September 2018

In This Issue


Executive Greeting

By Robert Rosales, Marketing Chair

Greetings Colleagues!

I want to share a story with you today. Recently, I was meeting with a brilliant group of colleagues to discuss a task that we had been assigned. The conversation started out great with a lot of enthusiasm, energy, ideas, and input—true collaboration!

After a few minutes, it occurred to me that we were talking about what we were going to do (action), but we hadn’t yet talked about what we wanted to accomplish (our goal).

As professional resume writers, we all know that to help our clients, we need to know and understand their goals. In fact, sometimes we need to help them figure them out, or we will both be set up to fail! We also know that once we know their goals, we need to learn everything about them to effectively market them for their career objectives. So, we get a clear understanding of their goals and their offered value before we develop a strategy to achieve their objective, right?

Based on the certifications, honors, and awards that our colleagues have earned, I think you’ll agree that we are pretty good at what we do!

Now, I think you’ll agree that the skills that we use with our clients are valuable—but, not just for resume writing. Let’s go back to the story I started to share with you. Here we were talking about all these action plans before we had identified our goal. Now, ask yourself, “Would I do that with a client?” Probably not.

The point here is the skills that we use to market our clients are valuable and transferable skills that we can apply to other areas in our lives both personally and professionally. This may not be as easy when we are out of our element.

I encourage you to take the approach you use with your clients—identify the goal/target, align your actions and strengths to that goal, and add objectivity—and then apply this thinking to your business and life. Just like resume writing, it’s much easier to hit your target when you know what it is!

I’ll leave you with one last thought today in the form of one of my favorite quotes by Zig Ziglar: “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”

Back to top


     Introducing Our 2019 Board of Directors

Board leadership for the NRWA requires an extensive commitment of unpaid time and passion for the resume-writing industry. Without our volunteers and board members, we would not be a strong organization of 500+ members with monthly educational trainings, an annual conference that brings incredible waves of attendees, writing and certification programs, and other incredible professional development opportunities.

I would like to extend a big congratulations to our newly elected 2019 NRWA Board of Directors:

I welcome many of you back to the board and am excited to see new faces, as we collaborate propel our organization forward in 2019!

Back to top



Introducing the NRWA's "Ask the Experts" Program! 

The NRWA's Public Image Committee has been behind the scenes diligently planning several initiatives designed to increase awareness and enhance the image of our profession among the public, as well as related industry professions, such as recruiting firms, employment agencies, university/military career centers, career coaches, and career counselors.

As part of this project, we are launching a virtual “Ask the Experts Portal” enabling NRWA members to share their expertise by answering questions from job seekers. The goals of this initiative are to:

1. Provide a reputable resource for job seekers to have their pressing career-related questions answered by experts, and

2. To position the NRWA as a credible expert resource in the marketplace while boosting the visibility and reputation of our industry. 

We are looking for our members to answer up to three questions on various career-related topics once per month.

Benefits of being a NRWA Career Expert:


Submissions are limited to 400 characters or less and top responses (those that provide the best clarity and most value to the job seeker) will be selected for inclusion in an article with the name of the expert and a link to their contact information on the NRWA site.

Our first set of questions is now available on the online portal:  https://thenrwa.com/expert-answers/

Go there now and be the first to answer! If you have any questions, please contact NRWA Past President Michelle Dumas at  michelle@distinctivecareerservices.com or NRWA President Mary Jo King at  president@thenrwa.com.

Back to top


Promote Your Book at the NRWA Book Nook

Ashley Watkins, NCRW
Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair

Need to create a buzz for you and your business? Try our Conference Book Nook!

Whether you’re featuring a new release or reigniting a spark for your best seller, promote your book at the 2018 NRWA Conference in Seattle, WA.

Signing up is easy — and at the affordable cost of $50, you won’t want to miss out on a chance to market your book in front of 500+ members and career professionals.

