April 2020

In This Issue 

• Executive Greeting
• 2020 Conference: Registration is Open
• Seeking Sponsors for the 2020 Conference
• Affiliate Highlight
• Upcoming Education
• Certification News and Training Programs
• Member Benefits
• NRWA Volunteer of the Month
• Share Your Expertise in Ask The Experts
• New and Renewing Members

Executive Greeting 

Dear Colleagues,

It is a privilege for me to be part of the NRWA's mission "to increase the visibility of the industry, encourage ethical practices, promote excellence, and raise industry standards through peer marketing and training." As Education Chair, it is my goal to continue the NRWA's history of providing quality programming to its members.

Following Tom Powner’s webinar, “Jobscan – Why Should I Use It?” on April 17, 2020, Cathy Lanzalaco will present “Teach College Students and New Grads to Fish to Ensure a Lifetime of Success” on May 15. Registration is open for both events at https://www.thenrwa.com/Upcoming-Webinars/

How to Earn CEUs

Did you know that you can earn CEUs (required for new and renewing NCRWs) by reading and reviewing a book for the NRWA? These reviews are included on the NRWA Recommended Books page. If you are in search of a reference book for your business, consider those that have been vetted by our members before ordering to ensure the content is current and valuable. There are many other ways to earn CEUs, which are clearly outlined on the CEU Requirements page.

Professional Development

I hope you are planning to attend as many of this year’s webinars as your schedule permits. If you happen to miss any of them, you may purchase recordings on the NRWA’s On-Demand Webinars page.

I’ve already started to book webinars for 2021. I am committed to scheduling another year of topics of value to you that are presented by outstanding speakers.

If you have any questions about the NRWA’s educational programs and resources, please be sure to email me, and I’ll be happy to help. Stay well and stay safe!

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2020 Conference: Registration is Open! 

September 13 and the opening of the NRWA’s annual conference, to be held at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans, will be here before it seems possible. Early Bird Registration is open through June 30, so take this opportunity to register for 3 days of pursuing professional development, networking, and reconnecting with colleagues, and savoring unique and delicious regional dishes—all while making sure to laissez les bon temps rouler!

Visit the NRWA website to access the Conference Registration Page.

Special Note:

We understand that it is a very unusual time to consider travel and group meetings as our nation is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Safety is our top priority, and while we are excited for our upcoming conference and optimistic that the coronavirus will be under control soon, we are also monitoring all information from the CDC, WHO, local and federal government, as well as our host hotel in New Orleans. We pledge to keep our membership and attendees informed of any changes to be made and precautions to be taken.

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Seeking Sponsors for the NRWA 2020 Conference 

Are you interested in marketing your product or service to 500 of the finest career service professionals on the planet? Consider becoming a sponsor for the National Resume Writers’ Association 2020 Conference to increase your business exposure and brand value.

This year, we are headed to the heart of NOLA’s vibrant French Quarter—and we want you to "let the good times roll” with us September 13–15, 2020. By becoming a sponsor, you will support our mission to deliver cutting-edge education on resumes, LinkedIn, the job market, and hiring trends. You can build credibility and advertise your products or services to some of the most successful professionals in our industry.

We have options for all marketing budgets. Packages range from our Bourbon Street Sponsorship, which includes two free conference registrations, to à la carte offerings that allow you to sponsor specific sessions. If you are not planning to attend the conference, you can still bring your message to our members. Choose from a suite of virtual sponsorship opportunities, including logo placement in communications for our educational programs, conference newsletters, or the Midweek Memo. The deadline to sign up is August 1, 2020.

Contact Candace Barr (candace@strategic-resume.com), the NRWA Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair, to learn more about sponsorship packages, vendor benefits, and other affordable options.

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Affiliate Highlight 

Would you like to add another income stream to your business? ProfilingPro provides special DISC Report pricing for NRWA members. This highly useful and revenue-generating online behavior assessment tool is typically priced with 146% profit margin (plus your consulting fee).

DISC profiles help you write better resumes, develop branding statements, ensure cover letters are written in the client’s voice, improve interviewing skills, or zero in on alternatives for career transitions.

Your clients gain insight into the inherent characteristics, traits, and value that they bring to a position. DISC Reports will help focus your client’s job search strategy while enhancing confidence and presentation skills in job interviews. View a sample report here.

As an NRWA member, you get special pricing. Take advantage of this exclusive benefit today!

To learn more about becoming a part of the NRWA Affiliate Program, visit https://thenrwa.com/becomeaffiliate or contact Candace Barr at candace@strategic-resume.com.

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Upcoming Education 

Spring has officially arrived, and with it, your opportunity to shine in a more extraordinary way than ever before! The next few months are filled with webinars that will make a difference to you as a career services professional and to your business.

