Showing posts with label 10 Questions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 10 Questions. Show all posts

Thursday, April 6, 2023

10 Questions With Kara Varner


Get to know other resume writers in our community with our “10 Questions” series! 

Today’s profile is Kara Varner, MAOM, CARW, CPRW, CRS-MTC, CEIC, of A Platinum Resume LLC. Kara has been a resume writer for 10 years and is based in Colorado. She has a 20-year career background in federal government, civilian, and corporate positions. 

Kara has a diversified background that assists her clients with navigating the application processes for civilian, corporate, contract, and federal government employment. 

1. Why did you decide to become a professional resume writer?
At first, I became a professional resume writer to focus on helping transitioning military service members, federal employees, and military spouses. 

2. How did you get into the career industry? What did you do before?
I became interested in the profession when a neighbor asked me to review his resume. Prior to becoming a resume writer, I was an Employee Assistance Program Manager in the Federal Government. 

3. What do you typically wear when you’re working? 
Sweats. 

4. What is your best habit, and what is your worst? 
Best Habit: Replying to emails, writing out my to-do list every night. 
Worst Habit: Procrastination. 

5. What is your favorite object in your office? Why? 
Artwork by my daughters, gifts from friends, and two signs that say: You Got This and Do What Makes You Happy. 

6. What is your “go to” technique or secret when you get stuck when you are writing a resume? How do you get unstuck? 
I write out any thoughts I have and step away. I try to focus on something else (project, TV show, kids) and my brain thinks it through in my subconscious. Then I am able to come back “fresh.”

7. What is the best career advice you ever got? 
Be yourself. Be authentic. 

8. How do you unplug? 
I enjoy family time or time with my daughters doing something girlie. I watch “Real Housewives,” “Jack Ryan,” “Reign,” “The Home Edit,” and “The Young and the Restless.” 

9. What ONE thing would you change about your business or the career industry if you could? 
The Career Industry: Educate and improve the perception of the industry and the true value of the services. I continually work to help clients and friends understand the value of a professional resume and the amount of work that goes into crafting resumes. 

10. What are your favorite social medial accounts to follow? 

Connect with Kara on LinkedIn: 

Find her company on Facebook: 

Follow Kara on Twitter: 

Visit the website for A Platinum Resume:

Thursday, March 30, 2023

10 Questions with Andrea Adamski


Get to know other resume writers in our community with the latest entry in our “10 Questions” series!

Today’s profile is Andrea Adamski, CPRW. Andrea has been writing resumes for more than a decade. She owns her own business, Write For You Resumes, based in Kansas City, Missouri, and also does contract work as Director of Writing Services, training writers and serving as quality control for Your Next Jump, a career services company based out of Washington, D.C.

Andrea is a member of the National Resume Writers’ Association (NRWA), Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches, and BeAResumeWriter.com. She is currently pursuing the Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) credential.

Her work has been selected for publication in Expert Resumes & LinkedIn Profiles for Managers and Executives (fourth edition), Modernize Your Job Search Letters: Get Noticed…Get Hired, Resume & LinkedIn Strategies for New College Graduates: What Works to Launch a Gen-Z Career, and she is a contributor to the NRWA “Ask the Experts” series.

1. Why did you decide to become a professional resume writer?
I worked in marketing copywriting in the corporate world for nearly a decade. My coworkers familiar with my writing abilities would ask me to help them with their resumes on the side. They would then refer me to their friends and it snowballed.

2. How did you get into the career industry? What did you do before?
I worked in marketing copywriting, mostly in the healthcare and financial industry.

3. What do you typically wear when you’re working? 
Jeans or leggings and one of my Dolly Parton or Prince t-shirts, unless I am meeting a client — then I dress accordingly (no Dolly t-shirt). 

4. What is your best habit, and what is your worst? 
My best and worst habit is probably one and the same — I am detail-oriented. I pay attention to the details. However, you can get too mired in that and border on OCD, so I have to watch myself.

5. What is your favorite object in your office? Why? 
A picture of my kids. 



6. What is your “go to” technique or secret when you get stuck when you are writing a resume? How do you get unstuck? 
I take a break if possible, cook dinner, help my kids with something. My kids and I play a lot of Uno.

7. What is the best career advice you ever got? 
I don’t know if this is specific just to careers, but if you are going to complain about something, first have a solution in mind. I try to think through possible solutions before I voice complaints.

