CV & cover letter workshop

CV & cover letter workshop 20.300 IAP 2014

CVs are longer than resumes; they include speaking engagements and publications. RESUME • No publications • Typically 1-2 pages • Dynamic • Content and structure change to match each position CV • Publications & talks • Typically 3-5+ pages • Dynamic • Content and structure change to match each position

The cover letter’s goal: get an interview CV: are you qualified? Cover letter: is there is a match?  Think of your documents as a portfolio.

The application process CV cover letter phone screen interview qualified paper match personal match

Best strategy: small is beautiful Invest a lot of energy into a few applications

Your quest is to show a match. Use your CV and cover letter to make the case. Organization You Mission Position Culture Projects Goals Skills Personality Values Goals Match

Every organization has a song; listen carefully. Weave the “melody” into your CV and cover letter.

If you learn nothing else from today…Do your research! • Mission/vision/strategic plan • Financial statements • Hiring manager • Key staff • Position • Current projects • Competition

curriculum vitae

The CV’s goal is to be skimmed from top to bottom and left to right. Format • Have clear headers • Use white space • Stick to one font • Bold and italicize sparingly • Use bullet points • ID each page as yours Content • Show, don’t tell • Quantify your impact • Use action verbs • Make every word count • ID “transferrables” • Add your personality

Some CV examples:

Let’s work on your CV. • Headers • Organization of information • Big picture format issues • Action verbs • Quantify your impact • Wordsmith • What is missing?

cover letters

The cover letter formula • I am writing to express interest in XX position… • I am interested in the position because… • This may be a great match for me because… • I look forward to speaking with you further about this opportunity…

Formal letter format Interest in position Understand the organization culture and position Explain why you’re a great match Close & Next Steps

Jaime B. Goldstein ADDRESS HERE September 13, 2012 To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to express interest in the Coordinator of Writing Initiative position in the Biological Engineering department at MIT (mit-00009041). Having a brilliant mind is simply not enough. Great ideas may never reach their full potential if they are not communicated effectively to others. Through clear articulation, collaboration and progress are possible. In today’s world, scientists need to be writers too. It would be an honor to coach and support the students of the Biological Engineering Department to become better writers. The Biological Engineering Department seems to attract some of the most innovative thinkers - people who have deep scientific roots and the flexibility to cross disciplines and solve some of the world’s most challenging mysteries. It would be a very rewarding experience for me to help the undergraduate population polish their writing skills so that, regardless of their career paths, their insights will have the potential to make a real difference. As a writer, teacher and administrator, this position feels like a particularly good match for me right now. I have coached and mentored students of all ages – from the middle school to the graduate level. I am familiar with the scientific world from my self-designed undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and Non-Fiction Writing and, unofficially, I have been my husband’s editor for years (he is a Biotech Scientist at Abbott Labs). I am excited by the entrepreneurial nature of this position; it sounds exhilarating to work with your top-notch faculty and administration to figure out how best to support the goals of the Biological Engineering Department through a peer tutoring program and a winter writing workshop. Additionally, I am attracted to the part-time nature of this role; I recently had a baby and am seeking a stimulating position that will work with my family’s needs. Writing can be an art form, an expression of self, and, most importantly, a tool to connect people and ideas. MIT’s Biological Engineering Department shapes the minds and practices of this next generation of leaders. I have no doubt that many of your students will make substantive contributions to society; I would feel proud to have played my part as their Writing Coordinator. I hope to be considered for the position and look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Jaime B. Goldstein

Formal letter format Express Interest in the position Jaime B. Goldstein ADDRESS HERE September 13, 2012 To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to express interest in the Coordinator of Writing Initiative position in the Biological Engineering department at MIT (mit-00009041). Having a brilliant mind is simply not enough. Great ideas may never reach their full potential if they are not communicated effectively to others. Through clear articulation, collaboration and progress are possible. In today’s world, scientists need to be writers too. It would be an honor to coach and support the students of the Biological Engineering Department to become better writers. The Biological Engineering Department seems to attract some of the most innovative thinkers - people who have deep scientific roots and the flexibility to cross disciplines and solve some of the world’s most challenging mysteries. It would be a very rewarding experience for me to help the undergraduate population polish their writing skills so that, regardless of their career paths, their insights will have the potential to make a real difference. As a writer, teacher and administrator, this position feels like a particularly good match for me right now. I have coached and mentored students of all ages – from the middle school to the graduate level. I am familiar with the scientific world from my self-designed undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and Non-Fiction Writing and, unofficially, I have been my husband’s editor for years (he is a Biotech Scientist at Abbott Labs). I am excited by the entrepreneurial nature of this position; it sounds exhilarating to work with your top-notch faculty and administration to figure out how best to support the goals of the Biological Engineering Department through a peer tutoring program and a winter writing workshop. Additionally, I am attracted to the part-time nature of this role; I recently had a baby and am seeking a stimulating position that will work with my family’s needs. Writing can be an art form, an expression of self, and, most importantly, a tool to connect people and ideas. MIT’s Biological Engineering Department shapes the minds and practices of this next generation of leaders. I have no doubt that many of your students will make substantive contributions to society; I would feel proud to have played my part as their Writing Coordinator. I hope to be considered for the position and look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Jaime B. Goldstein Understand the organization & role Explain the match Close & next steps

Let’s apply for a job (or at least start):

Linkedin • You MUST have a profile • Get a “professional” picture • Consider your site as a hook • Feel free to link to your full CV or website

Your application is just the start! • Update your Linkedin profile (& online presence) • Activate your network! • Write formal email correspondence • Be thoughtful with prompt “thank you” notes

CV & cover letter workshop