Opportunity Knocks 9/18: Building a resume and cover letter that gets you noticed
I attended “Opportunity Knocks 9/18: Building a Resume and Cover Letter That Gets You Noticed” on September 18 from 4:30 to 6:00 PM, sponsored by The Main Line Chamber of Commerce Talent and Education Network. The event began with a 30-minute webinar moderated by Lisa from the Chamber, featuring Paul from Vertex, Arlyn from Essential Utilities/AQUA, and Tauri from Comcast. They introduced their companies, explained their roles, and outlined internship and job opportunities. They shared best practices for crafting resumes, such as tailoring each resume to a specific job rather than mass sending generic ones to hundreds of companies and addressed common misconceptions about applicant tracking systems. One thing that stuck out to me is Paul’s advice about not just including skills and tools you have dabbled in to appear well-rounded, but to build your resume with specific ones that showcase your actual skills, experiences, and passion. The discussion then transitioned to tips on writing effective cover letters, networking, and developing soft skills. For the remaining hour, participants joined breakout rooms to speak directly with recruiters. In my group with Arlyn, I asked questions about which skills are most valuable for entry-level MIS roles given that I have not yet completed upper-level coursework, how external certificates might strengthen my application, and whether self-taught projects completed before my MIS coursework are worth including. This event allowed me to see from a recruiter perspective on how to present my abilities and projects authentically, and it left me more confident and intentional about how I’ll approach future internship opportunities moving forward.