Do You CareerWorldWiki?

I'm fascinated by technology ... although I don't often understand it. I'm on LinkedIn, but after attending Jason Alba's presentation last week, I understand that I'm not using it as effectively as I can. I also like web portfolios, although I can't create those. And I love websites (my special expertise is in registering domain names, apparently) ... but my husband is the one with the technical knowledge to build and update them.

So when it comes to wikis, I'm a novice. My limited expertise in this area is that I know about Wikipedia, and the controversy that erupted after some people edited pages in ways that they probably shouldn't have.

So when Laura DeCarlo, of Career Directors International, told me about the CareerWorldWiki, I thought I'd better check it out. Defined, a wiki is "A website or similar online resource which allows users to add and edit content collectively."

The beauty of a wiki is that the more people that contribute their knowledge, the better the resource it becomes. The bad thing is: You need people to contribute their expertise.

From what Laura told me, the CareerWorldWiki is in its starting phases. But it's not limited to Career Directors members! Any careers industry professional can contribute their knowledge to try to crate what DeCarlo describes as "a one-source compendium of information for both job seekrs and career professions on numerous career service/career process topics."

Check it out -- and consider contributing your expertise. You can then link to that content you created from your own website -- building your credibility! I'd love to come back in a month and see that the contributions have doubled ... or tripled. Are you up to the challenge? Will you wiki with me?

New Resume Writers' Digest Special Report

I love attending careers industry professional conferences. I've been to more than a half-dozen over the years, and always came away with lots of great information. Whether you're new to the profession, or are a long-time resume writer, conferences provide networking opportunities, the chance to get away for a few days, and lots and lots of great ideas and techniques from the industry's biggest names.

One of the things the print version of Resume Writers' Digest was known for was our great conference coverage. From 2000-2005, we provided recaps (often with photos and handouts) from the conferences of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (they discontinued holding an annual conference a few years ago), the National Resume Writers' Association, Career Masters Institute (now Career Management Alliance), and the Professional Resume Writing and Research Association (now Career Directors International).

As I read through some of these back issues, I realized how valuable this information is -- so I re-edited and re-designed the information into what will be two special reports. The first one -- available now -- is a 60+-page special report, "Best of the Conferences: 2000-2002." It includes the 2000 PARW Conference in Toronto, the 2001 NRWA Conference in San Antonio, the 2001 PARW Conference in St. Petersburg, Florida, the 2002 PRWRA Conference in Atlanta, the 2002 CMI Conference in San Diego, and two careers-related sessions from the 2002 AJST Conference in Orlando.

The second special report (release date TBA) will include 2003-2005 conference coverage.

You can download the 2000-2002 Special Report from www.tinyurl.com/2so87a and it will be delivered to you for immediate download as an Adobe Acrobat PDF.

To give you an idea of how valuable this information is, I've prepared a "Best of the Conferences" Preview newsletter, which you can download for free. It's sponsored by the National Resume Writers' Association and Career Directors International.

Speaking of the NRWA, you have less than a week to take advantage of the special early-bird pricing for the 11th Annual NRWA Conference, scheduled for Sept. 24-27, 2008 in San Diego. Until March 31, registration is just $325 (or available in three payments of $112). After April 1, the cost is $385 (or two payments of $198). Visit www.thenrwa.com for details.

Resume Writer News: Pearl White

I'm always interested in hearing from my readers -- especially their successes and accomplishments! (By the way, sending me news about your business that I can write about -- and link to your website -- will help increase your exposure!)

Pearl White, CPRW, JCTC, CEIP, of A 1st Impression Resume & Career Coaching Services recently e-mailed me to let me know that five of her resume submissions have been accepted for the upcoming book, "Expert Resumes for Engineering Professionals."

Pearl also has recently relaunched her website, using Network Solutions. She notes that Network Solutions will design a website for you for $500 or you can do it yourself on their website for free. They'll host it, provide the domain name, and 24/7 customer service for $10/month.

Pearl says, "It's a great option for resume writers/career coaches on a budget and a terrific educational experience."

You can look at previous versions of Pearl's site using the Wayback Machine. (It's also fun to look at old versions of your website using the Wayback Machine too.)

Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters

I haven't had a chance to read the book, but I am enjoying the blog of the author of "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters." David Perry's blog is a nice mix of ideas and information. I particularly enjoy the bonus tactics he offers.

Read this post about "Your Tribe" as one example. I hadn't thought about networking with commercial real estate brokers before, but he's right -- they're some of the most connected people around.