October 2019

In This Issue


Executive Greeting

Rob Rosales

Rob Rosales
NRWA Marketing Chair

Dear Colleagues,

It’s hard to believe that October is here, and we have only three months of the year left!

This year has flown by! Entering my second year as the Marketing Chair, I would like to take a minute to review what we have accomplished and, more importantly, where we are going.

First, we have developed a first-rate marketing team to continue our marketing evolution:

Together, this group has stabilized our marketing efforts and established a solid foundation for future growth. Utilizing multiple communication channels, we are showcasing the programs and benefits that make the NRWA the leading association for resume writers. The impact is borne out in our membership growth. Following an extended period of flat to declining membership, membership income is up 15% in 2019 YTD–a significant improvement.

Moving forward into 2020, we have three key areas of focus:

In closing, I’d like to ask for your support!

I’ll leave you with one last thought today in the form of one of my favorite quotes: “Content is fire. Social media is gasoline.” – Jay Baer

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    Affiliate Highlight

Ashley Watkins, NCRW
NRWA Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair

Let’s extend a warm welcome to Stewart, Cooper & Coon (SCC), the NRWA’s newest affiliate partner.

SCC understands that in today’s job search, a professional career brand should comprise a well-constructed resume, a stand-alone personal website, and a comprehensive social media presence.

The online CareerWebFolio© helps your clients better demonstrate their value, secure meaningful interviews, and form a basis to negotiate larger financial packages.

As an NRWA member, adding CareerWebFolio© to your suite of services can help you:

You control the process, content, price, and brand while SCC takes care of the rest. The service includes one year of web hosting for each client. To get started, visit http://affiliate.careerwebfolio.com/affiliate/ today!

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

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Upcoming Education

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

Upcoming 2-Part, In-Depth Webinar:  

Using a Lead Magnet for Automatic Follow-Up and Consistent Sales

Presented by Rebecca Metz

Creating a lead magnet on your website is a powerful way to turn website visitors into new clients. By implementing a lead magnet (or opt-in) on your website, you have the power to collect email addresses from those who visit your website, giving you the opportunity to share your expertise in an authentic way and build your sales. Automating your follow-up creates more consistency in sales and leaves you free to do what you do best!

Part 1: Creating a Lead Magnet on Your Website

Friday, October 4, 2019, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., ET

lead magnet dial

In this webinar, you will learn how to:

Part 2: Nurturing and Following Up Leads

Friday, October 18, 2019, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., ET

people in formation

In this webinar, you will learn how to:

Parts 1 and 2 are stand-alone topics, so you can register for one or both. Each one-hour webinar is $19.99 for NRWA members and $39.99 for nonmembers. Discounted pricing is available for registration for both parts: $32.50 (members) and $70.00 (nonmembers). Both webinars will be recorded and distributed to all who are registered; neither qualify for CEUs.

About Rebecca Metz:

In a room full of powerful entrepreneurs, Rebecca Metz realized that they were reaching the top of their game, but sadly missing the mark with getting their message out. From that, an idea was born. Rebecca Metz, creator of Web Pages that Sell, developed a system that helps her clients to get their magic online and get more business—consistently. An intrinsic educator, Rebecca’s secret sauce is taking the scary out of technology. She teaches clients to use and manage their website and integrate it with social media and other marketing tools to create a powerful brand image—one they can update as often as needed. Honored with the Women in Networking Connector Award, Rebecca has spoken at numerous events, the NRWA annual conference, CDI annual conference, eWomen Network, Polka Dot Powerhouse, and at the Exposure and Profit Conference.

Click here to register.

Sneak Peek: If you are interested in making 2020 your most productive and profitable year, be sure to join us for Anne Marie Segal’s November 15 webinar. She will focus on what you need to "get in gear" to recharge in late December and relaunch in January. Wendi Weiner’s January 17 webinar, “Content Marketing & Social Media Strategies,” will cover a critical component of business preparations for the New Year. We will also have a not-to-be-missed December webinar, so stay tuned!

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Congratulations to New NCOPEs!

Sally McIntosh, NCRW, NCOPE
NRWA Certification Chair

Congratulations to the most recent graduates of our Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE) program! Having completed a rigorous five-week training program, the following resume writers, career coaches, and other industry professionals are poised to unleash the power of LinkedIn to boost success for their job-seeking clients:

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Member Benefits: Business Forms

Sara Timm
NRWA Membership Chair

Are you aware the NRWA members’ portal is chock-full of resources to help you streamline, refine, and grow your business? The Business Forms page contains a variety of forms (in Word format) that you can download, edit, and customize with your logo and company information.

