Resumes and Cover Letters

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Resumes andCover Letters

• University of Kentucky
• Extended Engineering Campus Paducah
• Carolyn Garrett

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Resumes
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Before you get started

• Know that everyone has their own opinion
• Know that an average of 10 seconds will be spent
  reviewing your resume.
• Only relevant information needs to be included.
• Skills an employer is trying to get out of your
  resume
• Leadership
• Initiative and Drive
• Technical ability
• Interpersonal skills

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Resume Format

• Avoid non-standard fonts
• Times New Roman or Arial are preferred
• Make sure columns and indentations line-up
• Margins should be 1, but can extend if
  necessary to include more content.
• Font should be no smaller than 10 points.
• Do not exceed 1 page!
• If sent hard copy, use a standard high quality
  paper. Print out envelops.

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Resume Sections

• Personal Information
• Objective
• Summary
• Education
• Work Experience
• Activities

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Personal Information

• What to include
• Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• E-mail
• Permanent address if different from current.
• Make sure e-mail address is professional.
• Enlarge name by 2-4 points from regular font.

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Objective

• Brief statement summarizing job intensions.
• If you are looking to intern, make sure that is
  included in the objective.
• Avoid cliché phrases. Make sure you are saying
  something unique.
• chance to apply my skills.
• a challenging opportunity.
• One to three lines
• Optional

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Objective Examples

• Seeking a chemical engineering position in a
  manufacturing setting with emphasis on
  problem-solving and technical analysis.
  Searching for a team-oriented environment that
  encourages a high level of responsibility and
  ownership.
• To gain a summer internship in mechanical
  engineering while working with a variety of
  people in a hands-on environment.

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Summary Statement

• States what your unique attributes are.
• Less used than objective statement, but may tell
  the company more.
• Helps sell you to the company.
• One to three lines.
• Also optional.
• Should include either objective or summary or
  both.

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Summary Examples

• Result-oriented team player with diverse
  background. Highly skilled in project management
  and analytical problem solving. Recognized for
  exceptional communication, strong interpersonal
  skills, and a desire to excel at new challenges.
• Strategic thinker that is innovative in
  complicated situations. Proactive and
  goal-oriented with a high level of motivation
  when completing projects.

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Education

• What to include
• Name of institution
• Location
• Degree (Bachelor of Science in XX Engineering)
• Graduation date or expected grad date
• GPA
• If you passed the FE Exam
• List in reverse chronological order.
• Round GPA up to 3.0, if possible (2.96).

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Work Experience

• Most important section of the resume.
• What to include
• Name of company
• Location
• Position held
• Dates worked
• Job accomplishments (not description!)
• List in reverse chronological order
• Provide as much detail as possible on job
  accomplishments.

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Job Accomplishments

• Use bullet format.
• Use action words.
• Employers are asking themselves, what can you do
  for them?
• Quantify as much as possible
• Saved company 20,000
• Increased efficiency by 15...
• Use non-engineering jobs to show your strengths

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Questions to Ask Yourself

• How did my skills positively affect the company?
• Did I identify a problem and solve it?
• How did I display leadership?
• What additional responsibility was I given?

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Activities

• Include all positions held.
• If you havent held a position, how else have you
  been involved in the organization?
• List any volunteer activities
• If you are a member of a professional org, get
  involved in some way
• Help with E-Day
• Organize plant tours, etc.

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Honors

• Do not necessarily need to include these. At
  least be selective to prestigious honors.
• Assumed you were on the Deans List if GPA is
  high.

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Items to NOT include

• References available upon request.
• Courses you have taken
• Unless they are unusual.
• Computer skills
• Unless they are unique and you enjoy using them.
• High school information
• Unless you are finishing Freshman or Sophomore
  year.

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Scannable Resumes

• Some companies have large databases of resumes
  that are scanned in from hard copy.
• Scanners have difficulty reading underlined,
  bolded, italicized words.
• Buzz-words can help bring your resume out from a
  database search.
• May want to use a scannable resume to copy and
  paste on-line.

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Additional Thoughts

• TAILOR YOUR RESUME to each job that you are
  applying for.
• A standard formatted resume is a good resume.
• Is your resume content unique?
• Developing a good resume is a long and tedious
  process, which involves many revisions.
• Have as many people review as possible.
• Save as a Word document, with your name as a file
  name CarolynGarrettResume.doc

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Sample Resumes
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Cover Letters

• Should be mailed with each resume, whether snail
  mail or e-mail.
• Employers use cover letters to know your writing
  skills.
• Tailoring each cover letter is very important.
• Are not meant to rehash your resume, but to
  include additional information about you.
• Most common format left justified.

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Cover Letters

• Address letter to an individual. If you dont
  know a name, call receptionist and ask.
• Sending to hiring manager is better than HR.
  (engineering manager, etc.)
• Still use a cover letter for an e-mail
  application. Consider condensing slightly.
• Send out resume and cover letter in a full-sized
  envelop

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Company Research

• Perform a small amount of company research before
  customizing a cover letter.
• Include what impresses you about the company,
  what areas of the company interest you.
• Example
• Pella in Murray could mention since it is a new
  location, you are excited about working in an
  energetic environment to establish operations.

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Cover Letter Sections

• Carolyn Garrett
• 555 Job Lane
• Paducah, Kentucky 42002
• cgarrett_at_engr.uky.edu
• [phone]
• March 25, 2004
• Dr. William Murphy, PhD.
• Director of Engineering Extended Campus Programs
  Paducah
• University of Kentucky
• 4810 Alben Barkley Drive
• Paducah, KY 42002
• [phone]
• Dear Dr. Murphy

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Cover Letter First Paragraph

• Why you are contacting the person, how you know
  about the job.
• Who you are.
• Show researched knowledge about the company.
• If you are responding to add/on-line posting,
  mention the posting.
• Do not use, My name is

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First Paragraph Example

• I am writing to express interest in pursuing a
  position with University of Kentuckys
  engineering program in Paducah. Through talking
  with Bonita Lykins, I learned of an opening in
  student services. Being new to Paducah, I have
  been extremely impressed with the opportunity
  that your program has brought to the area. From
  looking at your website, the industry-experienced
  faculty with prestigious educational backgrounds
  are an asset to the program.

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Cover Letter Second Paragraph

• Tell more about yourself without duplicating
  resume.
• State why you are an ideal match for the job.
• Clarify anything unclear on your resume, explain
  low GPA or inconsistencies.

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Second Paragraph Example

• I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemical
  Engineering from Purdue University, and have over
  five years of experience in the petrochemical
  industry. Although my prior work experience has
  been in engineering, within my job I have worked
  several recruiting positions. These functions
  involved traveling to my alma mater for the
  career fair, interviewing potential co-op
  students, and interviewing graduating bachelors
  and masters students. I also served as a host
  for many candidates during on-site interviews.
  Additionally, I feel that my experience with
  engineering will be an asset in communicating
  with the local industries. My energetic approach
  would help ensure that the Paducah students are
  consistently considered for open positions.
  Throughout my work, I have been recognized for.

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Cover Letter Third Paragraph

• Wrap Up Most brief paragraph
• Tell the company how to contact you
• State your next step
• Recommended to tell company you will contact them
  in 1 week.
• Thank them for their time in considering your
  resume.

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Third Paragraph Example

• I would appreciate a few minutes of your time,
  and I will call you the week of April 5th to
  discuss further. Thank you for your
  consideration, and I look forward to talking with
  you.
• Closings
• Sincerely,
• Regards,
• Sign and type your name.

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Cover Letter Examples