'Rachel was able to provoke a deeper thought process that really made me think about why I wanted the position and what would set me apart from others in the eyes of a future employer.'
Hey Guys!
When I was first navigating my career, I had no idea how to put together my professional materials to grab the attention of future employers. Unfortunately, it cost me conversations with employers, job interviews and my confidence.
After looking at thousands of resumes and fielding hundreds of questions from working professionals on how I was able to become the first woman to a be a full time hitting coach in professional baseball, I knew that I needed to put all of this information in one place.
The Virtual Handshake Academy was created specifically for men and women who are career minded individuals with a strong purpose.
This course is for you if:
1. You have been confused when you don't receive email responses from future employers when you reach out with your professional materials.
2. You have wondered why you don't even make it to the interview process in a job that you are certain you are perfect for.
3. You spend weeks putting together a cover letter.
This course will help you stand out in the crowd and land your dream job.
'Before I took this course I was really struggling with putting my “why” in paragraph form in my cover letter. The VHA provided very helpful resources to craft and refine the message. I also highly appreciated social media section, as it encouraged me to showcase my passions and core values to future employers.'
- AJ, Recent Master's Degree Grad

Rachel Balkovec
Owner and Creator
About Rachel
Hey! I’m Rachel Balkovec, the first woman ever hired as a full time hitting coach and full time strength and conditioning coach in professional baseball.
As a young professional, I had to navigate important and difficult career altering decisions all on my own.
After years of making mistakes, and struggling to get noticed by the industry, I finally discovered the secret to standing out from a crowded pack, truly showcasing my unique abilities and ultimately landing a job in men's professional sports.
Today, when I’m not working as a hitting coach for the New York Yankees, I spend my time teaching other professionals what I’ve learned, helping them navigate all of the challenging, and costly decisions that come with growing a thriving career.
Learn More About Rachel and Apply for One on One Career Coaching Here:
Get the confidence you need to make a good first virtual impression and land your dream job!
What's included?
'I never really liked my resume or cover letter. After talking to Rachel, I made more changes to it in one night then I've made in months. Thank you for helping me get through my cover letter block!’
Jeanne, Working Professional
Course Curriculum
- Your Purpose is Not Helping People. Deep Dive into What Makes You Great and Learn how To Communicate Your Passion in Paragraph Form.
- The Cover Letter Evolution: From Impersonal to Truly Authentic in 4 Steps
- Download: Rachel's Personal Story Turned Cover Letter! See How It's Done.
- Download: 10 Questions to Help You Transform Your Cover Letter to an Authentic Story
- Download: Cover Letter and Personal Story Builder
- Download: REAL Example of an Excellent Personal Story Turned Cover Letter from VHA Student
- Craft a Powerful Social Media Bio: The Subject Line of Social Media
- Don't Know What to Post? I got you.
- Which Social Media Platforms are Important for Professionals?
- Hear Directly From a VHA Grad and Current Sports Professional About her Social Media Approach!
- What-To-Post Worksheet
- Who-To-Follow List (S&C Specific)
Learn More and Check Out our Free Resources Here: virtualhandshakeacademy.com
See VHA Previews Below!
Land Your Dream Job.