Course · Career

Résumés, Interviews, and the Job Search

A practical course on finding a job: search strategy and networking, a strong résumé (measurable achievements, ATS-friendly formatting), the cover letter and LinkedIn, interview preparation, behavioral questions with the STAR method, and salary negotiation (total compensation, BATNA). Worked examples and writing practice.

Course authors

PepelenCourse author

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Unit 1 — Job search strategy

The job search as a funnel: applications, screening, interviews, offer

6 exercises · The learner describes the job search as a four-stage funnel and identifies the stage where they're currently losing out.

The hidden job market and networking

6 exercises · The learner explains why a large share of jobs are filled through connections and referrals, and makes a first list of networking contacts.

Targeted applications and reading a job posting

6 exercises · The learner reads a job description, assesses how well they match, and decides which jobs to target instead of mass-applying.

Unit 2 — A strong résumé

Lesson 1: Résumé structure and format

6 exercises · The learner puts together a résumé in the standard reverse-chronological format, 1–2 pages long, with the right sections.

Lesson 2: Achievements, not duties: the formula with a number

6 exercises · The learner rewrites a duty as a measurable achievement using the formula “action verb + result + number.”

Lesson 3: Tailoring to the job and ATS-friendly formatting

6 exercises · The learner tailors a résumé to a specific job using keywords and makes it readable for applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Unit 3 — The cover letter and LinkedIn

Lesson 1 — How a cover letter is structured

6 exercises · The learner builds a short cover letter that answers the questions “why you” and “why this company.”

Lesson 2 — What to avoid in a cover letter: practice

5 exercises · The learner writes a short cover letter for a given job, avoiding common mistakes.

Lesson 3 — Your LinkedIn profile and portfolio

6 exercises · The learner sets up a LinkedIn profile/portfolio so that recruiters can find it and understand the candidate's value.

Unit 4 — Preparing for the interview

Lesson 1: How to prepare for an interview

6 exercises · The learner makes an interview preparation plan: the company, the product, the role, and their own achievement stories.

Lesson 2: Types of interviews and “Tell me about yourself”

6 exercises · The learner tells apart the types of interviews and gives a short, relevant pitch in answer to “Tell me about yourself.”

Lesson 3: Questions for the interviewer and common mistakes

6 exercises · The learner prepares strong questions for the interviewer and recognizes common interview mistakes.

Unit 5 — Behavioral questions and the STAR method

Lesson 1: The STAR method: how to structure an answer

6 exercises · The learner breaks down an answer to a behavioral question into the four parts of STAR with a measurable result.

Lesson 2: Turning experience into stories

5 exercises · The learner writes an answer to a behavioral question using the STAR method, based on their own experience.

Lesson 3: Common behavioral questions and weaknesses

5 exercises · The learner confidently answers tricky questions about weaknesses and reasons for leaving without hurting their chances.

Unit 6 — Salary negotiation and the offer

Lesson 1: The market range and total compensation

6 exercises · The learner estimates the market range for a role and calculates total compensation, not just base salary.

Lesson 2: Timing and tactics: BATNA and who names a number first

6 exercises · The learner chooses the timing and tactics of a negotiation: relies on their BATNA, justifies their range, and takes time to think it over.

Lesson 3: Evaluating an offer and an end-to-end negotiation case

6 exercises · The learner compares offers on all factors and negotiates in a given scenario, justifying the decision.