8. How do you unplug? 
I spend time with my family and kids, I love crafts, especially crochet. Sometimes I sew to unwind. I also love to read and watch true crime. If I wasn’t a resume writer, I think I might have liked to be a detective.

9. What ONE thing would you change about your business or the career industry if you could? 
The ageism and bias in resumes and the interview process. I am very cognizant of trying to help my clients with this as there aren’t many protections at the resume stage like there are once you walk in for an interview.

10. What are your favorite social medial accounts to follow? 

DollyParton on Facebook (Dolly Parton)

KansasCityChiefs on Facebook (Kansas City Chiefs)

Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaadamskiresumes/

Find her company on Facebook: 

Follow Andrea on Twitter: 
https://www.twitter.com/WriteForYouRes

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

10 Questions with Linda Whited



Get to know other resume writers in our community with our “10 Questions” series!

Today’s profile is Linda Whited, NCC, CCC, of Time to be Career Savvy. Linda has been a resume writer for six years. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Career Counselor (CCC), and member of the National Career Development Association (NCDA).

1. Why did you decide to become a professional resume writer?
My calling is to help more people make confident career decisions. I believe that the hours we work should matter and not just be a means to an end or paycheck. So helping others with their resume – and their career story – equips them to move toward meaningful work.

2. How did you get into the career industry? What did you do before?
I have always been intrigued by a job if the person describing it is fired up about what they do. I could be a trash collector if I met someone who felt called to do this work. :)

So I figured, instead of job hopping all the time, I might be better suited to support others to find that passion and enthusiasm for work. I am driven to help others to find meaningful work because I believe it can change the world, one person at a time.

3. What do you typically wear when you’re working?
T-shirt and yoga pants. I work from home.

4. What is your best habit, and what is your worst?
My best habit is my optimism. I find the positive in almost everything and this helps me problem solve and makes me a better friend to everyone.

My worst habit is probably having social media on my phone. I tend to scroll as a time waster and usually regret it.

5. What is your favorite object in your office? Why?
Probably the coffee mug with the hot coffee in it. It changes daily, but each mug has some fun memory or association with it, and coffee fuels my day.

6. What is your “go to” technique or secret when you get stuck when you are writing a resume? How do you get unstuck?
I get up and walk around or go outside for some fresh air. Moving my body changes my perspective.

7. What is the best career advice you ever got?
To think of a career as less of a ladder and more of a smart phone — the iOS is always there, but the apps come and go based on my needs at the time. We don’t need to always be progressing upward as our needs change over time. Changing that metaphor has been freeing for me and my clients.

8. How do you unplug?
I love movies, especially Marvel movies, so I watch them with my husband and then share the stories with my kids. We act out scenes with action figures. Captain Marvel is my favorite. #girlpower

9. What ONE thing would you change about your business or the career industry if you could?
I would make applicant tracking systems consistent so the rules we follow to optimize resumes would work 10/10 times. I’d also make sure everyone had a career mentor and became a mentor themselves because networking matters and is a barrier for so many.

10. What are your favorite social medial accounts to follow?

@CareerLeaders on Instagram (Career Thought Leaders)

@TheArtofCharm on Instagram (and Podcast)

@ckyourprivilege on Instagram

@brenebrown on Instagram

@sarahdjohnston on LinkedIn (Sarah [Dougherty] Johnston)

Connect with Linda on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmwhited

Find her company on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/timetobecareersavvy

Follow Linda on Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/lindamwhited


Thursday, August 26, 2021

10 Questions with Nancy Segal

  


Get to know the other resume writers in our community with our “10 Questions” series!

Today’s profile is Nancy Segal, CPRW, CEIE, Certified Federal Resume Writer, of Solutions for the Workplace LLC!

Nancy has been a professional resume writer for 15 years and a former federal HR professional for 30 years. She is a developer and instructor for the Resume Writing Academy Federal Resume Writer Certification and is the author of three books on federal resume writing, interviewing, and career transitions. She writes a weekly federal career blog at FEDweek.com.

1. Why did you decide to become a professional resume writer?
Getting a federal job is quite different than getting one in the private sector. While there is a lot of information about resumes and job hunting available, very little is specific to the federal government. With 30 years as a federal HR professional, I saw an opportunity to share my knowledge about how to get a job with the country’s largest single employer.

