2015 ROAR Award Winners

Joel Phillippe (Outstanding Submission by Ruth Pankratz)

Charles N. Leake (Outstanding Submission by Sandra Ingemansen)

Marcy Celeste (Outstanding Submission by Barbara Safani)

The NRWA Résumé-Writing Competition 

Calling all Résumé Writers!

The third annual ROAR competition will accept entries until AUGUST 7

The NRWA will be officially accepting your submissions to our third annual résumé-writing competition: Recognizing Outstanding Achievement in Résumés (ROAR).

Both members and nonmembers may submit entries in the following categories:

• “EC”: Experienced Résumé Writers (more than 5 years in business): Creative Design

• “EM”: Experienced Résumé Writers (more than 5 years in business): Modern Classic Design

• “NC”: New Résumé Writers (up to 5 years in business): Creative Design

• “NM”: New Résumé Writers (up to 5 years in business): Modern Classic Design

See the orange box at the bottom of the page for complete category descriptions.

Awards:

The winner(s) in each category will be announced at the Annual Conference and awarded with:

• FREE 1-year membership in The NRWA

• Formal recognition at the Annual Conference

• Marketing and promotional exposure via The NRWA newsletter, website, social media and press release

By submitting entries to this contest, you agree to the following rules:

• Entries will be accepted until August 7, 2017

• Entries may be submitted by members and nonmembers

• Contestants may enter up to three (3) résumés within each of your experience-level categories, for a total of six (6) entries

• Entries may represent any profession or industry

• Entries must be submitted in PDF format, failure to do so will result in loss of points

• Entry file name must be in the following format, failure to do so will result in loss of points:

• Each entry must be one single document that includes the résumé, followed by a page break and a strategy paragraph on the final page that explains your strategy for the candidate’s résumé

• Client names, addresses, and company info must be fictionalized; failure to do so will result in disqualification

• Résumés that have won other contests do not qualify for this competition and should not be submitted

• Winning résumé submissions qualify for CE units at the discretion of the judging panel

• By submitting an entry, contestants agree that their résumé submissions may be displayed on The NRWA website and social media channels, as well as at the conference and in other marketing. 

• Decisions of the judging committee will be final. Any ties will be broken by a vote of the Certification Chair

• Winners will be announced at the Annual Conference (Oct. 4-6, 2017)

• Entries must be submitted by July 31 via email to: adminmanager@thenrwa.com. When submitting your entry please include the following information:

• Contestant First Name and Last Name (your name)
• Confirmation that you are a member of the NRWA
• The invoice number from your contest entry fee. Invoice number will be found in the upper left corner of the email confirmation you received after payment. (This helps us ensure your samples are matched with payment) 
• How long have you been in the résumé writing business - Less than five years OR more than five years?
• Total number of samples you are submitting to the ROAR contest this year? (Contestants may enter up to 3 résumés within each of their experience-level categories, for a total of 6 entries)   
• The category name/code for the entry you are submitting. 

o   "EC" - Experienced Résumé Writers (more than 5 years in business): CREATIVE Design

o   “EM” - Experienced Résumé Writers (more than 5 years in business): MODERN CLASSIC Design

o   “NC” - New Résumé Writers (up to 5 years in business): CREATIVE Design

o   “NM” - New Résumé Writers (up to 5 years in business): MODERN CLASSIC Design

Fictional Candidate's Name (First Last)

Judging Criteria:

Each entry will be scored by a minimum of two judges, based on the following 8 criteria and point scale:

1.      5 Points: Compliance with entry rules (single document, PDF format, and correct file name)

2.      5 Points: Design, style, and originality

3.      10 Points: Positioning, strategy, and creativity

4.      10 Points: Layout and readability for both the human reader and the computer/ATS (ATS not applicable for Creative Design submissions)

5.      15 Points: Branding and unique positioning

6.      15 Points: Keyword optimization for the target

7.      20 Points: Technical writing accuracy and grammar

8.      20 Points: Value/sales focus with specific accomplishments

Refer to The NCRW Style Guide and The Gregg Reference Manual for résumé-writing concepts and strategies

Note that you will lose points for incorrect file format and file name

Note that any entry that is not fictionalized will be disqualified

Contest Entry Fee:

The price for entering a résumé in the competition is:

• $20 (per résumé) for members

• $40 (per résumé) for nonmembers