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Practical guidance on resumes, LinkedIn, job search, career transitions, personal branding, interviews, and more from NRWA career professionals.
Job searching and career management raise a lot of questions, and the answers aren’t always as simple as they seem online. NRWA professionals share practical, experience-based guidance to help you make better decisions about your resume, LinkedIn presence, job search, career transitions, professional brand, and more.
Browse the latest advice below or explore topics relevant to where you are in your career.
Want Flexible Work? How to Make Your Case to an Employer
QUESTION: How can I negotiate flexible work arrangements when employers are increasingly mandating in-office presence?I would not be negotiating flexibility as a simple perk. Make the the case to the employer by showing how you perform, communicate, and remain...
Playing It Safe or Taking a Chance: Should You Change Jobs?
QUESTION: Is it safer to “job hug” (stay put) or take a risk and switch jobs in this market?Don’t let fear drive your decision. “Job hugging” may provide short-term security, but staying put isn’t risk-free. Assess your company’s stability, your marketability,...
Recognizing “Ghost Jobs” and Fake Job Postings
QUESTION: How can I spot “ghost jobs” or fake job postings before wasting time applying?Check the date: if it's been up for months or keeps reappearing, be wary. Confirm the role is on the company's own careers page and look for current employees on LinkedIn. Federal...
Explaining a Job Departure
QUESTION: How do I explain why I’m leaving my current job or why I was laid off?Keep it brief, factual, and forward-looking. For layoffs, name the cause plainly (restructuring, role elimination) and pivot to what you're seeking next. Avoid negativity about past...
Addressing a Cover Letter
QUESTION: Who should I address my cover letter to if I can’t find a name?Don’t default to a generic salutation until you’ve tried to find the actual person. Check the job posting for clues about who the role reports to, search LinkedIn by title and location, or even...
Do I use a Resume or a CV?
QUESTION: What’s the difference between a resume and a CV, and when should I use each?The answer depends on location and field/industry. In the U.S., the resume is standard except for in specific fields, like academia and medicine. An academic CV is more comprehensive...
Common Resume Mistakes
QUESTION: What are the most common resume mistakes to avoid?The #1 resume mistake I see people make repeatedly is writing it for the role they have—or too broadly—rather than the role they want. A one-size-fits-all resume doesn’t speak to anyone. Your resume needs to...
Recruiter Expectations for Resumes in 2026
QUESTION: Are there new “must-have” sections or formats recruiters expect in 2026 resumes?No. There are no new “must-have” sections or formats. Recruiters and ATS still value clear, predictable, easy-to-read structures. The 2026 shift is less about adding new sections...
Do AI-Generated Resumes Get Flagged & Screened Out?
QUESTION: Is my AI-generated resume getting flagged and auto-rejected by other AI screeners?In some cases, but not always. The greater risk of using AI to write your resume is generic, inaccurate, or keyword-stuffed content that fails to show your value. A better way...
How Do I Prove My Soft Skills?
QUESTION: How do I quantify and prove my soft skills to an algorithm?You cannot prove your soft skills by simply listing them on your resume or LinkedIn profile. Show them through evidence. Pair each soft skill with a specific action, result, or achievement, using...
Job Searching Safely
Job scams are getting more sophisticated, and job seekers are prime targets. Learn the warning signs, how to verify an offer, and what to do if you've been targeted.
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Do you have questions about writing your resume, your LinkedIn profile, or about the job searching process? Ask us your question and it may be selected as the topic of our next blog post, with answers compiled from the advice of NRWA members.
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This site is provided by NRWA: The Association of Career Strategy & Branding Professionals, a nonprofit professional association serving career professionals in the United States and worldwide.
The NRWA members help job seekers and career professionals clarify their goals, communicate their value, strengthen their professional brands, and navigate an increasingly complex job market. Many specialize in resume writing, while others also provide LinkedIn strategy, career branding, interview preparation, career transition support, and related services.
Whether you need expert help with your resume or broader guidance for your career, NRWA can help you find a professional whose expertise fits your needs.
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