May 2020

In This Issue 

• Executive Greeting
• 2020 Conference: New Orleans Bound
• Seeking Sponsors for the 2020 Conference
• ROAR Awards
• Upcoming Education
• Certification News and Training Programs
• Member Benefits
• NRWA Volunteer of the Month
• Share Your Expertise in Ask The Experts
• Board Bytes
• New and Renewing Members

Executive Greeting 

Dear NRWA Members:

It is my privilege to have the opportunity to address the NRWA membership during this very interesting time. I can certainly say that I have not experienced anything close to the unprecedented global health crisis that humanity is currently facing. I am a naturally introspective person, and I find myself reflecting on a variety of topics as of late. A few concerns that I would bet many of us currently share involve thoughts of personal safety, worries about the health and wellbeing of family and friends, anxiety about economic stability, and apprehension related to our businesses or livelihoods.

Regarding concerns of health and safety, when the governor of my state (Illinois) announced the shelter-in-place order several weeks ago, I heard something that stuck with me. He said, “I don’t come to this decision easily. I fully recognize that in some cases, I am choosing between saving people's lives and saving people's livelihoods. But ultimately you can't have a livelihood if you don't have your life." Those struck me as wise words that have helped me keep things in perspective. I hope all of you are doing what is necessary to remain safe during these troubling times.

Regarding concerns of economic and business stability, the NRWA’s membership is made up of a diverse group of people, and I recognize that individual situations may vary. I have compiled a short list of ideas for the membership and hope that many of you can benefit from them.

1. Equip yourself with the best credentials the industry has to offer. Completing a certification is a great way to build your professional credibility if you run your own resume writing firm or work in the larger career services sector. If you have not earned your NCRW or NCOPE, consider taking this time to pursue one or both of them.
2. Network with your industry colleagues. My membership in the NRWA has paid off in many ways, the greatest of which is the access I have gained to other seasoned professionals with whom I can relate. Be it business tips, writing strategies, or just another person to talk to, I consider myself to be incredibly fortunate to have the ability to engage and exchange ideas with such wonderful colleagues!
3. Amplify your marketing efforts. If you have experienced a downturn in business related to the COVID-19 pandemic, take advantage of the extra time to boost your marketing reach. Now is the time to write articles, get on and stick to a robust social media posting schedule, or even explore paid advertising options. Get in front of the camera and take advantage of video posts and live-streaming technologies to increase your market presence. Be adventurous and fearless!
4. Shore up your business operations. There is always room for improvement when it comes to our processes and workflows. Map out your strategy for the next year, identify potential challenges, and seek out advice from your peers on things you can do to improve the ways you do things.

During this challenging time, I consider myself so very lucky to be a member of this organization. I will be using this time to take advantage of all the benefits it has to offer, and I hope you do the same. Take care of yourselves, stay positive, and take this time to pursue your professional goals.

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2020 Conference: New Orleans Bound! 

Are you as excited as I am about the NRWA 2020 Annual Conference? If you are, be sure to review the outstanding presenters and topics outlined in the Conference Itinerary on the NRWA website. You’ll see both new and familiar speakers and a wide range of topics from which to choose—all focused on providing you with information to help you and your business thrive. The early-bird registration rate ends on July 15, and the regular rate ends on August 15!

You can find registration details at https://thenrwa.com/2020-registration. Information on conference activities, including a walking ghost tour of the French quarter and a dinner cruise, is available at https://thenrwa.com/2020-activities.

Your health and safety are paramount, so discussions are ongoing about whether this year’s conference will be traditional or virtual in format. But rest assured, there will be a conference!

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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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Get Ready to ROAR! 

The 2020 ROAR (Recognizing Outstanding Achievement in Resume) Competition launched April 20. Submit your entries to the NRWA’s annual resume writing competition by July 17, 2020, for a chance to prove your resumes are among the best of the best.

Winners earn a year of free membership, formal recognition at our 2020 conference, and exposure in our newsletter, website, social media platforms, and more. Enter today!

Past winners have spoken to the value of the accolade and have attributed winning an award to increasing their credibility and visibility and growing their business!

This year’s categories allow you to show off your writing AND/OR design talents. The subcategories below represent several of the career pathways that make up the U.S. Department of Education’s 16 Career Clusters—a learning and training framework focused on the future of work.

Category 1: Writing Excellence

Bring us your most powerful writing.

• Writing Excellence Subcategory A: Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics
• Writing Excellence Subcategory B: Law, Public Safety, Corrections, & Security
• Writing Excellence Subcategory C: Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics

Category 2: Design Excellence

Show us how you incorporate graphics and design elements for strategic value while balancing crisp and compelling writing.

• Design Excellence Subcategory A: Arts, Audio/Video Technology, & Communications
• Design Excellence Subcategory B: Marketing, Sales, & Services
• Design Excellence Subcategory C: Hospitality & Tourism

Register your entries today and get ready to ROAR!