2. How did you get into the career industry? What did you do before?
I have spent my career in the HR arena. This is a natural progression. And the information about the nuances of the federal job hunt, resume, and overall career process is needed by the public. I’m delighted to share what I know!

3. What do you typically wear when you’re working?
I am fully dressed every day. If I am not also facilitating a webinar that day, I am usually in jeans, t-shirt and/or/sweater. On Sundays, I don’t get dressed until late (don’t tell!), even though I typically start working fairly early.

4. What is your best habit, and what is your worst?
My best habit is my discipline. I start work at the same time every day and I am seriously focused. My worst habit is an inability to stop, say no, and generally focus on things outside of my business when there is work to be done (which is, of course, always).

5. What’s your favorite object in your office? Why?
I have a 3 lb. hand weight on my desk. I use it when I am on the phone with clients. Arm curls, lifts, etc.

6. What is your “go to” technique or secret when you get stuck when you’re writing a resume? How do you get unstuck?
I don’t actually get stuck that often (on this, anyway) but when I do, I do a little research on the job (Wikipedia is my friend), look the client up on LinkedIn, and think about what a former client might have had as a tangentially related job to get inspired. And when it’s really bad, I pick up the phone and call someone for distraction. :)

7. What’s the best career advice you ever got?
No one cares about your “stuff.” Clients are only interested in their own issues. They don’t care why I might be late, cranky, etc.

8. How do you unplug?
I try (not always successfully) to stop working at a preset time. My favorite unplug tools are food channels and house porn (HGTV).

9. What ONE thing would you change about your business or the career industry, if you could?
I think there are a lot of people in our industry that are less focused on our clients finding jobs and too focused on finding their passion (or whatever euphemism you want to use). Most people need jobs that pay well, have benefits, etc. I consider it a bonus if people are passionate about their work but I also consider it a privilege that not many people in this country have. 

I would like to see our industry be more open to everyone’s needs. I am certainly not opposed to doing work that you love (I love what I do), but certainly not everyone is in a position to do that. And sometimes what clients want is totally unrealistic; we need to be able to say that too (nicely, of course)

10. What are your favorite social media accounts to follow?

And, of course, our resume writing community!

Connect with Nancy on Linkedin here:

Find her company on Facebook:

Or follow her on Twitter at @FederalJobs101

Did you miss our last 10 Questions profile, featuring Angela Jones?

Friday, July 23, 2021

10 Questions With Alana Henry


    

Get to know the other resume writers in our community with our “10 Questions” series!

Today’s profile is Alana Henry of The Writique, LLC.

Alana has been a professional resume writer for more than five years. She is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE). She is a member of the National Resume Writers' Association (NRWA), Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC), Career Directors International (CDI), and Society of Elite Resume Writers (SERW).

1. Why did you decide to become a professional resume writer?
I became a professional writer for two different reasons: my desire to serve those with unequal access to career advancement resources, and the need for a work-from-home opportunity after the birth of my first child.

I am of the belief that we are all distinctly gifted, and that we should use our gifts to help others in their life journeys. For me, a life of service and a desire to further equity in my community propels me to utilize my talents in a variety of ways. For now, I am using my skills to help others reach success with the development of resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and career coaching that helps them obtain their dream jobs.

2. How did you get into the career industry? What did you do before?
I received my bachelor’s degree in journalism from one of the top schools in the nation, but decided against joining the industry post-graduation. Out of college, I spent several years teaching high school English in a school with more than 80% of students on free or reduced lunch. As someone who grew up in the urban core, I knew all too well the importance of mentors and access to career mapping tools for successful life planning. I spent my tenure as a teacher exposing students to various post-secondary options, teaching them about college entrance requirements, providing them with personality assessments and career mapping tools, and assisting them with the construction of their very first resume. I loved it. And I felt fulfilled. Little did I know, I was serving as a career coach to these young people.

Fast forward five years, and I was faced with the need for supplemental income. I decided to utilize my skills in writing and editing to open my own writing service, focusing primarily on resume writing.

I went on to receive my master’s degree in executive leadership, expanded my business, and am proud to now have a team of writers on staff who help change the life trajectories of our clients.

3. What do you typically wear when you’re working?
I work from home with my four little ones, so you can find me in a pair of comfortable leggings and a casual blouse!

4. What is your best habit, and what is your worst?
I am a doer by nature, so I am quick to jump in feet first. On the flip side, that can make me impulsive — and also make it hard for me to learn when to say “no” to a request or an opportunity.

