Common Errors: Resume & Cover Letter

Agenda Problems with continuity Problems specific to the Resume Problems specific to the Cover Letter

Continuity Use the same header Use the same font type (except for header) Use the same font size (except for header) Maintain a similar “look”

Resume Format Itemize—use some bullet points Use parallel construction Maintain balance vertically and horizontally Maximize use of white space Remember “Objective”

Resume Content Include “GPA” Include “Skills,” not personal qualities Include specific “Objective”

Cover Letter Format Use “Ms.” not “Mrs.”; or use “Dear Employer” Use “Block Style”– all text aligned on the left margin Include Introductory, Body & Summary paragraphs Remember to sign the document

Cover Letter Content Paragraph Two Be specific rather than general Indicate your interest in the specific position Describe particular and relevant experience which emphasizes your strengths as a candidate Use active and concrete language

Questions?

Professional Bio

Bio Overview Purpose Bio content Bio format

Purpose The Professional Bio is a personal overview statement You will post the Bio on your personal website Potential employers use the Bio to learn more about you as a professional and as an individual

Content Name Profession Relevant experience and/or education Professional certifications (e.g. Ph.D. or Professional Engineer Certification) Awards, Honors, Research Grants or Publications Personal information (if relevant and interesting) Contact information

Format Write in the third-person Be brief and concise – likely no longer than one paragraph and certainly not more than a page in length. Write in a professional tone, but don’t be bland Spelling, punctuation and grammar must be perfect.

Be interesting Write from exciting angle Express your professional (and personal?) motivations

Bob Jones has never been content simply with the way “everyone else” does things. As a child, when his friends were satisfied with candles and a flashlight, Bob hardwired the neighborhood tree house. Some years later, as a graduate student in the 1980’s, Bob recognized solar energy’s immense potential as an alternative community power source. In 1991 he took his first residence—his own home in the mountains west of Los Gatos, CA—off the municipal power grid. By 1992 Bob was actually selling energy back to the township of Los Gatos. Based on his experience, he felt certain there was a market for the sale and installation of residential solar energy systems. Bob realized the future benefits of solar power for both the community, and the environment. Soon after Jones earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford in 1994, Brave New World Solar Systems (BNWSS) was born. Since then…

In Class Writing Take a minute to think about what you might include in your own bio, and how you might go about writing your bio. Then, take a stab at writing your bio paragraph.