Due to space limitations, you may sell up to 3 physical copies of your book at the Book Nook. Be sure to reserve 1 additional copy of your book to remain on display for previewing and marketing purposes.

For subsequent orders, you are responsible for collecting order information and payments from attendees and handling the shipping/delivery of their purchases. When you sign up to participate, you will include your book’s website link to be listed on the Book Nook order sheet for additional attendee purchases.

The deadline for payment is September 14, 2018.

Click here to sign up. For more information, contact Sponsor and Affiliate Relations Chair Ashley Watkins at info@WriteStepResumes.com.

For other advertising options, reserve a vendor table, purchase a slot in the Member-to-Member Ad Book, or become a sponsor.

Back to top


Education Report

Virginia Franco, NCRW, MRW, CPRW, CEIP
NRWA Education Chair

We’ve got some fabulous webinars planned this Fall—designed to strengthen your skills AND your business.

Upcoming Webinars

OCTOBER: Stand Out by Being You: Create a Marketing Message That Attracts Your Ideal Clients While Being Authentic by Tapping Your Purpose Founder Charo Pinilla on Friday, October 19, from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., ET.

NOVEMBER: Insightful Information: How to Get It, How to Use It Beyond the Resume by industry vet Best Impression Career Services Founder Louise Kursmark on Friday, November 9, from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., ET.

Professional Development On Demand

Travelling to Seattle this year for our conference? Take advantage of the commute time by listening to past webinar recordings! If you can’t make it to the conference this year, you can still get into professional development mode with past recordings of popular webinars available on demand (many are worth CE credits).

Here’s a sampling:

Essential Microsoft Word® Shortcuts and Timesavers for Professional Resume Writers

ATS Two Part Webinar (2 sessions and 1 CEU per session)

Back to top


Refresh Your Headshot Photo at the 2018 Conference

Ashley Watkins, NCRW
Sponsor/Affiliate Relations Chair

Promote your brand and attract better-paying clients by presenting a polished online image to your target audience. A great headshot is critical for many advertising campaigns. As career experts, we educate clients about the importance of investing in their futures and gaining more positive visibility through social media, LinkedIn and other online platforms.

Let’s practice what we preach and refresh our headshots at the 2018 NRWA Conference in Seattle, WA.

Market yourself with confidence and poise by booking your onsite corporate headshot session at The W Hotel Seattle from October 4 to 6 with Susan Doupé, Seattle-based portrait and headshot photographer.

As an NRWA conference attendee, you can reserve your individual corporate headshot session (click here) with Susan for $165 (regularly $325).

Corporate headshot sessions are scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 4, starting at 1:30 p.m., and will run throughout the day on Friday, October 5, with the last session scheduled on Saturday, October 6 at 11:30 a.m. Registration ends September 14, 2018.

This package includes 20 inside headshot poses with a neutral backdrop and professional lighting and very light makeup/hair touch-ups (powdering or taming flyaways, if needed). A fully retouched photo in high-resolution JPEG format for printing and a lower-resolution JPEG for website use will also be provided via email within 15 business days. Additional retouched images are $30 each or 2 for $50.

If you have already registered for the conference, don't worry — you can still secure a slot by clicking here.

Susan Doupé was an actress before launching her photography business. She has a BA in Psychology and an MFA in Theater. In addition to photography, she currently volunteers for two amazing nonprofit organizations — SOULUMINATION and The Hutch School. 


Back to top


Member Benefit - Member Directory for Networking

By Sara Timm, President, DFW Resume
Membership Chair

When I joined The National Résumé Writers' Association almost 4 years ago, I was unaware of the group of key contacts I would make, nor the myriad of opportunities for learning, growth, and professional success, simply from networking with fellow resume writers and business owners like myself.

Instrumental in developing my business, The NRWA Member Directory has led me to colleagues who have been excellent sources of new perspectives and fresh ideas. Discussing common challenges and exchanging ideas has provided me insight and opened doors to opportunities, career advancement, and personal growth.