5. What’s your favorite object in your office? Why?
Since I work from my home office, I would say that my favorite object is my door! It allows me to seal off the chaos of four little children and work in peace. :-)

6. What is your “go to” technique or secret when you get stuck when you’re writing a resume? How do you get unstuck?
Something that helps me when I’m feeling “stuck,” is browsing the website of the company for which the client is applying. Usually, there’s a useful nugget of information that gets my brain moving! If I am still having difficulty, I browse LinkedIn for profiles of individuals in similar roles. Sometimes, they have great information in their Headlines, About sections, or Experience sections that jumpstart my writing.

7. What’s the best career advice you ever got?
“Find people, not jobs.” — Melanie L. Denny

8. How do you unplug?
I love to read a good historical fiction novel or non-fiction books/articles on history, sociology, or psychology. I also enjoy time watching a series on Netflix/Hulu and relaxing with my husband.

9. What ONE thing would you change about your business or the career industry, if you could?
I wish that I had spent more time networking within the industry when I began. Many of my early business struggles were figured out over time, but it would have been much more advantageous to learn from a mentor or group of professionals from the start.

I think the career industry is changing for the better, but it initially appeared to be “exclusive,” and as if other resume writing professionals didn’t want to share best practices/industry knowledge with newbies. At the time, I couldn’t afford membership to some of the major organizations, so I was left to my own devices for knowledge and growth.

10. What are your favorite social media accounts to follow?

Follow #blackphotography and #blackphotographers on Instagram

Find The Writique LLC on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thewritique

Connect with Alana on Linkedin here: www.linkedin.com/alanahenry

Find her on Twitter:  @TheWritique

Did you miss our last 10 Questions profile, featuring Angela Jones?

Thursday, May 13, 2021

10 Questions With Angela Jones

 

Get to know the other resume writers in our community with our “10 Questions” series!

Today’s profile is Angela Jones of Haute Resume & Career Services LLC.

Angela founded Haute Resume & Career Services in 2006 when she set out to leverage her experience and expertise as a certified professional resume writer to help executives and highly skilled professionals land the job they want and the $100K salaries they deserve.

As a former recruiter — and a frequent contributor to best-selling resume and cover letter books, including “Gallery of Best Resumes” — Angela has long been considered an expert in the resume writing industry.

Her credentials include having served as a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC) Certification Committee, where she was tasked with judging and certifying only the most talented resume writers from all corners of the world.

Angela has further distinguished herself as one of only a handful of professional resume writers to have received the coveted TORI Award (Toast of the Resume Industry) from Career Directors International. The TORI awards are a prestigious international competition recognizing those who have demonstrated mastery within the resume writing industry.

1. Why did you decide to become a professional resume writer?
I am entrepreneurial and had always wanted to own my own business. When I was laid off, I was given an unexpected opportunity to take the leap into self-employment. I chose working for myself versus working for others as an employee.

2. How did you get into the career industry? What did you do before?
I started my career in banking, moved to office administration, returned to school, became a network administrator, an application developer, and finally a Human Resource Coordinator. My background — combined with my breadth and depth of experience in a variety of roles — has proven critical when working with jobseekers in various industries.

3. What do you typically wear when you’re working?
I’ve enjoyed a “slipper commute” for more than 15 years now.

4. What is your best habit, and what is your worst?
I am competitive and have worked hard to become one of the top resume writers in the country. On the flip side, I have been known to work through the day without breaks. I would often wake up at 3 a.m. to debug my code while working as an application developer.

5. What’s your favorite object in your office? Why?
I have two beagles who keep me company as I work.


6. What is your “go to” technique or secret when you get stuck when you’re writing a resume? How do you get unstuck?
I walk away from it and come back later. Just like debugging code … the answer will come.

7. What’s the best career advice you ever got?
Honestly…to raise my fees. Clients feel better knowing they are going to get their money’s worth and trust my expertise.

8. How do you unplug?
Prior to COVID-19, we would travel the Caribbean, Central and South America. I’m going a bit stir crazy now with the pandemic.

9. What ONE thing would you change about your business or the career industry, if you could?
I would like everyone to understand the value a great resume writer brings.

