July 2019

In This Issue



Executive Greeting


Sally McIntosh, NCRW, NCOPE
NRWA Certification Chair

Dear Colleagues,

The Certification Commission has been busy! Let me fill you in on some of our activities.

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     Chart Your Course to the 2019 Conference!

Jean Austin, NCRW, NCOPE
NRWA Education Chair and Conference Committee Member

CHarting a Course for Success - The NRWA 2019 COnference Cruise - September 23-27, 2019 - Join us for our first conference at sea!

Interview with Dawn Graham, PhD, LP (Part 2 of 2)

Be sure to check out the NRWA June 2019 Newsletter to read Part 1 of this interview! Dawn Graham, PhD, LP, keynote speaker at the 2019 Conference at Sea, is a Career Director for The MBA Program for Executives at The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania, licensed psychologist, and former executive recruiter.

How do you motivate students to make the leap from having both a Plan A and a Plan B to having only a Plan A?

It can be scary to focus 100% on one goal, but the bottom line is, if you aren’t convinced that you can do the job, why should a hiring manager invest in you? Casting too broad of a net can make job seekers appear disorganized or even desperate. It also precludes others from helping you because they aren’t clear HOW to help you if your target is all over the place.

In reality, professionals who continue to grow, maintain their networks, and produce results will always have a Plan B to fall back on should the unexpected happen. But when you’re confident and actively committed to your goal and communicate it consistently through your online presence, resume, and introduction, others will be more willing to take a chance on helping you to attain that goal.

Do you have any suggestions for strengthening clients’ confidence during a tough job search?

One thing that really seems to help is encouraging clients to put themselves in the hirer’s shoes, which can be truly eye-opening. There are a few major assumptions we make as job seekers that, as someone who’s both hired and recruited, I can promise aren’t universally true.

First, most hiring managers are not trained to interview. It’s not their day job, and only something they do a few times each year, yet we trust that they have a linear, logical process to assess candidates. I coach my clients to always be prepared to leave their most relevant skills on the table, no matter what questions they’re asked (and some interview questions are downright ridiculous!). As the interviewee, prepare, practice, and practice some more. Then use commonly asked questions like, “Tell me about yourself,” to your advantage to relay your most relevant qualifications.

Also, most hiring managers dislike hiring. It’s time-consuming and takes them away from their busy roles. This means that you’ll have a huge advantage if you make it easy to hire YOU. Do your homework to learn their greatest pain points and clearly show how the value you bring to the role will solve them. Do the heavy lifting so YOU become the candidate of choice.

Lastly, all humans make decisions based on emotions, regardless of how much data they collect. So, if you can get someone in your network to refer you, you’ll have a major advantage over candidates who don’t have this. Research shows that trust and likability are major factors in swaying the hiring manager in your favor, so definitely use this to your advantage.

Are there any other thoughts you’d like to share?

Professionals are changing jobs, on average, every 4.2 years. Technology is continuously changing how nearly every professional does his or her job, and role structures continue to morph with the gig economy, portfolio careers, and hybrid positions. No one will care about your career success more than YOU. Build in time regularly to review your career tools, expand your circles, and reflect on your values. Doing these things will ensure that you’re always creating new opportunities rather than settling.

For more information, check out my book Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers and Seize Success and my recent TEDx Talk on how your next job is just one conversation away.

Click here for more details and registration information for our first ever Conference at Sea, September 23-27, 2019!

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    Conference Door Prizes
Rebecca Bosl, NCRW, NCOPE
NRWA Conference Planning Committee Member

Dear NRWA Members:

Hello! I’m here to share a bit about the upcoming conference and ask for door prize contributions now, which will be distributed at the September NRWA Conference at Sea.

Why you should plan to attend the conference:

The NRWA will soon begin to put the finishing touches on yet another stellar annual conference, hosted this year on our first-ever conference at sea. Each year, the conference is filled with so many outstanding presenters that it’s hard to select which sessions to attend! I always make the conference a priority because it:

Ours can be a lonely profession at times, and it’s so much fun to make friends in the industry who can support us, cheer us on, and ask us how our day is going! I know I cherish the great friends I’ve made in the industry and attending past conferences has helped make this possible.

