Building a Resume and Cover Letter that gets you Noticed
I recently attended an online professional development event hosted by Lissa Hilsee, which featured several accomplished professionals including Bernard Dagenais, Kristen Bennett, and Arlyn Owens. The event focused on career preparation, job search strategies, and effective communication in professional settings.
During the session, I participated in a breakout room with Arlyn Owens, where he offered personalized career advice and answered student questions. He emphasized the importance of understanding what you like and don’t like in a workplace, explaining that employers value self-awareness and authenticity. I learned how to make my cover letters concise yet impactful, highlighting personal qualities such as being coachable and able to work well with others.
The speakers also discussed strategies for career exploration, such as creating a “Top 10” list of target companies and avoiding a “pray and spray” approach when applying for jobs. I gained insight into potential employers like Vertex Inc, Essential Utilities (Aqua), and Comcast, and learned to reflect on questions like, “What do you like about where you work?” and “What excites you about your role?”
Overall, this event strengthened my understanding of how to stand out as a candidate, refine my professional materials, and approach career planning with focus and intention.