Your resume is a marketing tool designed to land you an interview. Make sure it does its job well by reading below and by watching this two (2) minute video to learn the basics of resume making.
Resume Reviews are a Necessity
Have your resume reviewed by professionals! Engineering and Technology students can have their resumes reviewed by the Office of Career Services in multiple ways.
- The fastest way to have your resume reviewed is to stop by the Technical Communication Writing Center located in ET 199D to have your resume reviewed on the spot.
We have drop-in hours on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 1-3. Stop by ET101 with a copy of your printed resume and we will give you instant feedback.
- Here are a few resume resources to help you get started:
- Finally, you can email your resume to etcareer@iupui.edu and we will respond with feedback within two weeks.
Resume Samples by Major:
Cover Letters
How to write them so they get read
Cover letters give you a chance to introduce yourself, briefly explain why you want to work for the company and more importantly, why they should want you to work for them. It also reflects your communication ability and serves as a writing sample. The cover letter should interest the employer enough to want to continue reading your resume. You should submit a cover letter with your resume except for in-person events like a career fair.
The Basics
- Keep it short. No more than one page and 3-4 paragraphs.
- Make it specific. Employers do not want to read a template. Tell them why you are a fit for that job at that company.
- Include a header and a signature. Match the header from your resume and include a signature line with your name and contact information at the end.
- Stay professional. Avoid the temptation to be cute or gimmicky. Professional and polite always wins.
- Market strengths and fit. Use keywords from the job description to show them you are a good fit for the position. Lead with your strengths and highlight them.
The Intro
State the position you are applying for and where you found the posting. Express your interest in the opportunity and any specific reasons for your interest.
If someone within the company told you about the opportunity, this would be the place to mention their name. Just make sure they are okay with you doing this!
What would the Hiring Manager want to know if you only have five minutes of their time?
The Body
In the body of your letter you need to tell them why you are a good fit for the job and the company. Emphasize specific examples of your education and experience that relate to the job description.
This is the time to sell your skills and abilities and tell them what makes you professionally unique from the other candidates.
Be sure to include details from your background that apply most to the position.
The Closing
The closer paragraph should be strong and short. Reiterate that you feel you would be a good fit for the position and that you would love to discuss the opportunity further.
Tips and Advice
- Proofread so that there are ZERO grammar/spelling errors.
- Have Career Services review your cover letter.
- Save the cover letter you use for each position so you can refer back to it if needed.
- Use keywords in your cover letter that will show you have the skills they are looking for.
- Don't regurgitate your resume. Highlight the most important and relevant parts for that particular job or company.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) Assistance
Sometimes you will be asked to submit a CV. Typically these are used for careers in higher education or when you apply to positions in other countries. Click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page for details on how to write them.