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Upcoming Education 

Teach College Students and New Grads to Fish to Ensure a Lifetime of Career Success

Presented by Cathy Lanzalaco, NCOPE, CPRW, CPCC, CEMP, MBA, RN, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Friday, May 15, 2020
12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m., ET

Cathy believes that to teach a new student or new grad “to fish” is a far better gift than to simply give them a fish, laying the foundation for greater, long-term success, both personally and professionally. Engaging students and new grads as a niche audience in your business can also reap great revenue rewards. Well-meaning parents often hit a wall once their child has graduated from college and they don’t know how to help them anymore.

The Inspire Careers “Student Professional Launch Program” is based on helping students and new grads develop confidence in their abilities and learn to take responsibility for their careers. It provides them with support to reap the benefits of coaching at the start of their careers, building trust and a long-term partnership that will serve them throughout their lives. This is a win for them and a win for your business! Parents recognize that just as paying for their child’s education was an investment, so is the “Student Professional Launch Program”—and they are willing to make the investment to ensure their child’s success.

Join Cathy on this webinar to learn:

• Why these clients need a program vs. products.
• How to decide what offerings to include in your program and how to price them.
• How to keep students/new grads engaged with your business throughout their careers.

This one-hour webinar is $19.99 for NRWA members and $39.99 for nonmembers and does not qualify for a CEU. It will be recorded and distributed to all participants.

Click here to register!

About Cathy Lanzalaco:
Cathy Lanzalaco is a ROAR-winning resume writer, certified career coach, LinkedIn expert, certified empowerment and motivational professional, and owner of Inspire Careers, located in Buffalo, NY.

With 15+ years of experience in human resources, Cathy gives her clients the perspective from “the other side of the desk.” She serves job seekers and those in career transition, from students and new grads to executives nationwide and across the globe. An adjunct professor in Human Resources Management at Niagara University, Cathy has made working with students and new grads a staple of her business. She enjoys an expanding portfolio of clientele from leading colleges and universities, including The George Washington University in DC, Duquesne University and Grove City College in PA, and SUNY Fredonia in NY.

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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 last program ended on April 20—stay tuned for dates for the next session! A course outline and other information can be found on the NRWA website.

Watch the NRWA site for more details and registration information

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.

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 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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Member Benefit: The NCRW Study Guide

Sara Timm
NRWA Membership Chair 

Are you looking to advance your resume writing skills? Or are you ready to pursue your National Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) designation? Then you will find the NCRW Study Guide to be a tremendous reference for both beginners and experienced resume writers!

The NCRW Study Guide contains all the information needed to create visually appealing, high-quality resumes that provide your clients with a competitive edge. For those pursuing NCRW certification—the most challenging certification in the resume industry—the Study Guide is essential for learning industry standards, best practices, and grammar and punctuation.

Free access to the NCRW Study Guide (login required) is just another of the many benefits you receive as a valued member of the National Resume Writers Association (NRWA).

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Volunteer of the Month - Rob Rosales 

Paul Bennett
NRWA Conference Committee and Marketing Committee Member 

Hello everyone!

I am excited to announce our May 2020 Volunteer for the Month, Rob Rosales. As our Marketing Chair, Rob is diligent, well-organized, flexible, and accommodating. He is a real pleasure to work with and has done a terrific job of organizing our marketing-related activities and information. Moreover, Rob frequently liaises with many board members and program owners, supporting and advising them on key decisions. 

He attends countless meetings and steps up whenever asked. And despite recent medical issues, Rob has continued to run his own career services practice and juggle the constant demands of raising a young family.

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

I spent almost 30 years in retail, culminating in 8 years with Goodwill Industries, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people overcome challenges to build skills, find jobs, and grow their careers. There, I learned to appreciate how nonprofits create social enterprises that improve the world, and I became passionate about helping staff and clients to grow both professionally and personally.

In 2015, I decided to start my own business, EZ Résumé Services, and continue working with people in a meaningful way. The services I provide include writing resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, and other career documents, plus offering career coaching, interview coaching, networking coaching, and job search coaching (focusing on the hidden job market). I serve clients across a variety of areas, including retail/sales, nonprofit, supply chain, logistics, administration, HR, finance, and health care, and I especially enjoy working with college graduates, professionals, managers, senior leaders, and those in career transitions. 

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

As I put my initial business plan together, I knew that although I could leverage my diverse interpersonal, training, coaching, and management skills, I needed to sharpen my resume-writing skills, and I lacked credentials. So I researched several careers industry associations and was drawn to the NRWA. After joining in the fall of 2015, I immediately began to network, attend webinars, and learn everything I could.

You've been very busy as our Marketing Chair. What led you to get involved in this very important role?

In 2016, I joined the NRWA’s Public Image Committee (PIC) and worked on both the programming and the website design for the Ask the Experts program. Then in 2018, Mary Jo King asked me if I’d consider joining the board. Feeling honored, I did so shortly thereafter, and given my retail and nonprofit leadership experience, I was excited about becoming the marketing chair. Serving in that role has enabled me to give back to the NRWA in many ways. 

