Lectures, workshops and training courses

See when the lectures will be held and register to attend

Almost hired! Now what?

Where do I find information about the salary that I can expect?
Is there anything special in my contract or employment conditions that I have to pay attention to?
What am I to do if the negotiation fails?
How do I prepare for the terms-of-employment interview?

Yes, you have made it through all selection rounds! A new phase starts, one that you are probably less familiar with. What to expect now? With this lecture you prepare yourself well!

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

Prepare for negotiations concerning salary and employment conditions.
Find and use online sources with information about International labour law agreements and salaries.
Read salary scales in collective labour agreements.
Negotiate your salary and employment conditions in a constructive manner.

Students’ opinions about Almost hired! Now what?
In 2018, students rated this lecture with an average of 9.1

- "Very informative and interactive"
- "We received practical information for our future career”
- "Useful information about what to expect from the (salary) negotiation process and how to approach it”
- "I like the inclusion of links and videos"

2 hours (morning or afternoon)

See when the lectures will be held and register to attend

Getting the most out of 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.

Students’ opinions about Getting the most out of LinkedIn
In 2018, students rated this lecture with an average of 8.1

-“I liked that the lecture was done by a trainer who knows how recruiters use LinkedIn.”
-“The enthusiasm of the lecturer was very positive, and that also applies to the feedback on our summary exercise.”
-“I liked that the downsides of LinkedIn were discussed as well, and that you still can decide for yourself to use it or not.”

2 hours (morning or afternoon)

See when the lectures will be held and register to attend

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?
How to write my CV, if the company uses recruitment software for the initial selection?
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.
Recruiters increasingly use applicant tracking systems, but what does this mean for you as a job applicant?
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.

Opinions of other students on Job applications in the digital era
In 2018, students rated this lecture with an average of 8.8

- “It covers practical aspects, you can really use in the future.”
- “It gave me new information, such as applying through video.”
- “Interactive and up-to-date. Useful for my generation."

2 hours (morning or afternoon)

See when the lectures will be held and register to attend

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.

1 meeting of 2 hours (morning or afternoon)

Go back to "Overview workshops and training courses"

Short description of the workshops

Discover your competences

How do I get insight in what I want and can do?
How do I distinguish myself from others? In what way do I make a difference?
Where do I start if I want to know what to do after my study?
What is my main motivation in my work?

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

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

Identify your personal competences, needs and wishes for a future job or career.
Reflect on its significance when making career and study choices.
Determine a starting point for entering the labour market.
Present yourself with your professional qualities to others in a short conversation and a written personal summary.

Homework
For this workshop you need to do a homework assignment.
You will receive this assignment in the confirmation email as soon as you have registered for the workshop.

Opinions of other students on Discover your competences
In 2018, students rated this workshop with an average of 8.6

- "Really good approach, building up to the personal profile step by step.”
- “This workshop is connecting my personality to my options on the labour market.”
- “I received specific feedback on my personal profile.”
- “It was clear, concise, with actionable feedback points.”

See when the workshop is given and register to attend

3 hours (morning or afternoon)
Preparatory homework

See when the workshop is given and register to attend

Job interview

What kind of questions can I expect during a 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? Your preparation will be perfect thanks to this workshop!

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

Analyze the key elements that have an impact on the first impression that you will make.
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!

Opinions of other students about Job interview
In 2018, students rated this workshop with an average of 8.4

- “Best was the interview in the end, practice makes perfect.”
- “It was informative about the do's and don’ts.”
- “I really liked that we practiced and received feedback from other students as well as the trainer.”

3 hours (morning or afternoon)
Preparatory homework

See when the workshop is given and register to attend

CV & letter of application

How do I increase my chance of receiving an invitation for a job interview?
What do I put in the cover letter and what should my CV look like?
Can I use the same CV for all vacancies?
What about side jobs, do I only mention them if they are relevant to the job?

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

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

Distinguish the relevant steps in a recruitment and selection process.
Evaluate your match with a vacancy and identify your unique selling points.
Identify the needs and demands of the employer with regard to the application documents
Produce a clearly structured and accessible CV,
and write a compelling and convincing letter of application, according to guidelines and requirements.

