Resume Workshop ASE 201 October 22, 2001 Engineering Career Assistance Center ECJ

Your resume is... Your ticket to an interview First impression employer has of you Your personal advertisement 10-to-30 second presentation Error-free document Scannable

Purpose of a Resume Obtain an interview Create a positive first impression Who you are What you have learned What you have accomplished

Resume Sections Personal Objective Education (including coursework) Experience Skills Activities/Honors

Resume Tips Personal Information –Keep your address and phone number updated –Include your address –Keep objective general Education –Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, May 2005 –GPA or not GPA? –Related courses: a good idea in moderation

Work Experience Utilize action verbs to begin descriptions Paint a picture of your work experience –Give some specific responsibilities or duties –Provide adequate detail of your actions Non-engineering work goes on resume

See the Difference? Waitperson, Joe’s Restaurant –Wait tables Waitperson, Joe’s Restaurant –Work in fast-paced environment –Interact with customers and take food orders –Resolve customer concerns with orders –Coordinate with waitstaff to serve customers –Train new employees

Skills and Accomplishments Skills –Technical, including computer, skills –Language skills –Transferable skills Accomplishments (Activities/Honors) –Academic awards and special recognition –Memberships and leadership activities –Volunteer activities

Does High School Count? Education and honors –Graduate, Texas Academy of Math and Science –Valedictorian, LBJ Science Academy Work experience Activities –Member, Student Council –Team member, varsity football –President, Spanish Club

Resume Appearance 4 Bond paper (25% cotton) 4 White or off-white color  Font: Nothing Fancy or Unusual 4 Point size: point 4 White space or blank lines 4 Emphasis:Bold (sometimes bullets) 4 NO ERRORS!

Resume Elimination Factors 6 Misspelled words 6 Incorrect grammar 6 Too many pages 6 False information 6 Salary requirements 6 Very specific objective 6 Scanner unfriendly

Scanner Friendly Resume Use standard font styles & sizes Avoid extras (italics, underline, boxes, etc.) Put name at top Avoid most abbreviations Use keywords, including industry keywords Format and print resume for the scanner

General Keyword Examples Ability to…(supervise, delegate, etc.) Leadership skills Oral/written communication skills Interpersonal skills Problem solving skills Public speaking and presentation skills Team/teamwork skills

Aerospace Keywords Flight control systems Aircraft design Engine operations Flight mechanics Space systems design

Engineering Co-op and Intern Fair Friday, February 1, am-4pm Frank Erwin Center Last year:98 companies

Additional Sources Electronic Resume Revolution by Joyce Lain Kennedy (book in ECAC) Resume and Cover Letter Workshop –Thursday, September 13, 4pm, RLM –ECAC Web site streaming video ECAC Web site –“Job Search Links” link –“Articles” link

ECAC Resources for All Engineering Students ECAC Library Counseling Workshops Informative Website

Benefits of Registering Participation in on-campus interviews Online resume –User friendly –Printable and presentable –Resume er –Searchable database Program eligibility When to register –Early spring 2002 –Attend orientation session