Resume Writers Get Ready to ROAR!

The NRWA is officially accepting your submissions for our sixth annual resume writing competition – Recognizing Outstanding Achievement in Resumes (ROAR). 

Registration is now open and entries will be accepted through midnight, ET, July 17, 2020.

Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the categories

With an eye toward the future of work, we looked to the U.S. Department of Education's 16 Career Clusters published to provide learners with a focus for career-related academic study. The categories below represent several of the career pathways that make up this learning and training framework.

This year, we’re giving you the chance to show off your writing AND design talents – by creating two categories:

Category 1: Writing Excellence
Bring us your most powerful writing.

• Writing Excellence Subcategory A: Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (Entry Code: WEA)
• Writing Excellence Subcategory B: Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security (Entry Code: WEB)
• Writing Excellence Subcategory C: Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (Entry Code: WEC)

Category 2: Design Excellence
Show us how you incorporate graphics and design elements for strategic value while balancing crisp and compelling writing.

• Design Excellence Subcategory A: Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications (Entry Code: DEA)
• Design Excellence Subcategory B: Marketing, Sales & Services (Entry Code: DEB)
• Design Excellence Subcategory C: Hospitality & Tourism (Entry Code: DEC)

Step 2: Select your BEST resume representing any job title in any or every industry category (up to six entries per contestant). Fictionalize all names, addresses, and company names, and prepare a strategy statement for each entry.

Step 3: Familiarize yourself with the rules*, guidelines, and judging criteria as outlined below and submit your entries for just $20 each!

*Failure to comply with submission instructions will automatically disqualify the submission. Resubmissions will be subject to repayment.

Awards

The winner in each industry category will receive:

• One-year membership renewal in the NRWA ($175 value!) *
• Formal recognition at the 2020 Conference
• Promotional exposure through the NRWA newsletter, website, national press release, social media, and more

* Winners of multiple categories will receive no more than two (2) years of free membership in total. Membership awards are not transferable. 

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

• Entrants must be NRWA members in good standing.
• Entries will be accepted from April 20, 2020, until midnight, ET, July 17, 2020.
• Contestants may enter one resume per industry category, for a total of six entries.
• Resumes that have won other contests do not qualify for this competition.
• Winning resume submissions may earn CEUs at the discretion of the judging panel.
• By submitting an entry, contestants agree that their resume submissions will be published at NRWA discretion (e.g. website, e-book, etc.).
• Decisions of the judging committee will be final; any ties will be broken by vote of the ROAR committee chair.
• Winners will be announced at the NRWA annual conference (September 13–15, 2020).

Submission Instructions

Submit entries, with payment, until midnight, ET, on July 17, 2020, via the website registration form.

If a technical issue should impede your registration, contact adminmanager@thenrwa.com.

• 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: “ROAR2020_CategoryCode_WriterLastName_WriterFirstName_ClientFirstName_ClientLastName.PDF”
• Each entry must be one continuous document that includes the resume, followed by a page break and a paragraph on the final page that explains your strategy for development.
• Client names, addresses, and company information must be fictionalized.

Judging Criteria

Each entry will be scored by a minimum of three judges and assigned a point value based on the following 5 criteria:

1) 15 Points: Positioning, strategy, and creativity

2) 20 Points: Layout, design/format and readability for both the human reader and the computer/ATS reader

4) 30 Points: Technical writing accuracy and grammar

5) 20 Points: Value/sales focus with specific accomplishments

Entry Fee

The price for entering a resume in the competition is $20 (per resume).