Crafting the Perfect Resume & Cover Letter: A Hands-On Workshop
Saturday, September 15, 2024, at 10 AM - 2 PM EST
Zoom Online Event
Upcoming Sessions:
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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:
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Recent college graduates looking to enter the workforce.
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Professionals seeking to update or improve their resumes and cover letters.
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Job seekers applying for entry-level roles, particularly in fields like accounting, marketing, auditing, and tech.
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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:
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Overview of the importance of a well-written resume and cover letter.
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Discuss the differences between a resume and a cover letter.
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Explain how these documents serve as your first impression with employers.
2. Understanding Job Descriptions and Aligning Your Documents:
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How to carefully analyze a job description.
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Identifying key skills and qualifications that employers are looking for.
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Matching your experience with the employer's needs.
3. Resume Writing Essentials:
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The key elements of a strong resume: Contact information, professional summary, work experience, education, and skills.
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How to tailor your resume to specific roles.
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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
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How to write a strong opening paragraph that grabs attention.
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Structuring the body of your cover letter to highlight your strengths and align with job requirements.
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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:
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A quick tutorial on using Canva to add design elements to your cover letter.
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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:
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Open floor for participants to ask questions or request feedback on specific sections of their resume and cover letter.
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Live feedback and improvement suggestions.
Workshop Takeaways:
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A well-structured resume and cover letter template tailored to your desired job.
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Insights into how to align your experience with employer needs.
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Knowledge of how to make your application stand out with professional design elements.
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Personalized feedback to improve your job application materials.
Part 3: Interview Tips
Mastering Your Job Search
Who Should Attend:
This workshop is ideal for:
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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.
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Individuals who are struggling to land interviews or want to sharpen their job search skills.
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Those looking to improve their interview confidence, communication skills, and job search strategies.
Workshop Goals:
By the end of this workshop, participants will:
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Understand how to effectively search for jobs and create opportunities.
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Know how to tailor their resumes and cover letters to match job descriptions.
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Learn how to prepare for and succeed in phone screens and in-person interviews.
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Gain strategies to control nervousness and project confidence during interviews.
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Know the best practices for scheduling interviews to improve success.
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Understand how to research companies and interviewers effectively.
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Learn techniques for improving communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal.
Curriculum Outline:
Module 1: Job Search Strategy and Tools
Topics Covered:
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Understanding job descriptions: How to identify keywords and skills that employers emphasize and tailor your application accordingly.
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Leveraging online job platforms: Which platforms to use (LinkedIn, indeed, AngelList, etc.) and how to optimize your profile for visibility.
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Networking strategies: How to use your personal and professional network to uncover job opportunities.
Hands-On Exercise:
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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:
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Researching the company: How to dig deep into a company’s culture, values, and recent announcements to show up prepared and knowledgeable.
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Preparing intelligent questions: How to ask thoughtful questions that show genuine interest and engagement with the company.
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Who’s interviewing you? Techniques to research your interviewers and establish rapport during the conversation.
Hands-On Exercise:
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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:
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Understanding interview anxiety: Identifying the root causes of nervousness and practical ways to manage it.
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Building confidence: Using mock interviews, self-talk, and positive visualization to boost confidence.
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Non-verbal communication: How posture, eye contact, and body language can project confidence even when you’re nervous.
Hands-On Exercise:
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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:
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The phone screen process: How to prepare for the initial phone screen and make a strong first impression.
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Best times to schedule an interview: Insights from experts on how to choose the best times for phone screens and in-person interviews.
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Communicating clearly: Techniques to improve clarity, energy, and enthusiasm over the phone.
Hands-On Exercise:
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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:
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Writing thank-you notes: How to craft a thoughtful thank-you email that leaves a lasting impression.
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Following up without being pushy: Strategies for staying in touch after the interview without appearing desperate.
Hands-On Exercise:
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Drafting a post-interview follow-up email. Participants will write thank-you notes for a mock interview and receive feedback.