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Crafting the Perfect Resume & Cover Letter: A Hands-On Workshop 

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Saturday, September 15, 2024, at 10 AM - 2 PM EST

Zoom Online Event

Upcoming Sessions:

  • September 22, 10 AM - 2 PM EST: Resume Writing Best Practices & Personalized Reviews
     

These sessions are free for UFA's yearly members. Become a member today and help support our mission to sponsor 12 people in need.

Part 2: Cover Letter   

Crafting the Perfect Resume & Cover Letter: A Hands-On Workshop 

Who Should Attend: 

  • Recent college graduates looking to enter the workforce. 

  • Professionals seeking to update or improve their resumes and cover letters. 

  • Job seekers applying for entry-level roles, particularly in fields like accounting, marketing, auditing, and tech. 

  • Anyone wanting to learn how to stand out to potential employers with a polished and professional resume and cover letter. 

Workshop Objectives: 

By the end of this workshop, participants will: 

1. Understand how to craft a compelling cover letter and resume that aligns with job descriptions. 

2. Learn strategies for highlighting their strengths and key skills in a way that grabs a hiring manager’s attention. 

3. Gain hands-on experience writing and improving their own resume and cover letter. 

4. Get personalized feedback on their work during the live session. 

 

Workshop Curriculum: 

1. Introduction: 

  • Overview of the importance of a well-written resume and cover letter. 

  • Discuss the differences between a resume and a cover letter. 

  • Explain how these documents serve as your first impression with employers.

2. Understanding Job Descriptions and Aligning Your Documents: 

  • How to carefully analyze a job description. 

  • Identifying key skills and qualifications that employers are looking for. 

  • Matching your experience with the employer's needs. 

3. Resume Writing Essentials: 

  • The key elements of a strong resume: Contact information, professional summary, work experience, education, and skills. 

  • How to tailor your resume to specific roles. 

  • The importance of formatting and design to create a clean, professional look. 

Interactive Activity: 

Participants will start creating or editing their own resumes, using tips from the session. 

 

1. Crafting the Perfect Cover Letter  

  • How to write a strong opening paragraph that grabs attention. 

  • Structuring the body of your cover letter to highlight your strengths and align with job requirements. 

  • Ending with a compelling call to action. 

Interactive Activity: 

Participants will write the first three sentences of their cover letter based on a sample job description provided in the workshop. They will receive feedback on their work. 

2. Designing Your Cover Letter with Canva: 

  • A quick tutorial on using Canva to add design elements to your cover letter. 

  • How to maintain professionalism while standing out visually. 

Interactive Activity: 

Participants will design their cover letter using Canva’s free templates, and we’ll review some examples live. 

3. Q&A and Personalized Feedback: 

  • Open floor for participants to ask questions or request feedback on specific sections of their resume and cover letter. 

  • Live feedback and improvement suggestions. 

 

Workshop Takeaways: 

  • A well-structured resume and cover letter template tailored to your desired job. 

  • Insights into how to align your experience with employer needs. 

  • Knowledge of how to make your application stand out with professional design elements. 

  • Personalized feedback to improve your job application materials. 

Part 3: Interview Tips 

Mastering Your Job Search 

Who Should Attend: 

This workshop is ideal for: 

  • Job seekers at any stage of their career, whether you're a recent graduate, transitioning to a new field, or a seasoned professional looking for your next opportunity. 

  • Individuals who are struggling to land interviews or want to sharpen their job search skills. 

  • Those looking to improve their interview confidence, communication skills, and job search strategies. 

 

Workshop Goals: 

By the end of this workshop, participants will: 

  • Understand how to effectively search for jobs and create opportunities. 

  • Know how to tailor their resumes and cover letters to match job descriptions. 

  • Learn how to prepare for and succeed in phone screens and in-person interviews. 

  • Gain strategies to control nervousness and project confidence during interviews. 

  • Know the best practices for scheduling interviews to improve success. 

  • Understand how to research companies and interviewers effectively. 

  • Learn techniques for improving communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal. 

 

Curriculum Outline: 

Module 1: Job Search Strategy and Tools 

Topics Covered: 

  • Understanding job descriptions: How to identify keywords and skills that employers emphasize and tailor your application accordingly. 

  • Leveraging online job platforms: Which platforms to use (LinkedIn, indeed, AngelList, etc.) and how to optimize your profile for visibility. 

  • Networking strategies: How to use your personal and professional network to uncover job opportunities. 

Hands-On Exercise: 

  • Tailoring a resume and cover letter to match a job description. Participants will receive feedback on their resumes in small groups. 

 

Module 2: Preparing for the Interview 

Topics Covered: 

  • Researching the company: How to dig deep into a company’s culture, values, and recent announcements to show up prepared and knowledgeable. 

  • Preparing intelligent questions: How to ask thoughtful questions that show genuine interest and engagement with the company. 

  • Who’s interviewing you? Techniques to research your interviewers and establish rapport during the conversation. 

Hands-On Exercise: 

  • Researching a mock company and creating a list of questions that demonstrate curiosity and enthusiasm for the role. 

 

Module 3: Managing Nerves and Projecting Confidence 

Topics Covered: 

  • Understanding interview anxiety: Identifying the root causes of nervousness and practical ways to manage it. 

  • Building confidence: Using mock interviews, self-talk, and positive visualization to boost confidence. 

  • Non-verbal communication: How posture, eye contact, and body language can project confidence even when you’re nervous. 

Hands-On Exercise: 

  • Mock interview session. Participants will practice answering common interview questions and get live feedback on body language, tone, and overall presentation. 

 

Module 4: Phone Screen and Interview Preparation 

Topics Covered: 

  • The phone screen process: How to prepare for the initial phone screen and make a strong first impression. 

  • Best times to schedule an interview: Insights from experts on how to choose the best times for phone screens and in-person interviews. 

  • Communicating clearly: Techniques to improve clarity, energy, and enthusiasm over the phone. 

Hands-On Exercise: 

  • Role-playing phone screens. Participants will practice answering typical phone screen questions and receive feedback on clarity, tone, and engagement. 

 

Module 5: Post-Interview Follow-Up and Etiquette 

Topics Covered: 

  • Writing thank-you notes: How to craft a thoughtful thank-you email that leaves a lasting impression. 

  • Following up without being pushy: Strategies for staying in touch after the interview without appearing desperate. 

Hands-On Exercise: 

  • Drafting a post-interview follow-up email. Participants will write thank-you notes for a mock interview and receive feedback. 

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