I had a client in San Francisco who had been laid off, exhausted all of his resources, was within weeks of losing his home to foreclosure, and his relationship with his wife was in jeopardy. With the help from his new resume, in two — maybe three – weeks, he’d landed a great job. Had he not sought help when he did, he would have been divorced, lost his house, and had nothing left in his bank accounts.

10. What are your favorite social media accounts to follow?

Connect with Angie on Linkedin here: 

Find her company on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResumeExperts

Or follow her on Twitter at @ResumeExperts

Did you miss our last 10 Questions profile, featuring Georgia Adamson?

Thursday, April 29, 2021

10 Questions with Georgia Adamson

  

Get to know the other resume writers in our community with our “10 Questions” series!

Today’s profile is Georgia Adamson of A Successful Career.

Georgia has been a professional resume writer since 1993. She holds multiple professional certifications, including NCRW, MRW, ACRW, CPRW, NCOPE, CERM, and CJSS. She is a member of the National Resume Writer's Association (NRWA), Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC), Career Directors International (CDI), and Career Thought Leaders (CTL).

1. Why did you decide to become a professional resume writer?
I was being asked to help people with their resumes, which I hadn’t done before. After a few of them, I decided I enjoyed creating resumes for people that made them feel more confident about themselves. Since I like to have a good idea of what I’m doing when I start on something new, I began checking into how to do this as professionally as possible.

2. How did you get into the career industry? What did you do before?
Previously I was an executive assistant in a technology company in Silicon Valley, California. I began to feel I wasn’t using all my capabilities in that role and started a business support service on the side. When we had a layoff and I lost my job, I decided to see if I could run my business full-time.

3. What do you typically wear when you’re working?
Neat but casual clothing. I work virtually and don’t see clients in person, but I feel more like working if I’m not TOO relaxed in my attire!

4. What is your best habit, and what is your worst?
I think it’s probably the fact that I’m pretty well organized and like to plan my activities, but I can still work some flexibility into the mix.

My worst? I can lose track of time when I’m talking with a client or a potential client and enjoying our conversation. That means I have to set reminders for myself to make sure I stay on target and can achieve what we need to accomplish.

5. What’s your favorite object in your office? Why?
I think it’s a little ceramic plaque that says, “Remember The Day’s Blessings. Forget The Day’s Troubles.” Either that, or it’s the one that says, “There can’t be a crisis today. My schedule is already full!”

6. What is your “go to” technique or secret when you get stuck when you’re writing a resume? How do you get unstuck?
Aside from praying for inspiration, which I often do, I’d say it’s carving out a “breathing spell” — whether it’s 5 minutes or longer (depending on my timeframe) — where I can step back from the project and focus on something entirely different for a bit. The best case is when I can let the project sit overnight and come back to it the next day. That gives my uncooperative brain a chance to refresh, recharge, and get back to work productively.

7. What’s the best career advice you ever got?
Remember that it’s not all about you. You’re not the one looking for a job. Focus on the client.

8. How do you unplug?
Spend time with my 16-year-old Tibetan spaniel. Listen to classical music. Read a good book (or re-read one of my old favorites).

9. What ONE thing would you change about your business or the career industry, if you could?
In terms of the career industry: I really like to maintain what I call “people connections” in my work, and some of the technology developments (such as ATS and video interviewing) add complications I could do without. However, as the saying goes, “It is what it is,” so I focus on becoming competent in the essential elements so I can continue to produce the best quality work for clients.

Connect with Georgia on Linkedin here: 


Did you miss our last 10 Questions profile, featuring Michelle Dumas

Thursday, February 4, 2021

10 Questions with Michelle Dumas

Get to know the other resume writers in our community with our “10 Questions” series!

Today’s profile is Michelle Dumas of Distinctive Career Services, LLC.

Michelle has been a professional resume writer for 25 years. An active member and volunteer with the National Resume Writers’ Association (NRWA), Michelle has been the recipient of many industry awards and holds multiple resume writing and career coaching certifications, including the NCRW and NCOPE. She has been a speaker at several NRWA conferences, is a former member of the NRWA board of directors including serving as the organization’s president in 2017, and has served in a variety of other volunteer roles, such as on the NCRW Certification Commission, the Public Image Committee, the ROAR Judging Committee, and currently, the President’s Advisory Board.

As the founder of Distinctive Career Services (formerly known as Distinctive Documents), Michelle has a quarter-century of experience in the industry and is known for creating powerful, engaging, distinctively designed resumes that are infused with personality and tell her clients’ unique, branded career stories.

