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Designing Persuasive Resumes and Cover Letters
A Talk Prepared for
Changshu Institute of Technology
Baotong GuGeorgia State University
[email protected] July 10, 2008
Overview
Resumes
• Content Design
• Format Design Cover Letters
• Content Design
• Format Design Applying to Graduate Schools in the U.S.
Resume vs. Cover Letter: What’s the Difference?
Resume Cover Letter
Comprehensive Highlighting
Outline Detailed but focused
Subtle persuasion Direct persuasion
Phrases and lists Complete sentences
Resume: Content Design
What fortune 500 personnel administrators most want to see on resumes
1. Your name2. Your telephone number3. Your college degree4. The name of your college5. The jobs you have held6. Your address7. Your major course of study in college8. The names of companies that have employed you9. The dates of your employment10. The date you graduated (or expected to graduate) from college
Resume Content: What to Include
Name Contact information Objective Education Work experience Activities & honors References (maybe)
Resume Content: Name
• What’s there in a name?
• Is it big enough to catch your reader’s attention?
• Does it stand out well so that if there’s only one thing your reader can remember it will be your name?
Resume Content: Career Objective
Strike a balance between specific and general
• To write user documentation for a computer software company
• Technical writer specializing in user documentation
• To work in a business corporation
• An interpreter for a large foreign trade corporation
• To be a communication specialist in international business settings utilizing my four years of experience in foreign trade
Resume Content: Education
What to include: School Degree Major Graduation date Minor GPA (maybe) Honors Significant/relevant courses
EducationB.A. in English, July 209
Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu
Concentration: International Business English
GPA: 3.5
EducationChangshu Institute of Technology, Changshu
BA in English, July 2009
Concentration: International Business English
GPA: 3.5
Resume Content: Work Experience
What to Include: Job title Company name Dates of employment Description of duties
Professional Experience:Research Associate, 09/2004 -present School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing,
China• Synthesizingβ-naphthalene sulfonic acid• Synthesizing high-polymeric β-naphthalene sulfonic acid-formaldehyde • Researching on properties of Synthesized high-polymeric β-naphthalene
sulfonic acid-formaldehyde • Synthesizing alkyl naphthalene sulfonic acid-formaldehyde• Researching on alkyl anion surfactantsIntern, 07/2004-09/2004Department of Industry Quality, BeautyCos International Co., Ltd., L’OREAL,
China• Testing chemical properties of over five hundred pieces of raw chemical
materials• Testing the purity of over three hundred pieces of raw chemical materialsIntern, 06/2002-09/2002Department of Chemical Development, Suzhou Tianhua Materials Co., Ltd,
China• Synthesizing a new type of esterified starch • Researching on properties of the esterified starch EMSIZE E20• Publishing a paper, “Synthesis and Research of Esterified Starch,” in
Tianhua Chemicals
Resume Content: Activities & Honors
In most cases, a simple listing of one-to-two-line items.
If very little work experience but significant amount of activities, arrange in the same way as work experience section.
Activities & HonorsThree-month Internship Grant from BeautyCos international Co.,
Ltd. L'OREAL China, 2004. People’s Fellowship, Nanjing University, 2003 Three-month Internship Grant from Suzhou Tianhua Materials Co.,
Ltd., General Agent of Emsland-Starke Unternehmens Gruppe In Germany, Suzhou, China, 2002
Excellent Intern Award, Suzhou Tianhua Materials Co., Ltd, China, 2002
Excellent Score Award in College English Test Band Six (CET6), Ministry of Education, China, 2002
People’s Fellowship, Nanjing University, 2002People’s Fellowship, Nanjing University 2001 Excellent Paper Award, School of Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering, Nanjing University, 2001Excellent Score Award in College English Test Band Four (CET4),
Ministry of Education, China, 2001Top 100 Scores in Jiangsu Province, National College Admissions
Tests, China, 2000Straight A’s in the 2000 Senior High School Graduation
Examinations, 2000
Resume Content: Summary of Qualifications
Your Required Qualifications My Credentials B.S. degree in Compute Science B.S. in Computer Science
M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Computer Science and Multimedia Web Design)
1 year of web design experience 4 years of various web design experience
Website sample http://iceberg.ewu.edu/debtmgt/moneywise_ewu.php (sole designer; more than 60 pages of source code)
6-12 months of classroom training experience
9 months of direct classroom training experience tutoring students in a computer literacy course
Resume Content: What If I Don’t Have Anything?
What to Include When You “Don’t Have Anything”
Career Objective
Education
Computer Skills
Leadership Skills
Communication Skills
Significant/Relevant Courses
Significant/Relevant Projects
Resumes: Format Design
Minimalist design Rule of Proximity Hanging indent Visual hierarchy Design consistency White space Page focus Column alignment
Cover Letter: Content Design
First Paragraph• Purpose of the letter • Position title advertised• Source of advertisement• Why you are applying (a brief overviewing statement of your qualifications)
Next Paragraphs• No more than one major qualification each paragraph • Clear topic sentences at the beginning about the major qualification• Good supporting details for your claim of qualification (could use several
details to support your qualification)• Reasonable length
Last Paragraph• A summarizing statement of your qualifications• Request for further contact• Your own contact information
Cover Letter Content: First Paragraph
Less EffectiveI am applying for the job you recently advertised. I can offer my
knowledge in the areas necessary for the position as well as in related areas.
