Wednesday, September 21, 2016
8:30 am-12:30 pm
PRE-CONFERENCE WRITING WORKSHOP
Wendy Enelow, MRW, CCM, JCTC, CPRW - Emerald Career Publishing / Enelow Executive Career Services
Bio:
Wendy Enelow has been a professional résumé writer and career coach for 30+ years, and is the author/coauthor of 25+ books on résumés, cover
letters, keywords, and career management. Wendy is the founder/past director of three résumé/career organizations: Career Thought Leaders (think
tank for the now, the new, and the next in careers); Résumé Writing Academy (training and certification); and, Career Masters Institute (professional
association). She is well-respected throughout the careers industry for her many contributions and her ongoing support of her colleagues worldwide.
Over the many years of her career, Wendy has spoken at 40+ career conferences, job fairs, military bases, and other events, and has trained
thousands of résumé writers. This is where she finds her greatest joy … helping her colleagues succeed. Wendy has been interviewed/quoted in
major media, including: The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, Washington Post, ABC News, Money.com,
Forbes.com, and countless others.
WRITE RIGHT … WRITE WELL: Skyrocketing Your Writing, Language & Grammar Skills from Good to Great!
This intensive 4-hour workshop will give you the knowledge and tools that you need to become a better résumé writer. From a combination of
lectures, self-tests, and group activities, you’ll experience how to “Write Right” – grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and other essentials –
and how to “Write Well” – compelling, keyword-rich content that follows all of the proper rules. In this program, you’ll learn:
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Essential principles of English language, grammar, and punctuation
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Proper techniques for sentence structure and parallelism
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Tips to ensure consistency in every component of résumé writing
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Strategies to integrate all-important keywords for both human and electronic readers
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A myriad of techniques to write great content that is rich and powerful in meaning
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How to avoid the typical mistakes that all too many résumé writers make
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Why, how, and when it’s okay to break the “rules”
Each attendee will receive a package of valuable samples, handouts, resources, writing tips, and other information. Plenty of time will be allocated
throughout the program for attendee Q&A, so come prepared with all of your questions. Upon completion of this program, you’ll instantly be more
confident in your abilities to write great résumés AND your clients will be even more delighted with your services and expertise!
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
2:30 pm-3:45 pm
OPENING KEYNOTE SESSION
Jan Spence - jan spence & associates
Bio:
Jan Horton Spence is an international consultant, professional speaker, trainer and one-on-one business coach. With contagious charisma and a
zest for life which make her an excellent motivator and leader, the Georgia native has used her vast knowledge in sales, marketing, and business
operations to help numerous clients including Pillsbury, Walmart, and Frito-Lay. A graduate of Mercer University (Macon, Georgia) with a BBA in
Business Administration, Jan became Vice President of Business Development for Sandler Training in 2001, and was quickly lauded for her unique
ability to help people implement attitude, technique, and behavioral changes to increase their profitability. While assisting other business owners in
growing their companies, Jan and her husband, Mitch, decided to pursue their own entrepreneurial venture and launched the second FiltaFry
franchise in the US in 2003. As CEO, Jan built such a successful operation, they were awarded the 2005 Franchisee of the Year by the International
Franchise Association. Meeting their four-year plan, they sold the business in 2007. Since then, Jan has circled the globe as a trainer, consultant and
guest speaker for franchisees, nonprofit organizations and other companies. Jan is one of those unique individuals who can lead, organize, and
motivate to make a difference in the lives of those around her. Her deepest passion is found in her role as a Biblical Financial Ministries Seminar
Instructor as she teaches sound financial principles through Bible studies, seminars, and one-on-one coaching. Combining her business experience
with her desire to see people live out their God-given purpose, Jan speaks to small and large groups about goal-setting, sales, priorities, and
financial freedom. Assisting the global field, she recently taught in Switzerland, Romania, and Uganda. Jan is active in her home church of Beach
United Methodist in Jacksonville, Florida. She and her husband of fifteen years enjoy attending Jaguars football games and cultural events when not
traveling around the world.
Goal-setting Doesn’t Work! Dare to be Different!
This is the time of year that people start off with good intentions for the New Year, but soon find themselves falling short of their original plan. In fact,
many are just setting themselves up for another season of disappointment and frustration. Join us for this interactive, high-energy session to uncover
the missing link and how traditional goal-setting may be setting you and your team up for failure. You’ll learn new ways to empower yourself and your
team members to get rid of unnecessary roadblocks, focus on what makes you successful and then capitalize on these new methods as you move
forward. Jan will have you rolling in the aisles with laughter and moved to tears with this powerful program that is meaningful, both professionally and
personally. Based on Jan’s vast experience helping organizations and individuals explore their full potential, she will expose you to a different
approach to planning in the New Year. Participants can expect to apply what they’ve learned in order to more effectively develop a mission
statement, goals and objectives of a meeting, event or project; establish different ways to specify actions, time frames and performance
measurements needed to achieve goals; and reinforce techniques to monitor and adjust a strategic plan.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
4:00 pm-5:00 pm
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (2)
Norine Dagliano, NCRW - ekm Inspirations
Bio:
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. A Nationally Certified Résumé Writer, Norine excels in
designing strategic and branded résumés that capture attention, create desire and move employers to reach out and connect. Samples of her work
are published in nearly two dozen résumé and cover letter books and she has taken an active role in mentoring and training other writers who wish to
excel in the field. As a sought after trainer and presenter of résumé, job search, personal branding and career management tools and techniques,
Dagliano has engaged and entertained participants at numerous local and national conferences with her quick wit and dynamic training style. She
has taught full-day workshops for dislocated workers around the country and equipped thousands of recently unemployed professionals with tools
and resources to get back on track. Norine maintains her skills and certifications through ongoing virtual training and by participating in national
career services conferences annually. Additionally, she maintains credentials as an Authorized DISC Behavioral Assessment Administrator.
The NCRW Workout Session: Get in Shape and Get Certified!!
