What is a Certified Resume Writer?
CPRW. CRW. NCRW. We see those acronyms after so many resume writers' names these days. But what is a certified resume writer, and how is this person different than an uncertified resume writer?
Simply put, a certified resume writer is someone who has
passed all the requirements of one of the three certifying agencies, the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC), the Professional Resume Writing and Research Association (PRWRA), and the National Resume Writers Association (NRWA). While the three certifications are similar, enough differences exist to make it worthwhile to review each one separately.
Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW).
This is the credential offered by the PARW/CC, the first
Organization to establish resume-writing certification, back
in 1991. Although it is no longer the only credentialing organization, the CPRW is still considered the gold standard for the industry, and is usually the first certification any resume writer obtains.
In order to achieve this credential, a writer must not only
be an active member of the PARW/CC, but also pass a series
of rigorous testing. A panel of three CPRWs, who are also members of the PARW/CC Certification Committee Board, grade the examinations.
Certified Resume Writer (CRW).
Offered through the PRWRA, there are actually four levels
to this certification, based on years of experience,
training, and the number of examinations passed.
Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW).
The most recent of the major certifications, the NRWA introduced it in 1997. According to the organization's website, it is the most difficult certification to obtain. The writer must pass a three-part examination, and then, in addition to creating a resume and cover letter, candidates must prepare a 'scannable' resume. Candidates who pass the exam must maintain their certification through continuing education credits.
While opinions on the difficulty of each certification may differ, an average of 50% or more of potential applicants to any of the programs fail their first time, even with the extensive training and study materials furnished by each organization. When you consider that 79% of medical students pass their boards, and 70% of law students pass their bar examinations, the pass/fail ratio for resume writing certification indicates that it would appear to do its job of weeding out less-talented writers.
And don't for a minute think that resume writing doesn't
take talent. Anyone with a decent grasp of language and
above average writing skills can create a resume; a
multitude of books, templates, and software exist that will guide a writer through the preparation process. But it takes a truly gifted professional to create a document that not only concisely and accurately describes the client's attributes and experience, but does it in a fashion that makes the resume stand out in a positive manner, resulting in an increased number of interviews for the clients.
©2005 Ronan Kennedy, President of Professional-Resumes.com
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