National Resume Writers Association

So You Want To Be A Resume Writer

Theres no such thing as a bachelors degree in resume writing , but as a nonprofit association representing 500+ professional resume writers across the U.S. and Canada, we can attest to the growth and continuing opportunities for this growing vocation within the career services industry.

What do resume writers do?

Professional resume writers create career marketing documents that target specific industries to position job seekers for specific roles.

In addition to resumes, resume writers often write other documents that support their clients during a job search including cover letters, thank you letters, LinkedIn profiles, executive bios or profiles, and more.

Before the writing begins, a writer must first acquire an in-depth understanding of a clients career history and job search targets. This enables them to create a unique and effective strategy for each job seeker. Then they take care to insert keywords that help the documents perform well against applicant tracking software systems and search algorithms, while weaving in language that resonates with the intended reader.

The documents they design are clear, compelling, error-free, and easy-to-read to help their clients land interviews.

What are the employment options/paths?

Resume writers may work independently as entrepreneurs/small business owners, and many work as sub-contractors to larger firms that offer resume writing, career coaching, or corporate outplacement.

What skills do resume writers need?

Questions?

Why Is Rwa The Resume Training For You

RWA graduates tell us the difference between our program and other programs theyve tried is that training alone didnt give them the confidence and results they desired.What really transformed their writing and built their confidence was consistent feedback on their work.RWA’s certification programs provide English language, formatting, and writing assignments — each carefully crafted to test your command of strategy, design, and writing.Our team of experienced writers gives you personalized feedback on every assignment, is available for your questions one-on-one, holds regular office hours to help you with class and client assignments, and continues this support after your graduation.PLUS — no membership is required and certification is built into the program. You’ll work hard to create each assignment, rewrite a few assignments, and earn your certification at the end — no test to take or separate fee to pay.

Attaining The Ncrw Certification

The following steps outline the process for attaining the NCRW certification.

1. Submit a sample resume and cover letter to the .To prepare your sample, download and study the . The Study Guide contains an overview of resume writing guidelines, and your samples will be evaluated against these standards. You can pay your $75 sample submission fee by . Your submission should contain:

• A self-authored resume and cover letter in Word . The documents submitted must be in compliance with the and The Gregg Reference Manual, 11th Edition. Note: If your sample submission is from one of your clients, fictionalize it before submitting.
• A justification explaining the clients job search objectives and target industry, as well as the strategies incorporated in your documents.

One NCRW grader will review your samples using the same criteria used when grading NCRW exams. Within 2-3 weeks, you will receive written feedback and an invitation to schedule a phone call to answer questions or clarify any suggestions. While the sample submission process is not limited to members pursuing certification, part of the feedback is a Ready or Not Ready recommendation to help you determine if you are ready to take the NCRW Exam. A Ready recommendation will award you 1 CE, and you may earn up to 2 CEs through sample submissions.

Important:A Ready recommendation is not required to move on to the NCRW Exam. However, some writers may find it helpful to submit multiple samples .

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Associate Editor & Career Coach

Heather is an a writer, editor, and avid reader. She holds degrees in English literature and education, and enjoys helping people tell their storieswhether through a resume, dissertation, or web copy. Because of her love of learning, Heather consistently pursues professional development opportunities to hone her craft and is preparing for certification as a career coach. She lives in Georgia with her husband and two children.

Benefits For Acrw Graduates

• Lifetime certification! No renewals or CEU requirements.
• Subcontract writing positions with resume companies gain additional experience while making money! These projects generally pay between $100 to $400 per resume.
• A 10% discount on registration for the Career Thought Leaders annual conference.
• A free E-Summit upon graduation .
• Discounts on our business development classes and programs.
• An opportunity to join the RWA Guild reserved exclusively for the top graduates of RWA, the Guild often pays extremely well. Can you be one of those top graduates?
• Opportunities for publishing, speaking, job fairs, and other projects some with compensation and some for building your professional visibility and credibility.

We do not guarantee employment but will continually provide graduates with leads from resume companies, outplacement firms, and others who need great writers TODAY!

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Choosing A Professional Rsum Writer

There are hundreds of résumé writers who are qualified to write your résumé . Its important to take the time to find one that matches your personality, needs, industry, and career objectives.

• Choose a professional who belongs to a valid industry organization. The NRWA, established in 1997, is the premier organization for education in the field of résumé writing.
• Consider selecting a . These writers have passed multifaceted exams in résumé mechanics, strategy, and formatting to obtain such credentials.
• Contact the writer via telephone and get a feel for his/her knowledge and expertise. Some writers will focus solely on résumés. Others may provide additional services such as job coaching, career counseling, résumé distribution, outplacement, or college advising.
• Ask about his/her background and training, and how he/she stays abreast of changes in the employment industry.
• Have the writer explain his/her résumé development process. You may be asked to fill out questionnaires, talk on the phone for an hour or more, and/or do some revising yourself.

