Resumes & CVs

Department of Mechanical Engineering

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

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”

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

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

Resume Formats

   Reverse Chronological – in reverse chronological order, beginning with most recent position Lists your experiences 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

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?

Resume Guidelines/Length

   Easy to read – consistent format and the reader should have a

clear

Resume should be in a 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 – concise – make every word count – 2 page optimum Keep your resume

Resume Headings

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

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

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

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

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

CV Formats

   Academic CV Executive CV International CV

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; 5 - 10 pages is optimum

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

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

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 Usage Publications Style and Format Number of versions References

Not restricted; 5 - 10 – optimum for a seasoned academic SAM/Science – Academia - Medical positions Yes – full list 1 to 2 pages Every other type of job outside of academia and research science Rarely Not important; content matters One is enough/minor modifications are OK Yes Very important/Make it easy to read and follow Many version/Tailor to each job of interest No

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

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

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

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

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

Questions

• Follow up: Bori Stoyanova [email protected]

Lynette Jones [email protected]