Certifications & Training
For Resume Writers
Welcome to CDI's Resume Certification and Training options.
Are you ready to become a professional resume writer, build your resume writing expertise, and demonstrate to the world that you have what it takes to write resumes that get results?
Do you want to stand out from the competition in the crowded certified professional resume writing market by earning a top or niche resume certification?
CDI will set you apart by raising the bar on resume writing through our cutting-edge training with award-winning writers and our suite of distinctive resume writer certifications to help you meet any goal. By joining the elite team of CDI-certified and trained writers you can be assured that you can meet any resume challenge and be recognized as one of the best the industry has to offer.
At CDI we offer training and certification options for wherever you are at in this process. Use this handy flow chart to determine what program below you should delve further into:
The following recaps the flow chart. You can scroll down to get to links to each course and certification.
Since you're here you are likely in one of three positions:
- You're considering resume writing as a professional and wondering how you get started in building your skill set.
If this is you, take a look at our Resume Mastery course with CARW certification and our Certified Advanced Resume Writer credential.
- You've been writing resumes for a while, either personally or professionally, and you recognize it's time to get certified as a resume writer or first get help in fine-tuning your expertise.
If this is you, check out our Certified Advanced Resume Writer credential and our Resume Master Mentor program.
- You already have a resume writing certification but recognize the market is crowded and are looking for credentials and/or skills that set you apart from everyone else who is certified.
If this is you, there are many options to serve you. For credentials look at our Certified Master Resume Writer, Certified Executive Resume Master, Certified Graphic Resume Architect and our Certified Resume Specialist (allows you to earn one of 19 industry/specialty niche certifications ranging from IT to military transition). You may also benefit from our Resume Master Mentor program.
- You want to take your skills from excellent to awesome.
If this is you, check out our Certified Career Storyteller course.
- Not on the chart: You are a CMRW and have escalated your skill to managing a team of writers.
If this is you, check out our new Certified Master Resume Writer - Executive Editor credential.
We invite you to review all of our programs and certifications below.
Resume Writing Courses & Mentoring Options
Resume Mastery course with Certified Advanced Resume Writer (CARW)
Start here if you know you need resume writing training and want the distinctive edge that personal mentoring from our award-winning instructor will provide.
Do you want to write professional resumes and CVs that are distinctive, dynamite and hard-hitting, and will give your customers the confidence to look forward to job interviews? Are you ready to earn a top industry credential with CDI's Certified Advanced Resume Writer? Whether you are in the early stages of resume writing or looking to take your writing to the next level, CDI's Resume Mastery resume writing course with certification is for you!
Certified Career Storyteller (CCST) course
Start here if you are already a confident resume writer and want to up your design, branding, and TORI-winning ability.
Are you ready to pump up your resume writing, LinkedIn profile, and other document deliverables? Would you like to be like prior graduates who have gone on to win coveted TORI awards? What if you could ensure that even if the resume becomes obsolete, your skills can still provide a profit-making engine for job seekers? It's a tall order, but that's what CDI's Certified Career Storyteller (CCST) represents. This intensive program created by TORI award dominator, Kimberly Robb Baker of This Little Brand, is not for the faint of heart. In this intensive course you will get a resume writer's crash course MBA in the business side of job search coupled with a boot camp feel to mastering story-based deliverables, LinkedIn profiles, story-based brand maps, and more.
Resume Writing Master Mentor Consulting Program
Start here if you are already a skilled resume writer but want that edge to command higher rates, boost your confidence, or win resume awards.
What if there was a way to make a massive evolutionary leap in your resume writing almost overnight? You would want to take it right? Imagine earning a prestigious TORI award, upping your design and style creativity, strengthening your writing, or simply getting out of a rut. With CDI's Resume Writing Master Mentor Consulting program you work one-on-one with published and award-winning resume writer and CDI President, Laura DeCarlo, to laser focus on the keys that will make YOUR resume writing dramatically better in a short amount of time.