Why you should consider donating a door prize:

You may never have considered donating a door prize, or figure, “Why should I do that? I’m sure someone else will do so.” Donating a door prize is a great and easy way to get involved in the conference and yields many benefits:

How to donate:

Please send donation pledge ideas and questions to me at info@dreamlifeteam.com. I’ll share everything you need to know and make the process as easy as possible.

Your participation is sincerely appreciated!

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    Sail and Sell! Sponsor the NRWA 2019 Conference
Ashley Watkins, NCRW
NRWA Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair

Would marketing your product or service to 500 of the finest career service professionals on the planet positively impact your business results? Consider becoming a sponsor for the National Resume Writers' Association 2019 Conference to generate exposure for you and your business. This year, we're cruising to the Bahamas from September 23 to 27, 2019—and we want you to "Sail and Sell" with us during our first conference at sea. 

By becoming a sponsor, you can showcase your business to 500 members. Even if you're not planning to attend the conference or have a tight marketing budget, there are several ways to ensure you get more bang for your buck.

Click here to view our sponsorship options and register online today! Packages range from our Admiral Sponsorship, which includes two free conference registrations, to à la carte offerings that let you “chart your own course.”

Not attending the conference this year? You can choose from a suite of virtual offerings starting at $50, including logo placement in communications for our educational programs, conference newsletter, or the Midweek Memo. The deadline to sign up is August 1, 2019.

Contact Ashley Watkins (info@WriteStepResumes.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

Ashley Watkins, NCRW
NRWA Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair

Please join me in welcoming indeed.com to the NRWA family!


Indeed is the #1 job site in the world with more than 250 million unique visitors every month. As the most comprehensive search engine for jobs, indeed offers free access to millions of jobs from thousands of company websites and job boards.

Are you currently seeking new talent to support your thriving business? As an NRWA member, your business is eligible to take advantage of an opportunity to sponsor your job opening on indeed.com for free with a $50 credit for sponsored ads.

More than 100,000 employers have had success finding the right talent to fill their jobs on Indeed.com. You could be next! Sign up today.

To learn more about becoming a part of the NRWA Affiliate Program, visit The NRWA Affiliate Program page or contact Ashley Watkins, NRWA Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair, at info@WriteStepResumes.com.

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    NRWA Board Election Update

Lorraine Beaman, NCRW
NRWA President-Elect and Ethics Chair

This week, you will be receiving a ballot via email giving you the opportunity to select the 2020 NRWA Board. If you missed the early email introducing each of the candidates, please take a moment to read about them.

Over the last month, as I have spoken to members about serving on the board in an elected position, I have been reminded of the dedication of our members to the values and goals of our organization. It is our volunteers who make conferences, webinars, certifications, publications, and new member recruitment happen. And, in my opinion, we are a leader in the industry in all these areas.

NRWA is strong because of our members’ commitment to our mission of increasing the visibility of the industry, encouraging ethical practices, promoting excellence, and raising industry standards through peer marketing and training. As we move into planning for 2020, there will be many opportunities to support the work of the NRWA. If you are interested in sharing some of your time and talent to support our new board, reach out to Lorraine Beaman, NRWA President-Elect, at president-elect@thenrwa.com.

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     Board Bytes


What's New Find out with Board Bytes! Check out Board Bytes for a summary of the NRWA Board's quarterly activities... new and ongoing initiatives, changes to our bylaws, important decisions affecting our members, a glimpse of our plans for the future - and more! The latest Board Bytes is now available on our website.



     Certification and Training Programs 
Annette Richmond
NRWA Director of Member Support: Experienced Business Owners

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.

Don’t miss the next NCOPE program, which is scheduled for July 31 through August 28 every Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET. Each previous session has sold out in days!

Visit the NRWA website to review the course outline.

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!

Visit the NRWA website for more details.

Writing Excellence Instructor-led 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.

In 2019, we’ve 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 Instructor-led Program is right for you? If you want to improve your resume writing, the answer is yes!

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

The final 10-week live program of 2019 will run from September 25 through December 4, 2019 with classes meeting every Wednesday (except November 27) from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET. Visit the NRWA website for a course outline and registration information.