While Michelle still works personally and one-on-one with a very select executive clientele, her focus has shifted to coordinating and collaborating with a team of talented writers to deliver resume wring and job search services through www.distinctiveweb.com.

1. Why did you decide to become a professional resume writer?
In the early 90s, as an adult student with a husband and 3-year-old daughter at home, I decided it was time to get my degree, and so I started college as a psychology student with a plan to go into clinical psychology.

Throughout my four years, professors repeatedly commented on my writing skills and my English professor went as far as suggesting to me that I should be a journalism student rather than a psychology student. This is when I first realized I had a talent for writing.

Before I graduated, I had been hired as a part-time case manager in a group home for adolescents. As soon as I graduated I was hired full time, and it wasn’t long before I realized working as a therapist would not be for me, and I began to look into transitioning into career counseling. When an opportunity came up to run the home’s career development program and teach the residents resume writing and job seeking and job “keeping” skills, I jumped on it and LOVED it.

As fate would have it, this is when what was known as the “WWW” was really ramping up and I was fascinated by it and what I intuitively felt was a huge opportunity. This is also when my daughter was about to start first grade and I wanted to be home for her when she got home from school. One day, I came up with the idea that I would start a business combining my writing skills with my experience teaching resume writing plus my fascination with the opportunities to make money on the Internet. I launched my business, working nights and weekends, and less than six months later, I resigned from my job. That was 25 years ago. :)

2. How did you get into the career industry? What did you do before?
Since I had determined working in a clinical setting as a therapist wasn’t for me, when I first started my business, I thought it would be a good way to start transitioning my psychology degree into career counseling. However, I found that I loved learning about my clients and writing their stories — and I especially loved the challenge of being an entrepreneur in the very, very early wild-west days of the Internet. I immersed myself in my business and never looked back.

3. What do you typically wear when you’re working?
I used to get dressed for “work” every day. That hardly ever happens now. It isn’t uncommon to find I’m still in my PJs at noon. When I finally do get dressed, it is jeans and bare feet for me!

4. What is your best habit, and what is your worst?
My best habit is my discipline and focus on my goals. My worst habit is my discipline and focus on my goals. What I mean by that is that I become so focused on whatever I am working on, and the endless stream of projects behind it, that I find myself working far longer hours than is healthy. I also have “shiny new object” syndrome and can easily find myself going off in 10 different promising directions at once. I have to try to stay very conscious of this and focus on one thing at a time.

5. What’s your favorite object in your office? Why?
Probably the great big bean bag chair where I can sink in, lie back and read. But the truth is, you are more likely to find my dog and two cats curled up together in it than me.



6. What is your “go to” technique or secret when you get stuck when you’re writing a resume? How do you get unstuck?
It always amazes me how many resumes I have written in the shower. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve jumped out of the shower and run to my desk wrapped in a towel, with the words that had previously evaded me finally flowing. I think I do my best writing when I’m not trying so hard to force the words.

7. What’s the best career advice you ever got?
“Clarify what you want for your life and then build your business around the vision.” A business coach shared this with me 15 years ago, at a point when I was burnt out and almost ready to walk away from my business. I did EXACTLY what she advised and every business decision since has been made with my desire to build a remote business … because what I wanted more than anything was to travel. Working part-time while I travel is a small trade-off for the incredible benefit of being able to work from anywhere in the world. I’ve taken full advantage of that ability and have worked while traveling around the Highlands of Scotland, from a canal boat traveling through England, a motorhome traveling Canada, from a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, beaches in Jamaica and Mexico, the rainforest in Costa Rica, and many other places.

8. How do you unplug?
I love, love history and genealogy and have started my own personal genealogy blog to write the stories of my ancestors. But when I need to get away from my computer, I love anything outdoors: especially gardening, camping, kayaking, skiing, ATVing, and snowmobiling.

9. What ONE thing would you change about your business or the career industry, if you could?
I wish the quality of services delivered by those in our profession were more consistent. When a jobseeker is “burned” by poor quality services, it reflects on the entire industry. I believe that the more we work to improve the skills of other resume writers, the more it benefits the industry as a whole. For this reason, I am passionate about organizations that provide training and meaningful certification programs.

Connect with Michelle on Linkedin here: 

Find her company on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DistinctiveDocuments

Did you miss our last 10 Questions profile, featuring Anne Barnwell?

