8/29/2014
Resumes, Cover Letters
& Interviews
MinE Career Placement and Resume Writing Info Session
Seniors, Juniors and Sophomores, Fall 2014
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Why Write a Resume?
1.
Get You an Interview
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2.
Employers spend 10-20 seconds cutting down resume pile
First visual impression makes and impact
Employer’s first idea about you
Guide the Interview
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Resume provides prompts and topics for the interview
Resume highlights your unique skills or achievements
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
Formatting
• One page
• Use standard margins (1x1 inch)
• Use acceptable font styles (arial, times new roman, calibri, cambria)
• Use appropriate font sizes (body text 10-12)
• Create distinct headings (bolding, size)
• Use term/name/date styles consistently
(i.e., January 2010 - Jan. 2010 – 1/2010)
• Create obvious and logical visual organization
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Formatting Pitfalls
• Excessive formatting: shading, italics, underlining
• Fancy, or unusual fonts styles
• Using tabs and space bar to align text…………………….>>
• Table gridlines are visible
• Lack of white space/line breaks: page is “crammed”
• Typos, grammatical errors, misspellings
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
Typical Parts
• Name & Contact Info
• Objective or Summary
• Education
• Skills/Certifications
• Work Experience
• Achievements, Awards or Honors
• Activities
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Resume Design
• Avoid resume software or
templates
• Do not use tabs and spaces to
design resume layout
• Organize layout using “Insert
Tables” function of MS Word
• Name headings to emphasize
your unique selling points
• Convert final document to PDF
to “lock in” formatting and
appearance
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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Sample Resume using Tables
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Objective statement
“An internship in mining engineering for the summer of 2010”
“Permanent position in a mining engineering company, with particular
interest in environmental planning and reclamation”
• Tell Employer Exactly what you want
• Avoid empty language or resume clichés
“Job where I will gain experience in the real world”
“Seeking a challenging position that utilizes my exceptional
knowledge and unique talents”
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
Qualification Summary/Profile
• Alternative to “Objective”
• Summarize, highlight or profile your unique
experiences, abilities and selling points
• Targets the specific job and its responsibilities
• 3-4 concise sentences
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Sample Summary of Qualifications
Extensive experience in engineering and management,
research and development, leadership and mentoring, test
and problem-solving. My engineering forte is in
electrical/electronic and automated test systems. My
solutions have saved over $23,000,000 in costs to date. Self
motivated professional, capable of working independently or
as part of a team and a proven writer and speaker.
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
Summary of Qualifications (2)
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Education
B.S. Mining Engineering, May 2016
Minor: Green Engineering
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg Virginia
GPA: 3.42
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Only 2 official university names:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
or
Virginia Tech
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Do not write “expected graduation” or “plan to graduate on…”
Recruiters expect GPAs. Specify whether it is in-major or cumulative.
Include minors
Do not list courses
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
What about High School?
• High school information can be useful for leaner resumes, but
will gradually be replaced over time and experience.
• Include any high school info under Education
• Do not list a high school “major” or “degree”
• Note active leadership roles in student organizations along
with results or accomplishments
Bottom Line:
What does the information tell an employer about what you can accomplish?
You went to ‘such and such’ High School
vs.
You were on a high school Lego-robotics team which took first place in a
state championship for its design?
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Skills
• Specialized computer programs
• Licenses, permits, certifications
• Foreign languages
• Avoid listing common skills/licenses (Windows,
Outlook, MS Word, Driver’s License, etc.)
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
Experience/Work History
• List jobs in chronological order, beginning with
most recent
• Give accurate dates (year round vs. summer job)
• Emphasize jobs performed with concrete, direct
verb phrases
• Be professional: do not demean or trivialize
experiences, companies, or employers
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
“All I did was paint houses”
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Scheduled paint job projects
Maintained inventory of paints/supplies
Worked within budgets
Provided customer support, conducted
follow-ups on quality
• Safely handled and disposed of paints and
solvents, ensured environmental safety
• Inspected tools and equipment
• Delivered on 15 jobs within two months in
a timely manner
Regardless of job, always describe what you did rather
than simply name the job or summarize the experience
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
Work History Pitfalls
• Don’t demean or trivialize any work experience
“Fostered an Appreciation of Manual Labor”
“Performed many minute duties and other things”
• Don’t summarize “quality of the job experience”—instead
describe it in detail
“Gained valuable insight into the inner workings of a coal processing facility”
Witnessed first-hand the importance of safety
• Don’t be vague or grandiose about job duties
“Gained experience in a fast-paced job”
Exposed to a variety of copper-related processes
“Helped out with numerous tasks”
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Parallel verb phrases
Bulleted job descriptions should be syntactically parallel
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••
••
Conducted
Acid
leach test
acidwork
leach tests
(what was done)
Created control room windows
(what you did)
Extensive
Carried
out
test
extensive
work tests on…
(what was done)
Assistantwith
Assisted
for plant
plantmaintenance
equipment maintenance
program (what
program
you were)
Regulate pH
Regulated
pHofofprocess
processwater
water
(what you do)
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
Sample Work History
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Awards, Activities, etc.
