Lectures, workshops and training courses

Online networking & LinkedIn

• How do I extend my network through LinkedIn?
• How do I search for suitable jobs on LinkedIn?
• Which picture do I choose for my profile on LinkedIn?
• Which privacy settings should I mostly be aware of?

Is everyone always talking about LinkedIn and the importance of it? That you miss out on many vacancies and invaluable network opportunities if you do not have an account on LinkedIn? Maybe you would like to make a start with it but there is something holding you back.
This lecture helps you on track to get using LinkedIn your way!

At the end of this lecture, you will be able to:​

• Discuss the pros and cons of using LinkedIn.
• Connect to other LinkedIn members and strengthen your professional network.
• Identify and find relevant discussion groups on LinkedIn
• Write a compelling and convincing summary section. 

Managing student life

Job applications in the digital era

• How do I prepare for my job interview via Skype or phone?
• How can I make a convincing job application video?
• Do I need to worry about my digital footprint?

Internet, social media and other technological developments have significantly changed the field of recruitment and the entire job application process. Many things actually change faster than our awareness of it. Through this interactive lecture you will learn about new possibilities and risks. You immediately get started with various tips and tools.

At the end of this lecture, you will be able to:​

• Recognize some of the latest developments in recruitment & job applications.
• Identify the main steps to produce a compelling short job application video, and to analyze job application videos and their pros and cons. 
• Prepare for a job interview via Phone, Skype or FaceTime.
• Assess and discuss your digital footprint.

Resilience

Do you sometimes have difficulties to deal with challenges of your study? Do you want to get the best out of yourself and perform optimally according to your ability? Then this is the lecture for you!

In this interactive lecture you will learn how to develop a resilient mindset that helps you to deal with challenges and to perform optimally according to your ability.

Know and show your qualities

When you want to enter the labor market, knowledge about yourself and your qualities is paramount. What are you good at and how do you communicate this, e.g. in a job interview? In this online workshop we will dive into these topics, with some theory and much room to practice.

Find and keep your energy sources

• What job will keep me motivated?
• Why am I doing what I’m doing? 
• What do I get out of it all? 
• How can I stay motivated and persist at school or at work?

If you ask yourself these questions, while studying or working, this workshop can give you the answers. We offer you a mix of tools and scientific proven tips to enlarge your resilience and motivational level at work and at school. 
At the end of this workshop you: 

• have discovered the energy sources that make you jump out of bed  in the morning
• have found out what keeps you going in difficult times
• will leave with practical tools to enlarge your resilience and to recharge your motivation. 

Vacancy search

Are you looking to find a first job? Or do you want to do an internship or volunteer to develop professional competencies and explore the labour market?

In this workshop, you find out how to approach your online search for opportunities. You learn about search techniques, from identifying interesting vacancy platforms to using the right search terms to find the opportunity of your dreams. 

How to write your CV

• How do I make a clear CV?
• Which information do I need to put on my CV, and which not?
• Should I include my side jobs, even when they are outside of the field of this job?
• And what about my student organization engagement or volunteer work?
• How should my CV look?
• Do I have to use an appealing template or not?
• And can I use the same CV to apply for different vacancies?

Do you recognize these questions, or do you have more? Then this workshop is for you!

At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Identify the needs and demands of the employer regarding a CV.
• Produce a clearly structured and accessible CV. 
• Highlight your fit with a vacancy in your CV. 

How to write an application letter

• How do I write a convincing and compelling letter of application?
• How should my letter of application look?
• What do I write in a letter of application?  
• How do I open the letter and attract the attention of the employer?
• How do I highlight my motivation and fit for the job?
• Should I explain every study and job on my CV?
• And how to I close my letter? 

Do you recognize these questions, or do you have more? Then this workshop is for you!

At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Identify the needs and demands of the employer regarding a letter of application.
• Produce a convincing and compelling letter of application.
• Highlight your fit with a vacancy in your letter of application.

Job interview

• What kind of questions can I expect during an (online) job interview?
• How do I keep my nerves under control and how do I answer every question?
• What clothes do I put on and how do I make a good first impression?
• What questions could I ask during a job interview?

Do you recognize these questions or do you have other questions about a job interview? Sign up for this workshop!

At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Identify the most common selection criteria and generic job interview questions, and formulate constructive answers to them.
• Present convincing examples of relevant experience by using the STARR-model.
• Recall and apply tips and tools to feel more relaxed during a job interview.

Homework
Think about questions you find difficult to answer. Bring these to the workshop.

Dress code
Suitable clothing is required. Wear the clothes you would wear for a real job interview!

Time management

• How do I prevent a continuous lack of time and that feeling of anxiety?
• How do I keep an overview of what I have to do for my study?
• What can I do to better organize my work?
• How do I prevent procrastination?
• How do I keep my concentration and not let myself be distracted?