Thursday, January 14, 2021

10 Questions with Anne Barnwell

Get to know the other resume writers in our community with our “10 Questions” series!

Today’s profile is Anne Barnwell of The Write Resumes.

Anne has been a professional resume writer for two years. She is a Nationally Certified Resume Writer with the National Resume Writers’ Association and a Certified Professional Resume Writer through the Professional Association of Resume Writers (PARW/CC). Anne is currently pursuing a certification in federal government resumes. Anne works with clients from C-suite to college students and, as a former stay-at-home mom, has expertise in helping professionals relaunch their careers.

1. Why did you decide to become a professional resume writer?
I was trained in resume writing and critiquing many years ago when I was a college student. (Many, many years ago…) I thoroughly enjoyed working with people and it was something I did well. I don’t know why it took me so long, but it wasn’t until two years ago when I thought that perhaps, this was a missed opportunity. My plan was to start slowly but it’s kept me busy ever since.

2. How did you get into the career industry? What did you do before?
I still work full time in Corporate Communications for a financial services company and work with clients to build their resumes as my side business. Most of my experience is in communications — corporate, executive, nonprofit, social media, public relations, and media relations.

3. What do you typically wear when you’re working?
Whatever I want to wear! When I work with clients I am rarely on camera because I am focused on listening and capturing information. Most often I am wearing workout clothes.

4. What is your best habit, and what is your worst?
Best habit: Taking care of my health. Healthy body, healthy mind.
Worst habit: I am too attached to my phone.

5. What’s your favorite object in your office? Why?
My running medals. For my day job I am usually on camera (and not in workout clothes) and my medal holder is on the wall behind me. It is quite the conversation starter.

It also includes an amazing Marilyn Monroe quote: “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.”


6. What is your “go to” technique or secret when you get stuck when you’re writing a resume? How do you get unstuck?
Keep moving forward by putting some language down, and then I highlight it in green. A green highlight indicates that I need to return to that action and fix the language. Yellow highlights indicate a question for my client.

7. What’s the best career advice you ever got?
From my parents, who immigrated to the United States: Work hard and don’t complain. And if work isn’t going well, work even harder.

8. How do you unplug?
Running, knitting, and football. Go Bills!

9. What ONE thing would you change about your business or the career industry, if you could?
Although it gives us more business, I dislike the ATS software. At a time when Diversity & Inclusion is paramount to moving our country forward, I believe that ATS software hinders our ability to address bias within the system.

10. What are your favorite social media accounts to follow?
The Muse – https://www.facebook.com/thedailymuse (Facebook)
Extra Shot of Leadership – https://www.facebook.com/HeyExtraShot/ (Facebook)

Connect with Anne on Linkedin here: 


Did you miss our last 10 Questions profile, featuring Brianna Watts?

Thursday, January 7, 2021

10 Questions with Brianna Watts

Get to know the other resume writers in our community with our “10 Questions” series!

Today’s profile is Brianna Watts of Brianna Watts Consulting and Services LLC.

Brianna is the newest of the resume writers we’ve profiled as part of the “10 Questions” series. She has been a professional resume writer for two years. Her educational and professional background is in higher education administration, and she is a proud member of the Society of Elite Resume Writers.

1. Why did you decide to become a professional resume writer?
I became a professional resume writer on accident. My initial goal was simply to provide knowledge from my own resume writing experience to my peers for them to conduct a successful job search and land the role of their dreams right out of graduate school. After witnessing my own — and their — success through interviews and job offers, I took my offers to my personal Instagram, which gained a lot of attention and turned into a high demand for me to provide resume writing services. That is when I began to take things seriously. I invested in trainings and sought out mentorship to develop my writing skills. After finding a mentor and learning that there was an entire industry and business for resume writers, I took heed and started my own career consulting company.

2. How did you get into the career industry? What did you do before?
Prior to becoming a full-time resume writer and business owner, I worked in higher education and student affairs. My focal points within student affairs were always leadership and professional development. I always had a knack for career services.

3. What do you typically wear when you’re working?
Being that I work from home full-time, I wear comfortable branded loungewear. I have to look like something to make myself feel good enough to work.

4. What is your best habit, and what is your worst?
My best habit is when I am in my zone and focused, I tend to check off everything on my to-do list for the day, and even sometimes start on tomorrow’s to-do list.

