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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.
What is the hidden job market?
QUESTION: What is the hidden job market?If you ask successful professionals how they found and landed their current positions, you will probably arrive at the same conclusion that study after study has shown. Many, if not most jobs are obtained, at least in part,...
I’ve seen a lot of career professionals talk about the ATS. Can you explain what it is?
QUESTION: I’ve seen a lot of career professionals talk about the ATS. Can you explain what it is?Applicant Tracking Systems are technology currently being used by 98% of Fortune 500 companies and about 80% of all companies to screen candidates. This software enables...
Which resume format should I use? Functional? Chronological? Something else?
QUESTION: Which resume format should I use? Functional? Chronological? Something else?Most recruiters don’t like functional resumes, and they don’t work well with employers’ Applicant Tracking Systems. A reverse chronological or “combination” format is better...
Should I always include a cover letter with my resume even if they don’t ask for it?
QUESTION: Should I always include a cover letter with my resume even if they don’t ask for it? A hiring manager told me, “I don’t always read the cover letters, but I go first for the applications that include one.” In addition, a cover letter enables you to go beyond...
I’ve seen resumes that include charts, bar graphs, word clouds, and other graphic images. Is this the new norm?
QUESTION: I've seen resumes that include charts, bar graphs, word clouds, and other graphic images. Is this the new norm? Content remains king. It will always serve you well to present well-matched qualifications and achievement-oriented writing in a clean,...
I realize that resumes now need to include numbers. I don’t do sales, so I don’t have any numbers to include. Am I doomed?
QUESTION: I realize that resumes now need to include numbers. I don’t do sales, so I don’t have any numbers to include. Am I doomed?No! There are many ways to measure your performance, including process improvement, change management, customer satisfaction and...
How do I know what keywords I should include on my resume?
QUESTION: How do I know what keywords I should include on my resume?Believe it or not, the job descriptions for the positions of interest you find online possess the "golden nugget" keywords you're looking for to include in your resume. For example, if you see the...
How can I make sure my cover letter is interesting enough to capture the attention of a recruiter or hiring manager?
QUESTION: How can I make sure my cover letter is interesting enough to capture the attention of a recruiter or hiring manager?A captivating cover letter must do 3 things: 1) make a connection with the reader, 2) briefly address the employer’s needs and how your skills...
I had to take time off work for a year to support a close family member with health issues: Should I mention this on my resume to explain the gap in employment?
QUESTION: I had to take time off work for a year to support a close family member with health issues, should I mention this on my resume to explain the gap in employment?If you have an employment gap of 6+ months, address it so that the employer is not filling in the...
I struggle with writing my own resume and I’d like someone to help me. Where can I get my resume professionally done?
QUESTION: I struggle with writing my own resume and I'd like someone to help me. Where can I get my resumeprofessionally done?Certified writers understand the nuances of the modern job market and the role of technology plays in the hiring process. If you’re serious...
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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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