March 2019

In This Issue



Executive Greeting


Kathi Fuller
NRWA Secretary

Dear Colleagues,

As I enter my sixth year in the career services businesses, I think back to the key decisions I’ve made along the way: forging subcontracting relationships with industry leaders, establishing a niche in executive LinkedIn profiles, and embracing many opportunities to learn new skills and use existing ones in new ways.

By far, the best decision I’ve made was joining the NRWA. I’ve gained a wealth of information that has made me a better writer and a more effective businessperson. I’ve learned about current issues, trends, and different perspectives on the future of the industry. Most importantly, I’ve gotten to know an amazing group of people who selflessly share their extensive knowledge, skills, and resources to make us all better at what we do and who work continually to increase the value of being an NRWA member.

That’s the best thing about being a member of the NRWA: it just keeps getting better! The past year has been a time of tremendous growth and change–we’ve launched new and improved programs, webinars, and certification offerings; we’ve expanded channels and platforms for members to connect and communicate with one another; and we’ve introduced more opportunities for professional development. Here are just a few of the exciting new developments at the NRWA over the past year:

This list just scratches the surface. We have a lot of plans on the horizon, and we're eager to hear what you think we could be doing better. If you haven't been on the NRWA website in a while, check it out at www.thenrwa.com or look for us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest! You can reach out directly to a board member. Click here to find out more about us and how to contact us.

We look forward to hearing from you! 

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     Chart Your Course to the 2019 Conference!

Jean Austin, NCRW
NRWA Education Chair and Conference Committee Member


Benefits of Attending the 2019 NRWA Conference, Part 1: Investing in Yourself

As I left the hotel following the 2017 conference, I said good-bye to an attendee standing by the door of the hotel. When I asked if she was waiting for a ride to the airport, she said “No—I’m not leaving until tomorrow. There is so much to process from the conference that I’m staying an extra day to go through the materials and my notes.”

I’ve never forgotten that conversation at that time and place, because it was so unusual. I was hurrying home, but she was still there—for a reason. Recently, while reading a blog post,Invest in Yourself–the Most Valuable Asset You’ll Ever Own,” I realized why it made such an impression. That participant had made the decision to invest in herself and her business, to the extent that she carefully planned an extra day to strategize how to use what she had learned.

NRWA conferences have consistently made differences in the lives of attendees. 

For some of them, conference attendance was a game-changer: “The Denver NRWA conference was THE pivotal point in my career that catapulted my business from a side gig to the real deal.” (Kate Madden).

For others, it has always been an invaluable venue for learning and growth: “I attend to keep my skills sharp, and I learn something new every year. Most of all, I look forward to being able to chat with industry rock stars.” (Michelle Robin)

For all of us, it is a source of support: “I love the collaboration and the energy of the conference. I’ve been to a lot of conferences in my career, but The NRWA conferences are an ultimate three days of jam-packed learning with fun and laughter rolled up into one.” (Wendi Weiner)

The 2019 conference is promising to be another stellar event with the added excitement of a very different and beautiful venue. The real question, I think, is not “What are the benefits of attending a NRWA conference,” but rather, “Why wouldn’t you attend a NRWA conference?”

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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 23-27, 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 via multiple advertising options, including banner displays, conference newsletter features, or the NRWA website placement.

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

Starting in 1995, Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst Jane Roqueplot used DISC assessments with every client in her career advancement firm.

In 2001, Jane launched a business division, ProfilingPro, to extend her services to her career industry colleagues. 

ProfilingPro has successfully served NRWA colleagues—and others—providing services, materials, and support with DISC reports. 

As a long-time NRWA member, Jane is excited to be an NRWA Affiliate Partner, giving all NRWA members access to the Resume and Cover Letter DISCStyles™ Report, enabling NRWA members to:

The DISC report is a value-added service that can be used as a resource and tangible evidence with language/phrases for branding, bios, profiles, and effective interview preparation. The DISC assessment is validated, reliable, and meets EEOC and Adverse Impact Compliance.

NRWA members can order DISC assessments as needed using this link: http://www.profilingpro.com/NRWA.html.

NRWA members can also become an Authorized DISC Administrator and Behavioral Consultant through ProfilingPro at a reduced rate. Details are available at http://bit.ly/profilingproNRWAregistration.

NRWA’s Affiliate Partners offer job search-related products that are not in direct competition with members yet provide a service which could be valuable to NRWA members or their clients.