• List awards, scholarships, positions of leadership,
organizations and achievements
• Provide years, dates
• Do not list “hobbies/interests,” but do list
activities that demonstrate
skills/service/community involvement
“Enthusiastic boarder”
vs.
“Member VT Snow Boarders Club”
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
References
Don’t include or write
“References available upon request”
Do prepare and bring to interview:
• A separate document/page listing your reference contacts
(usually 3)
• Format References page to match Resume’s header style
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Final Resume Tips
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Describe what you did, not the job itself,
Quantify results when possible
Maintain professional tone and style
Be specific and honest
Proofread for grammatical correctness
Ensure neat, visual organization; use tables
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
Writing Cover Letters
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
When to write a cover letter
• Applying for position outside department’s Job
Placement Program
• Responding to advertised (known) position
• Inquiring about potential (unsolicited) position
• Whenever you send a Resume
With the exception of department’s Career Placement Program,
Cover Letters should always accompany a resume!
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
Cover Letter Formatting
Use standard business letter formatting
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Standard page margins
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Provide return address, date line, name/address of company
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Left or block-style justification
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Type as well as sign your name (except emailed)
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Formal greetings and closings (Dear… Sincerely)
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Know or obtain name of a contact person: Do not write “to whom
it may concern…”
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Cover Letter Organization
Simple 3 or 4-paragraph formula:
1. Who you are/why you are writing/how you learned about
position
2. & 3. Why interested in this job or company; what you have
to offer; connection between you and the job (not just repeat
of resume). Summarize your unique skills. Explain
shortcomings or mis-matches.
4. Restate firm interest. Request an interview or offer to
follow up. Thanks for time.
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
September 3, 2005
Mr. Gerhard Urschitz
Executive Vice President
Dr. G. Sauer Corporation
Herndon, VA 20170
gurschitz@dr-sauer.com
Dear Mr. Urschitz:
I am writing to apply for the Geotechnical Engineering position in your Herndon office. I
learned of your company through one of my professors at Virginia Tech, Dr. Erik
Westman. I have also researched your company via your web site to learn more about
the type of engineering work performed by your company. I am especially interested in
your field of geotechnical engineering and slope support. In May 2006, I will be
graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Mining and Minerals Engineering from Virginia
Tech, and I am very interested in a position with the Dr. Sauer Group. Dr. Westman
recommended your company to me and felt that my experiences would make me a great
match for your company.
My basic knowledge of rock and mineral properties, rock slope stabilization, core
drilling, mineral exploration, and fundamentals of engineering were obtained from my
classes, specifically in Surface and Underground Mine Design, Rock Mechanics,
Excavation Engineering, Geophysics, and other geology classes. My recent experiences
in rock tomography research, as well as my work in a Limestone quarry, have
strengthened my expertise in slope stabilization, core drilling, environmental permitting,
and management skills. I am also taking my Engineer-in-Training exam this fall with the
anticipation of obtaining my Professional Engineering License once my requirements
have been fulfilled. I have a strong academic background in mining and geology, and
believe that I can apply that knowledge and my experiences to the geotechnical industry.
My resume, which more fully details my qualification, is attached.
I look forward to talking with you regarding the Geotechnical Engineering position with
the Dr. Sauer Group. Within the next week I will contact you to confirm that you
received my email and resume and to answer any questions you may have. Thank you for
your consideration.
