iowa workforce development resume builder

Workshops and Resources To Improve Your Skills

Related topics:, find your iowaworks office.

Iowa WORKS offices are Iowans' best resource for improving their skills and preparing for a new career.

Connecting with the Iowa WORKS team provides many benefits, including:

• Access to no-cost training and workshops
• Opportunity to earn training certificates
• Access to career and skills assessments
• Coaching and assistance in writing a resume
• Assistance with completing electronic applications
• Personal assistance in locating employment opportunities in your desired field

Iowa WORKS  workshops are a great tool to help guide you toward a new career. Virtual presentations are held regularly by staff.

Register for a Workshop

Looking to register for a virtual workshops that are listed below? Connect with a local Iowa WORKS office today! 

Connect with an IowaWORKS Office

Don't have time to attend a workshop? Check out our top virtual presentations below! 

A step by step presentation on how to confidently navigate within the Iowa WORKS .gov website, and also learn about the core partners within an American Job Centers and how they can assist you! Visit this link to view the presentation.

CREATE A GREAT RESUME

Learn to get the interview you want by preparing a resume that sells you to prospective employers!  Visit this link to view the presentation.

ADVANCED RESUME

This workshop is for those that have completed “Create a Great Resume.” You will learn to change your skills summary and to write “Prove It” stories that match the qualifications in job postings.

INTERVIEW 101

Make your interview stand out by gaining up-to-date interview tips and learn how to answer tough questions.  Visit this link to view the presentation.  

S.M.A.R.T. PLANNING FOR YOUR MONEY: FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS

These workshops focus on financial education and provide many valuable tips for saving, credit usage, investing, retirement planning and more! A series of financial literacy workshops are available in conjunction with the Iowa Insurance Division and Iowa WORKS.  Visit this link  to view the workshop schedule for 2023.

ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR JOB SEEKERS

Learn about the resources and services available to job seekers in the Iowa WORKS  American Job Centers, including O*NET Assessment, Job Searching, Resumes, Cover Letters, Interviewing, and more!  Visit this link to view the presentation .

COMPLETING YOUR WEEKLY CERTIFICATION

A step-by-step guide to complete your weekly Unemployment Insurance claim.

MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Explore how to stay positive and to manage the stress from a job loss or career transition.

DEVELOP A CAREER PLAN AND RESEARCH INDUSTRY TRENDS

This workshop will help you discover what is important in planning your career and will show you how to put that plan into action. You will also learn how to use labor market information to inform your career planning.

Workshop Resources (click to view):

• Workshop Presentation
• Workshop Handout  

CONDUCT A JOB SEARCH

Participants will learn how to search and apply for in-demand jobs that fit your interests. You will explore how to network and tap into the "hidden job market."

BRING YOUR A-GAME

This two-part series will review the skills needed to succeed in the workplace.

VIRTUAL JOB CLUB

Features a different workshop each week on a variety of work-based topics designed for any job seeker.

MOCK INTERVIEWS

Learn how a mock interview with Iowa WORKS can prepare you to ace your next interview.

SMART PLANNING FOR YOUR MONEY

The Iowa Insurance Division presents on topics related to financial literacy.

NAVIGATING AGEISM IN YOUR JOB SEARCH

Tailored for job seekers over the age 50 to minimize stereotypes and amplify the positive qualities of an experienced worker.

Other Resources to Help Your Skills

Successful interview guide.

Successful Interviewing Guide provides valuable information to both employers and job seekers on the application and interviewing process. This guide developed by Iowa Workforce Development with input from the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. View the guide at this link.

The Successful Interviewing Guide provides information on:

• Writing a Job Description
• Advertising the Job
• Discovering an Applicant’s Qualifications
• Avoiding Discrimination During the Hiring Process
• Workforce Resources for Employers

SKILL UPGRADES AND TRAINING SERVICES

Skill upgrades and training services are available to help you to get a good job in high growth and emerging occupations. Training services are provided by training providers and eligibility requirements must be met to qualify for these services. Contact your  nearest Iowa WORKS  Center  to determine eligibility.

OFFICE PROFICIENCY ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEM

The  Office Proficiency Assessment and Certification (OPAC) System  is the premier PC and office skills testing suite. With an array of over 30 tests, the OPAC System is the perfect tool to measure job applicant PC and office skills.

ACT WORKKEYS®

ACT WorkKeys®  is a job skills assessment system that helps employers select, hire, train, develop and retain a high-performance workforce. This series of tests measures foundational and soft skills and offers specialized assessments to target institutional needs.

Successful completion of ACT WorkKeys® assessments in Applied Mathematics, Locating Information and Reading for Information can lead to earning  ACT's National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) , a portable credential earned by more than 2.3 million people across the United States. If you are interested in taking the NCRC assessments, you may schedule a time at one of the  Iowa WORKS  Centers . The calendar of testing times and locations is available on the  IowaWORKS website .

