ECS

Resumes & Letters

Engineering Career ServicesUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonJohn Archambault, Susan Piacenza,Kathy Prem, Lisa Beneker

ECS

Why do you need a resume?

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Why do you need a resume?• To prepare for the interview– A well-developed resume helps you to focus on

your 3-5 themes of interests and qualification strengths

• To emphasize and guide the interview– What projects/experiences do you want to

emphasize– Most responses will be 2 – 3 minute responses

• Be prepared to talk about any item on your resume for 5 - 10 minutes, if asked

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What should you include?• Name & contact Information• Objective statement• Education• Experience• Projects• Skills / Awards / Interests / Activities /

Publications• Anything else you think is important…– High school information ok to use as a

freshman or sophomore

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Where Will Employers Contact you?• E-mail– Quickest and most direct contact

• Phone– Professionalize your incoming message– Don’t answer unknown # if you don’t have the

time to talk or are in a loud situation– Reply to messages

• Both a campus and permanent address, particularly for co-op and intern students

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Objective Statement • Write 2 – 3 phrases outlining the type of

position you are seeking and your special interest areas– Co-op, intern or professional– Engineering major– Special interest areas could be particular

industries or functional areas

• Do not use words like “challenging position”• Focus on what you can do for the employer;

not what the employer can do for you

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Objective Statement Samples

• Bad example:– A fulfilling position in mechanical engineering

where I can expand my communication and leadership skills.

• Straightforward, useful information:– A geological engineering co-op position in

water resources management or remediation for a maximum of three work terms.

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Education Section – Degree level, major and date degree is

expected– University attended– GPA – Can be overall, major, last 4

semesters– Other Possibilities • Coursework – filler category – limit list• Academic projects• Areas of emphasis• Honors, Scholarships

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Education example University of Wisconsin-MadisonB.S. Engineering Mechanics, expected May 2010

– Engineering GPA 3.2/4.0, Cumulative GPA 2.8/4.0

– Academic Design Projects• Mars Wind Machine: Completed stress and displacement analysis of

Giromill airfoils. Determined most effective internal airfoil construction and material.

• High Voltage Power Line Hybrid Crossarm: Developed an efficient design process. Completed stress/strain analysis for worst case scenario; appropriate materials selection/dimension analysis.

– Selected Course Work• Advanced Strength of Materials, Finite Elements, Material Fatigue,

Aerodynamics

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Experience Section• Potential section titles

– Experience– Engineering Experience– Additional Work Experience– Industrial Experience– Research Experience

• Format this section the same as you formatted the Education section

• For descriptions, use phrases, not sentences• Use key words and action verbs (pages 18-19 of

ECS Job Search Guide)

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Experience Section• Quantify terms, if possible

– Managed the operation of a municipal pool service over 1000 customers each day. Supervised a staff of 7 lifeguards. Required strong organizational skills. Saved $3000 for college expenses.

• List duties and accomplishments– Developed low-stress, clear and textured optical quality

polycarbonate film products used in display and data storage applications on state-of-the-art extrusion lines using Six Sigma tools.• Team leader in commercialization of product with projected

revenue of $4.8 million in 2002.• Key team member in commercialization of product with

projected revenue of $8 million in 2002.

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No Experience?• Everyone has experience• Academic projects – Also appropriate in education or own section

• Volunteer experience– Also appropriate in additional information

• Any work experience

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Not just engineering experience• All jobs are important

– Indicate strong work ethic– Examples of development of leadership and communication skills– Shows use of time management, meeting deadlines, working with others,

taking responsibility– May also balance a GPA below 3.0

• Worked 20 hours/week while full-time student• Paid 80% of college expenses through part-time work

Silverspring Golf Course, Middlebury, ILCaddie, Summers 2005-2007

– Developed strong interpersonal skills in working with variety of customers and management.

– Enhanced already strong work ethic by working 12 hours/day for 3 months each summer. Saved $3,300 over 4 summers.

– Promoted to caddy master in 2007.– Trained and supervised eight new hires.

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What skills do you have?• Computer skills– Be inclusive:

languages, platforms, programs

• Language skills• Convey the level of

proficiency– Proficient– Fluent– Familiar with

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What else should you include?• Activities

– Engineering or community organizations

• Volunteer experience• Awards,

scholarships, honors• What else are you

interested in/spend time on?– UW Marching Band,

intramural sports teams, restoring old cars, and Eagle Scout

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Is the format important?• Resumes are looked at VERY quickly– ½ content, ½ appearance– In general, one page for BS students, often 2

pages for MS students– White space is necessary between sections– Quality printing on white or light paper so it’s

easy to read– Use bullets, bolding, etc.

• But not too much!

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Is your resume ready?• Proofread• Have a friend/roommate proofread• ECS – 24/48 hr drop-off review– Appointment after Career Connection

ECSFinal Product

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Cover Letter is Required• The cover letter– Introduces resume– Demonstrates writing skills– Shows match with employer

• Change for each employer– Three paragraphs

• Introduction - what do you want (internship, etc.)• Body - why they should hire you (what makes you a

good match)• Closing - how you are going to follow-up with them

• PROOFREAD

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How to send• E-mail– Convenient/fast for employers and you– One screen – no scrolling– Business format– 1-2 paragraphs– Scannable resume in body; formatted resume

attached• Mail– Same paper/format as resume– One page– Signed

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Questions?• Additional information in ECS Student

Handbook

• Books/Samples available in ECS Office

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Career Fair Resume • For the Career Connection only, include at

the bottom of each resume:– Candidate Type

• (co-op/intern/professional)

– Student ID– Work Authorization (US citizen/Permanent

Resident/Visa Holder)

Intern 902225558 F1 Visa

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Questions?