Sincerely,
Heather Kraus
352 Old Cedarfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24060
757-647-9682
hekraus@vt.edu
Interviews
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
Keys to Successful Interviews
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Research organization
Show up in the right place, right time
Dress appropriately
Address interviewer by his or her title/name
Offer a firm handshake at beginning and conclusion of
interview
Maintain good eye contact
Sit still, be upright, attentive
Be concise yet complete with your answers
Have questions prepared and ask them
Thank them for interview; get contact information
Be confident, show enthusiasm
Follow up
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
What to Avoid in Interviews
• Negative comments about previous
employers/professors
• False information or answers to questions
• Suggesting you will only consider one specific job
with that organization, or
• Giving impression you are only interested in job
for location, pay, or you are just “checking out”
possibilities
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
Dress and Appearance
• Employer surveys show that clothing and
appearance are very important factors in assessing
candidates
• Mining is traditionally a conservative industry.
Watch out for piercings (men), exposed tattoos,
exposed midriffs, ripped pants, sandals, flip flops.
• A formal business suit is the best bet for full-time
positions interviews
• Always maintain a clean, neat, professional
appearance
• When in doubt, dress “up”
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Appearance
Also avoid…
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Perfumes or colognes
Boots
Jeans
Costume or hair jewelry (unless functional)
Gold medallions, charms
Low necklines and high hemlines on women
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
What to bring
• Extra printed copies of most current or
updated resume*
• Printed list of references
• Clean, professional notepad/legal pad with
your questions, to take notes, etc.
• Pen
* Cannot print in main office
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
What not to bring
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
Prepare for Interview
• Learn about the company: attend info
sessions
• Practice answering common interview
questions and “Behavioral Interview”
questions
• Have questions ready for interviewer and
be prepared to ask them.
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Common Interview Questions
• Tell me about yourself
• What makes you think you are qualified to work for this
company? (What can you do for us?)
• What makes you different from the other candidates? (Why
should I hire you and not other classmates?)
• What do you know about our company?
• What do you see yourself doing in five years? In ten years?
• What did you like (and not like) about your last job?
• What is your greatest strength (and limitation) for this job?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Key to Success
Use questions as opportunities to show strengths or
express positive attributes
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
“Behavioral” Interviews
Instead of being asked how you would behave in a
situation, you are asked how you actually did behave.
• Describe a decision you made that was a failure. What happened
and why?
• Tell me about a time that you worked conveying technical
information to a nontechnical audience.
• Tell me about a time that you worked with data, interpreting
data, and presenting data.
• Why do you think you will be successful at this job?
• Tell me about a time that you participated in a team, what was
your role?
• Tell me about a time when you were faced with conflicting
priorities. How did you determine the top priority?
• Tell me about a time when you failed.
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Asking Questions
As important as answering them
Shows you know about the job,
position and industry
Don’t ask questions provided in
company literature, already
answered in interview, or at info
session
When in doubt, ask something:
housing, transportation to job, what
will specific tasks involve?
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
After the Interview
Get important contact information:
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Name of interviewer(s)
Company address, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses
Contact personnel for future inquiries about position
Send the company/employer a Thank-You letter
Reconfirm interest in the position/organization
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
Basic Thank You Letter
Simple 3-4 paragraphs:
1.
Explain why you are writing, remind them of interview date
and location
2.
Emphasize your continued interest in position. Note any
comments that stand out about the company. Restate your
interest.
3.
Thank interviewer again, express desire to hear back or
offer to contact.
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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8/29/2014
Further Resources
MinE Writing & Communications Program
113 Holden, 231-2525, abiviano@vt.edu.
Handouts of this presentation, as well as info about the Career Placement Program can be found on the
Department’s MinE Job Placemen Program Page: http://www.mining.vt.edu/recruiting/recruiting.htm
Virginia Tech Career Services “2014-2015 Career Planning Guide”
Pick up a copy in 113Holden or at the Smith Career Center Building (corner of Washington Street and West
Campus Drive.). Valuable information on conducting a job search and preparing resumes. Offers samples for
resumes, cover letters, thank you letters. Useful “Skills Cluster” list for finding right word. Interviewing
strategies.
Virginia Tech Career Services
Finally, Tech’s Career Services (Smith Career Center, Corner of Washington Street and West Campus Drive) will
work with you individually on drafting and finalizing a resume. Call (231-6241), or visit their website:
www.career.vt.edu.F
Virginia Tech Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering
Writing & Communications Program
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