About the Instructor:

For more than 30 years, job seekers and professionals in career transition have relied on Norine Dagliano for expert advice, practical insight, inspiration, and support to help them get paid what they deserve doing work that they love. An NCRW and valued member of the NRWA, Norine developed the Writing Excellence Instructor-led Program in 2015 and continues to refine, enhance, and update the coursework to keep up with emerging industry trends.

Professional Development and Training

The NRWA's dedication to professional development is one of the biggest benefits of membership. In addition to live educational webinars, a library of webinars and teleseminars is available online 24/7. Visit the recently revamped Webinars & Teleseminars page to learn how to write faster and more effectively, create and market webinars, grow and protect your business from liability and more.

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Upcoming Education

Jean Austin, NCRW, NCOPE
NRWA Education Chair and Conference Committee Member

Sneak Peeks: Mark your calendar for Kiersten Troutman’s webinar on July 19 from 12:30 p.m. ET–1:30 p.m. ET, “Your Business ‘Storefront’: Expanding Your Brand Through Google My Business.” You’ll be seeing complete webinar information shortly! And make plans to attend Norine Dagliano’s webinar on August 16, “Spinning Straw into Gold: Resumes and Cover Letters for the Inexperienced Job Seeker.” Click here to register for these not-to-miss webinars.

Webinar Registration Update: I’d like to take this opportunity to include an update on the NRWA registration process. There is one new and important step. To register for a live webinar:

STEP 1 – Click here to view upcoming webinars. NRWA members: Be sure to log in so you can get the member rate! Follow the prompts to register; after payment, you will receive a confirmation email. Note: If you do not receive a confirmation email, please check your junk/spam folder first and notify us at adminmanager@thenrwa.com.

STEP 2 – Follow the customized link provided in the confirmation email to GotoWebinar, the NRWA’s webinar platform. Enter your name and email address there to obtain the webinar login credentials. This will also enable you to add the information to your calendar and receive reminders leading up to the webinar.

2019 Learning on Demand: 2019 webinars are available via the NRWA Education page and many offer CEU credit. Also, be sure to check out past recordings!

Thank you for your interest in the NRWA’s valuable educational programs and for your attendance and active participation!

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Member News

What an exciting month it’s been! Here is some interesting news from some of our members. Let’s all celebrate the great things that are happening for your colleagues.

Ruth Pankratz, Gabby Communications, Fort Collins, CO, published a couple of blog posts in Andrew Hudson's Job List for Colorado, and she just launched a marketing profile service for consultants consisting of a marketing resume and leave-behind documents consultants can use for prospect meetings. Ruth has enjoyed participating in NRWA webinars (excellent learning opportunities!), as well as other calls and meetings with organizations like Career Thought Leaders and the Northern Colorado Human Resource Association. Recently, she presented tips on running a business while caring for family to the Women Entrepreneurs Association in Denver.

Kelly Donovan, Kelly Donovan & Associates, Lake Elsinore, CA, was able to help a guest on “Face the Truth,” a nationally televised, syndicated CBS talk show hosted by Vivica A. Fox. Kelly’s business was featured on the episode that aired April 18. Additionally, Kelly was a contributor to the 8th edition of Resumes for Dummies by Laura DeCarlo that was released by Wiley in March. Also, she’s been widening the geographic scope of her clientele, providing comprehensive career services for business executives in Switzerland, Bermuda, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy, and Mexico in addition to major U.S. cities.

Fred Coon, Stewart, Cooper & Coon, Inc., Phoenix, AZ, is excited about publishing the Job & Career Transition Resource Guide ("Guide") in June. It is a broad listing of resources to assist job seekers and their coaches. It is FREE. It only requires subscription to the FREE Workplace-Strategies series of articles and podcasts produced by Stewart, Cooper & Coon (SC&C). SC&C encourages all practicing professionals (writers, authors, blog writers, career coaches, executive coaches, professors, organizations, non-profits, and student educators) to contribute to the publication. Each contributor will be credited in the Guide. It is updated quarterly, and the updates are also FREE to all subscribers. The US at Work (theusatwork.com), a division of Workplace Strategies, offers more than 70 podcasts intended to provide actionable tips and strategies you can use to make better decisions in your workplace. Podcasts rarely exceed 15 minutes and guests are at the top of their game. Please subscribe, it’s worth your time. If you wish to submit articles, or be a podcast guest, email podcasts@stewartcoopercoon.com.

