I still haven't received a return phone call back from Marilyn Maslin, nor has she corrected her post on Jobing's Denver blog page...but there is some new information.
Apparently, Ms. Maslin may have been under the impression that by paying her $150 dues to join the Professional Association of Resume Writers that she was "earning" her Certified Professional Resume Writer credential. If that's true, Frank Fox (owner of PARW) better work on his marketing materials that clarify the difference between membership and certification.
Stay tuned...
Ideas, information, and resources for professional resume writers.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
More Fake Career Associations?
I can't say for sure that this organization and certification credential are "fake," but I can tell you that I can't find any information about their organization, apart from these logos, posted on the website for "ResumeServicePlus.com."
Has anyone heard of this organization or certification?
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Attracting Corporate Clients
All economic downturns are temporary. Companies that need to cut costs today will be hiring again -- maybe not tomorrow, but soon. When companies are forced to lay off employees, they want to keep the employees' goodwill ... and offering outplacement services is one way companies help their employees, even when they're showing them the door. Research shows that clients who use outplacement services find new positions much faster, making the expense of outplacement an investment for employers.
Penetrating the corporate outplacement market can be a good target market. While some outplacement services include comprehensive career management (assessment testing, resume writing, coaching or counseling, resume distribution services), it is possible for the sole proprietor resume writer to land an outplacement contract. In fact, there is an underserved market for targeting small-to-midsize companies that may only lay off 1-20 employees at a time. (Large auto manufacturers like GM, for example, may layoff hundreds at a time).
Penetrating the corporate outplacement market can be a good target market. While some outplacement services include comprehensive career management (assessment testing, resume writing, coaching or counseling, resume distribution services), it is possible for the sole proprietor resume writer to land an outplacement contract. In fact, there is an underserved market for targeting small-to-midsize companies that may only lay off 1-20 employees at a time. (Large auto manufacturers like GM, for example, may layoff hundreds at a time).
Monday, May 5, 2008
The Fake CPRW Controversy
A few months ago, I wrote about "fake career associations" -- specifically, a bogus outfit called the "National Association of Career Professionals" that purported to offer a "Certified Professional Resume Writer" credential.
This issue has surfaced again -- this time, in response to a post by Marilyn Maslin, of The Maslin Group, on the Denver Jobing blog. Ms. Maslin wrote a blog post titled "How to Select a Resume Writing Service: Part I" in which she writes:
What are the Writers Credentials:
What is their writing experience and business background? Many résumé writing firms promote that they are staffed by certified résumé writers. The most common certification is the Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). This certification is purchased online and allows companies to use the CPRW logo or seal to build credibility. In truth, this seal can simply be purchased without much hassle. To understand your writers credentials inquire into their business experience. Do they have expertise in resume writing, hiring, recruiting, human resources, or your specific industry? It is important to note that a good résumé writer must also be an experienced interviewer. The résumé writing process always begins with asking the right questions.
As the author of "Are You Certifiable?," an in-depth examination of the major certifications offered by the four largest legitimate professional resume writing associations, I feel qualified to offer an opinion on this issue.
Ms. Maslin is correct that the Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) credential is the most common certification -- but that's the CPRW offered by the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC) -- NOT the certification she purchased online approximately 16 months ago, according to her follow-up post.
I believe her CPRW came from the "National Association of Careers Professionals" -- NOT from the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches...primarily because PARW/CC does not have a record of Ms. Maslin being awarded a CPRW from their organization.
Ms. Maslin does not reference the CPRW credential on her website. Individuals who receive their CPRW from the PARW/CC receive a logo they can display on their sites. Nor does her name come up when conducting a search of Certified Professional Resume Writers on the PARW website.
I've contacted Ms. Maslin and left her a message. I hope to talk to her directly and see what organization's name appears on her "CPRW" certificate. If it looks like this (below), she got scammed:
I can't find my CPRW certificate at the moment (we've moved offices twice since I received it in 2004), or I'd scan it in and show you what a real (earned) CPRW certificate looks like. (If someone wants to scan theirs in and e-mail it to me at rwdigest@aol.com, I'll be happy to post it.)
This issue has surfaced again -- this time, in response to a post by Marilyn Maslin, of The Maslin Group, on the Denver Jobing blog. Ms. Maslin wrote a blog post titled "How to Select a Resume Writing Service: Part I" in which she writes:
What are the Writers Credentials:
What is their writing experience and business background? Many résumé writing firms promote that they are staffed by certified résumé writers. The most common certification is the Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). This certification is purchased online and allows companies to use the CPRW logo or seal to build credibility. In truth, this seal can simply be purchased without much hassle. To understand your writers credentials inquire into their business experience. Do they have expertise in resume writing, hiring, recruiting, human resources, or your specific industry? It is important to note that a good résumé writer must also be an experienced interviewer. The résumé writing process always begins with asking the right questions.
As the author of "Are You Certifiable?," an in-depth examination of the major certifications offered by the four largest legitimate professional resume writing associations, I feel qualified to offer an opinion on this issue.
Ms. Maslin is correct that the Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) credential is the most common certification -- but that's the CPRW offered by the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC) -- NOT the certification she purchased online approximately 16 months ago, according to her follow-up post.
I believe her CPRW came from the "National Association of Careers Professionals" -- NOT from the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches...primarily because PARW/CC does not have a record of Ms. Maslin being awarded a CPRW from their organization.
Ms. Maslin does not reference the CPRW credential on her website. Individuals who receive their CPRW from the PARW/CC receive a logo they can display on their sites. Nor does her name come up when conducting a search of Certified Professional Resume Writers on the PARW website.I've contacted Ms. Maslin and left her a message. I hope to talk to her directly and see what organization's name appears on her "CPRW" certificate. If it looks like this (below), she got scammed:
I can't find my CPRW certificate at the moment (we've moved offices twice since I received it in 2004), or I'd scan it in and show you what a real (earned) CPRW certificate looks like. (If someone wants to scan theirs in and e-mail it to me at rwdigest@aol.com, I'll be happy to post it.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)