Homework
In preparation of the workshop, find a vacancy that suits you. You write your CV and cover letter in English to apply for the position. You bring three documents (vacancy text, CV and letter) to the workshop.

Opinions of other students on CV & letter of application
In 2018, students rated this workshop with an average of 8.6

-“I enjoyed the mutual feedback opportunities about the documents.”
-“I liked receiving feedback from several peers and reading various CV's and letters for pointing out strengths and weaknesses.”
-“I appreciated its interactivity and the opportunity to ask questions to the very knowledgeable trainer.”

3 hours (morning or afternoon)
Preparatory homework

See when the workshop is given and register to attend

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.

Opinions of other students on Time management
In 2018, students rated this workshop with an average of 8.6

-“Really opened my eyes that I have to use my time more efficiently and with respect to the advantage of planning.”
-“Enthusiastic trainer, realistic tips, lot of personal experiences.”
-“It was well organized. All together it was a good and useful experience.”

3 hours (morning or afternoon)

See when the workshop is given and register to attend

Presentation skills

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
In preparation for the workshop, you need to make a short PowerPoint presentation (in English) to present during the workshop. You send the presentation in advance by e-mail. You will receive more information about the homework (the format, the content and the deadline) in the e-mail confirming your registration for the workshop.

Opinions of other students on Presentation skills
In 2018, students rated this workshop with an average of 8.6

-“Simple, informative, practical. We had to think about the feedback and presented a lot.”
-“It was very instructive and yet there was ample room to practice.”
-“I enjoyed the fact that it took place in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the trainer was very helpful, enthusiastic, and able to coordinate trainees effectively. I like that I received constructive feedback.”

3 hours (morning or afternoon)
Preparatory homework

Stress Management

Do you find it difficult to find a good balance between study and leisure time?
Do you feel stressed often?

Then sign up for this workshop. During this workshop, you will learn to be more aware of your own stress signals and you get tools to keep stress in control.

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

Identify underlying mechanisms of your stress experience.
Recognize stressful thoughts and convert them into helpful thoughts.
Identify helping and non-helping behaviour to lower your stress level.

Go back to "Overview workshops and training courses"

3 hours (morning or afternoon)

Mindfulness-meditation

Do you want to learn a more mindful approach to your life?
Do you want to try out different mindfulness exercises?

The contemporary mindfulness meditation finds its origin in an old Buddhist practice. Mindfulness or awareness is the heart of Buddhism. With mindfulness meditation you learn to be present with your attention in the here and now. You learn to be aware of your current experience in an accepting way. You learn to distance yourself from, for example, things you worry about. An effect of this may be that your mind becomes calmer and you experience more relaxation.
Mindfulness meditation is a skill that you can learn by practicing.

This workshop offers a first introduction to mindfulness meditation. Afterwards you can continue to practice mindfulness meditation at home.

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

formulate the difference between mindfulness and relaxation exercises.
describe different types of mindfulness exercises.
explain whether mindfulness is useful in your daily life.
conclude which exercise you prefer to become more mindful.

In the first 6 month of 2019 students rated this workshop with an average of 8,57

Go back to "Overview workshops and training courses"

3 hours (morning or afternoon)

Boost your self confidence

Do you think your self-confidence needs a boost?
Does your (lack of) self-confidence makes it harder for you to reach your goals?
Do you want to give your personal life a positive boost?

Yes? Then sign up for this workshop. During this workshop, you will learn how to be more aware of your personal emotions and characteristics. You will get tools to give your personal life a positive boost.

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

switch your attention to positive emotions and personal strengths.
recognize negative thoughts and convert them into positive thoughts.
be aware of and describe your personal positive characteristics.

In 2018, students rated this workshop with an average of 8,7

3 hours (morning or afternoon)

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.

Go back to "Overview workshops and training courses"

1 meeting of 3 hours

Me, myself and I

Do you ever ask yourself:

What do I stand for in life?
Do I really want to do this or am I just trying to make others happy?
Why do I struggle with myself at times?
How can I deal with difficulties without being completely overwhelmed?