Are you an experienced résumé writer with a desire to add Nationally Certified Résumé Writer (NCRW) to your portfolio of accomplishments? Are
concerns and questions about the testing process holding you back? Then this lively, fast-paced presentation is for you! In this presentation, Norine
Dagliano, NCRW and member of the certification grading team, will give you an inside look at the following:
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The NCRW test components and grading system
Tools, resources, and strategies used by successful test-takers
Common and easily avoided mistakes that result in failure
Major grammar challenges and how to address them
Document formatting that dazzles and delights the graders
Effective cover letter strategies and common errors
The “truth” about electronic, ATS-friendly documents
This session is modeled around the highly acclaimed NCRW Boot Camp that took place at the 2015 NRWA conference, but extremely condensed
and tailored to those who are only a few steps away from crossing the NCRW finish line!
M. Jean Austin, NCRW, CJSS, CCMC, OPNS, MS - Talents Presented
Bio:
Jean Austin is a Nationally Certified Résumé Writer, Certified Job Search Strategist, Certified Career Management Coach, and Online Professional
Networking Strategist who specializes in showcasing the skills and talents of professionals for employers who need the solutions they can provide.
Through her company, Talents Presented Résumé Writing & Job Search Coaching, Jean assists clients with résumés, cover letters, job-search
strategies, career transitions, interview preparation, and LinkedIn profiles. By leveraging her career background in business, law, industry, health
care, higher education, student personnel administration, and the arts, she is able to offer a unique and in-depth perspective that only a diverse
career path can offer. Jean possesses a master’s degree in education from Concordia University Wisconsin and is a member of The National
Résumé Writer’s Association, Career Directors International, and The Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches. She is
committed to professional growth and education and is a doting grandmother, avid needleworker, and dog lover.
Keys to Writing Compelling Résumés or Answering The Big “So What?” Question
The framework for this session, designed with new résumé writers in mind, is focused on writing “sales-focused, relevant, visually appealing, qualityoriented, succinct résumés” (The NRWA Study Guide, August 2014). We will explore a central component to the résumé-writing process: Answering
The Big “So What?” Question and the impact it has on the résumés and cover letters you write. If you are not sure what is behind that question and
are committed to being the best writer you can be, you are encouraged to attend this session.
During this session, you will learn
• How to use The Big “So What?” Question to help you write strong, relevant, front-loaded accomplishments
• How to use telegraphic writing and parallel sentence structure to highlight accomplishments
Thursday, September 22, 2016
8:30 am-9:30 am
GENERAL SESSION
Thomas Powner, CPRW, CEIP, CCMC, CBBSC, CDCC - Career Thinker Inc.
Bio:
A career-changer himself and proof “it can be done”, he resigned from a 25-year career in business development, operations and sales leadership
to create Career Thinker Inc. Tom is motivated by years of viewing thousands of poorly crafted résumés and interviewing more than 1,000
unprepared applicants. His goal is to make a difference by providing people with career services, coaching, technology, inspiration and confidence
to motivate them to take action and advance their careers. He has a broad range of clients, but his sweet spot is preparing future executives. Tom’s
long-term vision for CareerThinker.com is to create a gateway for clients to find career services and choose a career professional from a bestmatched list.
Create Cover Letters that Ignite the Interview Process
Are you selling multiple cover letters to each client and increasing your income and their success? Cover letters are still in style, and the right cover
letter can turn into an interview even without the résumé. In this presentation, you will learn why blanket/standard cover letters don’t work, how to
write cover letters that target the job posting and tap into the company’s emotions, and how to craft cover letters when the position doesn’t even
exist. Participants will walk away with samples that will WOW employers and the strategies behind them.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
9:45am-10:45am
GENERAL SESSION
Pat Criscito, CPRW - ProType/ProWrite,
Ltd.
Bio:
Pat Criscito has 36 years of résumé and personal branding experience for clients in 42 countries. She is president of ProType/ProWrite, Ltd., in
North Carolina and the author of 16 books with Barron’s, including Barron’s Guide to Distance Learning, Résumés that Pop!, e-Résumés, How to
Write Better Résumés and Cover Letters, and Interview Answers in a Flash. Pat has written more than 16,000 résumés and speaks nationally on
career and entrepreneurial subjects, making regular television, radio, bookstore, university, and other speaking appearances across the United
States (including at Harvard, Yale, Tulane, SMU, Thunderbird, Columbia, Wharton, and Colorado College, among others).
Bios and Résumé Extenders
Have you been looking for ways to make more money from the clients you already have? Or, have your clients approached you to write a bio,
project plan, philosophy statement, proposal, case study, or other career supporting document and you were a little uncertain whether you knew
exactly how to write them? If so, then this is the presentation for you. It should be required attendance for every résumé writer, from the newbie to
the veteran. After an hour with Pat Criscito, you will know how to write:
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Biographies for speakers, consultants, public figures, writers, and executives.
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Portfolios of supporting documents for presentations to interviewers and boards.
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Résumé extenders for CVs and executives, including philosophy statements and concise lists of research, presentations, publications,
honors, and affiliations.
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Key project profiles with their bottom-line results, critical leadership initiatives, and CAR statements.
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Proposals, including mini-business plans, case studies, project plans, marketing proposals, and competitive analyses.
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Technology expertise or technology solutions to a company’s problems.
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Reference lists that contain the right people, contact information, and number.
Each participant will receive a packet of samples for each of the résumé extenders presented. Don’t miss this chance to be on the cutting edge of
today’s career supporting documents.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
11:00am-12:00pm
GENERAL SESSION
Colleen McKenna, Intero Advisory
Bio:
As an early LinkedIn adopter, Colleen knew LinkedIn could become the north star for B2B professionals. In 2011, Colleen founded Intero to pursue
that opportunity with a single mission: teach and empower professionals and organizations to empower themselves to connect insight, opportunity
and talent. With more than thirty years of client relationships, projects completed and professional networks woven together, Colleen is wired for a
social selling world. Her mission is to teach and empower professionals and organizations to empower themselves by connecting insight,
opportunity, and talent. Colleen McKenna has a Master’s Degree in Publication Design from the University of Baltimore and an undergraduate
degree in Mass Communication from Towson University.
