Please contact Katie if you are interested in having her facilitate any of the courses below for your library, school, or community group.
the job seeker’s guide to success
A professional resume-writer for almost ten years, Katie Bickell helps students craft a work-winning document from start to finish by teaching foundational information and tips & tricks. Also included: what to put on the cover letter, and preparing for the interview.
Bonus: students receive a comprehensive checklist to map their job search journey as easily as possible.
the high school resume
A 30-45 minute zoom presentation for High School job-seekers or CALM students. Includes live slideshow, full instructions on creating a new worker’s first resume from start to finish, “bonus tips,” and Q&A with a professional resume-writer.
Feedback from previous workshop attendees:
… [Katie’s] did an amazing job explaining in great detail each point in writing resumes”
[Katie] is very helpful in relaying the information with getting a job/writing a resume or creating the perfect resume.”
I would recommend [Katie] to other classes because it is very important to have the best resume possible to get a job in the tough economy we are in.”
[Katie] said she has been doing this for years and clearly knows what she’s talking about.”
Packing a punch: big stories in small spaces
Learn how to craft powerful narratives in as few words as possible from an award-winning short story writer. Working from a collective prompt, students will workshop a piece of flash fiction into a succinct-but-rich tale using a variety of tools.
Bonus: students should expect to leave the course with a polished piece of flash fiction, as well as a list of flash fiction markets open to submissions.
When You Just Don’t Wanna: A Lazy Writer’s Tips
Some call it writer’s block, others call it a lack of motivation. Either way, every writer sometimes struggles to get their butt in the seat. This lighthearted course will cover several ways to trick your brain and seduce the muse, even when tapping keys feel like pulling teeth.
Some of these get-it-together tips include:
- The 50/10 Method
- Dressing the Part
- Timer Tracking
- Scenery Switching
- Silencing Software
- Writing Blind
- Dictation
- Shouting it Out
Students can expect to receive a Lazy Writer’s Tip Sheet and to share a few laughs.
The Artist’s CV
Often immersed in a culture outside of the traditional workforce, many artists don’t think about their resumes until either grant season or until the perfect position becomes available. At that point, they often come to me: a professional resume writer.
An author myself, I’ve written CVs for writers, filmmakers, editors, publishing agents, and visual artists, and have witnessed firsthand the self-doubt that can occur as these professionals try to sum the wealth of their skill, experience, and credentials into only a couple pages, and often at high stake. In this workshop, I break down The Artist’s CV section by section (including overall graphic design), answering the most common questions I receive regarding this topic:
- What is the difference between a resume & a CV, and which one do I need?
- Are gaps in work history okay?
- How do I narrow down my publication list?
- Should I include my employment outside of the arts sector?
- How should I explain upcoming gigs or obligations?
- Can I still list the experience if it wasn’t paid?
All students will also receive a handy tip sheet to reference as they create their own artistic CVs.
What workshop attendees have to say:
“Fabulous class! I’m blown away by how much I learned. Thanks for making it fun!”
– Laurie M.
“It was such an enjoyable and informative workshop. I’m hoping to submit my piece to a literary journal soon!”
– Hilary F.
“I really enjoyed the workshop and got a lot out of it. The tips (Katie) gave were very valuable. I also really enjoyed the story you shared with us.”
– Marilyn R.
“I was so inspired by last night’s class with you Katie. I loved the exercises that have given me a new writing tool I can use to make my short stories stronger and more meaningful. Thanks for creating this awesome course”
– Cindy M.
“Thanks for a great class. I really liked (Katie’s) approach, enthusiasm, and positivity.”
– Brenda E.
