Matt Vaartstra
and
Cynthia Mika
-Resumes
-Cover Letters
-Purpose
-Purpose
-Header
-Samples
-Objective
-Pitfalls
-Education
-What’s Next
-Experience
-Skills
-Community Service
-Other Topics to Include
-Topics NOT to Include
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Electrical Engineering Resume
-Foot-in-the-door paperwork
-If you get the interview, your resume is doing its job
-It’s YOUR resume, don’t use a template, make it personal
-Be professional and honest
-Include what you want to say, and your best experiences
Breaking Down the Résumé
-The Header
W. LEE SOLUM
 Name should be
the biggest text on
the page
 Be sure to include
all pertinent
contact
information
 There are many
different formats
 Be sure to include
your header at the
top of each page of
your résumé
1105 West A Street Moscow, ID 83843
(208) 699-5147 wleesolum@v.uidaho.edu
OBJECTIVE: Summer 2010 internship at an electrical engineering company.
EDUCATION: B.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Idaho, Moscow ID
Expected Graduation: Fall 2012
Earned 100% of college expenses through full-time employment
RELEVANT COURSES:
Electrical Circuits I, II and Labs
Digital Logic
Engineering Statics
Engineering Physics I, II
CAPABILITIES:
* Interpret graphs and circuit models
* Communicate well with non-engineers
* Operate UNIX and DOS
* Write programs in C++
* Perform electrical grid analysis
*
*
*
*
*
Test and run circuit models
Create web pages
Operate P-Spice
Implement AutoCAD designs
Edit material and data
ACHIEVEMENTS:
* Awarded the North Idaho Science Scholarship and other University of Idaho scholarships
* Awarded scholarship from Twin Lakes Village Golf Course for achievement and academics
* Volunteered over 100 hours for the City of Coeur d’Alene, ID
PROJECTS:
Time Management in the Workplace (Sophomore Seminar, ECE 292)
~ Researched and analyzed better ways to manage time in the workplace
~ Worked with a team of 4 individuals
~ Presented process and findings to class using PowerPoint
WORK HISTORY:
Twin Lakes Village Golf Course, Rathdrum ID.
Teaching Assistant and Golf Instructor, 2008-Present
Coordinate and plan golf tournaments
Assistant to the Professional, 2005-2008
Oversaw and implemented range crew and cart crew
Golf Shop Assistant, 2004-2005
Breaking Down the Résumé
-The Objective
 Purpose is to let the reader know
why they are reading the resume
 Be specific, use the position title
(if known) and the company name
 Keep it simple
Breaking Down the Résumé
-Education
EDUCATION
Your Degree, Major; Minor, (Field of Study)
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
Expected (Graduation Date): Month, Year
GPA: Cumulative (include if above 3.0)/Major (if higher)
Honors and Awards: List academic honors and awards for college
Course Highlights: [List 4-6 relevant courses to the position you are seeking and most advanced first. If you are currently taking a course
but will complete it before the internship/job begins, indicate the semester and year after course name, e.g., Fluid Mechanics (Spring 2009)]
Projects (optional)
Name of Project, Class name

Describe YOUR accomplishments, direct and transferable skills gained or exhibited during your lab, design, team or research
project(s).
 Start with what is
important, your degree
 Then University and
City, State
 Graduation date
 GPA: To include or not to
include?
 Honors and Awards, if
applicable
 Course Highlights: Three
Column, Job Specific
 Projects, if applicable
Breaking Down the Résumé
-Experience
EXPERIENCE (reverse chronological order; can be paid, unpaid, part-time, seasonal or full-time)
Your Title, Organization, City, State
month/year – month/year
 Start each phrase with an action verb to briefly describe your accomplishments. Focus on unique tasks within the
project. Emphasize direct and transferable skills. If you have space, you can use bulleted phrases to add clarity. It
is not important to list every job you have ever had.
 Lots of options for how




