August 2018

In This Issue


Executive Greeting

By Ashley Watkins, NCRW, Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair

I am excited to be the 2018 NRWA Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair. As we gear up for this year’s conference, my focus is cultivating mutually beneficial partnerships by reinforcing the NRWA’s position as the only national nonprofit organization for resume writers and career services providers.

By joining forces with the NRWA, sponsors and affiliates gain valuable exposure and the opportunity to network with conference attendees and members, including resume writers, coaches, counselors, and other career professionals.

While we traditionally target organizations that specialize in resume writing resources, business management support, software, or other tools for writers and their clients — I also strive to build strategic alliances with companies across diverse disciplines who find value in the work we do.

The NRWA wouldn’t have such a positive impact if not for the support of our members and partners.

If you would like to share leads for potential sponsors and affiliates or would like to become a partner, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at info@WriteStepResumes.com.

Together, we can increase the NRWA’s visibility and promote excellence throughout the career services industry.

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Last Call to Nominate Your Choice for 2018 Industry Hero

Don’t assume that someone else has nominated your candidate for the 2018 Industry Hero Award! Even if a like-minded individual has already done so, s/he may not have been as thorough and eloquent as you can be.

If you know a professional who has contributed significantly to the growth and advancement of our industry, take a few minutes now to document that leading-edge influencer’s achievements for consideration by NRWA leadership. The 2018 Industry Hero Award will be presented at the NRWA Conference in Seattle this October.

Read more about the award and past recipients here. Document a brief description of the impact your nominee’s work has had on the industry and email Mary Jo King, president@thenrwa.com, by Friday, August 24. Nominate your hero today—before time runs out!

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Introducing the NRWA's "Ask the Experts" Program! 

The NRWA's Public Image Committee has been behind the scenes diligently planning several initiatives designed to increase awareness and enhance the image of our profession among the public, as well as related industry professions, such as recruiting firms, employment agencies, university/military career centers, career coaches, and career counselors.

As part of this project, we are launching a virtual “Ask the Experts Portal” enabling NRWA members to share their expertise by answering questions from job seekers. The goals of this initiative are to:

1. Provide a reputable resource for job seekers to have their pressing career-related questions answered by experts, and

2. To position the NRWA as a credible expert resource in the marketplace while boosting the visibility and reputation of our industry. 

We are looking for our members to answer up to three questions on various career-related topics once per month.

Benefits of being a NRWA Career Expert:


Submissions are limited to 400 characters or less and top responses (those that provide the best clarity and most value to the job seeker) will be selected for inclusion in an article with the name of the expert and a link to their contact information on the NRWA site.

Our first set of questions is now available on the online portal:  https://thenrwa.com/expert-answers/

Go there now and be the first to answer! If you have any questions, please contact NRWA Past President Michelle Dumas at  michelle@distinctivecareerservices.com or NRWA President Mary Jo King at  president@thenrwa.com.

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Gain exposure for your business. Sponsor the 2018 NRWA Conference.

Ashley Watkins, NCRW
Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair

Would marketing your product or service to more than 500 of the finest career services professionals on the planet have a positive impact on your business? Consider becoming a sponsor for the 2018 National Résumé Writers' Association Conference and generate exposure for you and your business. This year's conference will be held October 4-6 in Seattle, WA. 

By becoming a sponsor, you can showcase your business to 500+ members via multiple advertising opportunities, including banner displays, conference newsletter features, or on the NRWA website.

If sponsorship isn’t a fit for your needs, try our other budget-friendly options:

Contact Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair, Ashley Watkins (info@WriteStepResumes.com), to learn more about generous sponsorship packages, vendor tables, and other affordable options.

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Affiliate Spotlight

Ashley Watkins, NCRW
Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair

Looking for ways to increase productivity and sales for your resume business in 2018?  

ResumeBiz.com (RBIZ) is a go-to resource for resume writers, offering a growing portfolio of advanced sales/marketing strategies, training, downloads, and “done-for-you” resources.

