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Writing an Effective Resume and Cover Letter

Writing an Effective Resume and Cover Letter. Role of your Resume Format and Content of Your Resume Resume Do’s and Don’ts Resume Book/Data Base Inclusion Process Anatomy of a Cover Letter Cover Letter Do’s and Don’ts. Role of your Resume. Sets the direction for your search

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Writing an Effective Resume and Cover Letter

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  1. Writing an Effective Resume and Cover Letter

  2. Role of your Resume • Format and Content of Your Resume • Resume Do’s and Don’ts • Resume Book/Data Base Inclusion Process • Anatomy of a Cover Letter • Cover Letter Do’s and Don’ts

  3. 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

  4. 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

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

  6. 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.

  7. 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

  8. 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.

  9. 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

  10. 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)

  11. 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

  12. 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).

  13. 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.

  14. 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

  15. 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.

  16. 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

  17. Articles, Periods, Personal Pronouns • Analyzed the statistical and the clinical data, resulting in a 30% reduction of the hospital’s costs • Analyzed statistical and clinical data, resulting in 30% reduction of hospital costs. -------------------------------------------------------------- • I am currently playing on the University of Michigan Men’s Soccer team, in its first year as a varsity sport • Selected to compete with the University of Michigan’s Men’s Soccer Team in its first year as a varsity sport.

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. Resume Do’s and Don’ts..... • 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

  21. Resume Do’s and Don’ts..... • Don’t - Include information about health, marital status, or willingness to relocate - Misrepresent work/abilities - Use current company/function jargon -Use Purple Paper

  22. Top Tips • Know the desired skills of your target industry or function • Review resumes of previous students • Use Career Counselors and Staff

  23. Cover Letters - The Facts • Why bother? • Purpose • To Whom and When to Send Cover Letters

  24. 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.

  25. Cover Letter Do’s & Don’ts • Do - Highlight Accomplishments not Responsibilities • Be Brief • Don’t -Repeat Resume -Make Errors -Make Demands

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