CPRW stands for Certified Professional Resume Writer, denoting a certified expert in crafting English resumes. This certification, issued by the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches, validates the specialization and skills in resume writing. Founded in 1990, this organization provides a platform for career professionals to enhance their skills and exchange information to offer high-quality services to job seekers.
This article discusses the examination process with my personal experience. Creating an English resume requires the ability to extract necessary information from clients through interviews, knowledge of effective design and structure, and the writing skills to engage the reader. Additionally, it's crucial to illustrate why a client is the best choice for a company by answering the question, "Why should this company hire this candidate?".
The CPRW certification process includes studying a learning guide provided after online registration. After choosing an exam date, candidates are given fictional client information on the day of the exam and must complete and submit a resume within three days. The resume should be printed on high-quality paper chosen, accompanied by an English cover letter, and sent via international post.
The learning guide also covers essential aspects of resume writing, such as grammar, punctuation, formatting, selecting key data, and the importance of layout and creativity. The use of marketing strategies to effectively introduce a candidate's qualifications and achievements is also evaluated.
Notification of pass or fail is communicated via email at a later date by the association. Successful candidates can then register as members on the online portal, where they can seek employment as career consultants or register their profiles in a database for clients seeking resume writing services. Additionally, paid writing programs, interviews, and various coaching options are available. Membership incurs an annual fee of $150, with additional costs for program participation. The profiles and forum venues registered suggest that the services are primarily targeted at those living in the United States.
For professional resume writers, it's essential to continually pursue new knowledge and polish skills. Pride is taken in being not only an expert but also a perpetual student who learns new tools and strategies and enhances writing skills. Mastering these core competencies is believed to be pivotal in determining the success of a professional English resume writer.