If you want to write resumes faster, RBIZ provides members with a growing library of “written-for-you” resume content. You can also get up to 2 hours of individual coaching each month conducted via email to provide the one-on-one attention you need to grow your resume business exponentially.

Join RBIZ today and gain access to a vast selection of monthly downloads and goodies designed to get results faster and without the painful learning curve.

Whether you’re a newly established resume business or a careers industry veteran, RBIZ has articles and resources to streamline your business, better manage client projects, handle your accounting, easily build your sales, find resume-writing subcontracting gigs, and more.

Click here to get a detailed look into what RBIZ offers.

For more information, visit: https://thenrwa.com/affiliatepartners

To learn more about becoming a part of the NRWA Affiliate Program, visit https://thenrwa.com/becomeaffiliate.

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Education Report

Virginia Franco, NCRW, MRW, CPRW, CEIP
NRWA Education Chair

Did you know that next to early Winter, Fall is THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO JOB HUNT, which means our services will be in high demand! Our upcoming webinars are designed to strengthen your skills AND your business on all fronts: writing, client engagement, sales, and marketing.

Upcoming Webinars

SEPTEMBER: Create Impact Bullets That Sell Your Clients' Value by Career Thinker Founder and NRWA Board Member Tom Powner on Thursday, September 13, from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., ET.

OCTOBER: Stand Out by Being You: Create a Marketing Message That Attracts Your Ideal Clients While Being Authentic by Tapping Your Purpose Founder Charo Pinilla on Friday, October 19, from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., ET.

NOVEMBER: Insightful Information: How to Get It, How to Use It Beyond the Resume by industry vet Best Impression Career Services Founder Louise Kursmark on Friday, November 9, from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., ET.

Past Webinars Available For Sale

If you missed webinars from earlier this year, it’s not too late! Past recordings of popular webinars can be purchased on demand – and many (including those below) can provide you with CEU credit. Here’s a sampling:

Essential Microsoft Word® Shortcuts and Timesavers for Professional Resume Writers

ATS Two Part Webinar (2 sessions and 1 CEU per session)

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Certification Corner

Sally McIntosh, NCRW, JCTC
Certification Chair

This monthly column will provide information about NRWA procedures and training programs. For more information contact Sally McIntosh, Certification Chair, CertChair@thenrwa.com.

Writing Excellence: Instructor Led. This is our premier training program.
5-week accelerated live program. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.,
EST. August 28–September 27. https://thenrwa.com/writingexcellenceprogram

Writing Excellence: On Demand Virtual Training. Strengthen the quality and content of your resumes and cover letters. Work at your own pace. https://thenrwa.com/WRITING-EXCELLENCE-ON-DEMAND-VIRTUAL-TRAINING                       

Sample Submission: Before you can begin the certification process you must submit:  

The reviewer must say that you are "ready" to proceed to the two-part test.
https://thenrwa.com/sample-submission

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2018 Conference Brief



By Jean Austin, NRWA Conference Advisory Chair & Board Member

A career-changer himself and proof it can be done, Tom resigned from a 25-year career in business development, operations and sales leadership to create Career Thinker Inc. He was motivated by years of viewing thousands of poorly crafted resumes and interviewing more than 1,000 unprepared applicants. His goal is to make a difference by providing people with career services, coaching, technology, inspiration and confidence to motivate them to act and advance their careers. He has a broad range of clients, but his sweet spot is preparing future executives. Tom’s vision for CareerThinker.com is to create a gateway for clients to find career services and choose a career professional from a best-matched list.

You have earned an industry-wide reputation as a LinkedIn expert. Where did your interest in technology, and eventually to social media, begin? And what can those of us who are not as technologically proficient learn from your journey?   

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had natural curiosity with technology. At age 16, my first computer was a Commodore VIC-20. I designed an ice hockey game for Atari that went to preproduction but didn’t get released. My college education is in computer science, but back then programmers were not rock stars and were placed in cold, windowless basements to work. That was not my style, so I went in a different career direction.

