University at Buffalo Career Services Technical Resumes and Cover Letters Fall 2013.

1. Technical
Resumes and Cover letters
Holly M. Justice
Engineering Career Counselor
Career Services
259 Capen Hall
HJUSTICE@BUFFALO.EDU

2. Technical Resume Writing

3. The Resume
• What is it?
An individually designed, brief summary of your
accomplishments
– (including education, experience, skills, etc…)
• Purpose?
To get you an interview!
• Should reflect your unique background &
excite interest in you as a potential employee
• Must show your impact

4. The Resume
• Plan Ahead
- Know the job you are seeking.
- Know what you have to offer…
Accomplishments
Skills
Experiences
• Research the Employer
- Know what qualities, skills and
experiences employer seeks in candidates

5. Resume Content: Must Have’s!
• Identifying Data: You must be easy to reach!
Your Name
Address (temporary/permanent, dates)
Phone (professional sounding message)
Email (professional address name)
Ex:
Corey S. Engineer
csengineer@buffalo.edu
55 Edgewood Avenue
Cheektowaga, NY 14216
716-645-2231
100 Main St.
New York, NY 10012
212-123-4567 (after 6/13)

6. Resume Content: Must Have’s!
Education
Name of College/Univ.
Degree, Major/Minor
Date Received or Expected
GPA (3.0/4.0 issue)
Applicable Coursework (optional)
Awards/Honors (optional)
Study Abroad (optional)
Example:
Education
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY
BS Civil Engineering, May 2013
Overall GPA 3.3/4.0 Civil GPA 3.6/4.0
Dean’s List, Fall 2011, 2010
Relevant Coursework: Engineering Economy, Construction Management,
Production Systems, Probability and Statistics
OPTIONAL – DO YOU NEED THIS SECTION? HOW DOES IT HELP YOU?

7. Resume Content: Must Have!
Experience
(paid, volunteer, internship, co-op, military)
Target To Your Audience!
Reverse Chronological Order!
Ex:
CIVIL ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE
Turner Construction, Buffalo, NY
Civil Engineering Intern, Summer, May – August 2012
• Reviewed designs and compared with field construction
• Supervised work team and met with contractors
• Verified material compliance with all state and federal standards.

8. Resume Content: What’s so technical?
• Technical Skills
• Projects
• Professional experience (Technical/Related
Experience)
Example:
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Languages: C, C++, Java, Assembly
Software: Maple, Visual Basic, Microsoft Office
(Excel, Word, Powerpoint), Knowledge of Matlab
Operating Systems: Windows 98/NT, Unix
Field : Surveying, estimating

9. Resume Content: What Else?
Category Headings
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Engineering Experience
Engineering Co-op
Community Service
Professional Affiliations
Leadership
Computer Skills
Achievements
Special Interests
Availability
References Available Upon
• Objective
Engineering Projects
Extra-Curricular Activities
Honors and Awards
Professional Development
Language Skills
International Experience
Special Skills
Certification/Licenses
Additional Experience
Request.

10. Resume Content: Soft Skills
Employers look for candidates who have:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Good communication skills
Good interpersonal skills
A strong work ethic
Are team players
Are flexible
Are detail-oriented
Are motivated.
* Demonstrate these skills through your work
experience and project descriptions.

11. Quiz
How many pages should
your resume be?

12. The Resume: Final Touches
Overall appearance:
– Does your resume make you want to read it at a glance?
– 15 second rule
– NO ERRORS!
Layout:
– Does the resume look professional?
– Quality print, appropriate margins
Do KEY points stand out at a glance?
– Typically one page, no more than 2 pages!
– if two pages put most important information on first page
– use category headings to point to your strengths!
Use full, yet concise descriptions so it has complete information without being
too specific or too long!
– action words in brief statements, do not use complete sentences
Is it getting you the interview?

13. The Resume & Applying Online
Special Considerations
• You will need a traditional Paper Version, and you may need
a simple text Electronic Version
– Keywords*
– Keep fonts, margins and enhancements simple.
– Use a clear file name (ex. Your_name_resume.doc)
• Emailing your resume
– Email your resume to a specific person (Never mass email your
resume.)
– Use formal, professional language (do not be casual in your emails! )

14. Corey S. Engineer
csengineer@buffalo.edu
110 Capen Way, Buffalo, NY 14260, 716-645-2231
www.buffalo.edu/mysite
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering, May 2014
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Overall GPA 3.2/4.0 IE GPA 3.4/4.0
Engineering Career Institute, University at Buffalo, Spring 08
* Actively participated in course designed to enhance on-the-job effectiveness. Subjects:
Value Engineering, Teamwork, Public Speaking, Project Management, Leadership
Development, Effective Technical Communication, Ethics, Entrepreneurship, etc.
HONORS
Engineering Dean’s List
Name of Scholarship awarded for high academic achievement
RELEVANT
COURSEWORK
Engineering Economy, Operations Research, Ergonomics, Production Systems, Statistics
ENGINEERING
EXPERIENCE
Research Intern, Praxair Inc., Tonawanda, NY, Summer, 2012
* Evaluated an advanced Nickel Aluminide intermetallic material for possible structural
applications.
* Initiated the use of CAD software (Autosketch) for general test specimen
development and the design of specific project components.
* Due to productivity performance, asked to continue interning throughout fall semester.