O*NET RESOURCES

O*NET  is the United States’ primary source of occupational information, and O*NET OnLine is the the premier interactive application for exploring and searching occupations.

LEARNINGEXPRESS™ LIBRARY

LearningExpress Library  provides a comprehensive selection of academic and career-related resources available in one platform. It includes academic skill building in reading, writing, math and science.  It also offers standardized test preparation, soft skills training, job search and career advancement, college admissions test preparation, professional licensing and certification test preparation, high school equivalency test prep and much more.

For more information regarding any of these resources, contact your nearest Iowa WORKS center. 

• Career Services
• Skills To Employment

Skills To Employment/IowaWorks

Open the door to more opportunities.

Need a job or a better one? IowaWORKS can help – you can search thousands of jobs . Take advantage of our networking opportunities and weekly recruiting events. Get help creating a resume and learning how to interview. If you are 14 years or older let us help your career.

Job Resources

Open the door to more opportunities.

• Learn or improve your computer skills in typing, Word, Excel, email, or surfing the Internet.
• Earn your high school diploma .
• Upgrade your skills in forklift, OSHA, manufacturing, CPR and more.
• Obtain a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).
• Get help figuring out a path to a two-year degree.

Free Training for Food Assistance Recipients

If you receive  food assistance  you are eligible to participate in free training. The program was developed to help you learn skills for in-demand jobs that pay a higher wage. Sign up to learn more.

Creating Futures is for young adults, ages 16–24. 

We’ll help you figure out your career goals, simplify the educational process and help you build skills for seeking and landing a job.

Don’t assume you don’t qualify for tuition assistance . 

If you want short-term training or plan to go to college, talk to us. We have programs available for ages 16+, including food assistance participants and dislocated workers.

Email [email protected]  or call 319-365-9474 , ext. 31112.

Earning this  certificate  can make you stand out among other applicants. The NCRC™ shows you are qualified for the job demands regarding reading, information gathering and mathematics. The higher you score on the tests, the higher the certification. Higher certification opens the door to more job options.

Certificate, Diploma, Degree – What’s the Difference?

All three represent a level of training for a certain area of study. The number of training hours determines the award. More training usually means earning a higher wage.

Certificate:  A document acknowledging the holder has received training in a specific area of study. The training received is not part of the diploma and degree program. Certificate programs are typically specialized in a single skill set. Depending on the area of study, a certificate can be earned in six to 12 weeks.

Diploma:  At a community college this is a document acknowledging the holder has received training in a specific area of study. The training is more in depth, enabling the holder to earn a higher wage while working toward a degree. A diploma is typically earned in one year.

Degree:  At a community college this is a document acknowledging the holder has received training in a specific area of study. The training is more in depth and allows the holder to earn a higher wage while working toward an advanced degree. An associate degree typically is awarded in two years.

Training Pathways (KPACE)

If you are low income and eligible to work in the U.S, find your path to a two-year degree. We have developed three complete training pathways so you can build skills for a new career. Whatever your personal situation you can stop and start anywhere along the pathway. We'll help you find funding, and provide the guidance, support, and encouragement you need along your pathway to success.

Make Your Path

Receive  basic education tutoring , earn a high school equivalency diploma  and/or  learn to speak English . 

Then choose your pathway with KPACE .

• Get certified in these careers for FREE: Nurse Aide , Office Professional/Customer Service , Welder .
• Earn a one-year diploma to earn higher wages: Practical Nursing , Business, Welding.
• Earn a two-year degree for even higher wages: Nursing , Business, Welding.

Whether you are starting from square one or are college ready, you’ll be connected to a pathway navigator who will provide guidance and support every step of the way. Sign up here to attnd a FREE information session.

KPACE offers financial help and guidance, so you can earn a degree for an in-demand job. See the training pathways we have developed so you can build skills for jobs that are in-demand. Whatever your personal situation, we will help you stay on track. Connecting you to funding, and providing the guidance, support, and encouragement you need along your pathway to success.

KPACE College Ready Pathways

• Receive help applying for financial aid
• Complete Kirkwood enrollment
• Tour Kirkwood
• Learn about Kirkwood support services
• Start classes

Earn a diploma for a better-paying job.

Practical Nurse: $16.57/hr*

Welder: $18.76/hr*

Office Professional: $17.23/hr*

Industrial Maintenance Tech: $17.11/hr

*Estimated beginning wage source: Iowa Workforce Information Network.

Earn more by getting an associate degree.

Nursing: $24.88/hr*

Welding: $26.40/hr*

Business: $23.09/hr*

Industrial Maintenance: $20.38/hr*

• Get help with your resume
• Prepare for interviews
• Connect with hiring businesses
• Go to work, receive benefits, pay off debt, and save for retirement

To get started, please contact:

[email protected]

Cedar Rapids main campus 108 Iowa Hall

319-398-5899 ext. 5069

Want to be contacted ?