An additional benefit I discovered is that I know when I am unable to accommodate a potential client, I can call on a slew of qualified, ready professionals who I can be confident will take care of the client as I would.

As a member of the NRWA, you are included in our member directory found on the Members Portal Page of the NRWA website. Check it out and make sure your profile is complete and up to date.

I look forward to “seeing” you there.

Back to top


Volunteer of the Month - Holly Genser

By Robert Rosales, CPRW
Marketing Chair


We are pleased to announce Holly Genser as September’s Volunteer of the Month. Holly currently serves on the Marketing Team.

Holly discovered the power of career coaching and resume writing when she and family members changed jobs and careers. Today, Holly is a Certified Career Transitions Coach (CCTC) who helps professionals and leaders get clear, confident, and connected to meaningful work. She writes branded resumes and LinkedIn profiles and coaches around decision clarity, job search, and interview preparation. Prior to becoming a career coach and resume writer, Holly earned an MA in Training and Development from The Ohio State University. She held several roles in Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and higher education institutions, including project manager, instructor, instructional designer, success coach, and learning center manager.

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

As a Certified Career Transitions Coach and resume and LinkedIn profile writer, I strategize with professionals and leaders to find fulfilling positions that develop successful people and organizations. Clients identify decision criteria, research options, attract interviews with branded campaign materials, navigate the hidden job market, and develop interviewing confidence.

My background in corporate training, higher education, and copywriting, along with my close relationships with scientists and engineers in my family, allow me to serve people in diverse fields, including HR, talent development, organization development, sales and marketing, nonprofits, healthcare administration, therapy, business writing, management, IT, and engineering.

Besides career coaching and resume writing, I also write email newsletters and teach Microsoft Word® for professional resume writers through webinars and a manual sold on my website.

How did you first get involved with the NRWA?

After teaching and developing career development workshops as an internal training consultant for AT&T and Sprint, I finally decided to become a career services professional. I first joined the NRWA in the late ‘90s, practiced with The NRWA Study Guide, and wrote resumes for several people. Not ready to build my own business, I accepted a position as learning center director in higher education.

After becoming a Certified Coach in 2012 and Certified Career Transitions Coach in 2014, I joined the NRWA to learn best practices in resume writing.

What prompted you to get involved with the Newsletter Production Team?

A year-and-a-half ago, I joined the Marketing Committee because I have education and experience in online marketing, email marketing, and webpage writing, so it seemed like a good fit. When the newsletter team needed someone to coordinate article submissions and their formatting, I accepted that role. It keeps me informed about what’s happening in the organization and allows me to stay in contact with active members and officers.

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

The biggest benefit to me of the NRWA is the people. Whether in the email list, on Facebook, through webinars, or in personal communications, people are friendly, approachable, and willing to share their expertise.

Members encouraged me to share my skills and find multiple streams for my work, including three contractors who regularly hire me for resume and LinkedIn profile writing; invitations to present webinars on Microsoft Word®, like the recent NRWA webinar on “Microsoft Word® Shortcuts and Timesavers”; and opportunities to sell my Microsoft Word® Manual for Professional Résumé Writers.

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

An avid learner, I love to read, listen to podcasts, and take courses on resume writing, sales, graphic design, positive psychology coaching, and topics beyond our field. You can also find me gazing on my backyard pond stocked with fish, turtles, lizards, and ducks; journaling; drawing; and listening to jazz, blues, folk, or classical guitar—sometimes all at the same time!

Back to top


New and Renewing Members

Welcome to our new and renewing members for the month of July 2018!  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.

Back to top


Copyright © 2018 The National Résumé Writers' Association, All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email because you opted in at http://thenrwa.com/


Our mailing address is:

The National Résumé Writers' Association

9 Newport Drive, Suite 200

Forest Hill, MD 21050