Resumes & cover letters

1. Resumes & cover letters Career And Professional Planning (CAPP) Cynthia Mika and Vicci White capp@uidaho.edu www.capp.uidaho.edu 208.885.6121

2. Resume Bliss • Headers – Visually appealing • Name – Stands out (larger font) • Contact Information – Easy to find • Objective – Concise and clear • Education – Clearly stated; major GPA listed • Relevant Coursework – Listed • Project – Related to job description • Engineering Experience – Labeled and defined • Skills – Relevant engineering skills listed

3. Resume Bliss • Other Experience – Written with transferable skills • Professional Organizations Member, IEEE, September 2008 – Present • ACTIVITIES Participant, Intramural Sports, UI, 09/07-present • Community Service Hurricane Relief Volunteer, New Orleans, Summer 2007 • Honors and Awards Dean’s List, Honors Student, Presidential Scholar 6. References – Second page; same header; name, title, mailing address, phone and email 7. Resume – One page; readable font type and size; .7” to 1.0” margins

4. Resume Concerns • Name – Too small or not bolded • Experience • Unrelated positions listed first • Repetition of action verbs or descriptions • Emphasis on too many accomplishments • Using pronouns – do not use • Writing sentences – phrases only • References – Listed on first page

5. Resume Concerns • Formatting • Bullets – too large • Inconsistent • Hyphens • Abbreviations • Spacing • Errors – Typing or misspelling • Capitalization • Margins – too crowded • Dates – not aligned (immediately following, on tab or right margin)

6. Resume Headers Vicci D. White 111 North Campus Drive Moscow, ID 83843 vwhite@uidaho.edu (208) 885-6121 Vicci D. White 111 North Campus Dr. Moscow, ID 83843 Find errors and inconsistencies vwhite@uidaho.edu 208.885-6121 CYNTHIA MIKA 222 W. Line Dr. cmika@uidaho.edu Moscow, ID 83844 (208) 885-6121 CYNTHIA MIKA 222 W. Line Drive cmika@uidaho.edu Moscow, Idaho 83844 (208)-885-6121

7. Resume Objective OBJECTIVE: To obtain an electrical engineering internship with a firm in the systems and control industry. Objective: seeking a position to learn about new things in the field, to build my interpersonal skills and build a network in Boise. Objective Summer internship in electrical engineering. Objective To look for a job in Boise, Idaho. Find errors and inconsistencies

8. Resume Education EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering University of Idaho, Moscow, ID Expected May 2011 Education B.s., E. E.; minor in computer science Univ. of Id, Moscow, Idaho 2007-present Find errors and inconsistencies Education University of Idaho, Moscow, ID Anticipated December 2010 B.S., Electrical Engineering; Minor, Computer Science

9. Resume Coursework RELEVANT COURSEWORK Electronics, Signals & Systems, Energy Systems, Microcontrollers, Digital Logic Classes: ECE 350, Signals & Systems; geog 403, Climatology; Comm 331 Conflict Management Find errors and inconsistencies Course Highlights • Electric Circuits I & II • Intro to Problem Solving & Programming • Engineering Dynamics • Technical Writing

10. Resume Accomplishments ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE Jet Propulsion Intern, JPL, Pasadena, CA 05/08-08/08 Specified a code architecture for the controller’s acceptance of GPS input. Created 3-D plots and cross sections of topographic data. Analyzed data and proposed recommendations. Communicated regularly with project lead and team members via email. Organized schedules for six co-workers. Engineering Tutor, EE dept., WSU (9/09 -present) Tutored in engineering classes. Helped students with homework. Organized schedules for six students. Find errors and inconsistencies Engineering Tutor, Electrical Engineering Department, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (9/09 - present) Provided further instruction and assistance for up to 20 engineering students. Discussed examples of problems to conceptualize homework. Coordinated schedules for students and three tutors.

11. Resume Experience Experience McDonald’s, server/host, Moscow, ID Sept. 2006 – Present • Made food and gave it to people (Communicated with customers to meet needs) • Cleaned tables, emptied trash and washed dishes (Maintain a pleasant and clean environment) Find errors and inconsistencies Undergraduate Research Assistant, Electrical Engineering Department, UI June 2007-August 2007 • Drafted using MicrostationPowerdraft • Designed circuitry to be used in local stores • Facilitated campus-wide event for over 150 people

12. Resume Skills Headings • Technical Skills and Abilities • Technical Skills • Technical Competencies • Skills • Technical • Computer • Languages

13. Resume Skills Technical Skills Proficient in SQL, PASCAL, C/Dynamic/C++; knowledgeable in AutoCAD, Adobe Illustrator, Data Entry, Microsoft Office. Skills: Internet research, Powerpoint, Excel, Word, Eagle, XMGrace, Oscilloscope, Function Generator, Xilinx, Math CAD, communication, teamwork, multi-tasking. TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES Hardware: Rabbit, Digital Mulimenter, Pulse Generator Software: Pspice, LTSpice, HDL, VDHL

14. Resume Q & A

15. Cover Letter Bliss • Format – readable; business style • Header – matches resume • Date – 2 or 3 spaces between header and greeting • Greeting – addressed to a person • Body of letter – thoughts flow between paragraphs; details about personal and academic breadth; gives most important information for employer

16. Cover Letter First Paragraph • Answers question “Why them?” • Mentions organization by name • Tells what position you are applying for • Credits the source where you heard of or found job Second Paragraph • Ties your background and experience to employer’s need as stated in the job/internship description

17. Cover Letter Third Paragraph • Continues with their need and your experience OR • Tells your outstanding qualities and characteristics as related to the position Fourth Paragraph • Possible summary sentence • Confident not cocky statement about interview • Gives a time you will follow up with them • Provides contact information for you • Thank you for…

18. Cover Letter • Closing – Sincerely, • Three line spaces for signature • Your name • Enclosure or Attachments: Resume, Application

19. Strong Example • I am a sophomore at the University o f Idaho seeking a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. I spoke with you about internships at the Engineering Career Fair last fall and am still interested. VVVV electrical engineers work directly with architects, and that cooperation and breadth of perspective sounds interesting. • I heard about your summer internship program through my brother, (name), who is a project engineer with VVVV. As a sophomore, I have just begun to learn the basics of electrical engineering. I know true experience can only be gained working in the industry.

20. Needs Improvement • I believe I have the background to be an asset to your company. • I worked at an engineering firm after school during high school and learned a lot. • (When your cover letter reads like a form letter; Be sure to add your voice)

21. Strong Example • If hired, I would bring strong assets to VVVV. Through two customer service positions, I have developed a friendly and helpful style. For instance, my curiosity about simple electronics led to work at Radio Shack where I began to understand that people with the same interests have different levels of understanding. I have broad interests, which have helped me gain good time management skills and tenacity. As well as holding a high GPA in high school and working in retail, I volunteered in a history museum and taught myself to play guitar.

22. Needs Improvement • Your company sounds like a place where I can learn a lot. • I want to work with you this summer. • I will do my best to provide what you need. • Please call me or send an email. • (Colloquialisms and overused words or phrases: thrown my way; actually; as you can see from my resume; etc.; even going so far as to; other various; starting a sentence with “And”) • (Repeating resume – refer to an experience but expand from the resume)

23. Strong Examples • I hope you will take the time to interview me for the summer internship position as I would love to tell you more about why I would be a great choice. • I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you in person about my qualifications at your earliest convenience. • Thank you for your time and the opportunities you give engineering students to gain an understanding of the industry while still in college.

24. Cover Letter Q & A Thank you for your collaboration with the CAPP Career Advisors!