Writing an Effective Resume and Cover Letter

Role

of your Resume Format and Content of Your Resume Resume Dos and Donts Resume Book/Data Base Inclusion Process Anatomy of a Cover Letter Cover Letter Dos and Donts

Role of your Resume...

Sets

the direction for your search Showcases your skills, attributes and interests Highlights your progress, accomplishments and skills (essential elements) Elicits an interview

Format and Content

Transferable skills Include essential elements (ACR) Quantify accomplishments/results Bullet vs. Paragraph Use of action verbs Use of articles, periods and personal pronouns Make use of Additional section

Transferable Skills
Transferable Skills are determined by your targeted: INDUSTRY FUNCTION COMPANY POSITION

Transferable Skills
Before:
Design and build responsibility of the 2002 Dodge Ram Truck program.

After:
Coordinated cross-functional team in the design and build of the 2002 Dodge Ram Truck. Managed $44 million in equipment and met all budgetary and timeline oriented milestones.

Format and Content

Transferable skills Include essential elements (ACR) Quantify accomplishments/results Bullet vs. Paragraph Use of action verbs Use of articles, periods and personal pronouns Make use of Additional section

ACR
Action Active Verb/Skill Employed Context Background Information Result Results of Actions Redesigned the packaging of a leading parcel delivery company resulting in $1MM annual cost savings and 50% reduction in air pollutants.

Format and Content

Transferable skills Include essential elements (ACR) Quantify accomplishments/results Bullet vs. Paragraph Use of action verbs Use of articles, periods and personal pronouns Make use of Additional section

Quantify Accomplishments

Analyzed

ash receptacle failures and identified design changes that improved customer satisfaction and reduced warranty costs by 92%. (Senior Engineer, Manufacturing)

Administered a $1M annual budget and negotiated maintenance contracts with agencies outside of the Army in support of $60M worth of equipment (Maintenance Manager, US Army)

Format and Content

Include and structure essential elements (ACR) Quantify accomplishments/results Bullet vs. Paragraph Use of action verbs Use of articles, periods and personal pronouns Transferable skills Make use of Additional section

Bullet vs. Paragraph

ANJIMOMOTO CO., INC. Senior Engineer
Developed a new granulating machine for instant cup soup at Knorr, an Anjinomoto subsidiary, whose brand is owned by Bestfoods. Managed cross-company projects to introduce new manufacturing machine by organizing six members. Started production in August 1997 and improved product quality and cost efficiency. Filed patent application in Japan and US. (Granules dissolve more easily and uniformly than powders).

Bullet vs. Paragraph

Initiated development of new machinery that spurred efficient innovation in food processing. New equipment improved product quality and decreased production costs by X%. Managed cross-functional team charged with development and implementation of new technology completing project under budget and before deadline.

Format and Content

Include essential elements (ACR) Quantify accomplishments/results Bullet vs. Paragraph Use of action verbs Use of articles, periods and personal pronouns Transferable skills Make use of Additional section

Action Verbs
Before:
Analysis of marketing opportunities for strategic fit within scope of organization

After:
Analyzed all marketing opportunities ensuring their strategic fit within goals of organization.

Format and Content

Transferable skills Include essential elements (ACR) Quantify accomplishments/results Bullet vs. Paragraph Use of action verbs Use of articles, periods and personal pronouns Make use of Additional section

Articles, Periods, Personal Pronouns

Analyzed the statistical and the clinical data, resulting in a 30% reduction of the hospitals costs Analyzed statistical and clinical data, resulting in 30% reduction of hospital costs.

-------------------------------------------------------------I am currently playing on the University of Michigan Mens Soccer team, in its first year as a varsity sport Selected to compete with the University of Michigans Mens Soccer Team in its first year as a varsity sport.

Format and Content

Transferable skills Include essential elements (ACR) Quantify accomplishments/results Bullet vs. Paragraph Use of action verbs Use of articles, periods and personal pronouns Make use of Additional section

Additional Section
Examples:
Effectively invested and tracked life science portfolio, achieving a 42% gain in 2001. Avid runner; completed Chicago Marathon in 1998 and 2000 Volunteer basketball coach 2000-2001 Connoisseur of fine beef and pork barbeque

Resume Dos and Donts.....

DO

- Include core desired skills - Customize according to targeted industry, job function and/or company culture - Quantify your accomplishments - Include Interests and Hobbies - Send resume and cover letter via email or MTrack electronic drop

Resume Dos and Donts.....

Dont

- Include information about health, marital status, or willingness to relocate - Misrepresent work/abilities - Use current company/function jargon -Use Purple Paper

Top Tips
Know

the desired skills of your target industry or function resumes of previous students

Review Use

Career Counselors and Staff

Cover Letters - The Facts

Why bother?
Purpose To Whom and When to Send Cover Letters

Anatomy of a Cover Letter

OPENING PARAGRAPH - Introduce yourself and your specific interest in the company. MIDDLE PARAGRAPH - Highlight areas of your background that would be of greatest interest to the company. CLOSING PARAGRAPH - Outline procedure for action. Make specific requests.

Cover Letter Dos & Donts

Do

- Highlight Accomplishments not Responsibilities - Be Brief

Dont

-Repeat Resume -Make Errors -Make Demands