Engineering Resume Workshop

EngineeringEngineeringResume WorkshopResume Workshop

- BYU -- BYU -

January 26, 2005January 26, 2005

Why did you come to BYU?Why did you come to BYU?

You came to get a job,You came to get a job,So put in the time to get it.So put in the time to get it.

Why did you come to BYU?Why did you come to BYU?

1 hour a day (at least)1 hour a day (at least)

Be on time & responsibleBe on time & responsible

Spend what is necessarySpend what is necessary- Interview documents Interview documents

- cell phone cell phone

- new shirt & tienew shirt & tie

AgendaAgenda

Purpose of your ResumePurpose of your Resume

AnatomyAnatomy

SubstanceSubstance– What to include and whyWhat to include and why

Writing Writing (Putting it into words)(Putting it into words)

InterviewingInterviewing– What recruiters are looking forWhat recruiters are looking for

PurposePurpose

PurposePurpose

You are a product you are selling to a You are a product you are selling to a companycompany

Your Resume is your marketing toolYour Resume is your marketing tool

– a single page “product description”a single page “product description”

– With a MS, two pages can be appropriateWith a MS, two pages can be appropriate

PurposePurpose

Two Questions:Two Questions:

What does your employer want?What does your employer want?– Industry expectations from a graduating Industry expectations from a graduating

engineerengineer

How do you communicate your How do you communicate your qualities to your employer?qualities to your employer?

PurposePurpose

Your resume is Your resume is notnot built to built to impressimpress an an employer… employer…

… … Your resume is built to Your resume is built to communicate your experience.communicate your experience.

AnatomyAnatomy

AnatomyAnatomy

Personal InfoPersonal Info

Objective / Qualifications Objective / Qualifications (optional)(optional)

EducationEducation

Relative ExperienceRelative Experience

Other ExperienceOther Experience

Personal InfoPersonal Info

Make a custom email address – Make a custom email address –

[email protected]@byu.edu

instead of – instead of –

[email protected]@email.byu.edu

Not – Not –

[email protected]@byu.edu

Process OrganizationProcess Organization

Computer Memory is Cheap!!!Computer Memory is Cheap!!!Save your Resume with reference to each Save your Resume with reference to each company, and attach that same resume when company, and attach that same resume when emailing them emailing them (John_Lockheed_Res) (John_Lockheed_Res)Customize a Cover Letter for Each Company Customize a Cover Letter for Each Company (John_Raytheon_Cov)(John_Raytheon_Cov)Keep a Journal of contacts, emails, interviews, Keep a Journal of contacts, emails, interviews, etc, with dates, for each company etc, with dates, for each company (Word Doc: NatInst_Contacts)(Word Doc: NatInst_Contacts)

SubstanceSubstance

SubstanceSubstance

Your resume is Your resume is notnot built on paper… built on paper…

… … Your resume is built on experience.Your resume is built on experience.

SubstanceSubstance

Student Fallacies - Industry RealitiesStudent Fallacies - Industry Realities

What Recruiters are Looking ForWhat Recruiters are Looking For

The Value of Your ExperienceThe Value of Your Experience


Highest GPA WinsHighest GPA Wins

You have to be totally You have to be totally self sufficientself sufficient

3.9 is a yellow flag3.9 is a yellow flag

3.7 -.5 is perfect3.7 -.5 is perfect

< 3.0 is concerning< 3.0 is concerning

They want you to They want you to know when and how know when and how to find helpto find help

Internships are better Internships are better than Clubsthan Clubs

““Real Engineering” Real Engineering” involves complex involves complex calculations and calculations and modelingmodeling

Experience is Experience is experience –experience –

It shows what you It shows what you have donehave done

About 5% of your About 5% of your first year will use first year will use equations you equations you learned in collegelearned in college


Employers scrutinize Employers scrutinize recruits, and want recruits, and want only the brightest and only the brightest and smartestsmartest

Companies have set Companies have set and rigid recruiting and rigid recruiting schedulesschedules

We want somebody We want somebody who we can reliably who we can reliably work with on any work with on any projectproject

Hiring is just another Hiring is just another thing that needs to thing that needs to get doneget done


Submitting your Submitting your resume on the resume on the internet is uselessinternet is useless

Some of the largest Some of the largest companies only hire companies only hire undergrads from undergrads from internet submissions.internet submissions.


