1. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Resumes & CVs
Department of Mechanical Engineering

2. Agenda Resumes vs CVs Purpose of a Resume Purpose of a CV
Resume Formats & Content
CV Formats & Content
Differences Between a CV and a Resume
Resume/CV Dos and Don’ts
Cover Letters
Research Statements

3. Resumes vs Curriculum Vitae (CVs)
Resumes are required for an Industry Job Search Process
Resumes are the written inventory of your work experience and accomplishments, skill set, career and educational highlights
CVs are required by environments that demand doctoral degrees – SAM communities
CVs are a chronological representation of credentials - “the course of one’s life”

4. A Resume and its Purpose
Marketing Tool
Key component in the job search process
To get you an interview
Resumes are as unique and individual as the individuals they represent
Tailored to the specific job

5. A CV and its Purpose Important piece of documentation
Key component in the search for scientific, academic, or medical positions
Usually accompanied by a cover letter and a research statement
To highlight your credentials
CV follows a specific structure
Only one version of a CV is enough

6. Resume Formats
Reverse Chronological – Lists your experiences in reverse chronological order, beginning with most recent position
Functional – Promotes and headlines skills and accomplishments, without emphasizing where or when you developed those skills
Combination – Utilizes reverse chronological order as well as organizes experiences in order of importance

7. The Four Ws of a Resume? What opportunity are you seeking?
What is your specific background that relates to this opportunity?
What are the roles, relevant work experiences and education that provided you with this experience?
What are your unique accomplishments?

8. Resume Guidelines/Length
Easy to read – Resume should be in a consistent format and the reader should have a clear understanding of who you are
Easy to find out what you are good at – effective formatting, clear articulate language and pertinent information will enable the reader to access what is important
Length of Resume – Keep your resume concise – make every word count – 2 page optimum

9. Resume Headings
Contact Information
Profile Summary Skill Set vs. Objective
Work Experience
Education
Professional Associations and Membership

10. Use Words Carefully Avoid use of confusing terms or acronyms
Avoid use of long sentences or paragraphs
Focus on concise factual statements
Emphasize hard skills, e.g. computer software applications
Focus on specific action verbs

11. Resume Content
Show a progressive history of success (increased responsibilities, promotions, etc)
Address specific accomplishments – PAR statements
Identify your unique achievements within organizations
Provide metrics that support these accomplishments

12. PAR – Example
Project: Recognized a need for an interactive videodisc/computer database for students and faculty
Action: Analyzed database and procedural requirements and designed an interactive tool
Result: Installed in MIT Libraries
Putting it all together: Identified the need for and led the design and delivery of a database project which resulted in easier access of information for faculty, students and staff through MIT Libraries

13. PAR Statement Practice
1. Think about an accomplishment or project that you wish to include in your resume. With a partner, describe the issue or challenges that you addressed
2. Write down the following:
(P) What was the issue and subsequent project
(A) What actions you took using action verbs
(R) The result or impact of the project

14. CV Formats
Academic CV
Executive CV
International CV

15. CV Guidelines/Length
Easy to Read – line item presentation of your credentials and academic history
Must haves
Professional Address
Educational History
Honors and Awards
Publications
References
Length of CVs – no restrictions; pages is optimum

16. CV Headings
Contact Information
Education/Doctoral Dissertation
Medical or Academic Posts
Research – with mentors and institutions
Publications
Presentations
Teaching
Honors and Awards
Appointments
Committees
Other activities

17. References – Resume vs CV
Not included or required in a Resume – can be an addendum
Typically required and listed in a CV – very important piece of information in academic searches
Consistent list between CV and applications for academic positions
Up to 5 reference letters are required in academic searches
Post Doc mentor and Ph. D. mentor come first – most important

18. Differences – Resume vs CV
Category
Curriculum Vitae
Resume
Essence
A full list of your professional and educational history
A summary of your experience and skills that are most pertinent to the job
Length
Not restricted; – optimum for a seasoned academic
1 to 2 pages
Usage
SAM/Science – Academia - Medical positions
Every other type of job outside of academia and research science
Publications
Yes – full list
Rarely
Style and Format
Not important; content matters
Very important/Make it easy to read and follow
Number of versions
One is enough/minor modifications are OK
Many version/Tailor to each job of interest
References
Yes No

19. Do Not's of Resumes & CVs
Do not include personal information in resume or academic CV
Do not send a photograph
Do not embellish your resume/CV with false statements
Do not use full sentences or pronouns
Do not use abbreviations or acronyms

20. Don’t be Shy to Share Obtain an objective review of your resume/CV
Share your resume/CV with a colleague in the specific department that you are targeting for a job
Keep updating resume and CV
Be true to the facts

21. Cover Letters – Industry Job Search
Cover Letter + Resume = Industry Job Search
Paragraph 1 – Express interest in opportunity + How you found out about it
Paragraph 2 – What you have to offer to the potential employer; specific matches between your qualifications and the job
Paragraph 3 – Follow up and Next Steps

22. Cover Letters –Academic Job Search
Cover Letter + CV = Academic Job Search
Paragraph 1 – Express interest in opportunity + funding situation
Paragraphs 2/3 – Work/mentors as a Post Doc + work/mentors as a Ph.D.
Paragraph 4 – Future research focus
Paragraph 5 – Follow up and Next Steps

23. Research Statements – Academic Job Search
Research Summary
Graduate Research (mentor + lab)
Post Doctoral Research (mentor + lab)
Future Research Plans (may include abstracts)
Optimum is 3-5 pages; may be more if abstracts are included
Educational Plan/Teaching Plan may also be required

24. Questions Follow up: Bori Stoyanova bori@mit.edu Lynette Jones