1. Resumes & Letters Engineering Career Services
University of Wisconsin-Madison
John Archambault, Susan Piacenza,
Kathy Prem, Lisa Beneker

2. Why do you need a resume? To obtain an interview Will need to:
It’s an advertisement for you
Attach to MyECS profile using MyWeb Space
directly to employers
Grab a recruiter’s attention at first glance
Hand out at career fairs
Must be honest and factual
Submit on website – for direct hire
Shows you in your best light
Need a formatted version and a “scannable” version

3. Why do you need a resume? To prepare for the interview
A well-developed resume helps you to focus on your 3-5 themes of interests and qualification strengths
To emphasize and guide the interview
What projects/experiences do you want to emphasize
Most responses will be 2 – 3 minute responses
Be prepared to talk about any item on your resume for minutes, if asked

4. What should you include?
Name & contact Information
Objective statement
Education
Experience
Projects
Skills / Awards / Interests / Activities / Publications
Anything else you think is important…
High school information ok to use as a freshman or sophomore

5. Where Will Employers Contact you?
Quickest and most direct contact
Phone
Professionalize your incoming message
Don’t answer unknown # if you don’t have the time to talk or are in a loud situation
Reply to messages
Both a campus and permanent address, particularly for co-op and intern students

6. Objective Statement
Write 2 – 3 phrases outlining the type of position you are seeking and your special interest areas
Co-op, intern or professional
Engineering major
Special interest areas could be particular industries or functional areas
Do not use words like “challenging position”
Focus on what you can do for the employer; not what the employer can do for you

7. Objective Statement Samples
Bad example:
A fulfilling position in mechanical engineering where I can expand my communication and leadership skills.
Straightforward, useful information:
A geological engineering co-op position in water resources management or remediation for a maximum of three work terms.

8. Education Section Degree level, major and date degree is expected
University attended
GPA – Can be overall, major, last 4 semesters
Other Possibilities
Coursework – filler category – limit list
Academic projects
Areas of emphasis
Honors, Scholarships

9. Education example University of Wisconsin-Madison
B.S. Engineering Mechanics, expected May 2010
Engineering GPA 3.2/4.0, Cumulative GPA 2.8/4.0
Academic Design Projects
Mars Wind Machine: Completed stress and displacement analysis of Giromill airfoils. Determined most effective internal airfoil construction and material.
High Voltage Power Line Hybrid Crossarm: Developed an efficient design process. Completed stress/strain analysis for worst case scenario; appropriate materials selection/dimension analysis.
Selected Course Work
Advanced Strength of Materials, Finite Elements, Material Fatigue, Aerodynamics

10. Experience Section Potential section titles
Engineering Experience
Additional Work Experience
Industrial Experience
Research Experience
Format this section the same as you formatted the Education section
For descriptions, use phrases, not sentences
Use key words and action verbs (pages of ECS Job Search Guide)

11. Experience Section Quantify terms, if possible
Managed the operation of a municipal pool service over 1000 customers each day. Supervised a staff of 7 lifeguards. Required strong organizational skills. Saved $3000 for college expenses.
List duties and accomplishments
Developed low-stress, clear and textured optical quality polycarbonate film products used in display and data storage applications on state-of-the-art extrusion lines using Six Sigma tools.
Team leader in commercialization of product with projected revenue of $4.8 million in 2002.
Key team member in commercialization of product with projected revenue of $8 million in 2002.

12. No Experience? Everyone has experience Academic projects
Also appropriate in education or own section
Volunteer experience
Also appropriate in additional information
Any work experience

13. Not just engineering experience
All jobs are important
Indicate strong work ethic
Examples of development of leadership and communication skills
Shows use of time management, meeting deadlines, working with others, taking responsibility
May also balance a GPA below 3.0
Worked 20 hours/week while full-time student
Paid 80% of college expenses through part-time work
Silverspring Golf Course, Middlebury, IL
Caddie, Summers
Developed strong interpersonal skills in working with variety of customers and management.
Enhanced already strong work ethic by working 12 hours/day for 3 months each summer. Saved $3,300 over 4 summers.
Promoted to caddy master in 2007.
Trained and supervised eight new hires.

14. What skills do you have? Computer skills Language skills
Be inclusive: languages, platforms, programs
Language skills
Convey the level of proficiency
Proficient
Fluent
Familiar with

15. What else should you include?
Activities
Engineering or community organizations
Volunteer experience
Awards, scholarships, honors
What else are you interested in/spend time on?
UW Marching Band, intramural sports teams, restoring old cars, and Eagle Scout

16. Is the format important?
Resumes are looked at VERY quickly
½ content, ½ appearance
In general, one page for BS students, often 2 pages for MS students
White space is necessary between sections
Quality printing on white or light paper so it’s easy to read
Use bullets, bolding, etc.
But not too much!

17. Is your resume ready? Proofread Have a friend/roommate proofread ECS
24/48 hr drop-off review
Appointment after Career Connection

18. Final Product

19. Cover Letter is Required
The cover letter
Introduces resume
Demonstrates writing skills
Shows match with employer
Change for each employer
Three paragraphs
Introduction - what do you want (internship, etc.)
Body - why they should hire you (what makes you a good match)
Closing - how you are going to follow-up with them
PROOFREAD

20. How to send E-mail Mail Convenient/fast for employers and you
One screen – no scrolling
Business format
1-2 paragraphs
Scannable resume in body; formatted resume attached
Mail
Same paper/format as resume
One page
Signed

21. Questions? Additional information in ECS Student Handbook
Books/Samples available in ECS Office

22. Career Fair Resume
For the Career Connection only, include at the bottom of each resume:
Candidate Type
(co-op/intern/professional)
Student ID
Work Authorization (US citizen/Permanent Resident/Visa Holder)
Intern F1 Visa

23. Questions?