How To Become A Professional Resume Writer

In a world of internet marketing, unregulated industries, and virtual workplaces, anyone can drop the term expert, but a true expert maintains an arsenal of tools that are constantly being revamped, updated, and fine-tuned. This is done through a serious commitment to professional development training, certifications, seminars, and conferences not just arbitrarily terming yourself an expert, wizard, or master.

Through my years of board leadership for the National Resume Writers Association, I served as a mentor for new business owners, i.e. new resume writers who were looking to grow their business and experience in the industry. If you are new to the resume writing industry or you are interested in becoming a professional resume writer, I encourage you to join all of the resume writing associations out there and get involved. Find a mentor and start getting the training and collaboration you need. Our industry is extremely welcoming and through various memberships, you have the ability to maximize your professional development and professional activity.

I will write a follow-up article on growing your business and share authentic examples of how I grew my business organically to multi six-figures as a one-woman show in hopes that this can encourage and empower newer resume writers to grow their own.

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Ncrw: Nationally Certified Resume Writer

In order to become an NCRW, one must first undergo a two-step exam.

First, each applicant must prove their expertise in the resume-writing industry by presenting evidence of continued learning and development.

Second, applicants submit their best resume and cover letter samples for approval.

Once both of these criteria are met, the applicant must partake in a timed proofreading exam of a resume that is full of errors.

Next, applicants will be provided a candidate profile and asked to write a resume and cover letter based solely on the information provided.

If all goes well, the applicant will receive their NCRW certification.

Learn more about NCRW Certifications here.

Nrwa: National Resume Writers Association Conference

Every year, the National Resume Writers Association hosts a conference for its members.

The 2020 and 2021 conferences were held virtually because of COVID-19. The 2022 conference is scheduled for September 18th 20th in New Orleans.

In 2019, the NRWA Conference mixed things up by hosting the event on a cruise for the first time in NRWA history.

The 2019 NRWA Conference Cruise was September 23-27.

The NRWA Conference Cruise took a five-day cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida with ports of call in beautiful Nassau and CocoCay, Bahamas.

What to expect on the cruise:

• Expert-led presentations

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Resume Writing Associations & Career Industry Organizations

There are several main resume writing associations based in the U.S. with national and global memberships:

There is also an additional organization geared to promote the industry called The Career Experts

The Career Professionals of Canada is an association that supports Canadian career practitioners in a variety of roles, including resume writers.

Career associations and resume writing associations offer different certifications, different professional development, and different facets for resume writers to enhance their continuing education and stamina in the industry. Some resume writers will join all of the organizations to stay on top of industry trends, learn from other industry members, and collaborate. As an active member of all of these organizations with multiple certifications , I am able to give you first-hand perspective on how each one has collectively helped me grow my own personal network, friendships, and collaborations as well as advanced my writing credentials.

Searching For A Professional Resume Writer

If you’re ready to invest in your career by hiring a professional resume writer, youve come to the right place. Our 600+ members are among the country’s best resume writers.

Are you searching for a job in a particular industry? Changing careers? Transitioning from the military to civilian employment? Do you want to work remotely? No matter what your need or specific situation, you’ll find an NRWA member who can help. You’ll also find that they offer a wide range of other career management services in addition to resumes, from job search and interview coaching to LinkedIn profile development, bios and business plans, skills and strengths assessment, and more.

You can also search for , an elite group of professionals who have completed the NRWA’s . The NRWA cannot endorse any individual writer so we encourage you to visit writers’ websites or contact them by e-mail through this site to learn more about their specific services and credentials.

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Resume Services In Denver

Are you local to the Denver area and looking for an industry-leading and award-winning resume services firm? We have been servicing the Denver area for many years and have been featured on Salary.com, Monster.com, and in the FastCompany Magazine.

Our resume experts provide resume services specific to Denver’s competitive job market guaranteed to give customers the competitive advantage they need. Whether you’re located in the city or surrounding suburbia, if you’re on the web searching for “resume services near me“, Myer Resumes writing services will address your resume needs.

How To Become A Certified Resume Writer / Ncrw Certified

Individuals wishing to obtain an NCRW certification are required to take an examination that covers resume writing, cover letter composition, proofreading, and electronic resume preparation. Unlike the CPRW certification, before taking the NCRW exam a prospective writer must first obtain 10 continuing education units .

These can include outside courses, attending conferences, and performing self-study. Once received, the NCRW is valid for 3 years. Retaining the certification is based on continuous membership in the NRWA and obtaining 15 CEUs during each 3-year period.

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Nrwa: National Resume Writers Association

Lindsay is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and career guru. Together with Find My Profession, her work has been featured on sites like Forbes, Inc., Times, Fast Company, and more.

The NRWA , stands for the National Resume Writers Association.

The National Resume Writers Association is a nonprofit trade association for professional resume writers.

Their purpose as stated on their website:

To increase the visibility of the industry, encourage ethical practices, promote excellence, and raise industry standards through peer marketing and training.

