Workshops

Focus

Career Exploration: Career exploration is an opportunity for you to examine your options and to make informed career decisions based upon current local labor market information and employer needs.
Who Am I?: Who Am I? is a two-day workshop series; you must be able to attend the full 4 hours (2 hours per day) to register for this workshop. You need only register once for this two-day workshop series.

A starting point for those interested in conducting career assessment. Participants will take assessments and participate in activities to define their skills, interests, and values, and learn how to apply this information in all stages of career development.

Career Navigation

Communcation Essentials

Communication Essentials is a two-day workshop series; you must be able to attend the full 4 hours (2 hours per day) to register for this workshop. You need only register once for this two-day workshop series.

Communication Essentials features practical techniques, interactive exercises, and immediately useful tools in the areas of communication, facilitation, and collaboration. This workshop series will improve your confidence and increase your effectiveness in your next position.

Learn communicating skills that will help you resolve problems, respectfully present your point of view, and listen to others.
Learn facilitation skills to improve team dynamics and increase productivity.
Learn skills to analyze and creatively solve problems in a team setting.
Learn techniques to improve virtual communication.

Contracting 101

This workshop will highlight how the job market has shifted towards increased contract work, assist you in navigating the world of contracting and position yourself for success.

Managing Change

An interactive workshop to help you move through the stress and uncertainty created by job loss. Learn how to work through your emotions, launch an effective job search, and explore what's next for you.

Positivity

The job search process is full of ups and downs. The roller coaster ride of emotions can be draining and impact your productivity. We will review techniques and tools that will help you reframe negative thoughts so that you can remain positive and optimistic.

Working in a Virtual World

Remote work has become the new way of doing business. Are you prepared to present yourself professionally, to navigate the changes in workplace communication, and to demonstrate proficiency with technologies that enable productivity? We will explore how to effectively interview and prepare for a job in the virtual world.

Resume / Marketing Materials

LinkedIn: Developing Your Profile: Learn the basics of LinkedIn, including how to set up an effective profile and manage your account settings.
How to Customize a Resume: A generic resume rarely generates any interest. Learn how to customize a resume & cover letter to catch the attention of the employer and get the phone to ring. We'll also discuss how to use AI tools, as an assistant, to help you customize.
Create a Resume that Gets Results: Learn the key information to include on your resume, how to lay out the information to tell your story, and the right resume format based on your situation.
Video Introduction: Make a strong first impression by recording a video introduction that captures your skills, strengths, and personality. Post on your LinkedIn page or social media accounts, add to your e-mail signature or to your portfolio to expand your reach.

Job Search / Networking

Identifying Target Companies: Learn the benefits of having target companies and how to identify them. We will show databases you can use to research companies and provide strategies for utilizing this information in your job search.
Informational Meetings: Build your confidence requesting and conducting informational meetings with people who have the advice, information, and referrals you need.
Job Connector Virtual Lab: Learn how to set up a NOVAworks Job Connector account and use it to identify skills & career paths as well as find jobs. Please have your computer ready and a resume ready to upload
Job Search Tips for the Mature Worker: Mature job seekers frequently have concerns that their age or years of experience may create obstacles in their job search. Learn how to identify age-friendly employers, age-neutralize your resume, and answer tough interview questions.
LinkedIn: Using LinkedIn to Job Search: Learn how to job search on LinkedIn, including following companies, targeting companies, and responding to job postings.
LinkedIn: Expand your Network: Learn how to find people on LinkedIn, expand your network, and proactively connect with people.
Overcoming Employment Gaps: Employment gaps do not need to be a barrier to employment. In this workshop, we'll discuss how to address gaps in marketing documents, job search, and during interviews. The focus is on proactively demonstrating your value and capabilities.
Success Teams: Success Teams provide job seekers with support, accountability, and connections. In this workshop you will learn about success teams, how to run effective meetings, and connect with other job seekers to form your own success team.
Targeting Government Jobs: Is a government job right for you? In this workshop we will discuss government employment, including aspects of the hiring process (e.g., applications, exams, and interviews), and offer tips on how to be a successful candidate.

Interview

Behavior-based Interviewing: "Tell me about a time when...." Prepare for tough questions asking how you handled specific situations in your past, including both successes and failures. Create your own job profile and practice responding to related questions.
Coding Whiteboard Practice: Whiteboard tests are an integral part of technical interviews. This workshop provides a place to practice coding problems and receive feedback from your peers.
Interview: Accomplishment Stories: Learn how to create short stories that describe your skills and experience in an interesting and engaging way. Accomplishment stories will help you answer common questions, including:

What are your strengths?

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

What did you like most about your last job?

Tell me about a time when….?
Interview: Negotiations: Learn how to handle questions about salary from the phone screen through the job offer. We will cover strategies and tools that help you to have collaborative conversations that lead to win-win scenarios.
Sandwiching Negatives: Employers will often ask about negative situations to see how you handle stressful questions and how you respond to negative situations. Come learn a strategy that will help you respond to these questions in a positive and professional way.
Summary Statement: Learn how to answer questions about your background and general experience, including:

Tell me about yourself.

Why are you qualified for this job?

Why should I hire you?
Task Based Interviewing: Task-Based interviewing (problem sets, case studies, presentations) is common today. Come learn why such interviews are prevalent. You will learn the benefits & concerns, as well as, a general approach for responding to the task, whether it is a take-home or in-the-interview assignment.

Connections

Meetings: Come join other NOVAworks members to share your successes, ask for leads, practice your job search skills, network, and learn from knowledgeable guest speakers. This meeting is accessible remotely through Zoom; registration opens 24 hours prior to the scheduled start time.
Mixers: NOVAworks networking events are designed to help you connect with current members, alumni, and employers. Fun activities, time to network, and opportunities to learn about job openings. You never know who you will meet so join often and engage with the group.
Presentation & Skills Development: Do you have a special area of expertise or interest that you would like to share with others? Sign up to present a brown bag session or just come learn from other NOVAworks members.
Success Teams: Success Teams provide job seekers with support, accountability, and connections. In this workshop you will learn about success teams, how to run effective meetings, and connect with other job seekers to form your own success team.

Other

Introduction to Google Docs & Slides: If you are new to Google Docs, we’ll explore the toolbars and menus, and how to set up new documents, edit, and collaborate with others on the document. In Google Slides, learn what makes a good presentation, the features of Slides, and how to develop a simple presentation. *If you are a user of MS Office & PowerPoint, this workshop will be too basic for you. (2 hours)
Introduction to Google Sheets: If you are new to spreadsheets & Google Sheets, come learn the features of Sheets, how to set up sheets, and accomplish basic tasks such as sort and sum/average. *If you are a user of MS Excel, this workshop will be too basic for you. (2 hours).
Navigating Gmail: If you are new to Gmail, come learn how to manage your emails, options for sending emails, calendaring & and how to organize tasks with Gmail. (1.5 hours)

Table of Contents