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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.
I do a lot of volunteer work. How should I address it on my resume?
QUESTION: I do a lot of volunteer work. How should I address it on my resume?I advise creating a “Volunteer Experience” section where you can list them in chronological order. However, if you’re a recent graduate with minimal work experience or need to cover a resume...
Is it okay to use a resume template I found online or should I start from scratch?
QUESTION: Is it okay to use a resume template I found online or should I start from scratch?Most companies use applicant tracking software (ATS) to process résumés. Most online templates use text boxes that cannot be processed by that software; so, you must save the...
I’ll have my bachelor’s degree in May; isn’t that enough to get a good job?
QUESTION: I’ll have my bachelor’s degree in May; isn’t that enough to get a good job?Not always, especially if you have a broad degree. Consider an internship that will offer you hands-on experience. Offer to work for free (if possible) as an intern if it's at a...
Should I post my resume on job boards like Indeed, The Ladders, and Monster?
QUESTION: Should I post my resume on job boards like Indeed, The Ladders, and Monster?Storing a résumé at a job-site is convenient for when applying, but the default privacy setting is usually set to “public.” You risk exposing your personal information, flooding your...
I do not have Microsoft Word on my computer. Do I have to have it for my job search? Can I just send everything in PDF? If not, why?
QUESTION: I do not have Microsoft Word on my computer. Do I have to have it for my job search? Can I just send everything in PDF? If not, why?When you upload your resume online it goes into an ATS (applicant tracking system). Of the 200+ different ATS currently in...
Should I put outside activities or community service on my resume?
QUESTION: Should I put outside activities or community service on my resume?Listing board positions, sports, and community service activities can show that you're well-rounded, but if space is tight, list only those organizations in which you held a leadership role...
I heard that the top third of the resume is the most important? Why and what do I put there to have the most impact?
QUESTION: I heard that the top third of the resume is the most important? Why and what do I put there to have the most impact?Your resume must move the reader to action (aka call you for an interview). A strong positioning strategy includes 3 elements: 1) a branded...
Would you please share some of your favorite resume writing and job search resources?
QUESTION: Would you please share some of your favorite resume writing and job search resources?Many job search resources are job-specific; Google niche job boards in your field. Be careful choosing online resume writing help; many just want to draw you into paying...
What’s the best way to choose my references and how should I present them?
QUESTION: What’s the best way to choose my references and how should I present them?Your best references are people who can positively elaborate and validate your skills, work ethic, and achievements on the job. This person can be a direct manager, supervisor,...
Any tips for applying for a job overseas?
QUESTION: Any tips for applying for a job overseas?Employers rarely pursue candidates outside the country unless there’s a specific skill shortage. Leave your home address and phone number off the resume. Include the closest city and zip code to the job and invest in...
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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.
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