Certified Resume Strategist Credentialing Program

Master Certified Resume Strategist (MCRS) Testing Process

The prestigious Master Certified Resume Strategist (MCRS) designation is reserved for the top strategists in our industry. Only once you have been awarded your Certified Resume Strategist (CRS) credential may you apply for the MCRS designation if you feel that you are qualified and wish to do so. 

In order to obtain and maintain your Master Certified Resume Strategist (MCRS) designation you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Currently possess your Certified Resume Strategist (CRS) designation.
• Have a minimum of five years paid experience providing strategic resume advice to clients.
• Submit by e-mail and pass an independent evaluation of two complete portfolio packages.
• Have your two clients submit by e-mail a written agreement to use your work.
• Maintain a current membership with Career Professionals of Canada.

Portfolio Package Requirements

To attain the Master Certified Resume Strategist (MCRS) designation, you must pass an Independent Evaluation of two complete portfolio packages. E-mail your complete file directly to info@CareerProCanada.ca with subject line "MCRS Portfolio Evaluation". Each portfolio package must include the following:

• A non-fictionalized resume, narrative biography (profile), cover letter designed for a specific company or application, recruiter letter designed for recruitment firms, reference page, and thank-you letter that you independently developed without assistance from any other career practitioner.
• A copy of the original resume supplied by your client.
• A 3-page case study detailing your strategy for the complete portfolio package. Your case studies submitted must adequately discuss the following:
• Identify and define your client’s Value Proposition.
• Explain how you overcame any challenges or obstacles related to your client’s background.
• Discuss the structure and identify anything that you purposefully included or excluded.
• Outline any areas where you have chosen to depart from the “norm” and explain why.
• Explain how you have made this document creative, authentic, and readable.

Proof of Paid Experience

Document your five years of paid experience providing strategic resume advice to clients. Provide scanned copies of two of the following dated documents from over five years ago:

• Paid client receipt from 5+ years ago
• Membership certificate from a professional resume association
• Print advertisements of your services
• Published articles you authored on resume strategy
• Any other document that verifies your 5 years of experience.

Client Confidentiality Requirements

To honour your client’s confidentiality, we require that you obtain written agreement to use your work as part of your case presentation. Please instruct your client to send an e-mail from their originating email to info@CareerProCanada.ca with the subject line "MCRS Evaluation Submission - <insert your name>" as shown in the box below.

 

Client approval example:

To: info@CareerProCanada.ca Cc: Your e-mail address  Subject: MCRS Evaluation Submission - Candidate's Name   I, Name of client, authorize Name of credential applicant to release information regarding career services provided to Career Professionals of Canada (CPC). I understand that this information will be reviewed by CPC’s Certification Review members for the sole purpose of assessing my strategist's abilities and qualifications. I understand that the information will be kept confidential and will not be shared with any other party.   Sincerely, Client's Name Client's Phone Number

Attaining and Maintaining the MCRS

Upon receipt of your submission, an independent MCRS certified assessor will evaluate your complete submission and determine your eligibility to be awarded the MCRS. You will be notified of your status within four weeks of your submission.

Assessors are provided with a standard evaluation form to mark submissions. The evaluation assesses and grades the following areas.

Overall Strategy

• Value Proposition
• Employer Targeted
• Ethics & Integrity
• Elimination Factors
• Obstacles Handled
• Writing Creativity
• Authenticity
• Readability

 

Spelling & Grammar

• Spelling
• Number Form
• Capitalization
• Punctuation
• Parallelism
• Active Voice
• Other Grammar
• Proofreading

 

Document Structure

• Selection of Data
• Qualifications Summary
• Career History
• Education & Development
• Supplementary Components
• SMART Statements
• Keywords
• Context Provided

 

Formatting & Design

• Formatting Consistency
• Design Creativity
• Document Length
• White Space
• Advanced Formatting
• Creative Design Elements

To pass, you must achieve an average grade of 80% or more. You will be notified of your status within four weeks of your submission.

Once you have achieved your MCRS certification, your designation is valid for a period of two years as long as you remain an active member of Career Professionals of Canada.

Your designation can be renewed in full every two years by submitting a report demonstrating at least ten  hours dedicated to ongoing professional development and ten hours to volunteerism in two years accompanied by payment of the renewal fee.

 

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