Do you recognize these questions? Then choose this workshop and improve your time management skills!

At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Reflect on what you spend your time on and review your working methods.
• Make an effective and sustainable schedule by applying tips and tools.
• Develop a strategy to work more efficiently and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

On location!

Presentation skills

Please note that this is a workshop on location (Student Services Centre, Karl Dittrich hall)!

• How can I clearly present my point of view, and convince and inspire my audience?
• How can I make my PowerPoint-presentation look best?​ How many slides do I use?
• What can I do to connect with my audience? What do I look at and where do I keep my hands?
• How can I prepare myself to be more confident during a presentation and be less tense?

Do you want to present convincingly and in a more relaxed way? Whether you need to give a sales pitch, TED talk, present a project plan or research results - this workshop is built around your own presentations! You practice, receive feedback and learn what you can improve.

At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:​

• Identify and analyze the key elements of a good presentation.
• Create a clear and convincing storyline.
• Experiment with basic presentation techniques, and use your voice, body language, and PowerPoint to communicate effectively.
• Recall and apply tips and tools to feel more relaxed when giving presentations.

Homework
Have a look at the mandatory homework assignment!

Teambuilding for Board Members

This workshop is exclusively for boards of student and study organisations. Please contact us through careerservices@maastrichtuniversity.nl to check the available dates for this workshop.

Me, myself and I

Do you sometimes feel lost? Just doing what you are doing because everyone else is? Maybe handling things in a way you think is expected of you? Or do you go against the tide because you know what you don’t want but are not so sure what you’re looking for instead?

In this trajectory you will prepare a short home assignment to help you figure out what is important and meaningful in your life. During the workshop we will use this as a starting point to figure out what gets in the way of living that meaningful life. You will learn to become aware of the bumps in the road and how to take action to bypass them. You will get useful links to further practice all lessons learnt at home.

Retrain your brain

• Do you ever feel like you are in a vicious circle of negative thoughts and feelings?
• Would you like to change how you handle certain moments or situations?
• Would you like to know more about cognitive behavioural therapy and how to apply it?

This workshop provides you with tools to understand the relationship between your thoughts, behaviour and feelings, using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT assumes that it is not the events themselves that cause negative feelings and behaviors, but our thoughts about them. You learn to recognize thought patterns that lead to dysfunctional behavior and negative emotions. The key is to turn these thinking patterns into helping thoughts. This creates a more objective view of events, helps you overcome negativity and change unwanted behaviour.

At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• distinguish personal thoughts, feelings and behavior by using cognitive behavioral therapy.
• recognize negative thoughts and convert them into helpful thoughts.
• identify different thinking styles.
• conduct a behavioral experiment to test and challenge your beliefs.

Master your worries

We all worry sometimes – that is what makes us human. But if it is starting to take over your life, this course may be for you.This 1 hour workshop gives you insight into your worrying behaviour and your brain. Through science-based techniques, such as attention training and relaxation exercises, you learn to recognise the thought patterns that lead to worrying and to address them more quickly. How to remain calm while the world around you is changing day by day? Discover the benefits of mindfulness in these chaotic times. Connect to your inner self and feel closer to others, even when you are asked to socially distance yourself. Every session will focus on a different topic. Make sure to be in a comfortable location where you don't get disturbed.

Fear of failure

Do you often feel tense or do you get extremely nervous about exams or presentations, maybe you are experiencing some fear of failure. So where is fear of failure coming from and how can you best tackle this problem? This one hour workshop gives you insight in your fear of failure in all its forms. Through science based tips and tricks it may help you on your way to overcome your fear of failure.

Stress management

Is it difficult to find a good balance between study and leisure time and do you feel stressed often? Then sign up for this workshop. You will learn about stress, be more aware of your own stress signals & (non) helping behaviour. You will also get tools to keep stress in control.

Art of imperfection

While some students wear it like a badge of honor, perfectionism can be a burden for many of you. It sneaks its way into all realms of life: work, creativity, health, relationships… Nobody likes making mistakes. But it's a completely different story if you want to do it all so perfectly, that you don't allow yourself any mistakes.So where does perfectionism actually stem from? More than anything, perfectionism can go so far that your self-esteem reaches rock-bottom. In this one hour workshop, you’ll gain a greater awareness of perfectionistic habits and recognize where these help or hinder you. By creating an awareness of your habits and motivations, you can pave the way to find a better balance in life. 

Stop Procrastinating

Has it ever happened to you that you can’t force yourself to start an important activity? Can’t you resist temptations that draw you away from work? How often are you doing things at the last minute?If you ever had trouble persuading yourself to do the things you should do or would like to do, you have experienced procrastination. During this one hour hands-on workshop we will provide you with tools that will allow you to train your willpower and to do things more efficient. It will help you to start reducing the amount of prorastination.

Boost your self-confidence

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Creativity

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