LinkedIn: It’s Not Social; It’s Business
LinkedIn has become one of the most powerful tools for client development, recruiting, and brand awareness. Yet most people are missing out.
Why? They don’t realize that LinkedIn is a platform for building a professional brand, exhibiting thought leadership, and developing new
opportunities -- not just looking for a new job. There are two people joining LinkedIn per second. That means that the network becomes more
valuable and more chaotic every day. Speaker Colleen McKenna of Intero Advisory helps individuals and organizations leverage the value and
navigate the chaos of LinkedIn.
Professional branding, business development, and recruiting have changed. Many professionals are struggling with how to adapt LinkedIn as part
of their strategy. Learn how to get the most out of LinkedIn as a strategic business tool, including how to create a Center of Influence Plan, during
this presentation by Colleen McKenna. Her firm has coached more than 10,000 professionals on utilizing LinkedIn to achieve their professional
goals. Your LinkedIn trainer will share tips and techniques for building a powerful profile, making meaningful connections, and using your network to
create new opportunities.
Takeaways:
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How Your Profile Builds Your Professional Brand + Develops New Opportunities - Understand the nuances of LinkedIn in order to
leverage its functions and activities for professional branding and networking opportunities.
A 4-Part LinkedIn Strategy - Dig deeper into LinkedIn's platform in order to build a strategy around your profile, network, participation, and
engagement.
Create a Center of Influence Plan - Identify and engage with key first-level connections who can help you create referrals.
5 Immediate How-To’s and Next Steps - So, you've learned a lot about LinkedIn, but what's next? We will discuss 5 simple ways to
unlock your network and your professional brand on LinkedIn
Thursday, September 22, 2016
12:15 pm-1:30 pm
GENERAL SESSION
Kimberly Schneiderman, NCRW, CLTMC, CRC - RiseSmart, a Randstad Company
Bio:
Kimberly Schneiderman is a Practice Development Manager with RiseSmart, Inc. In this role, she develops content, programs, and training courses
for both job seekers and career coaches. Prior to joining RiseSmart, Kimberly built a specialty practice working with transitioning senior level
officers in law enforcement. She has also worked with professionals in fraud prevention, technology, finance, research, law, and sales and
marketing. Kimberly has developed numerous tools for job seekers including guides for job search strategy, career alternatives, self-marketing
tools, interviewing, networking, skill building, and even entrepreneurial pursuits. She has also presented on those same topics at professional
industry conferences, on client-facing webinars, and onsite for corporate customers. She has authored numerous career-related book chapters,
articles, and videos, and has appeared on news and radio programs as a subject matter expert. Kimberly is the Certification Committee Chair with
the National Résumé Writers’ Association and has attained certifications in résumé writing, leadership coaching, and interview strategies. She is a
member of the NRWA and is a CTL associate.
Recruiters – Answers to Everything You were Afraid to Ask!
Career industry professionals often live in a bubble, with little contact with the very people they are seeking to excite! It can be very hard to really
know what is going on in the corporate world, especially when your work has taken you out of that world. With this presentation, you will get
answers to your burning questions! Where do recruiters look for candidates? What “new” or emerging sources are they using? How do they search
(key words, company experience, etc.)? How many candidates do they want to present for an opportunity? Do they take incoming applicants? How
are they conducting interviews? (technology, format) What do they think when a candidate is not working? How has the recession affected that
thinking? How much / what information do they share about a candidate with the hiring manager? What were some red flags a few years ago that
no longer matter? What are current red flags? Ultimately, what really speaks to them and gets their attention? By sourcing information gathered
through 1:1
interviews (with global and local recruiters), recruiter surveys, and job seeker behavior studies from RiseSmart, Randstad, and external sources,
Kimberly will answer all of those questions to help you in your work with job seekers. When you walk out of this session, you will have actionable
insight into the way internal and external recruiters operate. This information will help you service your clients better by helping you prepare better
résumés, social media profiles, and other self-marketing documents, coach clients with confidence, and offer job seekers clear steps to take in their
search.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
1:45 pm-2:45 pm
TOWNHALL SESSIONS
Due to overwhelming inquiries and discussions taking place both on the e-list and between members, The NRWA has created an exciting new
opportunity to foster community problem-solving and sharing of best practices. Members can “float” between each room, with topic discussions
facilitated by industry leaders. Specific areas will be addressed and members encouraged to ask their burning questions and share some of their
experiences, tools, and ideas on each of these topics:
Town Hall Topic 1: Pricing – Virginia Franco, NCRW, CPRW – Virginia Franco Résumés
This session will focus on how to set prices, handle pricing inquiries or prospective client pushback, and how to calculate profitability of your
business. Additionally, we will discuss how to position price increases, as well as come up with ideas of additional service offerings to help increase
your bottom line.
Town Hall Topic 2: College / University Career Service Centers – Juliet Murphy, MBA, MA, CARW – Juliet Murphy Career Development
The unique considerations of career centers are put front and center in this session where participants can share some of their success stories and
also discuss challenges being faced. Come with your questions and answers, and be prepared to have a hearty discussion.
Town Hall Topic 3: Intake Processes – Michelle Robin, NCRW, 360Reach Analyst, G3 Coach, CPRW – Brand Your Career
Time is our currency. Every writer / career practitioner has their own way of conducting client intakes, which is an onerous process, especially when
some customers send in 40 pages of content for you to review. What is your secret in managing all of this information as well as the workflow? Do
you have ideas about how to be more efficient? This session will be very enlightening as industry leaders share their ideas, and provide answers to
your intake questions.