This workshop will help you figure out what is important and meaningful in your life. It will help you find direction and discover your strengths to lead the life you choose. You learn to become aware of the bumps in the road and how to take action to bypass them.

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

identify your personal values and qualities in life.
reproduce the control strategies that hold you back from living a meaningful life.
look at your limiting thoughts from different perspectives.
show self-compassion and acceptance towards negative feelings.

3 hours (morning or afternoon)

See when the workshop is given and register to attend

Improve your decision-making

Do you struggle with

choosing which study path to follow?
deciding which career path to take?
making up your mind on the important choices in life?
putting off your decision until the last moment you can choose?
not making a decision yourself, and leaving your choice up to how the situation turns out?
saying goodbye to the options which you did not choose?

Do you want

to make study or career choices with more awareness?
to feel less stressed and overwhelmed when you need to make important life decisions?
to get an insight in your personal pitfalls in decision-making?
to learn tips and tricks that help improve your decision-making process?
to know which steps to take in your next big (study, career or life) decision?

If so, then this workshop is for you!

From choosing your study program or electives, to deciding on taking a gap year or not – life is full of choices and it can be an excruciating challenge to make up your mind and decide.
This workshop supports you to develop skills that make your decision-making better.

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

Identify the most important elements at play in a decision-making process.
Define the most important aspects of a good decision.
Identify your challenges and recognize your pitfalls in decision-making.
Choose and apply a fitting strategy for making effective decisions.

Opinions of other students on Improve your decision-making
In 2018, students rated this workshop with an average of 8.2

“It really made me think in different ways about decision –making. I realized that I have a lot of work to do.”
“Important to me was the interaction - everyone participated- furthermore, that we had to think about ourselves - self-awareness.”
“I like the balance between getting to know different styles of making decisions and talking about individual challenges.”

Homework
For this workshop you need to do a homework assignment.
You will receive this assignment in the confirmation email as soon as you have registered for the workshop.

3 hours (morning or afternoon)
Preparatory homework

See when the workshops will be held and register to attend

Toolkit for creativity

Everyone can think creatively. So the question is not whether you 'are' creative, but how you can improve creative thinking and how you can break through traditional thinking patterns or conventions. During this interactive workshop you get the chance to discover your creativity and bend it to your will.

We will play with different forms of creative thinking - based on this you will gain insight into how you can give creativity a place in your daily life and what you need to be able to do that.

At the end of this workshop you will be able to …

Identify situations that ask for creativity.
Name different creative techniques and apply them.
List situations and aspects that increase creativity.
List situations and aspects that inhibit creativity.

1 meeting of 3 hours (morning or afternoon)

Go back to "Overview workshops and training courses"

Entering the labour market with a disability, chronic disease or condition

I am differently-abled because of a health condition:

I have a disability
I have a –chronic- illness (e.g., cancer), or I am recovering from one
I have a health condition (e.g., dyslexia, ADHD, epilepsy, a mental health problem)

… and I will be graduating from Maastricht University!

It can be quite a challenge to enter the labour market and find the job that fits you, potentially even more when you have exceptional needs and abilities due to a health condition. This workshop addresses the challenges specific to finding and applying for a job when you are differently abled because of a physical or mental health condition.

You might ask yourself

How do I find a job that matches with my personal needs and abilities?
Should I mention in my application letter or CV that I have dyslexia? What do I have to disclose about my different ability and what not? And when?
Can I ask for facilities in the application procedure, such as getting more time for the interview?
And what about my legal rights regarding employer’s adaptations to the working environment?

If you recognize these questions, this workshop is for you!

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

Identify your personal competences, needs and wishes for a future job or career, and reflect on their significance when choosing a career path and applying for jobs.
Distinguish the relevant steps in a recruitment and selection process, evaluate your match with a vacancy, and identify your unique selling points.
Know and apply the best practices in the job application process with regard to applying with a disability, disease, and a health condition.
Know the available services for finding employment and legal support.