My advice to those who are not proficient in technology and software is “don’t be scared; you can’t break it!” When I started Career Thinker, if a task or a function seemed too tedious I would search for a tech solution to make it easier. There are many online video tutorials which can guide you and build your confidence.  Also, you don’t need to purchase software and get stuck with it, since many companies have free 30-day trials or will allow you to test it out by purchasing a monthly membership before committing to a yearly one. Six months ago, based on a recommendation from a colleague, I started using Basecamp as my project management software. It has been a great solution to what used to be a messy process.

Click here to read the full interview.

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Strike a Pose. Book your 2018 NRWAConference Corporate Headshot session today!

Ashley Watkins, NCRW
Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair

Promote your brand and attract better-paying clients by presenting a polished online image to your target audience.

A great headshot is critical for many advertising campaigns. As career experts, we educate clients about the importance of investing in their futures and gaining more positive visibility through social media, LinkedIn and other online platforms.

Let’s practice what we preach and refresh our headshots at the 2018 NRWA Conference in Seattle, WA.

Market yourself with confidence and poise by booking your onsite corporate headshot session at The W Hotel Seattle from October 4-6th with Susan Doupe, Seattle-based portrait and headshot photographer.

As an NRWA conference attendee, you can reserve your individual corporate headshot session (click here) with Susan for $165 (regularly $325).

Corporate headshot sessions are scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 4, starting at 1:30 p.m., and will run throughout the day on Friday, October 5, with the last session scheduled on Saturday, October 6 at 11:30 a.m. Registration ends September 14, 2018.

This package includes 20 inside headshot poses with a neutral backdrop and professional lighting and very light makeup/hair touch-ups (powdering or taming flyaways, if needed). A fully retouched photo in high-resolution JPEG format for printing and a lower resolution JPEG for website use will also be provided via email within 15 business days. Additional retouched images are $30 each or 2 for $50.

If you have already registered for the conference, don't worry — you can still secure a slot by clicking here.

Susan Doupé was an actress before launching her photography business. She has a BA in Psychology and an MFA in Theater. In addition to photography, she currently volunteers for two amazing nonprofit organizations — SOULUMINATION and The Hutch School.


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Member Benefit - Getting Started

By Sara Timm, President, DFW Resume
Membership Chair

Launching a resume business can be daunting, but it can be done as evidenced by the successful new businesses opened each year. Those who do succeed spend substantial time completing research and fine-tuning their craft. While not an absolute guarantee of success, preparation will improve your chances significantly.

Be prepared to meet the challenges you'll encounter with the support of The NRWA’s Getting Started resource.

Submitted by Linda Meehan of WebWordResumes and Dawn Rasmussen of Pathfinder Writing & Career Services, this invaluable resource covers the ins and outs of business licensing, branding, company identity, financial services, operations, and promotion—everything you need to get started.

Chock full of referral sources and links to additional information, this is a must-have for any resume writer seeking to start and grown their own resume company. The Getting Started resource is found on the Business Resources page in the members-only section of TheNRWA.com.

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Member News

By Debra Ann Matthews
Director of Industry, Military/Workforce/Career Centers 

Betty Arntson, Owner of Achieve Career Consulting, Greater Milwaukee, WI, opened her practice in January 2018, and has excitedly focused her services toward those experiencing transitions. She states that the economy is so great right now, so whether you are a veteran, homemaker, lost employment through business closings, or are less than happy with your current job, Achieve Career Consulting is available to help with career and coaching transition services.

Jaimie Allen, Professional Résumé Writer, Tallahassee, FL, switched her practice and expanded her services nationwide as a freelancer helping businesses with inbound digital marketing, website content, and general copywriting services. She found success using the platform Upwork.