Donna Tucker, CareerPRO Resume Center, Phoenix, AZ, working with fellow NRWA members Martha Rockwell and Brenda Cunningham, volunteers to review resumes with Phoenix-area Career Connectors, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting professionals in career transition to hiring companies and quality resources. These three women–along with BJ Ayers, Ginger Korljan, and Lucie Yeomans–belong to the Resume Writers Council of Arizona, now in its 24th year.

Laura M. Labovich, The Career Strategy Group, Bethesda, MD, graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program (10KSB) in December 2018–1 of 39 classmates chosen from a large pool of applicants–where she learned from experts on business growth, strategy, finances, and leadership. The program handpicks a small group of successful companies and founders to participate in an intensive four-month initiative aimed at creating jobs and economic opportunity. Its goal is to aid 10,000 small businesses through education and mentorship.

Holly Genser, HollyGenser.com, Lake Worth, FL, already a Certified Career Transitions Coach, has earned her NCRW and NCOPE certifications! In addition, she discovered that NRWA member Rosalinde Rosado lives only 15 minutes away from her, so they share ongoing conversations and dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Shauna C. Bryce, Esq., Bryce Legal Career Counsel, Washington, DC, is thrilled to have recently posted her 500th client testimonial!

Louise Kursmark, Best Impression Career Services, Plymouth, MA, and Wendy Enelow have recently published the second edition of their up-to-date resume resource, MODERNIZE YOUR RESUME: Get Noticed … Get Hired (available at bookstores and www.emeraldpublishing.com.

Norine Dagliano, ekm Inspirations, Winchester, VA, taught a leadership development workshop for senior staff at the Department of Social Services in Washington County, MD. In this three-hour, interactive presentation, she covered resume writing and LinkedIn profiles. Norine has also been training and mentoring an awesome group of NRWA members currently enrolled in the Writing Excellence class, which ends on June 13. Then she is off to Cattaraugus, NY, for her 50-year class reunion!

Brenda Bernstein, The Essay Expert LLC, New Haven, CT, moved to New Haven in January and would love to connect with East Coast writers! She just published the 14th edition of her e-book How to Write a KILLER LinkedIn Profile, which has lots of new tips for job seekers, and she is offering a free update for current owners of the book. Soon, Brenda will also publish an updated print version. Furthermore, Brenda has eliminated the “entry-level” category from her website (she’ll happily refer entry-level clients, though) and is honored to have been quoted in USA Today about the college admissions scandal (https://bit.ly/312fxnV).  Also, she’s had a video interview on LinkedIn published on the members-only website MindValley.com (https://bit.ly/2KOJDW9). Finally, Brenda has landed her first law firm client where she has partnered with another LinkedIn expert to train lawyers on LinkedIn and optimize their profiles, and she’s excited to offer this new service to more firms in the future!

Tosha Wilson-Davis, Penciled IN Resume Writing & Career Services, LLC, Butler, GA, joined the NRWA in mid-April, less than a week after opening her doors! The first in three generations of her family to receive a higher education, Tosha is well-educated, holding bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Sociology and master’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Public Administration! The recipient of several professional accolades, Tosha was recently featured as a “Top 40 Under 40” by Georgia Trend magazine.

Rashauna Arnold, Brand You Career Coaching, LLC, Hamden, CT, just received her CPRW designation and was featured for the first time in the NRWA’s “Ask the Experts” blog. She’s excited about working with the State of Connecticut to expand her resume writing services to local high school students, and Rashauna also serves the federal sector.