See when the workshops will be held and register to attend

3 hours (morning or afternoon)

Go back to "Overview workshops and training courses"

Short description of the training courses

Fear of failure

Always feeling tense and nervous regarding your studies?
Do you panic before or during tests or a presentation?
Is it difficult to combine your studies with a healthy lifestyle?

In this training you’ll learn to deal with your fear of failure so that you can perform better as a student and go through life somewhat more easily.

At the end of this training course, students will be able to:

Explain what fear of failure is and identify your limiting thoughts and beliefs that increase your fear of failure.
Challenge these limiting thoughts and conduct a behavioural experiment.
Understand and acknowledge how important relaxation is as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Go back to "Overview workshops and training courses"

4 meetings of 2 hours

Stop procrastinating

Difficulties in concentrating?
How can I make a good study plan?
How can I improve my study behavior?
Do I want to find out why I procrastinate?

Stop procrastinating is a self-help group for students who find it difficult to concentrate on their studies and tend to procrastinate. This training course learns you how to improve your study behavior and to use an effective method for studying. You will meet 2 times, with a trainer present, and meet up 3 times in-between in subgroups. You will get tips and practical ideas for more structure and discipline. Furthermore, there is always opportunity to discuss your personal study problems that are not specifically related to a faculty or courses. This is an intensive group in which being present and actively participating are conditions for success.

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

reproduce and apply Covey’s 7 habits of highly effective people and Covey’s quadrant.
set long term goals and divide these into specific short term tasks.
identify underlying mechanisms of their procrastination.
make an effective and sustainable study schedule by applying multiple tips and tools.

In 2019, students rated this training course with an average of 7,7

Go back to "Overview workshops and training courses"

2-3 meetings of 2 hours with a trainer present and 4 meetings in subgroups

Loss & mourning

This group is meant for students who lost a loved one.
If your loved one is still live at the moment, but will die in the (near) future or if you are afraid a loved one will die, please make an individual appointment.

Go back to "Overview workshops and training courses"

4 meetings of 2 hours

Assertiveness training

This training is meant for students who want to work on the development of an assertive attitude and more self-confidence. Students who want to learn to express themselves in a right way, who want to improve their communication, want to learn to set limits and want to be less insecure.

At the end of this training you will be able to …

Give and receive feedback and criticism.
Recognize unhelpful thoughts and convert them into helpful thoughts.
Profile themselves and engage in conversations using tips and tools.
Formulate their personal boundaries and deal with anger in a situationally fit manner.

Go back to "Overview workshops and training courses"

3 meetings of 2 hours

Art of imperfection

Do you want to learn to set limits to your perfectionism?
Do you want stay more calm and set realistic goals?

If you work very hard, but it never seems enough or your work is never done, maybe you have perfectionistic characteristics. Although with working hard you can reach a lot, overdoing it can cause tension and even result in stress-related problems.

This training can help you!

In this training you learn how to deal with your ‘perfectionism’. We will look into ‘letting go and trying to do things less perfect’. You will get more insight into the underlying causes of perfectionism and you’ll learn what to do to find a better balance in life.

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

explain the ‘optimalist vs perfectionist’ scheme.
identify your perfectionistic behavior and contrast its benefits and disadvantages.
explain the relationship between perfectionism and the pursuit of unrelenting standards.
set specific goals and take action to reduce the negative impact of perfectionism.
challenge your perfectionistic thinking through the ABC thought diary and conduct a behavioral experiment.

In the first 6 month of 2019 students rated this workshop with an average of 8,35

Go back to "Overview workshops and training courses"

4 meetings of 2 hours

Master your worries

Do you sometimes lie awake for hours, thinking about the same things over and over?
Do you worry so much that it is hard to concentrate on your studies?
Does the constant stream of negative thoughts stop you from feeling happy?

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.

The training 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.

At the end of this training you will be able to …

recognize and notice worrying behavior and your own recurrent thought patterns.
understand the (neurological) process and evolutionary origin of worrying.
identify benefits and costs of your worrying process.
examine and specify different aspects of your worrying, like triggers, duration and consequences.
break vicious cycles of worrying by using specific techniques, based on mindfulness, visualization, problem solving and cognitive behavioral therapy.