About Jan Melnik

Perhaps you've heard Jan on the radio (she speaks regularly as a career expert on syndicated programs around the United States). Perhaps you've been linked to this website through one of her professional affiliations. Perhaps another client has referred you (in which case that client will be thanked and will receive a courtesy credit toward future services). Perhaps you've read her book, "Executive's Pocket Guide to ROI Resumes and Job Search," and are interested in how these cutting-edge solutions can work to advance your candidacy.

Perhaps you've found her name at the back of a number of professional resume/cover letter books to which she has contributed her award-winning work. Perhaps you've picked up a copy of one of her books or read about her in the LA Times, Investor's Business Daily, or USA Today.

Jan has been featured on NBC television and Fox-61 News, Crown Financial Ministries, Money Watch, and Money Matters radio programs, Defining Women radio program, and in USA Today newspaper, the Hartford Courant, Woman's Day, Middletown Press, New Haven Register, Country Living magazine, and in books by Paul and Sarah Edwards, Martin Yate, Susan Britton Whitcomb, Chandlee Bryan, Deb Dib, Seth Godin and Jay Levinson ("Guerilla" series), Louise Kursmark, Wendy Enelow, Joyce Lain Kennedy, Jay Block, and Kimberly Stansell; her work is also published in "Modernize Your Resume," "America's Top Resumes for America's Top Jobs," "101 Best Cover Letters," "101 More Best Resumes," "Career Planning and Adult Development Journal," "Gallery of Best Resumes," "Expert Resumes for Teachers and Educators," "Expert Resumes for Manufacturing Careers," "Expert Resumes for Computer and Web Jobs," "Best Resumes for College Students and New Grads," "Expert Resumes for People Returning to Work," "College Grad Resumes to Land $75,000+ Jobs," "Expert Resumes for Health Care Careers," "Expert Resumes for Managers and Executives," "The Twitter Job Search Guide," "Resumes for Dummies," "Cover Letters for Dummies," and "Sales and Marketing Resumes for $100,000 Careers,” among many other titles.

A Credentialed Career Manager and a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Jan was the second professional worldwide to earn her Master Resume Writer credential in 2003 (successfully renewed every two years). She has been in practice since 1983, assisting thousands of clients remotely from around the country as well as expats. Her company, Absolute Advantage, based in Sarasota, FL, was originally founded in Durham, CT, with the objective of providing clients with highly personalized, professional career-search services designed to help them achieve their career goals and to "make them look good."

This business philosophy typifies the customized and client-centered approach to working with each individual throughout their professional career. Relationship-building is an essential element … and Jan takes great pride in the relationships she has established with clients throughout the United States as well as expats globally and the vital referral network that has resulted.

Jan Melnik serves on the Board of Directors of the Career Thought Leaders (CareerThoughtLeaders.com) and is the Career Management Expert with that organization. She is an active member of the National Resume Writers Association (NRWA) and the Professional Association of Resume Writers (PARW). She is also a former PARW Certification Board member and member of the Career Masters' $100,000 Roundtable. Jan is the CMO coach specializing with sales and marketing C-level executives with C-Suite Career Catalysts (C-SuiteCareerCatalysts.com).

Jan keynotes and presents frequently at industry conferences nationwide and has facilitated training for the Small Business Administration, the University of Hartford, the University of North Carolina, the University of Wisconsin, Bay Path University, Hear Here Hartford, and the University of Connecticut as well as many libraries and civic organizations.

An English professor at the University of South Florida and a business professor, course developer, and educator coach at Bay Path University, Jan creates curricula and teaches Business Communications, Integrated Marketing, Strategies for Career and Personal Growth, Professional Writing, Expository Writing, Financial Wellness, and Leadership Communications.

She holds two undergraduate degrees in business, is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Maryland, and graduated summa cum laude from Wesleyan University with a Master of Arts degree.

Jan Melnik: Facilitator, Keynote Speaker, Workshop Presenter

Jan is a dynamic, approachable, high-energy, and engaging workshop developer/presenter, keynote speaker, educator, and facilitator. She regularly speaks at national conferences, universities/colleges, and high schools/boards of education as well as to corporate and community audiences and in library programs.

If you are interested in having Jan develop and present a workshop (resume and career collaterals, LinkedIn, job search, interviewing, or an all-encompassing, three-part Job Search Boot Camp), please email .