to phrase your heading
Start with your title
Then the Company and
City, State
Inclusive Dates
Reverse Chronological
 Accomplishment/skill/
ability statements
 Start with an action verb
 Follow up with specifics to
back up your statement
 If your experience is not
relevant to the position you
are applying for, focus on
transferable skills
Breaking Down the Résumé
-Skills
SKILLS (list relevant skills in order of importance to the employer)
Computer: Proficient in…; knowledgeable in…; familiar with….
Language: Fluent in…; conversant in…; familiar in….
Certifications: Current in (technical, medical, or programmatic training)
 Purpose to highlight skills of particular importance that may




not have been included under an experience entry
Utilize sorting by proficiency and knowledgeability to
include the best information
Computer skills are a broad range of abilities, but they are
applicable to almost any job setting
Language skills are a big way to differentiate yourself from
other applicants
Certifications can be from CPR and First Aid to a technical
certification
Breaking Down the Résumé
-Activities/Community Service
ACTIVITIES/COMMUNITY SERVICE (reverse chronological order; may add INTERESTS)
 List related activities to the position. The list may be in paragraph form or similar to your experiences with title,
organization, city, state and dates. Leadership in a student professional organization is important. Some
employers like to see well-rounded individuals, while others only want to know about activities and
interests related to the field; talk to someone in your field to gain valuable pertinent resume advice.
 Purpose: show employers you have been active in the
community and/or show meaningful activities
 Structure it similarly to your experiences in format
 Statements usually are not needed, but if the experience
was relevant or you gained a great skill, use a statement
to explain that
Other Topics to Include in Your
Résumé
 Professional and Student
 Leadership
Organizations
 Publications
 Licenses and
Accreditations
 Other Honors, Awards,
and Achievements
 Research
 Other topics vary
depending on your field
and the purpose of the
résumé
Topics NOT to Include in Your
Résumé
 Height, Weight, Age,





Gender
Marital Status, Number
of Children
Photograph
Reason for Leaving a Job
References (Put in
separate document)
Salary
 Early





Childhood/upbringing
Weaknesses, demands,
exaggerations
Long paragraphs (use
bullets or statements)
Hobbies (unless job
related)
Religion
Ethnicity
1. Show writing ability
2. Demonstrate specific
interest in the
organization and position
3. Allow for greater
personalization
Cover Letter Pitfalls:
No
Personalization
Do your research
and tailor your letter
to the position and
the organization.
“Based on the project descriptions, it is clear
that my skills and experience would be a
valuable contribution to your program. Both
the University Residences and Commons
projects, for example, will require a complete
analysis of student, faculty, and staff needs.”
“I am very interested in an internship
position with your agency. I was impressed
with your recent campaign for Nike, and I
would enjoy the opportunity to work in such
an innovative environment.”
Cover Letter Pitfalls:
Generic
Statements
Avoid vague clichés:
•
•
“I am a hard worker and a good team player.”
“I have excellent problem-solving skills.”
Use specific details and examples:
•
“One project in particular demonstrates my teamwork
skills. Last year, I participated in a robotics design
competition with four other students….”
•
“My strong background in accounting would be a
valuable addition to your team. As an office assistant
for ABC Rentals and Sales, I was responsible for
accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and
quarterly reports. I have also completed several upperdivision accounting courses.”
Cover Letter Pitfalls:
No Action Plan
DON’T wait for the employer
to take the next step:
“Thank you for reading the
enclosed application
materials. I look forward
to hearing from you about
the opportunities
available at New Broadhill.”
DO be proactive and suggest
a plan of action:
“Thank you for reading this
letter and my resume. I
shall call you the week of
February 7 to discuss
opportunities at New
Broadhill and the
possibility of an interview.”
Next Step
Call the Career Center to schedule
your resume and cover letter review:
885-6121
We help students with all aspects of the job and
internship search process, as well as serve as a
resource for service-learning and other
experiential education opportunities.
Commons 334
208.885.6121
www.uidaho.edu/careercenter
careercenter@uidaho.edu