Dawn S. Bugni, The Write Solution, Atkinson, NC, recently spoke to the local chapter of the American Academy of Professional Coders about resumes and the reality of a modern job search. Also, she participated in the Wilmington, NC, “Habitat for Humanity, Women Build” project (as part of Team Build Like a Girl) in which a team of 20+ volunteers and a handful of professional contractors built homes for single moms. Furthermore, she recently renewed her Certified Master Resume Writer (CMRW) credential through Career Directors International and accepted a role on the CDI Certification Committee as part of a panel reviewing their certification submissions.

If you have some news to share, please send an email to Paul Bennett paul@novacareerstrategies.com. Wising you all a great summer!

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Last Call to Nominate Your Choice for 2019 Industry Hero

Mary Jo King, NCRW, NCOPE
NRWA Immediate Past President

Don’t assume that someone else has nominated your favorite candidate for the 2019 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 2019 Industry Hero Award will be presented at the NRWA Conference at Sea in September.

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 MJ@alliancewritingservice.com by Friday, August 16. Nominate your hero today—before time runs out!

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ROAR Contest - LAST CALL

Mary Jo King, NCRW, NCOPE
NRWA Immediate Past President

Last Call to ROAR in the 2019 Competition!

Resume writers, time is running out to submit your entries for the 2019 ROAR Awards, Recognizing Outstanding Achievement in Resumes. Don’t miss this members-only opportunity to enhance your credibility and grow your business!

Prove your resumes rank among the BEST of the BEST and win (1) a free, one-year NRWA membership renewal, (2) formal recognition at our 2019 Conference at Sea, and (3) promotional exposure via the NRWA website, newsletter, social media, national press release, and more!

It couldn’t be easier to participate. Choose your best resume in any industry category, prepare your document according to published guidelines and judging criteria, and submit your entries for only $20 each. That’s it! Categories for 2019 include:

Search your files for your finest work and ROAR! All entries must be submitted by midnight, July 19, 2019.

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Volunteer of the Month - Sara Timm

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


We are pleased to honor Sara Timm as July’s Volunteer of the Month! In her current role as Membership Chair, Sara’s main responsibility is to grow the NRWA membership and ensure member satisfaction. She leads and mentors the six Directors of Industry who perform many of the member growth/retention activities on her behalf. With additional responsibilities such as troubleshooting membership issues, organizing the annual conference’s welcome reception, participating in board and membership team meetings, and working on special projects (e.g., putting together our outstanding New Member Welcome Kit), Sara has been very busy indeed. And she’s been doing a great job; membership revenues are consistently on the rise this year!

The owner of DFWResume, Sara is a professional executive resume writer in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with 20+ years of experience delivering high-impact resumes that compel hiring managers to act. Sara also serves new graduates, professionals, and IT workers, as well as clients with more specialized needs such as career transitions and military-to-civilian transitions. She also writes CVs, job search letters, and LinkedIn profiles, and she provides coaching services!

Sara is well-known across the NRWA. Here are a few abridged comments from fellow board members on what a pleasure it has been to work with her:

“Sara is a champion in my book. Her attitude and outlook on her condition is beyond inspiring. I am thankful for her, not only as a leader and referral partner, but as a human being overall. In my eyes, she gets an A++ for her role as our leader.” (Nickquolette Barrett)

“I am continually amazed by Sara's unwavering commitment to her NRWA role…Sara is tireless, fearless, and endlessly creative. She creates a supportive, collaborative, and unfailingly positive environment on the membership team, enthusiastically embracing new ideas … valuing and rewarding team members for their contributions and continually seeking their input … Sara is a pleasure to work with, a great role model for junior colleagues and board members, and a credit to the organization.” (Kathi Fuller)

“I was so impressed with Sara’s diligence with regards to getting our New Member Welcome Kit off the ground. The fact that she was able to accomplish this while managing her business and dealing with a series of health challenges is a testament to her dedication.” (Virginia Franco)

“I can't think of a more deserving Volunteer of the Month. The quantity and quality of the member materials Sara has conceived and implemented since she took on the role of Membership Chair is mind-blowing! She is a master at envisioning new and creative ways to solicit, engage, and support the NRWA and its members.” (Norine Dagliano)

Well done Sara! We’re all proud to have you on the NRWA team.

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New and Renewing Members

Welcome to our new and renewing members for the month of June 2019!  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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