IowaWORKS Hours

Lindale Mall, Cedar Rapids

Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Wednesday 9 a.m.)

Eastdale Plaza, Iowa City

Still have questions about our program?

Skills to Employment 319-365-9474 , ext. 31112 [email protected]

Pomerantz Career Center

Resumes are typically required when applying for part-time jobs, internships, and full-time positions. They capture all of your relevant experiences, so you want your resume to be the best representation of you on paper! Your resume is always a work in progress!

Resume Overview

Download the resume guidelines

Sample resumes.

After reviewing the resume overview above, take a look at how to make your resume more tailored to your specific situation, skills, or area of study with the following samples.

General Resumes

Highlighting high school experiences.

This sample is ideal for incoming first year students and is appropriate for seeking a part-time job on campus or in the community.

Word Doc PDF

Highlighting High School & College Experiences

This sample   is ideal for a 1st or 2nd year student and is appropriate for seeking a part-time job on campus or in the community.

Highlighting a Class Project Experience

This sample is ideal for a 2nd or 3rd year student and is appropriate for seeking an internship.

Highlighting Athletic Experience

Highlighting an internship.

This sample is ideal for a 4th or 5th year student and is appropriate for seeking a full-time job.

Highlighting Lab & Research Experience

Highlighting study abroad & research experience, highlighting professional & leadership experience.

This sample is ideal for a 4th or 5th year student and is appropriate for seeking a full-time job. 

Program-Specific Resumes

Actuary resume, elementary education resume, engineering resume.

Sample 1 Word Doc Sample 1 PDF

Sample 2 Word Doc Sample 2 PDF

Engineering Resume Checklist

Nursing Resume

Nursing resumes may be 1-2 pages depending upon experiences and skills.

Secondary Education

Writing bullet points.

Adding bullet points to describe your experiences is a great way to highlight your duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments. Writing strong bullet points can be tricky though, because they need to be descriptive, yet brief.

Think about adding the Who, What, When, Where, Why or How and use the formula below for writing detailed bullet points:

All bullet points should begin with a " power " or " action " verb that identifies your tasks (i.e., managed, assisted, supervised, planned).

Basic:  Assisted with inventory (missing the what) Great:  Collaborated with team members to reconcile inventory discrepancies of 500+ medical supplies accurately (answers the what)

Basic:  Provided quality customer service (missing the how) Great:  Provided quality customer service utilizing active listening skills to promptly resolve complaints (answers the how) 

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) Software — What Is It & How to Beat It

99% of Fortune 500 organizations use ATS software. Why? ATS is a software solution designed to help employers source talent, evaluate potential, track interview processes, assess performance, and make offers to candidates quickly.

Unlike applying in person, your resume is seldom sent directly to recruiters or hiring managers when you use it online. ATS is processing it first. You may have a chance to be seen by a human recruiter only if your resume has been optimized for an applicant tracking system.

Here is what to focus on:

• Use the right keywords—tailor your resume to the job description and use similar wording
• Create a simple format—use simple font, avoid multiple columns, logos, pictures, etc.
• Use standard section headings—Education, Work Experience, Course Highlights
• Utilize basic language and avoid acronyms
• ALWAYS submit as a PDF—it is okay to utilize a text box if that is part of the application

For more information on ATS and how it works, please visit these articles below:

How to Beat the Applicant Tracking System (ATS): A Checklist

How resumes are reviewed and evaluated is evolving fast. To get the interview, you must adapt to the new reality of candidate screening and beat the applicant tracking systems.

How Many Companies Use an ATS

How & why do companies utilize ATS in 2023? See how employers benefit from utilizing these systems and get crucial industry statistics and information that can help you think like an employer when creating your resume.

The Top 500 ATS Resume Keywords of 2023

By having these keywords on your resume, you’ll improve your chances of being noticed by a hiring manager and landing an interview.

Uploading Your Resume to Handshake

Once your resume is in tip-top shape, it’s time to add it to Handshake! Handshake is Iowa’s online recruiting platform where students can search for volunteer, internship, and employment opportunities. Follow the steps below to upload your resume onto your Handshake account:

1. Log in and then click on your name in the upper right hand corner

2. Click on Documents

3. Click on Add New Document

4. Be sure to set your document as visible if you would like an employer to be able to see it on your profile (you will also need to set your profile to public in your privacy settings) If you receive an error message, make sure there are no special characters in the name and convert to a .pdf before uploading

We Offer Resume Reviews!

If you would like to have your resume reviewed, please schedule a meeting with a  Career Coach or Peer Advisor ! If you have a time sensitive request, come in to the Pomerantz Career Center (C310) during drop-in hours from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday–Thursday. (Drop-in hours are not available during summer, spring, or winter breaks)

Check Out Our Career Guide!

Take our resume tips to go.

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