SubstanceSubstance

What Kind of ExperienceWhat Kind of Experience– InternshipsInternships

– Univ. ProjectsUniv. Projects

– Research AssistantResearch Assistant

– Senior Design ProjectSenior Design Project

– Non-Eng. “Soft” ExperienceNon-Eng. “Soft” ExperienceHonors, awards, memberships, etc.Honors, awards, memberships, etc.

SubstanceSubstance

The value of mundane experience - The value of mundane experience - Brian HyattBrian Hyatt

SubstanceSubstanceThe value of University Projects - The value of University Projects - Derek WrightDerek Wright

SubstanceSubstance

The value of non-engineering experienceThe value of non-engineering experience

(Fitting this into two bullets would be better)(Fitting this into two bullets would be better)

WritingWriting

(putting it into words)(putting it into words)

WritingWriting

You have built the substance (experience) You have built the substance (experience) of your resume…of your resume…

… … now you need to present it.now you need to present it.

WritingWriting

Each resume is highly individualized. We Each resume is highly individualized. We use a standard format, but there is no use a standard format, but there is no standard recipe.standard recipe.

You may use different resumes for You may use different resumes for different companies.different companies.

WritingWriting

Putting Words onto PaperPutting Words onto Paper

Organizing as a ResumeOrganizing as a Resume

LayoutLayout

Finished PhrasingFinished Phrasing

WritingWriting

Putting Words onto PaperPutting Words onto PaperStart with a listStart with a list– Company NameCompany Name– DatesDates– PositionsPositions– ProjectsProjects– SkillsSkills

WritingWriting

Putting Words onto PaperPutting Words onto PaperStream of Thought WritingStream of Thought Writing– Don’t worry about punctuation, grammar, Don’t worry about punctuation, grammar,

organization, flow, redundancy…whateverorganization, flow, redundancy…whatever– Use Technical TerminologyUse Technical Terminology– Use Layman TerminologyUse Layman Terminology

WritingWriting

Putting Words onto PaperPutting Words onto PaperRamble about Ramble about The ProjectThe ProjectEverybody and EverythingEverybody and Everything– What was the projectWhat was the project– Why this project (Objective / Purpose)Why this project (Objective / Purpose)– How the project was doneHow the project was done

WritingWriting

Ramble about Ramble about The ProjectThe Project– Mercedes CLK GTR Design Project: Mercedes CLK GTR Design Project: Part of Part of

a three-person team that modeled a complete a three-person team that modeled a complete to scale Mercedes CLK-GTR using CATIA to scale Mercedes CLK-GTR using CATIA and created a cad-centric tool-kit to analyze and created a cad-centric tool-kit to analyze and optimize aerodynamic flow using CFD and optimize aerodynamic flow using CFD methods in Hypermesh and Fluent and methods in Hypermesh and Fluent and optimization algorithms and processes in optimization algorithms and processes in iSIGHT to iterate and define an optimal design iSIGHT to iterate and define an optimal design within the design space of the mathematical within the design space of the mathematical model. model.

WritingWriting

Putting Words onto PaperPutting Words onto PaperRamble about Ramble about Your ExperienceYour ExperienceYour Personal RoleYour Personal Role– What you didWhat you did– How you did it How you did it – Why you did itWhy you did it

WritingWriting

Ramble about Ramble about Your ExperienceYour Experience– Unity IV Rocket; Brigham Young UniversityUnity IV Rocket; Brigham Young University; ;

September 2004 - PresentSeptember 2004 - PresentDescribe Unity IV Project; Bi-University Project building and Describe Unity IV Project; Bi-University Project building and modifying 20’ rocket, hybrid fuel… and so onmodifying 20’ rocket, hybrid fuel… and so onResearch efficient/effective fin shape and placementResearch efficient/effective fin shape and placementModel fins with CATIA and build them out of fiberglassModel fins with CATIA and build them out of fiberglassFin Design/Build TeamFin Design/Build TeamDetermine size and shape of fin according to center of Determine size and shape of fin according to center of pressure on the rocket during flightpressure on the rocket during flightBulid fins from Fiberglass and installing (mating, find a better Bulid fins from Fiberglass and installing (mating, find a better word) on the rocketword) on the rocketRedesign and Modification of an existing rocket Redesign and Modification of an existing rocket Anticipated launch in NovemberAnticipated launch in NovemberDesigning and entirely new rocket for payload competition in Designing and entirely new rocket for payload competition in April. April.