What Can A Professional Rsum Writer Do For You

The answer is simplethey author documents that market you to potential employers. Professional résumé writers are not just typesetterstheir real skill and expertise is defining, positioning, and promoting your job skills and ultimately your career.

• Inside Perspective: A good résumé writer knows what todays recruiters and hiring managers wantand don’t wantto see in a résumé.
• Résumé Strategy: A meticulous résumé writer will make sure your career objective and unique value proposition are explicitly stated and seek to shape your work experience such that it is written and formatted to underscore these criteria.
• Data Generation: An experienced résumé writer can help you prepare for the interview process while building résumé content by asking insightful questions to uncover and reframe your accomplishments and job duties.
• Compelling Content: An astute writer is aware of industry-specific keywords that are searched by scanning software as well as HR screeners.
• Language Expertise: A skilled writer has in-depth knowledge of grammar, structure, and style so you dont have to worry about typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors.

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Resume Writing Associations: The Keys For Professional Resume Writers

There are several resume writing associations that offer certifications, advanced training, and other professional development to maximize the credentials of resume writers. A word of caution: If you see other articles out there written about these organizations or the certifications they provide, please first verify that the author is a member in good standing of the organization and actually holds the certifications he/she is discussing otherwise, the information being portrayed is likely self-serving, promotional, and wholly disingenuous.

In an unregulated industry like resume writing, its imperative for consumers to do their due diligence, research, and know the pitfalls to watch out for. Self-ranked resume writing lists with inaccurate information about resume writers and resume writing organizations are on the rise, and in a recent lawsuit filed against an unlawful competitor, I have taken a strong stance for the entire resume writing industry to fight against deceptive advertising practices, negative SEO attacks, and other unethical tactics to boost the visibility and credibility of the resume writing industry. I am passionate about the resume industry as a whole and building collaboration from within.

Nationally Certified Resume Writer

The Nationally Certified Resume Writer certification is obtained through The National Resume Writers Association . You will find the NRWA website here: thenrwa.com.

The NRWA organization is one of a handful of organizations that educate, motivate, and support a growing army of global resume writers. Another career organization includes the Professional Association of Resume Writers/Career Coaching .

Formed originally as an offshoot of the Professional Association of Resume Writers , the group evolved into the NRWA in 1997 and today boasts of more than 400 career professionals as members.

The NRWA offers an annual conference and a biweekly electronic newsletter for resume writers who want to grow their businesses through educational opportunities.

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The Winners Of The 8th Annual Recognizing Outstanding Achievement In Rsums Competition Were Recently Announced At The National Rsum Writers Association Conference Unveiling Strategies For Success September 1820 2022

Cathy Lanzalaco, of Buffalo, New York, was selected as a winner in the Professional Category of the Recognizing Outstanding Achievement in Résumés competition.

FOREST HILL, Md. October 19, 2022

The ROAR Awards are held annually by the NRWA to recognize top-tier résumé-writing talent in the career services industry. Winners of the ROAR competition join an elite circle of résumé writers who have been recognized for their technical writing and presentation skills. One winner is selected in each of several categories by a judging panel, consisting of the following NRWA members this year: Kathi Fuller, Lorraine Beaman, Bob Janitz, Arno Markus, and Dr. Cheryl Minnick.

The 2022 ROAR Award winners are:

· Anne Barnwell, winner in the Military to Civilian Transition Category.· Cathy Lanzalaco, winner in the Professional Category.· Marie Plett, winner in the Mid-Level Manager, Executive, and Fictional Client categories.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL RÉSUMÉ WRITERS ASSOCIATION The NRWA is the only nonprofit, member-driven résumé writers organization in the world. The mission of the NRWA is to increase the visibility of the industry, encourage ethical practices, promote excellence, and raise industry standards through peer marketing and training. The NRWA is led by a board comprised of volunteers elected by the members. To learn more about the NRWA, visit: .

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The Price Structure For Obtaining The Ncrw Certification Breaks Down Like This:

• $175 fee to become a member of the NRWA
• $75 fee for submitting resume samples for review by colleagues
• $250 fee to take the exam that includes proofreading and cover letter/resume writing

Despite the $500 fee, the investment for becoming an NCRW is much less of an investment to other resume writing certification options. For example, becoming an ACRW through the Resume Writing Academy is $1,895.

This is in addition to whatever membership fees the organization charges and the costs of CEUs.

While the NCRW program doesnt offer anything that isnt included in the CPRW designation, the NRWAs policy of requiring continuing education throughout the resume writers career does tend to provide some impetus for keeping up-to-date on the latest trends. This continuing ed requirement is a mandatory requirement for maintaining the resume writing certification.

Continued education does provide new resume writers the ability to learn their craft while ensuring seasoned resume writers keep their skills sharp as resumes change and hiring practices evolve.

On the other hand, some would object to the cost the Nationally Certified Resume Writer involves and say that true resume writing professionals will always keep abreast of changes to their industry and their certification shouldnt depend on how many conferences are attended or CEUs are completed.

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