December 2019

In This Issue 

• Executive Greeting
• 2020 Conference: Save the Date
• Affiliate Highlight
• Upcoming Education
• Certification News and Training Program
• Member News
• NRWA Email Subscription
• Volunteer of the Month
• Share Your Expertise in Ask The Experts
• New and Renewing Members

Executive Greeting 

Dear NRWA Members,

As we busily wrap up projects in preparation for the end of 2019 and start to think about goals for 2020, I would like to take a minute to reflect on what has made 2019 so successful for the NRWA. I can sum it up in one word: PEOPLE.

Our fantastic conference/cruise is just the latest example of the impact of our volunteers. Nancy Grant and her team of dedicated volunteers provided members with the opportunity to learn, have fun, make new friends, and catch up with old friends while visiting the Bahamas. Nancy is staying on board to make our next conference just as wonderful—New Orleans, here we come!

Volunteers also ensured the quality of our credentialing and education programs. Under the guidance of Sally McIntosh (NCRW) and Tom Powner (NCOPE), our certification programs are recognized as some of the most prestigious in the industry. If you have not earned these certifications, you might consider investing in yourself in 2020 and registering for one or both.

In fact, as a member-run organization, each program, publication, and process is managed by a volunteer. To the 100+ volunteers that made 2019 such a success—THANK YOU. I wish I had room to list each of you. To those of you who would like to be one of those volunteers in 2020, I encourage you to let me know.

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Save the Date for the 2020 Conference 

If your feet have been tapping, and you're already thinking of beignets and gumbo, you're probably looking forward to the NRWA's 2020 conference, "Unmasking Strategies for Success," in New Orleans! Don't miss another chance to have a great time, learn, and connect with colleagues. We'll keep you informed so you can make plans well in advance, but for now—save the date by marking your calendar for September 13-15, 2020!

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Affiliate Highlight 

Enhancv offers a modernized resume-building tool that helps job seekers highlight their achievements, attitude, and personality so they can tell their career stories with confidence.

Resume writers and careers professionals can refer job seekers to the Enhancv tool and receive a 30% commission for every paid subscription.

By joining the Enhancv affiliate program, NRWA members can use Enhancv Pro for free.Click here to learn more about how your writing expertise—combined with Enhancv's customizable resume templates—can create a powerful strategy and aid clients in landing their dream jobs.

To learn more about becoming a part of the NRWA Affiliate Program, visit https://thenrwa.com/becomeaffiliate or contact Ashley Watkins, Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair, at info@writestepresumes.com.

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Upcoming Education 

As 2019 draws to a close and we look forward to 2020, the NRWA continues to provide valuable webinars that will make a lasting impact.

If you are interested in learning more about enhancing your resumes with graphics, don’t miss Marie Plett’s December webinar—just in time to gain a few new skills before the ball drops!

How to Create Graphically Beautiful, Yet ATS-Friendly Resumes
Presented by Marie Plett, CERM, CPRW
December 13, 2019
12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m., ET

In this webinar, you will learn:

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. As always, speaker suggestions are also welcome.

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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 final session for 2019 is currently in progress, Dates for 2020 sessions will be coming soon—stay tuned!

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!

Professional Development and Training

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Member News: New Business Owners 

Wow, 2019 is rolling right on by! I trust that you've had a great year, both professionally and personally.

As your Directors of Member Support, Melanie Denny and I have really enjoyed getting to know some of you this year, and it’s been our privilege to ensure that you feel right at home in the NRWA. We remain ready, willing, and able to help you avail yourself of the great breadth and depth of support our organization offers for growing your skills and your business. Stay tuned to the NRWA’s steady stream of low-cost and no-cost learning opportunities!

In no particular order, here is a list of the NRWA educational programs:

• Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) Certification
• Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE) Certification
• Writing Excellence Program
• Sales Mastery Course
• Webinars and Teleseminars
• Resume Writing 101
• Professional Development Tracks

Plus, you can always learn by participating in our Facebook forum and Yahoo discussion group. These are also great for networking, socializing, and establishing your visibility and credibility.