WritingWriting

Organization as a ResumeOrganization as a Resume

Layout starts after putting words onto Layout starts after putting words onto paper so you don’t fool yourself into paper so you don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re done when you’re not.thinking you’re done when you’re not.

WritingWriting

Organization as a ResumeOrganization as a ResumeAnatomy OutlineAnatomy Outline– Personal Info, Education, Experience, ExtraPersonal Info, Education, Experience, Extra

Paste in rambled contentPaste in rambled content

Make space for finished contentMake space for finished content

WritingWriting

Organization as a ResumeOrganization as a Resume(Preliminary)(Preliminary)

Anatomy of each experienceAnatomy of each experience– HeaderHeader

Company / Position / Project / DatesCompany / Position / Project / Dates

– Project / Position Description Project / Position Description – Experience DescriptionExperience Description

WritingWriting

Make SpaceMake Space- Small Small

marginsmargins- Efficient Efficient

LayoutLayout

Good Good

ExampleExample

WritingWritingMake Space!!!Make Space!!!

Bad Example!!!Bad Example!!!

WritingWriting

Organization as a ResumeOrganization as a Resume(Completed)(Completed)

Anatomy of each experienceAnatomy of each experience– HeaderHeader

Company / Position / Project / DatesCompany / Position / Project / Dates

– Project Description (1 bullet)Project Description (1 bullet)– Experience Description (1-4 bullets)Experience Description (1-4 bullets)

WritingWriting

Organization as a ResumeOrganization as a ResumeProject DescriptionProject Description– 1 Bullet1 Bullet– Collect terminology and phases from the Collect terminology and phases from the

rambling into a single non-redundant run-on rambling into a single non-redundant run-on sentencesentence

– Arrange and eliminate segments to create a Arrange and eliminate segments to create a Comprehensive and ConciseComprehensive and Concise bullet bullet

WritingWriting

Organization as a ResumeOrganization as a ResumeExperience DescriptionExperience Description– 1 - 4 Bullets1 - 4 Bullets– Collect terminology and phases from the Collect terminology and phases from the

rambling according to logical groupsrambling according to logical groupsEngineering, Reporting, Scheduling, etcEngineering, Reporting, Scheduling, etc

– Arrange and eliminate segments to create Arrange and eliminate segments to create Comprehensive and ConciseComprehensive and Concise bullets bullets

WritingWriting

Finished PhrasingFinished Phrasing

Polishing and TailoringPolishing and Tailoring

WritingWriting

Finished PhrasingFinished PhrasingTailor content to the companyTailor content to the company– Keep the most valuable contentKeep the most valuable content– Eliminate less valuable contentEliminate less valuable content

WritingWriting

Finished PhrasingFinished PhrasingFonts and FormattingFonts and Formatting– Easy to read, simple fontEasy to read, simple font

Engineers don’t care for flairEngineers don’t care for flair

– Easy to navigate, logical formattingEasy to navigate, logical formatting

Content is far more important than Content is far more important than “Proper balance of white and black space”“Proper balance of white and black space”

WritingWriting

Details in mundane experience - Details in mundane experience - Brian HyattBrian Hyatt

WritingWritingHow to put your experience into words – How to put your experience into words – Joey PrinceJoey Prince

WritingWriting

See web site for more examples…See web site for more examples…

www.bryangardner.comwww.bryangardner.com

ResumeResumeThings to avoidThings to avoid

Excessive emphasis on mission positionExcessive emphasis on mission position– Recruiters like your mission experience, but don’t dwell Recruiters like your mission experience, but don’t dwell

on it.on it.

High School honors (unless you’re very new and High School honors (unless you’re very new and looking for an internship)looking for an internship)

Marital statusMarital status– Don’t avoid it, but don’t make it a badge of honorDon’t avoid it, but don’t make it a badge of honor

ResumeResumeThings to includeThings to include (if convenient) (if convenient)

Worked to pay your own way through collegeWorked to pay your own way through college

InterviewingInterviewing


TraitsTraitsReliable / PredictableReliable / Predictable

Smart Enough (Not Genius)Smart Enough (Not Genius)

Engineering MindedEngineering Minded

Approachable / PersonableApproachable / Personable

Observant (See what needs to be done)Observant (See what needs to be done)

Intrinsic Interest in SuccessIntrinsic Interest in Success


Initial ProjectsInitial Projects– Probably not glamorousProbably not glamorous

Enduring Motivation Enduring Motivation – Not “what you’re passionate about”Not “what you’re passionate about”– Intrinsic desire and disciplineIntrinsic desire and discipline

Self SufficiencySelf Sufficiency– ReliabilityReliability– Know how and when to get helpKnow how and when to get help


Your experience shows what you’ve Your experience shows what you’ve done... done...