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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     Writing Tips from the NCRWs
Sally McIntosh, NCRW
NRWA Certification Chair

Have you though about starting the NCRW certification process? Good for you! The first step is to join the NRWA. Next, read the NCRW Study Guide, which is available only to members Most members are not ready to move on to the certification tests because of their lack of knowledge of resume writing best practices found in the Study Guide, so it's crucial that you truly understand the guidelines presented in this valuable tool.

One of the most common questions I receive is, “As I prepare a sample, how should I address limitations that my client presented?” Remember that we want to see what you know about strategy, formatting, writing, and professionalism. Address challenges and limitations by embellishing the sample; make it more relevant and succinct.

For a full outline of the sample submission process, visit https://thenrwa.com/sample-submission.

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     Congratulations to a New NCRW!

NCRW Certification Commission

We welcome Amanda Taylor as our latest NCRW. Since 2012, she has helped clients at the Missoula, MT, Job Service office create their resumes. When co-worker, Lynn Talarico, received her NCRW certification, Amanda was inspired to do the same. And, following Lynn’s retirement, Job Service leadership encouraged Amanda to earn her certification.

Amanda’s journey through the certification process wasn’t quick. She began studying in January 2017 by attending NRWA webinars and mentoring with Lynn. Her first sample submission wasn’t ready for the test, so she studied the input provided by the graders and continued to develop her writing skills. By her second sample, she was ready and passed the exam on her first try.

Amanda found the certification process both challenging (as it should be) and daunting. She recommends that others try to set aside time to focus on preparing for the certification process with minimal distractions.  

She may start her own business in the future, but for the short term, her plan is to accept contract writing assignments to hone her resume-writing skills. Welcome, Amanda, to the NCRW ranks and congratulations!

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NRWA Certification & Training Programs

Annette Richmond 

NRWA Director of Industry: 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. The first session, which sold out in three days, received rave reviews!

“The program and Tom were extremely informative. What I learned and the knowledge I walked away with were more than expected.” — Veronica (Ronee) Burchinal

“I thought I knew a great deal about LinkedIn, but I learned something (lots of ‘somethings’) new in every class. I immediately began incorporating what I had learned into my practice.” — Michelle Dumas

“I wasn’t sure what exactly I would learn, but I have actually learned so much more than I expected to! Excellent course.” — Nelly Grinfeld

The next 5-week live program will be held on Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., ET, March 7 to April 4, 2019. 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.

Visit https://www.thenrwa.com/NCOPE to review the course outline and register.

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 https://www.thenrwa.com/NCRW 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!

Exclusive perks for completing the program include a packet of sample resumes and cover letters written by NCRWs, discount pricing on The Essential Microsoft Word Manual for Professional Resume Writers, and more.

The next 10-week live program will be held on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., ET from April 11 to June 20, 2019.

Visit https://www.thenrwa.com/WritingExcellence 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 Program in 2015 and continues to refine, enhance, and update the coursework to keep up with emerging industry trends.

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Upcoming Education

Jean Austin, NCRW
NRWA Education Chair and Conference Committee Member

THE LINKEDIN FLIPSIDE: WHAT HIRING REPS REALLY SEE WHEN YOUR CLIENTS APPLY ONLINE THROUGH LINKEDIN

Presented by Ashley Watkins, NCRW

March 15, 2019

12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m., ET

More than one million LinkedIn members get hired through a referral every year, so it’s no surprise why so many career coaches offer services to guide their clients in using LinkedIn Jobs to harness the power of their networks to get hired. However, even with the most influential network, job seekers can unknowingly place themselves at a disadvantage by not optimizing their LinkedIn profiles.

Ashley Watkins, NCRW, is a recruiter with more than 15 years of corporate experience. In this webinar, she will offer an inside peek into what recruiters and hiring managers see once a client applies to a job via LinkedIn.

In this webinar, you will learn:

  1. Ways to improve your clients’ visibility and chances for consideration when applying for positions on LinkedIn.
  2. The instant turnoffs that lessen your clients’ chances of landing their dream jobs.
  3. What key components of your clients’ LinkedIn profiles need the most optimization to secure interviews and recruiter interaction.
  4. How your clients can position themselves to stand out from other job seekers who apply. with minimum effort.

This one-hour webinar, which qualifies for one CEU, is $19.99 for members and $39.99 for nonmembers.

Click here to register.

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Member News: New Business Owners

Paul Bennett

NRWA Director of Industry: New Business Owners

Hello everyone!

I'm so pleased to have recently joined the NRWA and am especially excited to be your new Director of Industry (DOI) for New Business Owners - East Region. When I met with many of you at the Seattle conference this past October, I immediately realized that I'd met my professional tribe, and I'm stoked about being of service to you!

