Preparing for the Future: Workshop Helps Students Improve CVs

10.06.2025

Career Coach Jenny Campos Shares Practical Tips for Stronger Job Applications

To help bachelor's students develop key skills for crafting a CV or LinkedIn profile and applying for jobs, Wittenborg held a series of special workshops with career coach and counsellor Jenny Campos on 3 June. Titled ‘Step into your Future: Reflect, Explore and Prepare with Purpose’, the activities were part of the Job Fair Central Netherlands 2025, organised by the school.

One of the session’s main topics was how to create CVs and motivation letters that stand out, either by passing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) or by catching recruiters’ attention, with a focus on key elements to include and common mistakes to avoid.

The workshops also explored how to identify and leverage transferable skills that might appeal to employers. According to Campos, people at the beginning of their careers often mistakenly believe that only paid jobs help them develop skills, overlooking valuable abilities gained elsewhere. “We can develop skills through schoolwork, personal activities, volunteer work and, of course, internships. So, we discussed how to uncover those skills and use them to find job opportunities that truly resonate with us,” she said.

The session also included one-to-one feedback, during which the guest lecturer gave students advice on their application materials.

Campos pointed out that, when creating a CV, it is important to keep it simple and straightforward. “You don’t have to overdo it with colours and designs. Avoid anything that might distract the recruiters, because otherwise you might not get noticed by them. Additionally, go for a structure that is similar to a LinkedIn profile, with your headline, summary and then your experiences and education. Recruiters are used to looking for that in a CV.”

The career coach emphasised that first impressions are crucial, and for this reason, job applicants need to pay close attention to how they present themselves, both in person and online. She added that candidates should also reflect on their key skills and how these could help potential employers achieve their goals and solve problems, which in turn will strengthen their applications.
“The most important tip is: don’t underestimate any experience you’ve had. You can gain skills, growth and abilities from everything; every experience counts if you’re able to recognise what you’re getting out of it.”

Giman Guruge, a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) student specialising in Hotel and Hospitality Services Management, commented that learning how to create an effective CV is very important, as it helps students become more competitive when applying for jobs.

According to Diana Gayevskaya, an International Business Administration (IBA) student specialising in Economics & Management, the workshop was very helpful and provided valuable examples of what to do, and what to avoid, when crafting a CV. “Events like these are very useful for students, as we will soon be building our careers and need to understand what will bring us good results. I think many of those present are grateful to Jenny for the helpful information she shared with us.”