……You need to show what you can do.You need to show what you can do.


Bring your PortfolioBring your Portfolio–You will probably interview with You will probably interview with

people who have only glanced over people who have only glanced over your resume your resume

Illustrate your resume for them.Illustrate your resume for them.

Bring out the details not written.Bring out the details not written.


Become Conversant in your ExperienceBecome Conversant in your Experience

– Talk with your friendsTalk with your friends

– Talk with those you network withTalk with those you network with

– Talk with yourselfTalk with yourselfGo for a driveGo for a drive

Lock up a roomLock up a room

Write in stream of consciousWrite in stream of conscious


Show technical diagrams or calculations, Show technical diagrams or calculations, even if they look elementary and simple even if they look elementary and simple (you’re not a PhD… yet)(you’re not a PhD… yet)

Show PicturesShow Pictures

Speak Technically, without unnecessary Speak Technically, without unnecessary detailsdetails


With each example you introduce, answer these With each example you introduce, answer these questions indirectlyquestions indirectly

What was What was interestinginteresting about the project about the project

How did you apply your How did you apply your Engineering MindEngineering Mind (Design, Foresee and Solve Problems, (Design, Foresee and Solve Problems, Analysis, Modeling, etc)Analysis, Modeling, etc)

Give credit to Give credit to othersothers for the responsibilities for the responsibilities they carried (briefly, where relevant)they carried (briefly, where relevant)


Illustrate your traits & abilities with examples Illustrate your traits & abilities with examples (not with adjectives) (not with adjectives)

Q: What is your strongest trait as an Q: What is your strongest trait as an Engineer?Engineer?

A: When I was working on the Asphalt A: When I was working on the Asphalt Zipper, I did a good job working with a guy Zipper, I did a good job working with a guy on our team for the structural analysis of our on our team for the structural analysis of our frame. We modeled the forces from…frame. We modeled the forces from…


Follow-upFollow-upThe prompt “Thank You” is importantThe prompt “Thank You” is important– That evening, or the next dayThat evening, or the next day

Reference 1 or 2 skills you have that can be Reference 1 or 2 skills you have that can be used where you interviewedused where you interviewed

Always attach your resume!!!Always attach your resume!!!

InterviewingInterviewingBryan,Bryan,

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to interview with you on I would like to thank you for the opportunity to interview with you on Friday. It was a pleasure to speak with you and find out more Friday. It was a pleasure to speak with you and find out more about how my skills could fit in with the projects that your team is about how my skills could fit in with the projects that your team is working on. I really enjoyed the tour and the opportunity to see working on. I really enjoyed the tour and the opportunity to see what your team was involved with.what your team was involved with.

My work experience, along with knowledge of LabView and other My work experience, along with knowledge of LabView and other software languages and design tools, has made me very software languages and design tools, has made me very enthusiastic about the possibility of becoming a Systems enthusiastic about the possibility of becoming a Systems Engineer at Northrop. If I can answer any questions, please call Engineer at Northrop. If I can answer any questions, please call me at 707-555-5555.me at 707-555-5555.

Thank you again. Attached is a copy of my resume.Thank you again. Attached is a copy of my resume.

-Matthew-Matthew

NetworkingNetworking


Who are your contacts?Who are your contacts?

How do you approach them?How do you approach them?

What can they do for you?What can they do for you?


WhoWhoFriendsFriends

Friends ParentsFriends Parents

Friends Brothers or SistersFriends Brothers or Sisters

Contacts from anywhereContacts from anywhere


What they can doWhat they can doShare Industry ExperienceShare Industry Experience– This makes you more conversant, and builds This makes you more conversant, and builds

their confidence in youtheir confidence in you– Relate their experience to yoursRelate their experience to yours

ReferralsReferrals– Most people aren’t in a position to get you a Most people aren’t in a position to get you a

job, but they can send you to those who arejob, but they can send you to those who are

Documents

Engineering Resume Workshop