My worst habit is when I procrastinate.

5. What’s your favorite object in your office? Why?
My favorite object in the office is my speaker. I love to play my music at the loudest volume sometimes. Music sets my vibe for the day and gives me the motivation and energy I need to power through the day or my task list.

6. What is your “go to” technique or secret when you get stuck when you’re writing a resume? How do you get unstuck?
I will first review former clients’ resumes in the same or similar industry to see what I wrote in their resume. If that doesn’t work, I will turn to my resume writing community and ask my sisters for their help and expertise. If all else fails, I just take a break and revisit it the next day.

7. What’s the best career advice you ever got?
To interview the company and persons who are part of the interview as much as they are interviewing you. A supervisor can make or break your experience, so choose wisely. Ask as many questions as you can and conduct extensive research.

8. How do you unplug?
I take food breaks. I will go for a drive. I will pour a glass of wine. I also like to hang out with family and friends.

9. What ONE thing would you change about your business or the career industry, if you could?
I would hope that one day prospects would fully understand the value of a resume writer and career coach. The work that we do as resume writers and career coaches is worthy of high ticket prices. A lot goes into our skills and development.

10. What are your favorite social media accounts to follow?
Milano Di Rouge – iammilanrouge (Instagram)
Megan Thee Stallion – @theestallion (Instagram)

Connect with Brianna on Linkedin here: 


You can connect with Brianna on Twitter at @briannanwatts

Did you miss our last 10 Questions profile, featuring Laura Slawson?

Friday, December 4, 2020

10 Questions With Laura Slawson


Get to know the other resume writers in our community with our “10 Questions” series!

Today’s profile is Laura Slawson, MRW, CCM, CPRW of The Creative Advantage, LLC.

Laura has been writing resumes since 2009. She has been featured on CNBC, Stewart, Cooper & Coon, and WTBQ radio. She is a Credentialed Career Manager (CCM) and Master Resume Writer (MRW) with Career Thought Leaders, a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches, and an “Ask the Experts” contributor with the National Resume Writer’s Association (NRWA).

1. Why did you decide to become a professional resume writer?
I love to write and always had a knack for it. I worked in corporate America for more than 20 years, and did technical writing, corporate policy and procedure writing, and composed documents for the c-suite. I started my career as a working Word Processing Supervisor and learned about word processing when no one even knew what it was! When friends and family asked me to do their resumes and I saw they were successful using the documents I created, I knew I could do this as a business.

I had a very successful virtual administrative services business when my children were young, and I had always dreamed of starting another business. My nature is to help others, and I knew I could do this through my writing.

2. How did you get into the career industry? What did you do before?
I was a Corporate Executive Assistant for several Fortune 100 companies and supported c-suite executives my entire career.

3. What do you typically wear when you’re working?
Sneakers, leggings, a comfortable top and make-up. I’m always ready to meet clients virtually.

4. What is your best habit, and what is your worst?
My best habit is that I am extremely organized.

My worst habit is that I tend to spend too much time on the nitty-gritty!

5. What’s your favorite object in your office? Why?
My favorite object is a beautiful painting my Grandmother painted of a waterfall and trees. It’s turquoise, white, and lavender and is so serene. My Grandmother lived to be 103. She had her own business in NY when when women didn’t even work! I also have her picture on my desk to inspire me. Her name is Laura and I was born on her birthday!



6. What is your “go to” technique or secret when you get stuck when you’re writing a resume? How do you get unstuck?
I sit on my deck in the sun with a cup of tea. My yard has so many trees, I love to just sit and listen to the birds.

7. What’s the best career advice you ever got?
When I was in my 20s, I worked for Panasonic and my boss told me, “Never come into my office with a problem unless you have a solution!” This stuck with me all these years.

8. How do you unplug?
I call my 90-year-old mother and my daughter every day. They are both strong, capable women who inspire me and give me great advice!
I also like to sit on the deck and chat with my husband. I read and love to walk.

9. What ONE thing would you change about your business or the career industry, if you could?
I truly love what I do. 
I don’t think I’d change anything. I love helping others, working at my own pace, setting my own schedule and I’m never bored.

10. What are your favorite social media accounts to follow?
LinkedIn, PARW, NRWA, and CTL forums.

Connect with Laura on Linkedin here: 


Did you miss our last 10 Questions profile, featuring Evelyn Salvador?