Lauren Anderson, of All In Recruiting, Las Vegas, NV, participated in a national pitch competition powered by Shea Moisture called “New Voices Fund.” It was a great opportunity for her to add business financials, develop a pitch, and network with female entrepreneurs and business owners. The Fund will be making "popups" in cities nationwide as they did in Las Vegas. Lauren’s business has expanded to offer recruiting on behalf of companies, businesses, and unique brands seeking top diverse talent.

I am leaving the NRWA Board after serving five consecutive years championing new business owners, military writers, and workforce and career center staff. Thanks for the opportunity to serve. I am teaching resume and capability-statement classes for Small Business Association and PTAC and have collaborated with Daymar College to teach students and staff resume best practices.

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Volunteer of the Month - Robin Schlinger

By Robert Rosales, CPRW
Marketing Chair


We are pleased to announce Robin Schlinger as August’s Volunteer of the Month. Robin currently serves as the e-Book Committee Chairperson on the NRWA’s Public Image Committee.

Robin has been coaching clients and adding value to federal and civilian resumes since 2001.

Robin regularly speaks at conferences and for national-level audiences. She has delivered her motivational presentation on “How to Prepare to Create a Great Resume” more than 50 times for Women For Hire, Career Ministries, professional conferences, colleges, companies and professional business organizations. In 2013, Robin spoke about resumes for the Fox News Career Channel.

Robin has spoken on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) for the Georgia Career Development Association (GCDA), National Résumé Writers’ Association (NRWA), Career Directors International (CDI), National Career Summit, CEUOneStop and other organizations. Her work and research on ATS were published in 101 Great Ways to Compete in Today's Job Market and in the Career Planning and Adult Development Journal. US News and World Report covered her work on ATS in a feature article. Résumés for Dummies, published in 2015, includes a chapter on Robin's ATS information.

In addition, Robin has made presentations on federal resumes for the GCDA Conference in 2016, the final Career Management Alliance (CMA) conference, and the Georgia Tech national symposium.

Prior to becoming a resume writer and career coach, Robin earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (BSChE) from MIT and had a successful career contributing millions to company bottom lines as a process, research, quality engineer and planning analyst for Fortune 500 companies.

Tell us a little bit about you. What is the name of your business? What types of clients do you typically work with?

I founded Robin’s Résumés® in 2006 to provide clients with dynamic, interview-winning career marketing packages. I serve all clients, but my typical sweet spots include federal resumes (including senior executive service), technical resumes, and professional resumes.

How did you first get involved with the NRWA?

I first learned of the NRWA around 2003 while working for another resume writing company when I was researching different resume writing certifications. I considered getting the NCRW, but at that time, I did not have the requisite requirements. Once I started my own company, I joined the NRWA. At that time, the NRWA had regional groups, and I connected with several folks from my region, some of whom I still connect with and have lunch with on an irregular basis. Since then, I have attended several annual conferences as well as presented at the 2016 conference.

What prompted you to get involved with the Public Image Committee?

One of my missions for the industry is to provide job seekers with valid information they can use to get jobs and advance their careers. Over the years, I have published over 400 articles on my website providing advice. When the Public Image Committee asked for volunteers for an ebook, I thought my experience in publishing hundreds of articles with career advice would be valuable in this effort. I started out as a volunteer for the committee, then volunteered to be the chairperson for the ebook committee, based on my vision on how to move this forward. I think this effort is a win-win-win-win proposition: Job seekers winning from getting correct advice, NRWA winning from positive publicity for the organization, NRWA members winning from positive publicity that shows off their knowledge and career facilitators such as recruiters winning from providing correct advice.

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

You can learn so much from your colleagues. You do not need to reinvent the wheel or go it alone. Joining the NRWA provides members the opportunity to grow the profession -- and provides resume writers and coaches the opportunity to grow themselves and their businesses.

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

I am a bit of a daredevil. I have a pilot’s license and advanced diving certification.

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New and Renewing Members

Welcome to our new and renewing members for the month of July 2018!  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.

Find colleagues in your area by searching here.

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