Forms include:

Client & Prospect Communications


Project Agreements & Contracts


Client Survey


This is just one of many resources included in your NRWA membership. Be sure to check out our members portal today!

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     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.

The final session of the year runs November 7th through December 12th, every Thursday (except Thanksgiving) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST. All sessions are recorded and can be viewed for 90 days. 

Classes fill up quickly. Don't miss your last opportunity to earn your NCOPE designation this year!

Visit the NRWA website to 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 the NRWA website for more details.

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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Volunteer of the Month - Paul Bennett

Robert Rosales
NRWA Marketing Chair

Paul Bennett

Following multiple nominations, I am pleased to present our October Volunteer of the Month, Paul Bennett.

Paul has enthusiastically embraced his official role as Director of Member Support for New Business Owners in the Eastern Region. However, what makes Paul stand out is his eagerness to help other board members and stakeholders when the need for assistance arises.

Selflessly, Paul volunteered to do extra duty on both the Members and Marketing Committees. Further, Paul brings a tremendous collaborative manner, immense wit, and a sincere desire to help. Sara Timm (Membership Chair) and I are grateful to Paul for all he has done for us and the organization.   

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

I’m the Principal of Vancouver-based NOVA Career Strategies and have been in the resume business for about 15 years.  I typically serve mid- to senior-level clients from a broad variety of industries, particularly healthcare. I’m also a Certified Personal Branding Strategist, having taken the flagship course from Reach Communications (now delivered by Career Thought Leaders).

After earning my undergraduate degree in business and marketing from the University of British Columbia, I worked for IBM Canada (mainframe computer programming), Accenture (public sector systems integration consulting), and TELOS Technology (technical writing). Plus, I spent a couple of years raising my son full-time. I met other caregivers, learned the toddler songs (now I sing them for other peoples’ kids), and had more than my fair share of expensive dress shirts anointed by spit-up.

My paid jobs were interesting and the companies well regarded, but the work was far too “left-brain technical” for a “right-brain creative” like me. So, one day, I thought, “Hmm…what am I suited for and would really enjoy?” And “resume writer” popped into my head! I flew to an industry conference in Las Vegas, met some inspiring career professionals, and the rest is history.

How did you first get involved with the NRWA?

Last October, I hadn’t participated in a careers industry association for quite a while, so I began researching. After discovering the NRWA website, I learned that the conference would be starting in just a few days in Seattle, which is very close to Vancouver, so I decided to sign up and go! Immediately, it was obvious that I’d made the right decision; I learned a great deal, met some amazing people, and had a lot of fun!

What prompted you to get involved as a Director of Industry (aka Director of Member Support)?

A couple of months after joining, I was fortunate to be invited to apply for the Director of Industry (DoI) role by Virginia Franco and Sara Timm.  More a doer than a joiner, I immediately saw this as a great opportunity to contribute to the NRWA by assisting fellow business-owner members.

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

Ours can be a lonely profession; we spend a lot of time on our own, beavering away in home offices, dusty cubicles, musty libraries, or noisy cafés. Getting involved with the NRWA mitigates that loneliness by connecting you with others. It helps you to realize that in many ways, we’re all in this together (kind of like one big family).

Besides enriching your professional relationships, getting involved gives you plenty of opportunities to learn new skills and feel good about contributing. For example, beyond my regular DoI duties, I’ve had opportunities to assist Rob Rosales with social media marketing, Sara Timm with the New Member Kit, and Michelle Swanson with the newsletter.

Finally, prospects and clients alike are always impressed when they learn that you’re actively involved in the careers industry (vs. just being a rank-and-file member).

I’ve enjoyed being a DoI; I’ve met some wonderful people and done some interesting, challenging things.

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

I enjoy creative writing. Poetry purges my pain, flash fiction is fun, and I’m currently collecting childish creations on my wandering writing blog, Verbalis Neurotica. I’m also a rusty piano player, passionate cyclist, frequent hiker/backpacker, and trained mountaineer. And the great love of my life is a little Bichon Frise/Miniature Poodle mix named Bingo, whom I adore without limits. We dance the silly dances and talk the silly talks every day.

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Share your expertise. Job seekers have questions - you have answers. Questions are awaiting your answers right now! Go to our Ask the Experts portal and help job seekers with your knowledge and insights as a credentialed career expert. Establish yourself as a reputable resource, earn an Expert Badge, get exposure in published articles, and enhance the reputation of our profession!

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New and Renewing Members

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