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

The NRWA is filled with seasoned career experts who willingly provide answers, advice, and guidance and who care about both your and your clients’ success. I’m familiar with other careers industry organizations, and the NRWA sets itself apart with its state-of-the art-education, industry-leading programs, and excellent networking opportunities such as the Facebook group. Moreover, the NRWA is continually evolving to meet the needs of our rapidly changing industry. There’s a great spirit of community in the NRWA, which to me feels just like family. By actively participating, I’ve experienced tremendous personal and professional growth. 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 only one hand, so I type slowly and rely heavily on client worksheets. Despite my handicap, as a young adult I golfed avidly, once scoring one below par on a nine-hole course! Also, I’ve managed and played (as a pitcher, catcher, and outfielder) on an adult city league softball team that won multiple championships.

Re-evaluating my priorities after recent heart issues has caused me to put my family first. So today, I spend all my free time with my wife, my children (aged 16, 14, and 10) and my three dogs (all of whom are rescues). We take 30-minute walks each day, and I spend significant time on my kids’ activities. While recently recovering from rotator cuff surgery, we also enjoyed catching up on our Star Wars shows including the Mandalorian and The Clone Wars series.

Rob, 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 May 2020!

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Welcome to our new and renewing members for the month of April 2020!  Feel free to introduce (or reintroduce) yourself on our Facebook page or the Member Forum. 

Be sure to take this opportunity to network via our LinkedIn Group with other members of The NRWA and nonmembers who are career professionals.

• Georgia Adamson - A Successful Career in Marlborough, Massachusetts
• Michelle Aikman in Woodbridge, Virginia
• Madeline Andrews in Irvine, California
• Meg Applegate - Hinge Resume Collaborative in Indianapolis, Indiana
• Traci Bakenhaster - Design & Renew Career and Life Coaching in Pickerington, Ohio
• Natalie Barry in Fremont, Indiana
• Tiffany Benitez in Placerville, California
• Christie Bertch - Bertchbrand, LLC in San Marino, California
• Krista Bogertman in Revere, Massachusetts
• Marleen Cabral - Morongo Tribal TANF Program in San Bernardino, California
• Lina Carollo in Valley Stream, New York
• Steph Cartwright - Off The Clock Resumes LLC in Nine Mile Falls, Washington
• Daniel Chahbazian - Your Resume Services in East Norwich, New York
• Norine Dagliano - ekm Inspirations in Winchester, Virginia
• Keri Daskam in Olympia, Washington
• Rhonda Douglas Charles in Brooklyn, New York
• Kyle Elliott - CaffeinatedKyle.com in Paso Robles, California
• Paul Felshaw - Deseret Industries in Ephraim, Utah
• Amber Fernandez in Auburn, Washington
• Mary Fisher - Resume Review Services in Douglasville, Georgia
• Melissa Fritz - Resources for Business in Minneapolis, Minnesota
• John Gabriel in Sandy Hook, Connecticut
• Mir Garvy in Raleigh, North Carolina
• Tracey Gutierrez - Tracey Gutierrez Coaching in Maplewood, New Jersey
• Kathrine Hafer - The Resume Writer in Clayton, North Carolina
• Karla Jackson - Reflective Resumes in Getzville, New York
• Pat Kendall - Advanced Resume Concepts in Beaverton, Oregon
• Kathy Keshemberg - A Career Advantage in Appleton, Wisconsin
• Douglas Kiracofe - Galen Michaels & Associates in Grand Blanc, Michigan
• Charles Kirkpatrick in APO, Illinois
• Angelia Knight in Mississippi State, Mississippi
• Cathleen Lanzalaco - Inspire Careers LLC in Cheektowaga, New York
• Tara Leaman - Highland County Community Action Org in Fayetteville, Ohio
• Arno Markus - iCareerSolutions in New York, New York
• Brianna Marshall in Antioch, Tennessee
• Lee McClelland in Ypsilanti, Michigan
• Cathy Miclat - Vets2PM in Warrenton, Virginia
• Juleen Moreno - Mom is Always Write Media Inc. in West Covina, California
• Jessica Mullery in Hoboken, New Jersey
• Tara Reid - gearPIXELS Recruiting Agency in Trabuco Canyon, California
• Dan Resendes - The Barrett Group in Cranston, Rhode Island
• Meghan Reyes - MRN Search Partners, LLC in Ocean, New Jersey
• Suzette Robinson - Illinois Department of Employment Security in Arlington Heights, Illinois
• Patty Rusin - Getting There Today in Crown Point, Indiana
• Elena Sabry - Career Academy in San Jose, California
• Barbara Safani - Career Solvers in New York, New York
• Scott Schneider - CareerSource Palm Beach County in West Palm Beach, Florida
• Stephanie Staff - Resumes With Results in Glenmont, New York
• Willie Stocker - Jacksonville, Florida
• Melanie Thompson - First Impressions Resume Design in Billings, Montana
• Denise Towarnicki in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Ashley Turner - Ashley Turner Coaching in Vancouver, Washington
• Muriel Wallace - Clear Learning Solutions, LLC in Orange Park, Florida
• Lindsey Wyngaard in Menasha, Wisconsin
• Sonia Youngblood - Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina

Find colleagues in your area by searching here.

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