We know that ATS compatibility is critical to job search success. You will have an opportunity to learn how to use Jobscan to optimize your clients’ resumes and LinkedIn profiles in the NRWA’s April webinar.  

JobScan -

Why Should I Use It?
Presented by Tom Powner, NCOPE, CPRW, CEIP, CCM, CDCC

Friday, April 17, 2020
12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m., ET

Getting a resume to score well in today’s smart ATS (Applicant Tracking Software) systems is challenging and one of the main obstacles many of our clients face in their job search. Although we coach our clients on ways to bypass online applications, even with networking or with social recruiting, at some point a company that uses an ATS will scan all resumes into their system to be compliant.

In this webinar, you will:

• Learn how to use Jobscan to boost a resume’s keyword richness.
• Take a deep dive into Jobscan’s new/improved ATS findings and best practices.
• Discover ways to monetize your service offering using Jobscan.

This one-hour webinar is $19.99 for NRWA members and $39.99 for nonmembers and qualifies for 1 CEU. It will be recorded and distributed to all participants.

Click here to register!

About Tom Powner:

A career-changer himself and proof it can be done, Tom Powner resigned from a 25-year career in business development, operations, and sales leadership to create Career Thinker Inc. Motivated by years of viewing thousands of poorly crafted resumes and LinkedIn profiles and interviewing more than 1,000 unprepared applicants, his goal is to provide people with career services, coaching, technology, inspiration, and confidence to motivate them to take action and advance their careers. Tom is a LinkedIn power user, serves on the NRWA Board, and has presented dozens of educational workshops to job seekers and at NRWA conferences.

Sneak Peek: Be sure to mark your calendars for Cathy Lanzalaco’s webinar, “Teach College Students and New Grads to Fish to Ensure a Lifetime of Career Success,” on May 15, 2020, from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. ET.

Have you missed a webinar or heard about a terrific one from a colleague? Webinar recordings from 2013 to the present are available to you on our On-Demand Webinars page at https://thenrwa.com/On-Demand-Webinars/.

Members can also access older but still valuable teleseminars at https://thenrwa.com/teleseminar-archives, including Susan Whitcomb’s “Asking Zinger Questions” and Greg Wood’s “Standing Out to Be Outstanding: 5 Tools to Help Your Clients Achieve Critical Differentiation."

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Certification 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 current NCOPE program began on April 2 and runs through April 20. Stay tuned for details on the next NCOPE program later this year.

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 2020 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 added even more valuable benefits to the program—more educational resources, greater professional opportunities, and a clear path to help you advance your career!

Wondering if the Writing Excellence Certification Preparation Program is right for you?

The answer is yes!

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

The next nine-week live program begins on June 18 and runs through August 13. 

Visit the NRWA site for more information and to register.

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Member Benefit: NRWA Facebook Group

Sara Timm
NRWA Membership Chair 

The NRWA Facebook group makes it easy for NRWA members to have a voice, share knowledge, gain insight into the resume writing industry, and connect with colleagues.

Have your voice heard.

Share ideas, articles, and helpful advice on resume writing, technology, client management, marketing, sales, and other issues we face in our industry.

Share knowledge.

Experienced business owners have built companies from scratch and can now offer invaluable advice from which other forum members can benefit.

Gain industry insight.

New business owners can learn how successful resume writers have improved work products and workflows in their businesses for business development and growth ideas.

Connect with colleagues.

Running a business from home is lonely work. Our vibrant online discussion Facebook forum provides the opportunity to connect and build bonds with other NRWA members.

We hope to see you on the NRWA Facebook group soon!

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NRWA Volunteer of the Month - Cheryl Milmoe 

Paul Bennett
NRWA Conference Committee and Marketing Committee Member 

Hello everyone!

I’m very excited to be presenting our current Volunteer of the Month, Cheryl Milmoe. Cheryl brings vast HR experience from the financial industry to our organization. She's a key player on our Public Image Committee (PIC), contributes to our Ask the Experts program, and has been doing a great job as an e-book editor.

Tell us a bit about yourself, your business, and the type of clients you typically work with.

I'm a nationally certified and published resume writer, career coach, and LinkedIn profile expert. As a veteran HR director, recruiter, business coach, and outplacement specialist in the investment banking world, I've led numerous training seminars, written compelling career documents, and delivered directional coaching for downsized executives. Having worked with finance executives in multiple lines of business, I know what gets people noticed and hired.

How did you first learn about the NRWA? In other words, what brought you to the organization?

I learned of the NRWA from professional training courses, certification programs, and networking with other careerists. I noticed some things that set the NRWA apart from the others: our collegial spirit, how we recognize one another's gifts and contributions, and our professional kindness. I wanted to catch the NRWA wave!

You've been very busy with our PIC, e-book proofreading, and other important things! What prompted you to get involved in this way?