Town Hall Topic 4: Technology in Business – Wendi Weiner, JD, NCRW, CPRW, CCTC, CCM – The Writing Guru
Some career practitioners seem to have it all together between their client CRMs, e-marketing, and scheduling. Do you have all the tools you need
to run an automated business so you can focus on what you do best: writing? Explore technology tools that can help you in your business… from
finding ways to quickly reference previous clients to automating blog posts.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
3:00 pm-4:00 pm
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (3)
Karol Taylor, GCDFI, MBTI, CCMC, JCTC, MCC, CBBSC, MCC - Taylor Made Résumé
Bio:
Karol Taylor retired with 28+ years working in employee development for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Afterwards,
she served as a Federal Career Consultant, working as a Career Counselor for numerous Cabinet-Level agencies. Karol brings a broad
perspective and insider expertise to the federal job search. Karol holds an MA in counseling psychology from Bowie State University, and numerous
Career Certifications. She is the co-author of two books on the federal job search: Find Your Federal Job Fit, and Guide to America’s Federal Jobs,
4th ed. (JIST, Inc.). Karol currently serves as a career consultant for a medium size federal agency, and provides federal job search workshops for
nearby colleges and OneStops.
The Unique and Powerful Federal Résumé
Did you know that, unlike any other résumé for any other organization, the length of the federal résumé is often six or more pages? Would you like
to know why? Did you know that a shorter résumé has a much lower probability of being referred to the hiring manager for review? Federal Job
seekers and the people who help them need to know about the federal rules and regulations that must be followed for the job seeker to submit a
competitive federal application package. If you have felt perplexed about the complicated federal résumé or if you want to work with federal job
seekers, this workshop is for you! In this presentation a federal insider will share the required résumé information unique to the federal résumé;
different types of federal hiring authorities and appointments; and unique information to include on a federal résumé to attract more rating points
Rebecca Metz - Web Pages That Sell
Bio:
Rebecca Metz is the owner and chief designer at Web Pages That Sell. She specializes in working with innovative and creative business owners
who are passionate about their work as coaches, authors, and speakers. With an extensive background in IT, creative problem solving, brand
promotion, teaching and marketing strategies, Rebecca offers web development and design that is interactive and effective, builds your list and
sells your products and services.
Top 10 Reasons People Don’t Buy from your Website: Simple Tips to Get More Sales
Is your website generating as many leads as you want? Having a website presence and having a website that generates income are two different
things. In this presentation, Rebecca Metz will cover what may be inhibiting your current website from being a cash machine and what techniques
can help you change that. Some practical points Rebecca will be teaching include:
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Easy ways to create value and build trust with your web site visitors.
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Tactics to make your website easy to find.
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Tips for staying connected with those visitors.
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How to attract the ideal clients you love to work with and that pay you well.
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What is necessary to make it easy for people to buy from you.
You can expect to walk away with information you can put to use immediately to make your website more user friendly, engaging and monetizable.
Don Orlando, MBA, CPRW, JCTC, CCM, CCMC, CJSS, MCD - The McLean Group
Bio:
Don Orlando was a career coach before the industry had a name for what he does. His practice focuses on helping rising, senior, and very senior
executives win the careers they deserve, get paid what they are worth, and even have fun in the process. Even though his clients are literally
around the world, he offers person-to-person support and is known for his ability to tailor his services right to the needs of his clients. His
responsiveness is legendary. You’ll find his examples of powerful job search documents in 75 collections of the best published in the US, Canada,
and Australia. He knows his work affects the lives of job seekers and their families’ hence his passion for continuing professional development,
researching, writing, speaking, and serving as a mentor to others in the careers space. Don’s presentation today is living proof of his dedication to
our industry.
Build strong connections: Powerful, Confident New Ways to Showcase Your Clients’ Value…and Yours!
Too many coaches and résumé writers present their clients’ value to previous employers. To test that theory, Don selected three recently published
collections of the “best” résumés. From each volume, he chose ten sample résumés at random—a total of 30 documents. Don assumed the writers
were familiar with the challenge-context-action-result model. Nearly all devoted space to responsibilities and results. Only two showed which
problems the applicant solved to get those results. That’s a difficulty, because organizations hire people who can solve their problems, not those of
previous employers. The NRWA members must be able to have their clients prove they can make target organizations a lot more money than it
costs to find, recruit, and retain the applicant. The NRWA members must do that in every résumé they write. They must give their clients confidence
to extend that message in networking, in virtual space, and in interviews. But the skills our members learn in this workshop will help them power
their clients through every part of the job hunt, from preparing job search documents, to targeting opportunities, to interviewing, to negotiating for
compensation. This workshop is all about building powerful connections between The NRWA members and their clients, between those clients and
their future employers. At the end of this session, attendees should be able to do these things:
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Help clients uncover standards far beyond traditional “best practices” for any career field.
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Obtain the absolute maximum transferable value derived from a client’s experience on and off the job—including recent education and
professional development.
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Transform clients’ success stories from the traditional, backward-looking explanations rooted in the past into compelling, forward-looking
proofs of excellence and potential.
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Make clients’ value visible in ways that work for busy hiring decision makers, important members of their social network, and compelling
content in discussion groups and blogs.
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Give clients exceptional confidence to provide interviewers with clear and compelling proof of the exceptional ROI they offer.
Friday, September 23, 2016
8:30 am-9:30 am
GENERAL SESSION
Lita Levine Kleger - Experience Works
Bio:
Lita Levine Kleger is Director of Program Development for Experience Works, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the
lives of older people through training, community service and employment. She provides leadership, strategic recommendations, and management
in the areas of public awareness, partnership development, special events, communication, and advocacy; and expands services and programs for
people enrolled in the Senior Community Services Employment Program through public and private sector collaborations. During her 25-year
tenure with the organization she also served in the program operations division, where she interpreted regulations and developed policy guidelines,
did grant writing, and provided technical assistance and training. Prior to her employment at Experience Works, Ms. Kleger worked with several
other organizations in program operations, policy, resource development, and advocacy roles and served on the staff of former Congressman Philip
Sharp of Indiana. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Ball State University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree, cum laude from the
University of Bridgeport. Lita Levine Kleger has been working in the field of older-worker employment, training, and community service for over 25
years. She provides coaching and technical assistance to practitioners and regularly presents information about the needs of older workers at
American Society on Aging conferences, to workforce coalitions, and to policy makers on Capitol Hill.
