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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.
The Best Resume File Format?
QUESTION: What file format should I use to send my electronic resume? Any other submission tips?When emailing a resume, convert your Microsoft Word file to a PDF. This ensures that the format will be preserved. When submitting a resume online, use a Word file as this...
Adding Education to your Resume
QUESTION: How should I write about my education? Add activities, course work, GPA …?If you are seeking an entry-level role, more education detail is needed (courses, activities, projects) since you won't have as much experience to rely on. Seasoned professionals can...
Common Resume Mistakes
QUESTION: What are the most common mistakes when writing a resume?📌 Career Experience bullets sound like a list of job functions; bullet points need to showcase values, outcomes, solutions, or quantitative results you can point to; you need to separate job...
Combatting ageism?
QUESTION: I am an older worker recently laid off (can you believe it in this job market?!). Do you have some tips to overcome ageism?Your resume doesn't have to outline every job you've ever held. For jobs you held 15+ years ago, use an "Earlier Experience" header and...
I did not do an internship.
QUESTION: During COVID-19 pandemic, I couldn’t get an internship. Now I’m graduating with no experience which is atypical for my chosen career path. What should I put on my resume?What did you do instead of an internship? Take more classes? Volunteer? I would focus...
Should I use a nickname?
QUESTION: As a Chinese native, I plan to use my westernized first name, "Jennifer," on my resume instead of my real name: "Xiaoying." What are some best practices around using "nicknames" on a resume?Name bias is real, repulsive, and career-damaging. Resumes using...
Same Name
QUESTION: I share a name with a person who has a bad public reputation, and I think it’s costing me interviews. What can I do about this?You have several simple options to differentiate yourself:> Use a nickname> Use a middle initial (Michael B. Jordan)> Use...
Resumes for Board Roles
QUESTION: I am interested in getting roles on both corporate and nonprofit boards. How do I write my resume for this purpose? Do I need two different resumes - one for corporate board roles and another for nonprofit board opportunities?To target corporate boards,...
Hiring Processes for Tech Roles at FAAMNG
QUESTION: I've heard that the hiring processes for tech roles at FAAMNG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix, Google) is very different from those at other types of tech companies. What do I need to know in terms of preparing my resume and getting ready for...
Should I use the public “Open to Work” graphic on my LinkedIn profile photo?
QUESTION: Should I use the public “Open to Work” graphic on my LinkedIn profile photo?When openly searching for a new job, marketing your value versus your unemployment status will strengthen your candidacy to land the job you desire. Instead of turning on the OTW...
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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