Career And Professional Planning (CAPP)
Cynthia Mika and Vicci White
capp@uidaho.edu
www.capp.uidaho.edu
208.885.6121
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Headers – Visually appealing
Name – Stands out (larger font)
Contact Information – Easy to find
Objective – Concise and clear
Education – Clearly stated; major GPA listed
Relevant Coursework – Listed
Project – Related to job description
Engineering Experience – Labeled and defined
Skills – Relevant engineering skills listed
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Other Experience – Written with transferable skills
Professional Organizations
Member, IEEE, September 2008 – Present
ACTIVITIES
Participant, Intramural Sports, UI, 09/07-present
Community Service
Hurricane Relief Volunteer, New Orleans, Summer 2007
Honors and Awards
Dean’s List, Honors Student, Presidential Scholar
References – Second page; same header; name, title, mailing
address, phone and email
Resume – One page; readable font type and size; .7” to 1.0” margins
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Name – Too small or not bolded
Experience
Unrelated positions listed first
 Repetition of action verbs or descriptions
 Emphasis on too many accomplishments
 Using pronouns – do not use
 Writing sentences – phrases only
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References – Listed on first page
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Formatting
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Bullets – too large
Inconsistent
 Hyphens
 Abbreviations
 Spacing
Errors – Typing or misspelling
 Capitalization
 Margins – too crowded
 Dates – not aligned (immediately following, on tab or right
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margin)
Vicci D. White
111 North Campus Drive Moscow, ID 83843 vwhite@uidaho.edu (208) 885-6121
Vicci D. White
111 North Campus Dr.
Moscow, ID 83843
vwhite@uidaho.edu
208.885-6121
Find errors and inconsistencies
CYNTHIA MIKA
222 W. Line Dr.
Moscow, ID 83844
CYNTHIA MIKA
222 W. Line Drive
Moscow, Idaho 83844
cmika@uidaho.edu
(208) 885-6121
cmika@uidaho.edu
(208)-885-6121
OBJECTIVE: To obtain an electrical engineering internship
with a firm in the systems and control industry.
Objective: seeking a position to learn about new things in the
field, to build my interpersonal skills and build a network
in Boise.
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Objective
Summer internship in electrical engineering.
Objective
To look for a job in Boise, Idaho.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
Expected May 2011
Education
B.s., E. E.; minor in computer science
Univ. of Id, Moscow, Idaho
2007-present
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Education
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
Anticipated December 2010
B.S., Electrical Engineering; Minor, Computer Science
RELEVANT COURSEWORK
Electronics, Signals & Systems, Energy Systems,
Microcontrollers, Digital Logic
Classes: ECE 350, Signals & Systems; geog 403,
Climatology; Comm 331 Conflict Management
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Course Highlights
Electric Circuits I & II
 Intro to Problem Solving & Programming
 Engineering Dynamics
 Technical Writing
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ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE
Jet Propulsion Intern, JPL, Pasadena, CA
05/08-08/08
Specified a code architecture for the controller’s acceptance of GPS input.
Created 3-D plots and cross sections of topographic data. Analyzed data and
proposed recommendations. Communicated regularly with project lead and
team members via email. Organized schedules for six co-workers.
Engineering Tutor, EE dept., WSU (9/09 -present)
Tutored in engineering classes. Helped students with homework. Organized
schedules for six students.
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Engineering Tutor, Electrical Engineering Department, Washington State
University, Pullman, WA (9/09 - present)
Provided further instruction and assistance for up to 20 engineering students.
Discussed examples of problems to conceptualize homework. Coordinated
schedules for students and three tutors.
Experience
McDonald’s, server/host, Moscow, ID
Sept. 2006 – Present
 Made food and gave it to people (Communicated with
customers to meet needs)
 Cleaned tables, emptied trash and washed dishes (Maintain a
pleasant and clean environment)
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Undergraduate Research Assistant, Electrical Engineering
Department, UI
June 2007-August 2007
• Drafted using Microstation Powerdraft
• Designed circuitry to be used in local stores
• Facilitated campus-wide event for over 150 people
Headings
Technical Skills and Abilities
 Technical Skills
 Technical Competencies
 Skills
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 Technical
 Computer
 Languages
Technical Skills
Proficient in SQL, PASCAL, C/Dynamic/C++; knowledgeable in
AutoCAD, Adobe Illustrator, Data Entry, Microsoft Office.
Skills: Internet research, Powerpoint, Excel, Word, Eagle, XMGrace,
Oscilloscope, Function Generator, Xilinx, Math CAD,
communication, teamwork, multi-tasking.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
Hardware: Rabbit, Digital Mulimenter, Pulse Generator
Software: Pspice, LTSpice, HDL, VDHL
Q&A
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Format – readable; business style
Header – matches resume
Date – 2 or 3 spaces between header and
greeting
Greeting – addressed to a person
Body of letter – thoughts flow between
paragraphs; details about personal and
academic breadth; gives most important
information for employer
First Paragraph
Answers question “Why them?”
 Mentions organization by name
 Tells what position you are applying for
 Credits the source where you heard of or found job
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Second Paragraph
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Ties your background and experience to employer’s
need as stated in the job/internship description
Third Paragraph
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Continues with their need and your experience OR
Tells your outstanding qualities and characteristics
as related to the position
Fourth Paragraph
Possible summary sentence
 Confident not cocky statement about interview
 Gives a time you will follow up with them
 Provides contact information for you
 Thank you for…
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Closing – Sincerely,
Three line spaces for signature
Your name
Enclosure or Attachments: Resume,
Application
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I am a sophomore at the University o f Idaho
seeking a Bachelor of Science in Electrical
Engineering. I spoke with you about internships at
the Engineering Career Fair last fall and am still
interested. VVVV electrical engineers work
directly with architects, and that cooperation and
breadth of perspective sounds interesting.
I heard about your summer internship program
through my brother, (name), who is a project
engineer with VVVV. As a sophomore, I have just
begun to learn the basics of electrical engineering.
I know true experience can only be gained
working in the industry.
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I believe I have the background to be an asset
to your company.
I worked at an engineering firm after school
during high school and learned a lot.
(When your cover letter reads like a form letter;
Be sure to add your voice)
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If hired, I would bring strong assets to VVVV.
Through two customer service positions, I have
developed a friendly and helpful style. For
instance, my curiosity about simple electronics
led to work at Radio Shack where I began to
understand that people with the same interests
have different levels of understanding. I have
broad interests, which have helped me gain
good time management skills and tenacity. As
well as holding a high GPA in high school and
working in retail, I volunteered in a history
museum and taught myself to play guitar.
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Your company sounds like a place where I can learn a
lot.
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I want to work with you this summer.
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I will do my best to provide what you need.
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Please call me or send an email.
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(Colloquialisms and overused words or phrases:
thrown my way; actually; as you can see from my
resume; etc.; even going so far as to; other various;
starting a sentence with “And”)
(Repeating resume – refer to an experience but expand
from the resume)
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I hope you will take the time to interview me for
the summer internship position as I would love to
tell you more about why I would be a great choice.
I would welcome the opportunity to speak with
you in person about my qualifications at your
earliest convenience.
Thank you for your time and the opportunities
you give engineering students to gain an
understanding of the industry while still in college.
Q&A
Thank you for your collaboration with the CAPP Career Advisors!