Serving Older Job Seekers
Over the last 12 months, how many of your clients were age 55 and over? Were they seeking assistance because they had been out of work for
over a year? Did they claim to have sent out hundreds of résumés but received no response? Have their resources dwindled? Do they want to
switch careers? Are they bored in retirement and want to return to paid employment? If so, these clients are joining the ranks of a new type of job
seeker in the 21st century due to demographic, economic, and social changes: those who can’t retire because of lack of funds, or those who find
retirement is not what they hoped it would be. In this presentation, you will learn about:
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The older job seekers who are served by Experience Works and their approach to serving job seekers through the Senior Community
Service Employment Program and other programs.
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The JobReady on-line assessment tool, which helps older job seekers assess their abilities, interests, and goals, and provides on-line
training modules to help them upgrade their skills.
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Opportunities to collaborate with Experience Works throughout 30 states and Puerto Rico to enhance your services for older workers.
Three takeaways attendees can expect to apply to their business or job include:
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Understanding the motivations, needs, and aspirations of older job seekers.
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Identifying tools that will be of assistance in preparing résumés and employment plans for older job seekers.
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Increasing opportunities for networking and collaborating with older-worker service providers across the nation.
Friday, September 23, 2016
9:45 am-10:45 am
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (3)
Christine O'Keefe - University of New Hampshire
Bio:
Christine O'Keefe has a BA in English Education, MA in English, MFA in Fiction, as well as continuing graduate studies in rhetoric and composition.
Her experience includes 20 years of teaching college-level writing, as well as writing résumés for clients through a technical writing/consultant
business ownership. Christine has presented workshops and research at regional and national conferences.
The Résumé Reach: Helping Students ‘Get it.’
Do you need a proven method for teaching students current trends in résumé writing? In this presentation, you will examine the way students view
résumés and learn strategies to reach your students. Learn how to:
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Instruct students in writing a profile or a skills summary using their limited experience.
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Help students understand the difference between listing skills and explaining the context of their achievements and experiences
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Demonstrate the audience and purpose of résumés through in-class exercises.
As a college instructor for 20 years, and a past The NRWA conference attendee, the presenter combines proven teaching strategies with résumé
writing and design knowledge to help you identify your students’ needs and adjust your instruction for immediate results in student work.
Brenda Bernstein, CARW, CMRW, CERM - The Essay Expert LLC
Bio:
Brenda Bernstein, owner of The Essay Expert LLC and author of the #1 Amazon best-seller, How to Write a KILLER LinkedIn Profile, has been
quoted in Forbes Magazine and has appeared on WGN radio and WPR. Recently voted the favorite speaker at the international LinkedIn Success
Summit, Brenda has a clear, conversational, and information-packed speaking style that makes learning easy and fun! Brenda is currently the
Marketing Chair for The National Résumé Writers' Association. She holds an English degree from Yale and a law degree from NYU.
The Human Guinea Pig: How to Put Personality into LinkedIn Profiles
Are you starting to feel like all your clients' LinkedIn profiles sound the same? Are you tearing your hair out, wondering how can you make yet
another IT professional, or even “yet another” executive, stand out on LinkedIn? Come to this session and engage in lively conversation that will:
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Leave you with powerful questions that elicit gems from your clients, ultimately grabbing a recruiter or hiring manager’s attention.
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Inspire you to dig for treasure with your clients.
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Get you excited about writing LinkedIn content that no one has ever written before. Let’s break the mold together and show off our
clients’ personalities on LinkedIn!
Robin Schlinger, BSChE MIT, MCD, CMRW, CFRW, CPRW, CECC, JCTC - Robin's Résumés
Bio:
Robin Schlinger, has been coaching clients and adding value to federal and civilian résumés since 2001. In 2006, she started her own company,
Robin’s Résumés®. Robin regularly speaks at conferences and for national-level audiences. She has delivered her motivational presentation on
“How to Prepare to Create a Great Résumé” more than 50 times for Women For Hire, Career Ministries, professional conferences, colleges, and
professional business organizations. In 2013, Robin spoke about résumés for the Fox News Career Channel. Robin spoke on Applicant Tracking
System (ATS) résumés for the CDI Conference, Careerealism, National Career Summit, NCDA and other organization courses. Her work on ATS
was published in 101 Great Ways to Compete in Today's Job Market and in the Career Planning and Adult Development Journal. US News and
World Report covered her work on ATS in a feature article. Robin gave federal-résumé presentations for the final Career Management Alliance
(CMA) conference and Georgia Tech national symposium. As CDI Director of Awards, she oversaw the annual Toast of the Résumé Industry
(TORI) awards. She has been a member of The NRWA since 2007. Robin earned a BSChE from MIT and had a successful career contributing
millions to company bottom lines as a process, research, and quality engineer and planning analyst for Fortune 500 companies.
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): How to Write Powerful Résumés which Pass the ATS
Do you want to know how to help your clients pass the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to get the interview for the job they want? In this
presentation, you will gain solid understanding of how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) work and what you must know to help your client pass the
ATS and avoid ATS pitfalls. Once you understand how ATS work, you will learn how to select and read job announcements and job descriptions to
find needed keywords and phrases. In this presentation, Robin will
•
Show you a powerful method to obtain needed information from clients to address the keywords and phrases to use in ATS-friendly
résumés.
•
Show you how to write powerful statements which showcase your clients’ accomplishments while including the knowledge, skills, and
abilities needed for them to get high ATS scores.
•
Introduce a template which works for both humans and most ATS.
Friday, September 23, 2016
11:00 am-12:00 pm
GENERAL SESSION
Wendy Enelow, MRW, CCM, JCTC, CPRW - Emerald Career Publishing / Enelow Executive Career Services
Bio:
Wendy Enelow has been a professional résumé writer and career coach for 30+ years, and is the author/coauthor of 25+ books on résumés, cover
letters, keywords, and career management. Wendy is the founder/past director of three résumé/career organizations: Career Thought Leaders
(think tank for the now, the new, and the next in careers); Résumé Writing Academy (training and certification); and, Career Masters Institute
(professional association). She is well-respected throughout the careers industry for her many contributions and her ongoing support of her
colleagues worldwide. Over the many years of her career, Wendy has spoken at 40+ career conferences, job fairs, military bases, and other
events, and has trained thousands of résumé writers. This is where she finds her greatest joy … helping her colleagues succeed. Wendy has been
interviewed/quoted in major media, including: The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, Washington Post, ABC News,
Money.com, Forbes.com, and countless others.
