1. Resume Design and cover letter
Dr. Lam
TECM 4180

2. Let’s review
What is CRAP?

5. Resume visual design tips
Try a column layout
Be bold, think outside the resume box
Use multiple fonts (e.g., one for body text and one for headings)
Use layout to your advantage
Use color and other visual iconography if you can

6. The technical details Use Microsoft Word Use tables or columns
Use Microsoft Word styles

7. Cover letters
The purpose of the cover letter is to complement your resume
Your cover letter is usually read AFTER your resume
It’s not enough to simply restate or reiterate the main points of your resume

8. Parts of a cover letter: The bare minimum
Introduction
State your purpose
State specific job title from the job advertisement
State where you heard about the job advertisement
Body
State your qualifications and experiences and how they relate to the job
Conclusion
Restate your purpose

9. The persuasive element in cover letters
Answer your potential employers questions
Why do you want to work for us and not someone else?
What do you have to offer us that others don’t?
How will you contribute to this organization’s success and mission?
Will you “fit” in our organization?

10. How to answer those questions
Do your research about the company
Watch your tone (want a good balance of confidence and humility)
E.g., not good – “I’m the best candidate for the job because my experiences directly align with your mission.”
E.g., Better – “I believe that my experience working with diverse team members aligns well with your organization's mission to work with typically underserved communities”.
Be specific about the company, which means research!
E.g., not good – ”I am writing to apply to the lab assistant 1 job I found on Monster.com. I am drawn to your companies’ mission to be the best.”
E.g., better – “I am writing to apply to the lab assistant 1 job that I found on Monster.com because I believe in your mission to provide cutting-edge research to solve many of the world’s greatest problems.”

11. Other cover letter tips
Address the cover letter to a specific person, if possible
Use visual design and technical writing style
Tie visual design into your entire “branding” package
Keep the cover letter to 1 page
Cross reference your first paragraph with the job!