This month, I'm pleased to share news about three of your colleagues:

Ed Lawrence, CPRW of Getstarted, Natick, MA, recently joined ProfilingPro and now offers DISC reports and web resumes. Last month, he bartered with a graphic designer (trading a resume review for webpage tips) and, as a result, his website is cleaner and more consistent. On November 1, Ed addressed the Acton Networker Group, Massachusetts' largest job-seeker group. Two Mondays and two Fridays per month, he facilitates two networking groups for the Mass Council on Aging. Ed recently took on a three-month contract as a career counselor at Boston University and reviews and edits students’ resumes. Ed also offers feedback to students remotely, using VMOCK resume-review software.

Tosha Wilson-Davis, MPA, MSCJ, CPRW of Penciled IN Résumé Writing & Career Services LLC, Butler, GA, is an active columnist for the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA) PA TIMES online newspaper. You can access her published articles at https://tinyurl.com/y69y2z5c. Having served as a department chair for almost three of her ten years in higher education, Tosha is now ready to help individuals interested in online adjunct teaching, so she’s added an online instruction mentoring program to her services. Because she creates CVs for current and new professors, Tosha is very excited about her latest venture! And recently, Tosha proudly added the initials “CPRW” (Certified Professional Resume Writer) to her title, having passed the exam within six months of opening her business.

Linda Hollenback, MSEd, CPRW of Hollenback Consulting LLC, Willow Grove, PA, is a founding officer and communications co-chair of the Pennsylvania Career Development Association (PACDA), which was chartered by the National Career Development Association (NCDA) in June 2019. PACDA is now in full swing, building a robust calendar of high-quality, accessible professional development and networking opportunities for Pennsylvania career practitioners and educators. Linda cordially invites the NRWA community to learn more and get connected at www.thePACDA.org and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@thePACDA).

Congratulations Ed, Tosha, and Linda! Your entire NRWA family wishes you the very best in your exciting endeavors.

If you’re in the NRWA’s Eastern region, head on over to https://tinyurl.com/y3rbk2sa and tell me about any developments so we can share your good news in an upcoming edition of the newsletter.

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous December!

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NRWA Email Subscription Management—You asked. We Listened! 

Click here to download the PDF instructions on how to adjust your emails settings in your NRWA profile.

Questions? Please contact adminmanager@thenrwa.com for assistance.

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Volunteer of the Month - Nancy Grant 

Paul Bennett
NRWA Director of Member Support: New Business Owners (Eastern Region)

Nancy Grant has been a career strategist and vocational counselor in New York’s Finger Lakes region for more than 20 years. Working as both a private consultant and a public contractor with the New York State Education Department’s ACCES-VR program (which assists disabled individuals with maintaining employment and living independently), Nancy has helped countless individuals successfully overcome obstacles and return to work. Specializing in appeal-enhancing resumes, she also provides interview coaching, job development, career advisory, and educational planning services. For 10 years, Nancy served on the Alumni Board of Directors of Plymouth State University (her alma mater) and currently chairs the NRWA’s Conference Planning Committee.

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

In 2003, I applied my substantial public and private-sector vocational rehabilitation expertise to creating Regional Career and Employment Services, an independent practice supporting and guiding adults who, despite having college degrees and 10+ years of experience, have had difficulties finding accommodating and rewarding employment. Using advanced knowledge of worker’s compensation, no-fault, long-term disability, and Social Security programs, I prepare them for the next stages of their careers.

How did you first get involved with the NRWA?

What prompted you to get involved as the Conference Chair?

Because I’d rather get involved than stay on the sidelines, I answered “yes!” when asked to participate on the 2018 Conference Planning Committee. The following year, I was honored and excited to be asked to be the chair. I’m always ready for challenges and love organizing events, so when one year turned into two, I was naturally thrilled and grateful for the chance to lead the conference planning.

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

Nancy, we're proud and fortunate to have you in the NRWA family! Congratulations on this latest honor.

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Welcome to our new and renewing members for the month of November 2019!  Feel free to introduce (or reintroduce) yourself on our Facebook page or the elist. 

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