HU113: Technical Report Writing Prof. Dr. Abdelsamie Moet Fall 2012/13 Pharos University in Alexandria Faculty of Engineering Lecture 8: CV

HU113_Lect8_CV2 Road Map Role of the Resume Types of Resumes Resume Formats Resume Sections Additional Documentation Miscellaneous Tips Miscellaneous Tilts Sample Resumes On-line Resources

HU113_Lect8_CV3 What is a resume? It includes information about –your career goals, –education, –work experience, –activities, –honors, and –any special skills you might have. A resume is a personal summary of your professional history and qualifications.

HU113_Lect8_CV4 General Guidelines Length: It is best to limit an entry-level resume to one typed page. Be as concise as possible in stating information in each section of your resume. Font: Avoid fonts smaller than 10 point and larger than 12 point. Paper: Use A4 paper. Print your resume with a laser or high quality printer.

HU113_Lect8_CV5 Preliminary Research Find out * General job information * Desired qualifications and skills * Key values and words

HU113_Lect8_CV6 Objective Statement One to three sentence summary of your area of expertise and career interest. Write as complete sentences or as descriptive phrases with minimal punctuation. Relate your existing skills directly to the job you are seeking. Demonstrate what you can do for the company rather than what they can do for you.

HU113_Lect8_CV7 Summary of Qualifications Statement Example: A Junior Mechanical Engineering Major with expertise in the following areas: * Using CAD programs to support projects * Communicating with customers in project environments * Developing projects in conjunction with peers

HU113_Lect8_CV8 Education This is an important section for recent college graduates or students seeking internships or summer jobs. Beginning with the highest level of educational achievement, include information such as university attended, degrees earned, major, minors, grade point average, date of program completion, and so forth.

HU113_Lect8_CV9 Education: Example Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt Graduation May 2014 Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering GPA: 3.2/4.0 Major GPA: 3.5/4.0 You do not have to include your GPA on the resume, but if it isn’t included, employers may assume that it is lower than it really is.

HU113_Lect8_CV10 Relevant Courses List relevant courses that: –Help you stand out from the crowd –Have provided you with specific skills or knowledge Consider including this information in the education section of the resume. Math (4 semesters) Computer Science Technical Writing Business Law Ethics Only include courses taken. Refer to the course by name rather than by number.

HU113_Lect8_CV11 Employment Experience if any Include positions you have held which are related, in some way, to the job you are seeking. These might be both paid and volunteer positions. Be creative with this section of your resume by describing and emphasizing your experiences in the most relevant way possible. Include information such as company name and location, job title, dates, and duties performed. Make this section easy to read by using spacing and bullets. Use action phrases to highlight the duties you have performed

HU113_Lect8_CV12 Action Phrases Engineering Intern (May 1999-August 2012) Arab Contractors, Alexandria, Egypt * Oversaw the planning, production, preparation and prompt delivery of supplies to the site * Assisted in preparing technical report * Created a positive and healthy atmosphere in the work site

HU113_Lect8_CV13 Activities and Honors Include relevant activities and honors that you could discuss with your prospective employer or that have given you valuable experience or skills.

HU113_Lect8_CV14 Specialized Skills Include skills that make you unique, such as computer skills, foreign language skills, or military service. Be specific in describing your special skills; name computer programs you know, how long you studied a foreign language.

HU113_Lect8_CV15 References In general, do not include the names and addresses of your references on your resume. It is enough to state that references are available upon request. Choose professional references rather than social references. Employers and professors who know you and your work are the best references.

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HU113_Lect8_CV17 Resume Formats - Chronological Highlight your work experience in reverse chronological order Be sure to not leave gaps The most widely used format for working professionals

HU113_Lect8_CV18 Emphasis What Is Your “Story”? –What slant can you take on your resume? –Do you want to emphasize internship experience? –Do you want to emphasize work experience? –Do you want to emphasize course work? –Do you want to emphasize project experience? –Do you want to emphasize research experience? –Do you want to emphasize personal traits? What is unique or interesting about your college experience? –If you have an interesting internship – emphasize it – Demonstrate leadership, communication, professional awareness

HU113_Lect8_CV19 Standard Resume Sections Header Objective Education Honors/Activities Work Experience Relevant Courses Skills Projects Move toward bottom Other order preferred

HU113_Lect8_CV20 The Header Section The first line should be your name –Larger than the largest font used in body –Avoid using decorative fonts –Don’t use black or gray shaded backgrounds Include contact address –Permanent address –Current address Include your address –Don’t use Include your phone number –Change the ringer tone to be appropriate

HU113_Lect8_CV21 The Objective Section Make statement clear, concise, and to the point –Bad: “I want to get a job” –Weak: “To attain an internship in the computer industry.” –Good: “To attain a career in the construction industry working with project management.”

HU113_Lect8_CV22 The Honors/Activities Section Should only contain honors and awards earned during your time in college You can include academic or extracurricular items –only academic or service-related items Include a brief description if not self-evident from title –“Award given to top performer on the project exam” Don’t include hobbies or activities not related to the job or your story –Good to include leadership positions in specialization- related organizations –Good to list membership in relevant organizations

The Work Experience Section Format –Employer and location on the first line Don’t need name of supervisor, complete address, or contact information –Position and time-span on the second line Use only year, not month and year (avoids time gaps) Each position should have at least two bullets –Explain role and contributions –Don’t emphasize duties but rather emphasize outcomes “Increased efficiency of … by 20%” “Improved user navigation experience on …” –Descriptions should be consistent in wording Watch the tense –Current job uses present tense –Former jobs use past tense Employers want problem solvers

HU113_Lect8_CV24 The Skills Section This is where you emphasize your technical skills –Software Put in order of familiarity Can use “Exposure to:” as the only modifier if you wish –Platforms Nice to list Windows and Linux –Packages Eclipse, Oracle 9i, MS SQL Server, ClearCase, Rational Rose, … We make a concerted effort to use “real” products so make a concerted effort to list them

HU113_Lect8_CV25 The Projects Section Used correctly, this section can set you apart from other new graduates –Most new grads don’t get the opportunity to use this section Show any lengthy, impressive, or relevant projects to which you have made real contribution Each project should have at least two bullets (focus on outcomes)

HU113_Lect8_CV26 Cover Letter (1) Why do I need to write a cover letter? –Use the cover letter to focus attention on elements of your background that are particularly relevant to the company Send it to a person, not a place First sentence should tell why you are writing –“I am writing in regard to your posting listed on …” –“Dr. Mostafa at PUA suggested that I …” –“As you may recall, I spoke with you briefly at …” –If unsolicited, indicate why you are interested in the company

HU113_Lect8_CV27 Cover Letter (2) Highlight your skills –Use two to three paragraphs to given in-depth description of your selling points Close with a promise of action –If possible, indicating that you will be contacting them in the near future to set up a mutually acceptable meeting time or to further discuss your qualifications –Nice if you can say “during my Winter Break, between December 28 and January 12, I will be in your Minneapolis. I will contact your office when I arrive to arrange a possible meeting time”

HU113_Lect8_CV28 Good Examples (1)

HU113_Lect8_CV29 Good Examples (2)

HU113_Lect8_CV30 Bad Examples

HU113_Lect8_CV31 On-Line Resources

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