Crafting a Standout Resume for the Modern Job Market
Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 8 PM - 9 PM EST
Zoom Online Event (Kindly look out for the Zoom link, which will be sent to you after registering.)
Please note that these sessions are free for UFA's yearly members. If you are interested in becoming a UFA yearly member, we invite you to sign up through the link below. Your support will contribute directly to our mission of sponsoring 12 people in need. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
Part 1: Resume Makeover
Crafting a Standout Resume for the Modern Job Market: A Hands-On Workshop
Who Should Attend:
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College graduates and about-to-graduate students preparing for the job market.
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Job seekers looking to update their resumes and stand out in competitive fields.
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Professionals considering a career change and needing to tailor their resumes to new industries.
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Job seekers re-entering the workforce or pivoting careers.
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Anyone interested in learning how to optimize their resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and stand out to hiring managers.
What Students Will Learn:
1. Essential Components of a Strong Resume:
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Understand the core sections of a resume: Contact Information, Objective, Skills, Experience, and more.
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Learn how to write a targeted objective that aligns with the specific job you're applying for.
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Master the art of showcasing leadership, high performance, and soft skills that make you stand out.
2. Tailoring Your Resume for ATS:
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Learn how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) work and how to optimize your resume for ATS algorithms.
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Discover the importance of keywords and how to strategically include them without keyword stuffing.
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Explore how to customize your resume for each job to increase your chances of getting noticed.
3. Using Action Verbs to Enhance Your Resume:
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Learn the importance of action verbs and how to use them to make your resume more compelling.
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Receive a comprehensive list of powerful action verbs to boost your resume language.
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Understand how to avoid overusing repetitive language and variety in your writing to keep your resume engaging.
4. Making Your Resume Stand Out Creatively:
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Discuss creative strategies to stand out, such as using personal branding, portfolios, and even creating videos.
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Learn when creativity can help—and when it can hurt—your chances of getting an interview.
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Hands-on activity: Create a sample personalized video and learn how to make it private on YouTube to share with recruiters.
5. Highlighting Leadership and Competence:
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Learn how to showcase your leadership skills even if you're not applying for a managerial role.
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Discover how to write "extreme competence lines" in your resume to demonstrate your expertise.
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Receive examples of leadership, high performance, and accomplishments that make your resume stand out.
6. Perfecting the Skills and Technologies Section:
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Understand the importance of the Core Skills and Technologies section in your resume.
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Learn how to effectively list technical skills and tools relevant to your industry.
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Tailor your resume’s skills section for different job roles, ensuring it’s ATS-optimized and relevant.
7. Font, Formatting, and Consistency:
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Discuss the best fonts for professional resumes, such as Arial, Times New Roman, and Helvetica, and why fancy fonts should be avoided.
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Learn how formatting consistency (capitalization, spacing) ensures professionalism and readability.
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Explore the importance of saving and sending resumes in PDF format and why it’s the best option.
8. Hobbies and Extra Sections on Your Resume:
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Learn how to write a hobbies section that can act as a conversation starter and help build rapport with potential employers.
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Discover how to include relevant hobbies and interests that actually enhance your resume.
9. When and How to Follow Up After Submitting Your Resume:
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Understand the ideal timeline for following up after submitting your resume.
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Learn how to craft a professional follow-up email that increases your chances of landing an interview.
10. Avoiding Embellishments and Lying on Your Resume:
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Discuss the long-term risks of embellishing or lying on your resume.
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Learn how to put your best foot forward honestly and strategically to compete against embellished resumes.
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Discover how self-improvement and ongoing learning can help you compete without the need for exaggeration.
Workshop Structure & Duration
Introduction and Overview
Welcome, goals for the workshop, and what participants can expect to learn.
Section 1: Building the Core of Your Resume
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Essential components of a resume
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Tailoring for ATS
Section 2: Using Action Verbs and Standing Out Creatively
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Action verbs to enhance your resume
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Creative strategies for resume branding
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Personalized video activity
Section 3: Highlighting Leadership and Skills
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Demonstrating leadership and competence
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Writing strong skills and technologies sections
Section 4: Formatting, Hobbies, and Following Up
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Fonts, formatting, and consistency
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Writing an effective hobbies section
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The importance of follow-ups
Section 5: Ethics in Resume Writing
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Why embellishment and lying backfire
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The power of honest self-improvement
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this workshop, participants will:
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Have a fully optimized, ATS-friendly resume.
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Know how to tailor their resume for different job applications.
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Understand the power of action verbs and how to use them effectively.
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Be equipped with creative strategies to stand out from other candidates.
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Feel confident in presenting leadership skills, even in non-leadership roles.
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Know how to follow up effectively after submitting their resume.
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Understand the long-term value of honesty and self-improvement in resume writing.