Modernize Your Résumés: Content, Format & Design
It is critical that résumé writers understand two key principles that are the foundation for expert performance in the résumé writing industry. First,
they must appreciate the fact that résumés are ever-evolving so they must constantly work to strengthen their expertise and keep pace with the
rapidly changing employment landscape. Today’s modern résumés are significantly different than résumés from just five years ago and a world
apart from what they were a decade ago. Second, résumé writers must appreciate that each and every résumé is different depending on the
person, their past experiences, educational credentials, achievements, current goals, unique challenges, and more. There is no “standard” way to
write or format a résumé. The only “standard” is excellence in writing and presentation so that each client is unique and memorable. In this
presentation, you will learn specific strategies and how-to techniques to modernize and strengthen the content of résumés that you write, enhance
all of the résumé formats that you use, and upgrade your résumé design capabilities.
The key takeaways for attendees include:
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A portfolio of sample résumés to generate new ideas for how to write, format, and design résumés for your clients, students, and others.
•
A deeper understanding of the remarkable amount of creativity you can bring to the résumé-writing process while still meeting all
•
•
•
expectations for both human and electronic readers (ATS).
Techniques that work for people in challenging situations: career change, return to work, military transition, erratic job history, and more.
Résumé-writing resources (e.g., 400+ résumé verbs, 200+ personality descriptors, dig-deep questions to uncover achievements).
The freedom and flexibility you have to tell each job seeker’s career story.
Friday, September 23, 2016
1:15 pm-2:15 pm
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (3)
Lucie Yeomans, CPRW, CCMC, OPNS, JCTC, JCDC, CJSS - Sick
Résumés Elaine Lien - Revive Careers
Bio:
Lucie Yeomans is the founder and CEO of Sick Résumés, which offers comprehensive career services to college graduates, professionals in
transition and executives. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in teaching and has worked in a variety of industries
including semi-conductor, education, nonprofit, and consulting. She holds several professional certifications in résumé writing, LinkedIn, job search
strategy, and career coaching. Lucie is an active member of several professional associations, including the Résumé Writers Council of Arizona,
The National Résumé Writers Association, and Career Directors International and volunteers monthly with Career Connectors.
Bio:
Elaine Lien is a Certified Personal Brand Strategist, Certified Social Brand Analyst, Certified DISC Trainer and Facilitator, Certified Career
Management Coach, and Executive Coach with a genuine passion to help her clients discover their greatest strengths and stand out from the
crowd. Elaine is known for her positivity, inspiration and attentiveness. Elaine uses a positive and empowering approach to help professionals rise
to the level of their aspirations and beyond. She believes humor, laughter and forgiveness (of self and others) are the most important ingredients to
a healthy and happy career and life. Elaine lives in gorgeous Golden, Colorado with her handsome hubby of 18 years, their two amazing boys, and
3 standard poodles, which they fondly refer to as, “The Poo Crew”.
Tools you need to help your clients truly stand out among the competition AND help yourself save time in the process
In this presentation, Elaine Lien and Lucie Yeomans will cover the following:
•
Benefits of building a strong personal brand for your clients.
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Tips for uncovering your clients’ “real” strengths rather than self-perceived strengths.
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Techniques to identify weaknesses that get in the way of your clients’ success.
•
Tactics for translating branding results into personal marketing magic for your clients, including résumés, LinkedIn profiles, elevator
speeches, and interview answers.
Program Take-A-Ways:
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Pinpoint client power statements and personal brands in less time.
•
Improve your client intake process with branding tools and resources.
•
Help your clients confidently differentiate themselves in interviews.
Diane Hudson, CPRW, CEIP, CCM, CLTMC, CCMC, CPCC, IJCTC, FJSTC, CJSS - Career Marketing Techniques
Bio:
Diane Hudson owns Career Marketing Techniques a professional career coaching and résumé-writing firm. She is a book- and prolific-article
author, and experienced trainer at industry conferences internationally on career management and job search topics. Diane is Director of the
Certified Professional Career Coach program representing universities, military, federal, industry, outplacement, nonprofit, and more; winner of
Career Management Alliance’s first annual Career Industry Mentor Award, and recent nominee for MORE Magazine’s Ambition award. She also
served as a career coach for CareerBuilder, JPMorgan Chase, and other companies. As an award-winning résumé writer, Diane’s achievements
include "Best Executive Résumé” by PARW/CC and her résumés, cover letters, and case studies are published in more than 60 books and
periodicals. She is a former employment specialist for Northrop Corporation and Special Agent Investigator for the DOD and has navigated 4
international moves. Last year alone, Diane traveled 150K flight miles training job seekers and coaches across the nation. She has presented as a
career coach at CLT in 2013, 2014; CMA in 2000, 2010, 2011; PARW/CC in 2002, 2003, 2004; FSIS (USDA) Diversity Conference, 2015;
Wounded Warriors, 2014, 2013, 2012; military spouses in Korea, 2014; Senior Executive Service applicants, 2008 to present; TAP, ACAP and
Community Readiness Assistant Counselors USAF Europe, 2013-2014 (Webinars and in Germany); TAP, ACAP and Community Readiness
Assistant Counselors, AF-Seymour Johnson AFB; Idaho Industrial Commission, 2014; to job seekers at many federal agencies (USDA, FEMA,
DHS, Army, Special Forces, Southern Command, Bureau of Reclamation, Navy, PTO, EPA), and many others.
Managing Tough Client Interactions
As résumé writers and career coaches, we are expected to have all of the answers for job seekers. Our clients are expecting us to wave a magic
wand and “poof” - write them a résumé, find them a job, and do all of the work for them in their job search. Do you ever work with clients that make
you scratch your head, become frustrated and wonder, “Why am I working with this person?” Do you work in an organization that requires you to
work with the assigned clients, no matter how challenging the circumstances? Do you work with clients who say: “If only I did…?”