My role as DOI is to ensure new business owners feel right at home in the NRWA and are aware of all the good things that the NRWA has to offer. We’re a tremendous source of knowledge and support for your skill development and business management challenges, and our many offerings (the annual conference, the certification and webinar training programs, social media groups, and so on) will really help you get up and running. So if you're a new business owner and I haven't yet spoken with you personally, welcome to the NRWA and feel free to reach out to me (paul@NovaCareerStrategies) at any time.

For new business owners, one resource I'd like to draw your attention to is the quarterly support webinars/calls that I and Melanie Denny, DOI for New Business Owners - West Region, will be hosting. Keep an eye on your inbox for our announcement of the next one!

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

Cathy Lanzalaco, CPRW, CPCC is happy to announce the rebranding and launch of her business, Write-Resume-For-The-Job, as Inspire Careers! She opened Write-Resume-For-The-Job in 2017 and acquired Inspire Careers in 2018. Now, Cathy is proud to offer her clients complete career management solutions under the Inspire Careers banner. The mission of Inspire Careers is to inspire new hope and confidence in your unique abilities, illuminate the path toward fulfillment of your goals, and ignite personal commitment, determination, and persistence in all that you do!

Congratulations, Cathy!

If you are interested in sharing your news with your colleagues in the NRWA newsletter, please get in touch with me.

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous March and beyond!

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Volunteer of the Month - Rob Rosales

Mary Jo King, NCRW

NRWA Immediate Past President



At the behest of several board members, I am proud to present our March Volunteer of the Month, Marketing Chair Rob Rosales. Board members know of what they speak, because Rob’s role involves collaboration with every chair and program owner. We are witnesses to his virtuoso organizational ability and extraordinary communication skills.


Rob’s contributions to the NRWA marketing program have been nothing short of brilliant. To name a few highlights, he:

Furthermore, Rob attends countless meetings to provide support and insight to other program teams. He steps up every time he’s asked and cheerfully fills the gaps when his own team isn’t at full strength. He is a fine critical thinker who contributes to executive decision-making. We’re so grateful to have Rob on our team! Here’s more about Rob in his own words.

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

In 1999, I left the traditional retail world and joined Goodwill Industries in San Jose, CA. Over the next 15 years, I learned to appreciate how nonprofit organizations make the world a better place through the power of social enterprise. At Goodwill, I became passionate about helping staff and clients move forward through personal and professional development.

Following my departure from the corporate world in 2015, I established EZ Resume Services to continue to work with people in a meaningful way. Today, I primarily work with clients across a variety of areas, including retail/sales, nonprofit, supply chain, logistics, administration, HR, finance, and health care. I particularly enjoy working with college graduates, professionals, management, senior leadership, and those is career transitions.

The services I provide include resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, career coaching, interview coaching, networking coaching, and job search coaching for the hidden job market.

How did you first get involved with the NRWA?

As I put my initial business plan together, I knew I could leverage my diverse interpersonal, training, coaching, and management skills. However, I also knew that I lacked credentials and needed to sharpen my resume-writing skills. So, I researched a number of the careers industry associations and was drawn to the NRWA. I joined in the fall of 2015 and started to attend webinars and learn everything I could.   

What prompted you to get involved as a Marketing Chair?

In May 2018, I was contacted by Mary Jo King. Mary Jo outlined some of the NRWA’s needs and asked if I was interested in joining the board. I was both honored and excited by the opportunity and joined the board shortly thereafter. Serving on the Board has helped give back to the organization to contribute positive to its growth and mission. 

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

The NRWA is filled with people who have a heart and are genuinely invested in your business success, as well as the success of the people you serve.  Additionally, the resources, tools, and learning opportunities are top-notch. This includes the variety of communication channels and the ability to interact with seasoned career experts who willingly provide answers, advice, and guidance. The NRWA is the place to be!

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

You might be surprised to learn that I was born with one hand only. So, I type slowly and, therefore, rely on worksheets with all my clients. Despite my handicap, as a young adult, I was an avid golfer and on one occasion even recorded a nine-hole score in one under par. Also, early in life, I managed and played on an adult city league softball team that won multiple league championships. I pitched as well as played catcher and in the outfield.

Now, all my free time is spent with my wife and children who are aged 15, 13, and 9. I spend significant time involved in their activities. Recently, the kids hooked my wife and me on Pokémon Go. I am almost to level 40 and have learned that the key to success is that you “Gotta Catch ‘em All!”

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New and Renewing Members

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