Resume Writing Certifications
Certified Advanced Resume Writer (CARW) Credential
Start here if you have never earned a resume writing certification before. (This or a similar credential from another organization are required for advanced certification.) This level of credential must be attained before pursuing the others below.
The Certified Advanced Resume Writer (CARW) credential is perfect for your first resume writing certification. In fact, it comes with the most prestigious name but the lowest cost of comparable credentials industry-wide.
Earning this Advanced designation will set you apart from other certified resume writers, build confidence in your skillset, and position you to grow your business.
Certified Master Resume Writer (CMRW) Credential
Start here if you would like to step out of the huge pool of certified resume writers and be recognized as a Master.
Are you tired of being lost as a small fish in a big pond of certified resume writers who leave job seekers unsure who to hire?
With CDI's elite Certified Master Resume Writer designation you will truly stand out in a sea of credentialed and non-credentialed professionals.
NEW: Certified Master Resume Writer - Executive Editor
Start here if you have already earned the CMRW, are currently up for renewal, but your scope has changed from writer to manager of a writing team.
CDI recognizes that many resume writers eventually evolve into a new role of overseeing a team of resume writers. Whether those writers are staff or contract, they require your guidance, training, and support in order to maintain your resume writing standards as they navigate your client projects.
The CMRW-EE will allow you to retain your master resume writer status while attaining a new level of directing the excellence of a resume writing team.
Certified Executive Resume Master (CERM) Credential
Start here if you would like to stand out and easily attract executive clients as an Executive Master.
Are you interested in making your resume writing skills stand out to an exclusive executive job seeker market? Now you can with CDI's Certified Executive Resume Master (CERM) credential.
Through a simple portfolio submission and competency review process you will be on your way to standing out to this prestigious and profitable market.
Certified Resume Specialist (CRS+X) Credential
Start here if you would like to write resumes that attract niche industry clients who are seeking expert assistance.
Would you like to brand yourself as a resume writer who is an industry guru ready to attract the specific niche clients with whom you wish to work?
Now you can with CDI's Certified Resume Specialist designations in 19 specialty areas (and growing) from IT to marketing.
Certified Graphic Resume Architect (CGRA) Credential
Start here if you are talented in highly visual, dynamic resume design (and writing).
Would you like to show your prospects that your skills are the most up-to-date to handle any marketing challenge they may encounter in their job search?
This credential was designed specifically for professional resume writers who love giving job seekers the invaluable edge of dynamic, visual resumes that make them stand out from the competition.
THE FOLLOWING ARE NO LONGER OFFERED BY CDI
THE FOLLOWING ARE NO LONGER OFFERED BY CDI
From time to time CDI retires a credential. This may be due to market changes or this introduction of a more current replacement program.
There are no plans to reintroduce the following programs. This section exists solely to verify the existence of these credentials to job seekers who are looking into the validity of a career professional's claim. To see if a career professional does indeed hold a credential, visit CDI's Find a Career Pro database.
Certified Web Portfolio Practitioner (CWPP)
The Certified Web Portfolio Practitioner program taught resume writers how to market, sell, and create content for web portfolios and web resumes. The program included portfolio content development and the 22+ potential artifacts of a web portfolio, portfolio content targeting, portfolio layout and design, sales strategy and marketing models, client education, and incorporation of social tools into the portfolio.
Master Military Resume Writer (MMRW)
Individuals who have earned the Certified Master Military Resume Writer credential from CDI are skilled in the art of converting complex military jargon and career data into civilian speak coupled with effective formats for helping their clients to achieve successful military-to-civilian transition.
The MMRW course is now available through CareerPro Global Inc. Visit their site directly to learn more.
Master Federal Resume Writer (MFRW) / Certified Federal Resume Writer (CFRW)
Individuals who have earned the Certified Federal Resume Writer or Master Federal Resume Writer credential are capable of helping job seekers prepare employment documentation for U.S. Federal government positions.
CFRWs and MFRWs are knowledgeable in Federal hiring reforms and requirements from the Presidential Memorandum. (Both designations represent the same credential and level of qualification).
The MFRW course is now available through CareerPro Global Inc. Visit their site directly to learn more.