“I can’t
because
….” “I am confused.” “You must know someone that you can pass my résumé to and secure a job for me.” “My family situation is in disrepair.” “I am
transitioning from the military, and I really have no clue how to find a job – or if I offer value to a new employer.” “I was laid off 18 months ago and I
am still unemployed. Can you help me?” “I want to make a career transition from accounting to engineering, but I do not have any experience. I
need to make at least six figures.” “I was told my résumé needs work. What do you think?” “My son graduated from college two years ago and still
does not have a job. Can you find him a job?”
There are no magical formulas to job search; however, creating a career-management action plan is a good first step in helping tough clients to
manage their needs. Additionally, by posing thought-provoking questions to our clients, we can coach them to make job search decisions and learn
that career management and job search is a full time job – and it is their job. Just like football coaches train and align with their players, the players
have to work-out daily and practice hard to succeed. In this presentation participants will learn:
•
How to coach job seekers to define their personal and job search challenges and take ownership of the job search.
•
Pivotal questions to pose to job seekers to help move them from stuck to unstuck in their job search.
•
How to work with varied tough client management scenarios (including international, students, military, long-term unemployment,
incarcerated, stay-at-home mother, and more) using various tools including goals, assessments, motivations, confidence-building, and
values.
•
How to quickly identify tough clients and make a decision to continue to work with them or not, whether the participant is an independent
practitioner or works for a company or organization.
•
How to educate tough clients to the realities of résumé writing, job search and career coaching, while providing empathy, and coaching
clients to continue to engage in job search and make career management decisions.
•
How to design solutions for a variety of tough client scenarios (military (including wounded warriors and military spouses), international,
shy, resistant, students, those with family issues, etc.) that can be integrated into the practitioners’ career management programs.
Brian Bodkin - careerandtalenthub.com
Bio:
Brian Bodkin is a graduate of the University of Maryland. He is the founder of TABB INC., a leading provider of background investigation services to
colleges and health care organizations for over 25 years. Mr. Bodkin has worked closely with human resources and recruiters to develop
background investigation programs tailored to each client’s specific requirements so as to hire the most qualified individual and meet due diligence
requirements. He has extensive knowledge of compliance with applicable laws and the implementation of programs and procedures for employers
to meet best practices in this area. Mr. Bodkin has spoken at break-out sessions to various groups such as the Garden State Employment Training
Association, American Society of Industrial Security, and the National Association of Health Care Recruiters on this subject. Mr. Bodkin’s interaction
with thousands of individuals who are seeking employment and recruiters over the decades led to the conclusion that few are aware of what occurs
during the employment application and background investigation process. The lack of knowledge and understanding of these processes often
results in lost employment opportunities. Mr. Bodkin founded careerandtalenthub.com, an interactive website that instructs and educates individuals
about the employment process and how they can use this information to improve the odds of landing a job. The website also includes the ability for
individuals to create their own background investigation report that will highlight their unique experience, skills and abilities and can be submitted to
prospective employers along with the job application, either electronically or by hard copy. Mr. Bodkin's experience led to the creation of
EndorseStudents.com, a patent pending interactive software program and website that enables those who are applying to college or programs, or
for internships or scholarships, to automate the recommendation-letters process while highlighting their own unique abilities and experience.
Background Investigations- What Goes on Behind the Scenes and how it Affects your Clients
This presentation will provide résumé writers with substantive knowledge that will be a value-added service for their clients. Often there are many
people applying for the same job. Understanding how to navigate the recruiting and employment application process, and what occurs during the
background investigation will greatly improve the odds of landing a job. Résumé writers and candidates spend a great deal of time crafting a great
résumé, only to fail at the background screening process. Mistakes your client makes during the application process can cost them a job over and
over again. The manner in which background investigation companies conduct verifications can develop information that can be detrimental or
beneficial to your client. The presentation will review how your client can take steps to ensure the background investigation develops beneficial
information. We will review the candidate’s rights during the background investigation process. The vast majority of job applicants are unaware that
they have the right to a copy of a background investigation that is conducted, and the right to dispute any incorrect information. The presentation
discuss how candidates can proactively manage their background investigation, and how résumé writers can assist with this process. Does your
client have a criminal record or are they unsure about an incident that occurred in the past? The presentation will review how your clients can
determine if the record is reportable for employment purposes and how to mitigate an adverse record. We will review the “ban the box” controversy.
The discussion will include what a background investigation company may find during the criminal record research process, and the proactive steps
one can take if they have a criminal record. Attendees will take away knowledge about background investigations that will support the résumé and
application process and greatly improve the odds their clients will land the job they want.
Friday, September 23, 2016
2:30pm-3:30pm
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (3)
Audra Esposito, MBTI Qualified and Tori Torres - Career Exploration Experts
Bio:
Audra Esposito’s background in the world of higher education is diverse, with a focus on career development services. This experience expands
across all levels of higher education: community college, undergraduate, as well as graduate school. Additionally, she possesses applicable and
helpful management experience in the corporate world. Audra possesses a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Long Island University (NY), and a
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Marist College (NY).
Bio:
Tori Torres has worked extensively in higher education and private practice, providing a variety of career coaching and personal counseling
services. She works from a framework of the interconnectedness of career and personal life to help clients love the life they live. Tori earned a
Master of Science in Counseling from Long Island University (NY) and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Vermont. She
maintains her North Carolina license as a Professional Counselor and Supervisor. Career Exploration Experts is a business partnership between
professionals with over 20 years of career development experience. The client base served is as vast as their experience.