Volunteering with the PIC was the perfect way to share my corporate communications and public relations background. I derive tremendous fulfillment from finding just the right words to communicate a company's brand and let its value shine through market-facing materials. Partnering with my NRWA colleagues on the e-book, Ask the Experts, and other ad-hoc projects has delivered huge dividends. I get to do what I love while giving back to an organization that provides unparalleled value to me as a career professional. 

What do you wish others knew about the benefits of getting involved with the NRWA?

The appreciation—the NRWA leadership never misses an opportunity to let you know how grateful they are for what you do (which of course makes me want to do even more).

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

Well, I'm a Brooklyn girl who grew up with lots of family gathered around the table, eating all kinds of delicious food, and many of my school friends were of Italian descent. After school, we often studied together, and the aromas in their homes were amazing! I always found my way into the kitchens where their moms would be making dinner. I'd ask, "How do you make that?" "What's a braciole?" "What's Sunday Gravy?" "What's 'mutz-a-rell (mozzarella)?" I learned how to cook at the elbows of these wonderful, talented, and patient women who turned me into an authentic Italian aficionado!

Cheryl, you've contributed enormously to the NRWA. We're delighted to have you as a member, and congratulations on being our Volunteer of the Month for April 2020!

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Welcome to our new and renewing members for the month of January 2020!  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.

• Jean Abreght - The Document House in York, Pennsylvania
• Peter Anthony - EDSI in Livonia, Michigan
• Ella Berenstein - Resume Advocate in Rochester, New York
• Ananya Bhattacharya - DuxVitae in Sugarland, Texas
• Mirela Borsan in Litchfield Park, Arizona
• Alicia Buzan - RiseSmart in Carmel Valley, California
• Jurmelle Bynoe in Miami, Florida
• Marleen Cabral - Morongo Tribal TANF Program in San Bernadino, California
• Jenna Cantwell - Cantwell Career Coaching in Redmond, Washington
• Angela Cutchineal - Holy Family University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Jenny Czerniak in Cedarville, Ohio
• Shelly DeVille in Loveland, Ohio
• Scott Gardner - Vitae Express in Tampa, Florida
• Eduardo Gonzalez - Meet the World LLC in Laredo, Texas
• Jacqueline Gordon - Triton College in River Grove, Illinois
• Kathy Grapp in Valley, Alabama
• Roshael Hanna - Resumes 4 Results in Woodbury, Minnesota
• Paula Hawks - Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
• Lisa Hebert - LMH Advisors, Inc. in Bay Village, Ohio
• Diane Irwin - Dynamic Resumes in Cherry Hill, New Jersey
• Nicky Knight in Lakeland, Florida
• Peter Lavelle - Rez Builder in Hugo, Minnesota
• Darlene Lowery Eaton in Sacramento, California
• Bernice Maldonado - Catalyst Era, Inc. in San Dimas, California
• Stacy Marrow - Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York
• Julia Mattern - Julia Mattern Career Services, LLC in Westfield, Indiana
• Rebecca McCarthy - Bright Career Branding in Vista, California
• Michelle McClellan - MLM Communications in Portland, Oregon
• Amy McDaniel in Channahon, Illinois
• Laureen McHugh in West Simsbury, Connecticut
• Keith Miller - Ivy League Resumes in Staten Island, New York
• Elizabeth Mills in Rockville, Maryland
• Cheryl Milmoe - Cardinal Expert Résumés in Sayville, New York
• Andrea Mitchell-Khan - Blackmere Consulting in Redmond, Washington
• Kevin Morris in Naples, Florida
• Brandi Munoz - People Culture Consulting in Houston, Texas
• Deborah Nakashima in Kaneohe, Hawaii
• Gary Nelson - Cantigny Group Inc. in Wheaton, Illinois
• Cindy Reay - Dynamic Resume and Career Services LLC in Henderson, Nevada
• Dorothy Richardson - DKR Global Consulting Inc. in Deerfield Beach, Florida
• Sheila Rotelli in Palatine, Illinois
• Marie Sales in Chicago, Illinois
• Tammy Shoup - Breakthrough Resume Writing Service in Decatur, Indiana
• Laurie Smith - Creative Keystrokes Executive Resume Service in Gastonia, North Carolina
• Dodie Thompson - Peak Resumes LLC in Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Kiersten Troutman, M.A. - Second Glance Résumés in Canton, Ohio
• Jason Vallozi - Campus to Career Crossroads in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Rosa Elizabeth Vargas - Career Steering in Maitland, Florida
• Vitaliia Vasylenko in San Francisco, California
• Kathleen Watson in Clayton, North Carolina
• Allison Weber in Flagstaff, Arizona
• Tosha Wilson-Davis - Penciled IN Resume Writing & Career Services, LLC in Butler, Georgia
• Linda Woodard, Ed.D. - LDW Group LLC in Jacksonville, Florida

Find colleagues in your area by searching here.

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