Speaking Testimonials

“Jan, you have singlehandedly raised the bar way above the level of all the Job Group Speakers who have preceded you. Your presentation was outstanding! Everything that [chairman] told me about you was right on the mark. I was honored by your presence. I know you are probably used to the recognition, admiration and accolades you have received when speaking. To gauge the response of the Job Group members who attended today, you are the only speaker who has ever received applause after her presentation. I am thoroughly impressed by your wealth of knowledge, information, work products and expertise that you impart to job seekers and future ‘high rollers.’ I am sincere in my belief that you should consider developing DVDs that allow people who need your insights and expertise, but don't have the luxury of seeing and listening to you.”

Select written feedback from speaking engagements:

• It was refreshing to learn how to update my resume.
• I was pleased to learn how to maneuver dates and to learn about the CAR strategy.
• Jan's presentation targeted information I need and can use. She provided approaches I wasn't aware of.
• Jan covered a lot in the time given to her. She had some new ideas that have not been addressed by previous speakers.
• Jan is a great speaker! She is very positive and had many good insights.
• Her presentation provided new material for me regarding current resume trends. She is a very dynamic speaker.
• I appreciated Jan's suggestions regarding modification and improvement of my business cards.
• Her presentation was very positive, motivating, and informative.
• Jan was very detailed and informative. I liked her excellent ability to interact and respond to each person.

“We keep inviting Jan back to speak and with good reason! Her workshops are information-rich, value-laden, and always well-attended. She brings an ideal combination of affability and expertise to her presentations. We've already got her on the books for another event!”

“I wanted to express my appreciation to you on behalf of the (CITY) Job Network for being our guest speaker last week. Your presentation was informative and contained many original and helpful tips. More importantly, you connected with our job seekers in a meaningful way and infused them with the motivation to persevere and amplify their job searches in the coming weeks. The buzz was palpable as they spoke with one another and the volunteers after you left! We wish you a wonderful holiday season and much success in the new year!”

“Jan is one of the most popular presenters for the Job and Career Program and her reputation for excellence is well-deserved. Last week, Jan completed the final segment of a very successful, intensive, three-part Job Seeker Boot Camp program. Her presentations were clear, concise, and well organized, informative yet personalized. What makes Jan really stand out from the crowd is her attention to detail and her wealth of knowledge, especially in the specific examples she can draw upon and the years of experience she brings to the table.”

“Thank you for speaking at the (CITY) networking group last night. You gave us a lot of terrific tips, which I plan to apply to my job search. Besides specific tips, like LinkedIn presentation, I really appreciate the ‘three Ps.’ Sometimes you really need to be reminded of the basics. As Churchill said, ‘Never, never, never give up.’ Thank you so much.”

“I had stumbled across Jan’s LinkedIn profile and thought she looked like a great match to speak to our networking group. After reaching out, Jan agreed to present at one of our recent meetings. Attendees were highly engaged and responsive to her presentation on “Job Strategies that Work.” Jan was able to provide our members with her insight and expertise on potential ways to improve their job search. This included creating targeted profiles and resumes as well as utilizing LinkedIn efficiently and effectively to generate leads. Jan welcomed questions from members and provided her contact information for them to reach out to her after with any questions. Jan’s presentation was highly informative to our members and we hope to have her back to speak again in the near future!”

"Jan Melnik is the type of presenter audiences love! Lots of substance...Great takeaways...Fun to watch! I know this because I attended her session "Build a Better Pipeline!" at the 2017 National Resume Writers' Association conference and walked away with super-practical suggestions for my business. Jan is generous, authentic and high energy. If you're looking to hire a dynamic speaker for your next event, add Jan to your short list. You will be very happy you did."

"Jan is a wonderful and engaging speaker. I recently attended her three-night Boot Camp. She shared with us great tips and thought-provoking ideas. I've only started making edits based on her suggestions and am already receiving more attention and requests for interviews. Highly recommend!"

"Jan is a creative and versatile consultant with a breadth of knowledge on organizational programming and careers. I secured her as a consultant to develop a two-part webinar intensive on social media; it was a pleasure to work with her. She quickly grasped what my constituency needed and framed a terrific webinar series. Her work was excellent quality, the emphasis on content was just right, delivery was interesting and well-paced, and her followup was impeccable. It was a pleasure to work with her, and I look forward to future projects with her."

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