the replay of her NRWA webinar, “7 Marketing Methods to Grow Your Resume-Writing Business (Without Breaking the Bank),” presented during the summer. 

Most of us love working with our clients, writing resumes, and coaching people through career changes. What we may not enjoy is marketing ourselves and our businesses. Or maybe we just aren’t sure what to do to ensure people know about our services.

There are many ways you can market your business without breaking the bank. Here are a couple of my favorites: 

Tip #1: Join a Networking Group

Networking groups offer a lot of opportunities for you to build personal connections, professional opportunities, and a referral partner base. Depending on the group, it may have weekly or monthly meetings, educational sessions, and annual events. 

As an example, I’ve been in a women’s networking group for approximately 12 years. Today, I know that 40% of my business comes either directly or indirectly from that group. 

Remember that you get out of it what you put into it; you certainly can’t expect to join a group and just have business immediately. I attend my local meetings, online meetups, and an annual meeting that takes place in a different location each year. 

Additionally, I am very active on the social media pages related to the organization and often foster connections for those in my network. When you are the conduit for others doing business together, they remember you when a career-related need arises. But remember that it takes time to build relationships and trust among members. Give yourself at least a year in a networking group before you expect to see any real results.

Tip #2: Volunteer to Speak at Events

Yes, volunteering takes time and rarely involves monetary compensation. However, it can be a unique way to market yourself and spread your message and brand. 

Ask your local chambers of commerce or networking organizations if they need educational opportunities for members. Typically, they are seeking ways to add value to their membership, and external speakers can easily do just that. 

Seek out service organizations such as the Optimist Club, Lions Club, Kiwanis International, or Rotary International. These are all community-based organizations, and their members have strong local connections. Why not educate those members about your offerings? 

I’ve spoken to many local organizations just by asking them for an opportunity. Past topics I’ve presented on include “Top 10 Resume Tips,” “How to Write an Effective Bio,” and “Building Confidence During the Job Search.” 

When you plan to speak to a group, find out as much information as possible beforehand, including the number of people who will attend and whether you can provide a handout and business cards or a promotional item.

You can also use photos from your speaking event on your social media platforms, as a blog post, or to land future speaking gigs. 

Tip #3: Gather Testimonials

How often do you tell your clients that they should tell others of their successes and accomplishments? The same is true for you as a career industry professional. If you don’t let people know you are an expert in your field, how will they find you?

Do not be afraid to ask for a testimonial. I have made it part of my client journey within my customer relationship management system. When you ask for a testimonial, be very specific and ask the client to mention how quickly they were able to land an interview with the new resume or how their confidence level changed after interview coaching. 

Currently, my focus is asking for Google reviews and LinkedIn recommendations. A Google review enables you to be found quickly when someone searches online for your offerings. If you are seeking clients via LinkedIn or use that to build your business, then a recommendation on that platform is priceless. 

The best part of testimonials and reviews is that you can use them in multiple locations. They can be used on your website and on social media platforms. I even use them when responding to a prospect by sending a link to my Google reviews. This is how I show them that other people believe in my services. 

Things to keep in mind:

  • Most of us don’t have multimillion-dollar marketing budgets, but we don’t necessarily need that to market ourselves effectively. Be creative and innovative with your time and your marketing.

  • You are NOT bragging when you let other people know about what you do, why you do it, and how you do it. Don’t be afraid to share your expertise through articles, blogs, podcast interviews, LinkedIn Lives, and other opportunities. 

  • Remember that you can share the same information in multiple places. If you are featured on a website, share it on your social media sites, write a press release about it, or turn it into a blog post. Your audience needs to see your information multiple times before they decide to contact you about your services. 

  • Finally, have fun with marketing! It doesn’t have to be stuffy, rigid, or traditional. Choose the methods that work best for you and don’t be afraid to try something new. It’s all about being memorable. 

Heather Rothbauer-Wanish has owned Feather Communications since 2008. She loves giving people confidence in themselves during the job search and enjoys finding the right words to describe their work history and experiences. She teaches business communication courses at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Heather has a Ph.D. in organization and management.

Reminder: Register for the NCOPE Certification Course

Strengthen your expertise in writing and advising your clients about LinkedIn profiles by earning your National Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE) designation. 

This is gold-standard training in optimizing LinkedIn profiles for visibility and results.

The next training begins Oct. 24. NRWA member Tom Powner will spend five sessions teaching you:

  • How to craft branded, engaging, conversational, value-based LinkedIn profiles that get found and land clients more interviews.

  • The role of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and the role LinkedIn plays in today’s job hunt, career marketing, and social recruiting.

  • The ins and outs of LinkedIn Recruiter—the platform used by a majority of recruiters to find and vet talent. This will give you the edge needed to craft profiles that perform in a crowded and competitive space.

  • The strategy behind finding, building, and nurturing a large, centric network to catapult your clients’ networking power.

  • Best practices to leverage LinkedIn’s network power and career interest settings and to find and apply to LinkedIn job postings.

Here are the details:

Class meetings are Thursdays, Oct. 24 – Nov. 21.

Classes meet from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., ET.

Our five-session interactive certification program will give you the ability to craft branded, engaging, conversational, value-based LinkedIn profiles (and an understanding that a great LinkedIn profile is born from a great resume) that get found and land clients more interviews (and you’ll get more clients!).

Click here for more details and to register! 

Ask the Experts Awaits Your Response…

You might have seen that the NRWA provides its members a unique opportunity to showcase their expertise each month. It’s called “Ask the Experts,” leading to a yearly compilation of wisdom available for anyone to download.

Questions cover every angle of job searching, from resume construction to interviewing, and you will likely find a few that you cannot resist weighing in on.

Here’s why it’s worth that few minutes:

  • You're enhancing your professional profile, sharpening your advisory skills, and establishing yourself as a leader in the career development community.
  • The questions you answer help you become a better advisor, boost your reputation, and showcase you as an expert in our field.
  • This exposure can lead to new clients and collaborations, helping you shape your professional journey as you help others shape theirs.

Check out this month’s questions and share your wisdom!

Professional Development 

electronic learning

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

LEARN MORE

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