A
note from
Deb Dib on
the Value of Certifications to Consumers
Think of your resume as the single most important
document ever written about youunless you've had a biography published recently.
This is the document which is going to support you, before, during and after the
interview, in securing a satisfying and well-paying job.
One would think that people who design and write
such an important, life-altering document would need to be fully trained in the
best educational programs, at the best schools. The fact is that formal resume
writing programs or courses do not exist in most educational institutions (they do exist
in resume writing industry groups...more on that later). With the advent of canned resume
software, anyone with a computer can go into the business of resume writing and career
coaching without much more than a flair for composing a strong sentence.
What are the
certifications and who certifies?
We do not mean to say that there are not great
resume writers and careers professionals available to you (there are, and many of them are
valued colleagues); what we are saying is that finding these qualified people can be a
daunting task for a consumer. That is why The Professional Association of Resume Writers
developed the Certified Professional Resume Writer Credential (CPRW). To take that
certification even further, The National Resume Writers Association was started a few
years ago (My partner Douglas and I were part of a small group of founding members) and
developed the Nationally Certified Resume Writer credential (NCRW), the industry's first
master-level, renewable certification.
How Do You Get
Certified?
Both the CPRW and the NCRW certifications
require passing of a rigorous testing process proving competency in interviewing for
information, writing, design, strategy, knowledge of employment issues, and understanding
of career trends. Both are not easy to pass; a novice or even a typically competent writer
cannot do it. The CPRW exam has been available since the early 90's and has become more
comprehensive every year. The NCRW certification, available since 1997, requires a minimum
of three years resume-writing experience or the accumulation of 15 approved continuing
education credits just to take the test. It is the NRWA's aim to have the NCRW
certification become the industry standard of excellence, so only excellence in all areas
receives a passing grade. At this time 50% of applicants fail their first try. I passed on
the first try and am very proud of it!.
The Bottom Line
Your Success!
A job candidate, working in conjunction with a
professionally certified resume writer/consultant, has a distinct advantage in the job
market. If you are like most of our clients, you will benefit in countless ways from an
in-depth consultation that reviews your professional accomplishments, explores your
potential, and gives you targeted advice on attacking your job search. A consultative
partnership with a certified writer/coach will help you to develop:
- an exceptional resume and personal marketing materials
focused on accomplishments and potential
- dynamic strategies to market yourself using your resume and
other tools
- customized training sessions to master your personal job
search skills
Of course, we'd like you to choose Advantage Resumes of New
York as your partner in your job search, but more importantly, we want you to have
confidence in your decision to use the services of an NCRW or CPRW. You will find a level
of competency and professionalism that you can trust.
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