The first volume of Tech:NYC's Decoded Futures prompt cookbook: ready-to-copy AI prompt recipes for nonprofit work, sorted by task, each offered at three levels of detail — a quick one-paragraph version, a structured version with steps, and a full version specifying role, steps and output.
Why I recommend it: Free, no account, nothing to install — you copy a prompt and paste it into whichever assistant you already use. Start at the Low level if you are new; it works with no setup. Swap the bracketed placeholders for your real organization details, because a prompt left generic gives you a generic answer. Volume 2 is also in this library; V.1 is still worth keeping for the tasks it covers that V.2 dropped. Written for nonprofit teams, but the recipes for writing, summarising and planning transfer to any job.
Free training and sample documents for nonprofit and fundraising work from Candid: recorded courses on proposal writing and project budgets, plus real sample cover letters, letters of inquiry, proposal budgets and full funded proposals you can read end to end.
Why I recommend it: The sample full proposals are the part worth your time — reading three funded proposals teaches more than any course on how to write one. Useful well beyond nonprofits: the structure (need, plan, budget, how you will show it worked) is the same structure a grant or pitch wants from a small business.
Free library of internship resume examples with section-by-section wording you can adapt when you have little formal work history.
From the site: Looking to land an internship for your school? Here are 25 internship resume examples.
Why I recommend it: Read two or three examples in your field, then rewrite your own bullets to name a task, a tool and a result. Copying the phrasing wholesale is what makes student resumes read alike.
Free library of work-management guides, templates and articles on project planning, goal setting, meetings and team communication.
From the site: Find work and project management tips for all levels. Discover work management resources and solutions to help your team work together more effectively.
Why I recommend it: useful even if you never use their product — the templates and the writing on running projects are free and account-free.
Jeff Su's site collects his practical AI and productivity tips for working professionals — templates, workflows and short guides drawn from his popular videos.
A free guide by Terry Danylak with a formula, a fill-in template and five worked examples for answering the first interview question in about two minutes.
A free-forever resume builder from former tech recruiter Tejal Rives that teaches the CAFE method (Cause, Action, Findings, Effect) for writing stronger bullets instead of just generating them, plus a job application tracker.
Why I recommend it: The teaching part is the point. Learn the CAFE structure here once and you can write good bullets anywhere, with or without the tool.
Huntr's data-backed look at resume formats — chronological, functional, and combination — and which structure holds up with recruiters and applicant tracking systems.
Why I recommend it: Format questions eat a lot of people's time. Read this once, pick chronological unless you have a real reason not to, and spend the rest of your energy on the bullet points.
Free interview-prep and job-search downloads from a professional resume writer and career coach, designed to help you stand out in interviews and applications.
Why I recommend it: Use the interview-prep package to map your skills and stories before your next round; free resources are a preview of the coach's paid services.
#interview#resume#job-search
timahlersmeyer.comAdded Sep 14, 20260 opens
Career & Professional Optimization
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Career & Professional Optimization
50 Excel Hacks Guided Template
Downloadable workbook with 50 practical Excel techniques, each demonstrated in a guided worksheet you can work through at your own pace.
Why I recommend it: Spreadsheet fluency still quietly decides who gets handed the interesting work. Pick five hacks and actually use them this month.
A free, self-paced project management course from the Project Management Institute, with templates for both predictive and agile approaches.
Why I recommend it: Project management language shows up in job postings across every industry. This is a free way to learn the vocabulary before you spend money on a certification.
Briefcase Coach's template for writing an Open to Work post that states your strengths, names the roles you want, and makes it easy for your network to refer you.
Why I recommend it: Most Open to Work posts ask for sympathy. This one asks for a specific action, which is why it works.
A fill-in-the-blank speaking package template: positioning statement and bios, three signature keynote topics with audience takeaways, proof and testimonials, showreel and photo checklist, and plain-language notes on fees, cancellation, travel, and rights so you know what a fair standard deal looks like.
Why I recommend it: Work it in order: content and proof first, then visuals, then business terms. Nothing in it is legal advice — have an attorney read anything before you sign or send it.
A free library of masterclasses, worksheets, and templates from career strategist Madeline Mann: interview and resume masterclasses, a job search assessment quiz, a "Tell me about yourself" worksheet, follow-up email templates, and interview question lists.
In plain terms: This page collects Madeline Mann's free career materials in one place, including video masterclasses on interviewing and resumes plus downloadable worksheets and email templates. You can use it to prepare answers, tighten your resume, and follow up with hiring managers without paying for anything.
From the site: Free masterclasses, worksheets, templates, and a job search assessment from LinkedIn Top Voice and career strategist Madeline Mann (Self Made Millennial).
Why I recommend it: Her expired webinar replays are the one thing not worth chasing — this page is the evergreen version. Start with the "Tell me about yourself" worksheet and the follow-up email templates; those two fix the most interviews the fastest. The résumé and interview masterclasses are worth blocking an hour for before your next round of applications.
Roundup of free business plan templates with guidance on which format fits your type of business.
In plain terms: This guide reviews five free business plan templates for different industries and business stages. You can use it to find the right format to map out your startup ideas, seek funding, or update an existing company plan.
Why I recommend it: Use this to choose a template format before you start writing.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's small business media arm, with free guides, templates, startup how-tos, and a national webinar series.
In plain terms: This website provides practical guides, articles, and training for starting, managing, and growing a small business. You can explore new business ideas, find funding options, and learn the basics of hiring, accounting, and marketing.
Why I recommend it: Plain-English how-tos — a good middle ground between government sites and blogs.
The largest free library of sample business plans online (500+ by industry), plus templates and planning guides used by universities and SBDCs.
In plain terms: This website offers a large collection of free sample business plans, templates, and guides across hundreds of industries. You can use these real-world examples to write your own plan, forecast your finances, and prepare to pitch lenders.
Why I recommend it: Find a plan in your industry and model the structure — don't copy the numbers.
Large library of free business planning, budgeting, and inventory templates in Excel, Word, and PDF.
In plain terms: This collection offers free, downloadable business templates in formats like Excel, Word, and PDF. You can use them to write business plans, track budgets, manage inventory, and create customer invoices.
Why I recommend it: Grab the cash-flow and budget sheets; skip the upsell.
Free business plan, marketing plan, and financial templates plus a self-paced learning center from Canada's business development bank.
In plain terms: This website offers free downloadable templates and calculators to help you start and run a business. You can use them to write business plans, forecast finances, create workplace policies, and prepare hiring documents.
Why I recommend it: Canadian source, but the financial templates work anywhere.