Using Career Assessments to Help the Career Changer
Do you struggle writing résumés for career changers and those in transition? Résumé writers do not need to be a career coach or counselor to
write a strong résumé for someone changing careers or in transition. Career assessments can provide résumé writers a better understanding of
career fields and how personalities and interests best fit the client. This can make the writing process easier, faster and more effective. If you are
looking to increase your confidence in working with all types of career clients, incorporating career assessments into your repertoire may be the
answer. In this presentation, Audra and Tori will give an overview of three commonly used career exploration tools. These non-judgmental tools can
help identify a client’s career field as well as the client’s interests, personality and strengths. The résumé writer can use the assessment results to
establish a common language with the client and to write the résumé more efficiently. The NRWA member will leave the session and take away the
following:
• A better understanding of the differences in three commonly used career exploration assessments - Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Strong
Interest Inventory and the DISC Profile.
• Resources and knowledge of career fields and their best-fit personality, interests and strengths to use in the résumé writing process.
• Increased confidence and efficiency by using a career exploration assessment in the résumé writing process.
The extensive, ongoing training and professional development through workshops and webinars continue to add to Audra and Tori’s understanding
of the applications of these assessments. Both presenters are certified to administer and interpret the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong
Interest Inventory. They have administered and provided results of these career assessments with a diverse population of career clients over the
last 20 years. Using career assessments has increased the clients’ confidence and understanding of themselves and how these relate to careers. It
also has increased the clients’ confidence in the services Audra and Tori provide, thus contributing to a more comprehensive, well-developed
business relationship.
Renee Bobb, BA, MRT - R.B.I. Enterprise Empowerment Training and Development Firm
Bio:
Renee Bobb is an authority in the field of self-publishing and small-business development. Her company, R.B.I. Enterprise www.ReneeBobb.com is
an Empowerment Training and Development Firm, specializing in Career Empowerment, Small Business Development, Financial Empowerment
and Book Publishing Training. Renee is the winner of the 2015 Nashville Business Journal Veteran of the Year Award and the 2012 Tennessee
Titan Quarterback Volunteer of the Year Award. In 2005, Renee also won the Small Business Administration, Virginia Women in Business
Champion of the Year Award. As a career and small business coach, she provides tools and resources to those who have a desire to change their
lives. Renee has nine nonfiction books published including; “Financial Empowerment: A Practical Approach to Getting Your Financial Life in Order”
and her top- seller, “Get a Job NOW: Creative Strategies to Secure Employment”.
Get a Job Now: Creative Strategies to Secure Employment
Most job seekers know the importance of having a great résumé. Once they have the great résumé, the challenge becomes how to use the great
résumé to secure a great job. As an expert in the résumé-writing industry, there are many creative strategies you can share with your clients to help
them secure employment. In the Get a Job Now: Create Strategies to Secure Employment presentation you will learn how to:
• Equip and empower your clients with cutting-edge job-searching techniques.
• Add value to your résumé writing services.
• Customize job-searching strategies based on your clients’ interests and professions.
• Provide motivation and support to your clients to help them pursue a more fulfilling job without sacrificing their current financial security.
• Customize a plan of action and help them understand how to solve their job searching problems.
• Master the three C’s of employment success.
Susan Schauer John - SpiderWeb Connections
Bio:
Known as the "Head Honcho", Susan is the owner and founder of SpiderWeb Connections. She has a background in art, most recently founding
Shore Good Greetings, a greeting card company. Prior to that she owned and operated New Leaf Turnings LLC, where she created wood
sculptures for more than 10 years. She received a double major Bachelor of Science degree in biology and psychology from Denison University
and did graduate studies in neuroscience at Princeton University.
Optimization Reality – Be Smarter than Google!
Is it possible to outsmart Google? What we know about Google and search engine optimization (SEO) today will likely change before the 2016
Presidential Election. The only way to get “Google-smart” is to understand not only what works for SEO today, but anticipate where SEO is heading
and what it will take to get to and stay at the top of search engine rankings.
In this seminar, Susan will discuss:
• Google’s definition of REALITY and what they do to ensure the right websites come up first in organic search results.
• Discuss why traditional SEO methods of key word stuffing, website back links, and other manipulations of Google’s intentions, not only
don’t work anymore but can get your site banned from Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs)
• What kind of content will improve your search engine rankings
•
Introduce you to the concept of the Google Knowledge Vault and the value of creating and publishing trustworthy content to improve
your website rankings
Friday, September 23, 2016
4:00pm-5:00pm
CLOSING SESSION
Brandi Baldwin-Rana, Ph.D. YouAdvise.Me
Bio:
Dr. Brandi Baldwin-Rana helps professionals increase their performance on the job by teaching and inspiring them to become leaders whether they
have the title or not. She was formally educated at Temple University and holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, master's in organizational
development, and doctorate in educational leadership and policy. In addition to running her company, YouAdvise.Me, she teaches at Harcum
College and has held teaching positions at Johns Hopkins, Temple University, and Lancaster Bible College. She's witty, high energy, and
authentically "real" in her delivery of motivational and practical strategies to help professionals increase their impact and influence at work. She is a
national speaker and author, whose first book, "Put in Work: Gain Respect, Influence Others, and Get Results as a New Leader" was published this
Spring.
5 Steps to Creating a Million-Dollar Brand: How to Stand Out and Attract More Clients as a Career Development Professional
Are you a master of career development, but confused about brand development? Have you been struggling to show your value as a career
development professional? Feeling like you can’t compete against the thousands of other practitioners and companies who offer services similar to
yours? Career development entrepreneurs must develop a clear brand identity to be taken seriously by the clients who need them the most. Their
aesthetic brand should be eye catching and motivate everyone who sees it to take action and reach out for help. Even more important than the
“look” of their brand is their unique value proposition and positioning in the marketplace. That’s how they will ultimately stand out and gain credibility
as a career development brand here to stay. Although it’s difficult to create a brand identify when you are a solo-preneur or new company, there are
a few key elements that are essential when trying to stand out and create value for clients. Career development practitioners must: 1) identify their
“why”, 2) get clear on their ideal client, 3) develop a brand identity, 4) design a brand vision, and 5) launch a brand strategy. In this presentation
participants will learn how to know what their “why” is and how it will help them develop their brand, identify their ideal clients, and develop a brand
identity by assessing their own skills, values, and unique characteristics. Participants will be provided specific ways to infuse their brand into their
website, printed materials, and client services.