common errors: resume & cover letter
DESCRIPTION
Common Errors: Resume & Cover Letter. Agenda. Problems with continuity Problems specific to the Resume Problems specific to the Cover Letter. Continuity. Use the same header Use the same font type (except for header) Use the same font size (except for header) Maintain a similar “look”. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Common Errors:Resume & Cover Letter
Agenda•Problems with continuity•Problems specific to the Resume•Problems specific to the Cover Letter
Continuity•Use the same header•Use the same font type (except for header)•Use the same font size (except for header)•Maintain a similar “look”
Resume Format•Itemize—use some bullet points•Use parallel construction•Maintain balance vertically and horizontally•Maximize use of white space•Remember “Objective”
Resume Content
•Include “GPA”•Include “Skills,” not personal qualities•Include specific “Objective”
Cover Letter Format
•Use “Ms.” not “Mrs.”; or use “Dear Employer”•Use “Block Style”– all text aligned on the left margin•Include Introductory, Body & Summary paragraphs•Remember to sign the document
Cover Letter ContentParagraph Two
•Be specific rather than general•Indicate your interest in the specific position•Describe particular and relevant experience which emphasizes your strengths as a candidate•Use active and concrete language
Questions?
Professional Bio
Bio Overview•Purpose•Bio content•Bio format
PurposeThe Professional Bio is a personal overview statementYou will post the Bio on your personal websitePotential employers use the Bio to learn more about you as a professional and as an individual
Content•Name•Profession•Relevant experience and/or education•Professional certifications (e.g. Ph.D. or Professional Engineer Certification)•Awards, Honors, Research Grants or Publications•Personal information (if relevant and interesting)•Contact information
Format•Write in the third-person •Be brief and concise – likely no longer than one paragraph and certainly not more than a page in length.•Write in a professional tone, but don’t be bland•Spelling, punctuation and grammar must be perfect.
Be interesting
Write from exciting angle
Express your professional (and personal?) motivations
Bob Jones has never been content simply with the way “everyone else” does things. As a child, when his friends were
satisfied with candles and a flashlight, Bob hardwired the neighborhood tree house. Some years later, as a graduate
student in the 1980’s, Bob recognized solar energy’s immense potential as an alternative community power source. In 1991 he took his first residence—his own home in the mountains
west of Los Gatos, CA—off the municipal power grid. By 1992 Bob was actually selling energy back to the township of Los Gatos. Based on his experience, he felt certain there was a
market for the sale and installation of residential solar energy systems. Bob realized the future benefits of solar power for both the community, and the environment. Soon after Jones
earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford in 1994, Brave New World Solar Systems (BNWSS) was born. Since
then…
In Class Writing Take a minute to think about
what you might include in your own bio, and how you might go about writing your
bio.Then, take a stab at writing
your bio paragraph.