More EffectiveI am applying for the mechanical technologist position advertised
in the CPC Annual. I can offer Boeing my knowledge of avionics and aircraft electrical systems along with a strong background in nondestructive testing and advanced composites.
Cover Letter Content: Next ParagraphsLess Effective My work toward a Bachelor of Science degree at Purdue University has provided me with
knowledge that is ideal of projects such as those at your company. I also can offer my knowledge and experience in other areas. This extensive knowledge, I believe ,makes me an ideal, if not the perfect, candidate for the position you have open.
My studies at Purdue University have also allowed me to become qualified in three important areas. The qualifying certificates I have obtained will make me an extremely valuable addition to your staff. This knowledge could be applied in the many projects now underway at your company.
More effective My work toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Technology, with an emphasis
on avionics, is ideal for projects like Boeing’s remanufacturing of older Chinook helicopters or in the design of fly-by-wire systems. I also can offer my knowledge of advanced composites to the design of the Boeing 360 or to the manufacturing of composite parts for the Boeing jet transports.
My studies at Purdue University have also allowed me to become level-one qualified in three nondestructive testing (NDT) areas. The qualifying certificates I have obtained are in the areas of Eddy Current, Magnetic Particle, and Liquid Penetrant testing. This knowledge of NDT could be applied in the testing and development of many projects now underway at Boeing Helicopters.
Cover Letter Content: Last Paragraph
Less Effective I would like to meet with you to discuss your organization and my
qualifications. I can be reached at the above address and telephone number and I look forward to speaking with you. Again, I believe that I’m perfectly suited for the position you have open and believe that my services would greatly improve the quality of work at your company. Thank you for your time and consideration.
More Effective I would like to meet with you to discuss your organization and my
qualifications. I can be reached at 404-123-5678 or [email protected] and I look forward to speaking with you. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Cover Letter: Format Design
Block Style Everything left justified, including your own address on top and signature
block at the bottom No indentation at the beginning of paragraphs Single space within paragraphs and double space between paragraphs
Modified Block Style Your address on the right Recipient’s address on left (no overlapping on lines) Indentation or no indentation at beginning of paragraphs Signature block on the right about two-thirds across the page, should be
aligned with your address on top
Cover Letter Openings: Good or Bad I recently read of your opening for a field geologist. One of my professors,
Dr. R. D. Loner, worked for you, and claims that you company was beneficial to her career. My taking the position would be a great opportunity to advance my career in geology.
I have spent many summer vacations hiking and camping in Yosemite National Park, and would like to return to the park as an employee.
Please consider my application for the business-oriented programming position advertised in the Boston Globe. I will graduate in May from Eastern University, with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology.
Texaco is a very important leader in the development and distribution of the world’s energy resources. Would your company have a place on its R&D team for a mathematician with experience in computer programming?
While attending Eastern University, I have closely followed your company’s financial statements, and have become highly interested in your sales growth. Therefore, when Roberta Lowny, Vice-President of Sales for Bando Sportswear, informed me of an opening in your fabric sales division, I decided to write immediately.
Cover Letter Closings: Good or Bad I would like an interview with you as soon as possible. If my qualifications seem to interest you, would you kindly consider the possibility
of contacting me at home (247-754-9867) any weekday after 3 P.M.? I know I can succeed as a technical writer in the software industry. I look forward to
hearing from you about my placement in your company. I hope you agree that I am the type of engineer DGH is seeking. Please allow me to
further discuss career opportunities with you. I feel well qualified for the position as Park Naturalist, and hope you will consider
me for the job. If you need more information or wish to contact me for any reason, feel free to call at 265-446-5467 any weekday after 4 P.M.
If your department has a place for an enthusiastic intern, I hope you will consider me. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application with you directly.
I would like to arrange an interview with your company to discuss this position. Please phone me at your convenience.
I am hardworking, efficient, eager to learn, and anxious for the opportunity to apply my skills. Please consider me for a summer position.
Applying to Graduate Schools in the U.S.: What We Consider
TOEFL GRE GPA Personal Statement Recommendation Letters Cover Letter Writing Sample Resume (often optional)
Applying for Funding
Types of funding available Teaching Assistantships (TA) Research Assistantships (RA) Fellowships
What’s Considered Personal Statement (understanding of the field, research
potential, your philosophy, enthusiasm, etc.) Work (teaching or research) Experience
Application Process
About 1 year in advance (August or September): Inquiry letter to the department Graduate Director
October: TOEFL and GRE tests October to December: prepare your application
package: application forms, cover letter, resume, personal statement, letters of recommendation, writing sample
December to March: send in your application March to May: decision from the department