15. Corey S. Engineer
Page 2
COMPUTER SKILLS Working knowledge of UNIX, Windows 3.1/95/NT, Maple, Matlab, C++
HTML, MS Word, Excel Power Point, Access
LEADERSHIP
President, Engineering Student Association, 2012-13
Team Leader, UB Soccer Team, 2011-12
PROFESSIONAL
ASSOCIATION
Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), Member
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Fluent in spoken and written Spanish.
ADDITIONAL
EXPERIENCE
Wegmans Food Market, Buffalo, NY
Associate, July 2011 – present
* Provided high quality customer service in a fast paced environment.
* Introduced more efficient system for stocking shelves saving time and money.
* Maintained an orderly and clean work environment.
The Gap, Rochester, NY
Salesperson, Summers 2008– 2010
* Served customers providing timely and courteous service.
* Trained new employees and supervised staff of six in manager’s absence.
* Won Salesperson of the Month, August 2009

16. What Employers Have Said They Seek:
• EXPERIENCE!
(Co-op/Internship, related experience)
• GPA
• Good Communication Skills –
Oral and Written!
• Evidence of Team Work
• Time Management Skills
• Problem-solving Skills
• Enthusiasm
• Flexibility
• Being able to apply what you’ve learned

17. The Cover Letter

18. The Cover Letter
• What is it?
An individually designed formal business letter
that introduces your resume when applying to
an employer in writing.
• Purpose?
To get the reader excited about you as a
candidate and looking to your resume for more
information.

19. The Cover Letter
• Plan Ahead
- Know the job you are seeking.
- Know what you have to offer…
Accomplishments
Skills
Experiences
• Research the Employer
- Know what qualities, skills and
experiences employer seeks in candidates

20. When do you need a cover
letter?

21. Cover Letter Basics
•
•
•
•
•
•
Should be targeted toward each position to which
you apply
Demonstrates your writing skills & grammar.
Brief, but needs to stand out from other applicants
Formal business style letter on paper, more
concise version for email.
Work and employer centered
Focus on your qualifications and benefits to the
employer

22. Preparing to target your
cover letters
One system to consider…

23. Preparing to target your letters
One system to consider…
List your qualifications
and have examples for
each:
1. Technical Skills
2. Communication skills
3. Project Management
4. Leadership
5. Experience in
industry
6. Teamwork
• Letter for Company A
– 1, 3, 4
• Letter for Company B
– 1, 2, 4, 6
• Letter for Company C
– 1, 5, 3

24. Cover Letter: Paragraph 1
First Paragraph:
• Tell why you are writing, what job you are
seeking, and how you heard about the job
• Show you researched the company by making
a statement about the company
Example: I am writing with regard to your opening for
an Industrial Engineer as listed on the Ralcorp
Holdings Website. I believe my co-op experience in a
similar manufacturing setting combined with my
specialized educational background would make me
an asset to your company.

25. The Cover Letter: Paragraph 2
Second Paragraph:
 Bridge to your resume and create a desire to
read further by summarizing 1 – 3 key
accomplishments on your resume.
 Highlight your strongest qualifications
 Provide additional information such as qualities
targeted toward job / employer
 Use examples where appropriate
 Why are you the best candidate for this job and at
this company?

26. The Cover Letter: Paragraph 2
Example:
As my enclosed resume indicates, my technical educational
background, demonstrated leadership skills, and ability to meet
customers’ needs would enable me to make a valuable
contribution in a chemical engineering position at Minnesota
Mining and Manufacturing Company. My Bachelor’s degree in
Chemical Engineering from the University at Buffalo has
prepared me well with unique coursework in photochemistry,
process controls, and unit operations laboratory. My ability to
function as both a leader and a team player would enable me to
serve the company well in a project-management capacity.
During my academic years I have served in many leadership
roles through various clubs and organizations such as the
Chemical Engineering Association.…….

27. The Cover Letter Paragraph 3*
• Paragraph 3: Your closing paragraph
- Ask for action: for an interview
- Thank them for their consideration
Example: Thank you for your consideration. I look
forward to the opportunity to meet with you to
discuss your needs and how my qualifications fit
for this position. Please do not hesitate to
contact me if I can answer any questions or
provide any additional information.

28. The Cover Letter: Full Block Style
12 Heathwood Drive
Williamsville, NY 14221
Date
John Doe,
Title
Organization Name
Organization Address
City, State Zip code
Dear Mr. Doe: ( Dear Hiring Manager: )
Body of Letter
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address

29. “T-letter” style cover letter

30. T-Letter Style Cover Letter
• 1st and 3rd paragraph the same as a
traditional letter
• 2nd paragraph includes one opening
sentence and then a 2 column chart.
• This letter is very specific.

31. EXAMPLE OF 2ND PARAGRAPH
Position Requirement
- Experience with AutoCad
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Work well with a variety of
customers
My qualifications
- I have completed numerous projects
with extensive AutoCad work.
- Proven record of meeting deadlines
with technical projects in business
environments
-Over 3 years of excellent customer
service experience working in sales
with technical and non-technical
clients

32. Applying to positions with your Resume &
Cover Letter - Special Considerations
• Emailing your resume & cover letter
– Email your resume to a specific person (Never mass email
your resume!)
– Use formal, professional language (do not be casual in your
emails!)
– Option 1: write a brief introductory email and attach your
resume and cover letter
– Option 2: write your cover letter as the body of the email and
attach just your resume.
• On Job Search Engine sites and Company websites
– Usually you are asked to attach your resume.
– You may also consider creating a file that includes your
resume & cover letter and attach that as your “resume” file.

33. UB Career Services
• Contact us:
– 259 Capen Hall 8:30am – 5:00pm M-F
– Call 716-645-2231 to schedule an
appointment
– Email us at jobs@buffalo.edu
– Express Career Consult –
• 12:00-4:00pm M-F
• www.ub-careers.buffalo.edu

34. Thank you for your time.
Please complete the brief evaluation
Good Luck!
Holly M. Justice
Engineering Career Counselor
Career Services
259 Capen Hall
HJUSTICE@BUFFALO.EDU