Writing an Effective Resume and Cover Letter OCD MBA Workshop Series

Writing an Effective ResumeWriting an Effective Resume

and Cover Letterand Cover Letter

OCD MBA Workshop Series

Overview Brief: 15 – 20 minutesOverview Brief: 15 – 20 minutes

The Resume Book/Data BaseThe Resume Book/Data Base Role of your ResumeRole of your Resume Format and Content of Your ResumeFormat and Content of Your Resume Resume Do’s and Don’tsResume Do’s and Don’ts Resume Book/Data Base Inclusion ProcessResume Book/Data Base Inclusion Process Anatomy of a Cover LetterAnatomy of a Cover Letter Cover Letter Do’s and Don’tsCover Letter Do’s and Don’ts

Industry Function Brief : 15 – 20 minutesIndustry Function Brief : 15 – 20 minutes

Resume Reviews: until 8:00 pmResume Reviews: until 8:00 pm

AgendaAgenda

What We Do With Your ResumeWhat We Do With Your Resume

Compile a Resume Book and Compile a Resume Book and Electronic Resume DatabaseElectronic Resume Database

Send to over 250 On-Campus Send to over 250 On-Campus

Recruiters and Prospective EmployersRecruiters and Prospective Employers

How On-Campus Employers Use the How On-Campus Employers Use the Resume Book and DatabaseResume Book and Database

Used as a primary resume resourceUsed as a primary resume resource Used to Used to

– Select Candidates for Invitation to Select Candidates for Invitation to Presentations/ReceptionsPresentations/Receptions

– Select Candidates for Closed Interview Select Candidates for Closed Interview SchedulesSchedules

Role of your Resume...Role of your Resume...

Sets the direction for your searchSets the direction for your search Showcases your skills, attributes and Showcases your skills, attributes and

interestsinterests Highlights your progress, Highlights your progress,

accomplishments and skills (essential accomplishments and skills (essential elements)elements)

Elicits an interviewElicits an interview

Format and ContentFormat and Content

– The Michigan FormatThe Michigan Format– Transferable skillsTransferable skills– Include essential elements (ACR)Include essential elements (ACR)– Quantify accomplishments/resultsQuantify accomplishments/results– Bullet vs. Paragraph Bullet vs. Paragraph – Use of action verbsUse of action verbs– Use of articles, periods and personal Use of articles, periods and personal

pronounspronouns– Make use of ‘Additional’ sectionMake use of ‘Additional’ section

Michigan FormatMichigan Format

Value of the Michigan FormatValue of the Michigan Format– Similar Format at All Top SchoolsSimilar Format at All Top Schools

– Clearest Way to Communicate Your Clearest Way to Communicate Your InformationInformation

– Recruiters are Accustomed to FormatRecruiters are Accustomed to Format

– Valuable for Off-Campus Search Too!Valuable for Off-Campus Search Too!

Michigan FormatMichigan Format

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANUNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

University of Michigan Business SchoolUniversity of Michigan Business School

Master of Business Administration, May 2004Master of Business Administration, May 2004

• Emphasis/EmphasesEmphasis/Emphases

• ClubsClubs

• ScholarshipsScholarships

• etc.etc.

Format and ContentFormat and Content

– The Michigan FormatThe Michigan Format– Transferable skillsTransferable skills– Include essential elements (ACR)Include essential elements (ACR)– Quantify accomplishments/resultsQuantify accomplishments/results– Bullet vs. Paragraph Bullet vs. Paragraph – Use of action verbsUse of action verbs– Use of articles, periods and personal Use of articles, periods and personal

pronounspronouns– Make use of ‘Additional’ sectionMake use of ‘Additional’ section

Transferable SkillsTransferable Skills

Transferable Skills are determined by your targeted:Transferable Skills are determined by your targeted:

INDUSTRY: FinanceINDUSTRY: Finance FUNCTION: IB, PB, FUNCTION: IB, PB,

S&T, etc.S&T, etc.

COMPANYCOMPANY

POSITIONPOSITION

Transferable SkillsTransferable Skills

Before:Before:Design and build responsibility of the 2002 Design and build responsibility of the 2002 Dodge Ram Truck program. Dodge Ram Truck program.

After:After:Coordinated cross-functional team in the design Coordinated cross-functional team in the design and build of the 2002 Dodge Ram Truck. and build of the 2002 Dodge Ram Truck. Managed $44 million in equipment and met all Managed $44 million in equipment and met all budgetary and timeline oriented milestones.budgetary and timeline oriented milestones.

Format and ContentFormat and Content

– The Michigan FormatThe Michigan Format– Transferable skillsTransferable skills– Include essential elements (ACR)Include essential elements (ACR)– Quantify accomplishments/resultsQuantify accomplishments/results– Bullet vs. Paragraph Bullet vs. Paragraph – Use of action verbsUse of action verbs– Use of articles, periods and personal Use of articles, periods and personal

pronounspronouns– Make use of ‘Additional’ sectionMake use of ‘Additional’ section

ACRACR

AAction – Active Verb/Skill Employedction – Active Verb/Skill Employed

CContext – Background Informationontext – Background Information

RResult – Results of Actionsesult – Results of Actions

Redesigned the packaging of a leading parcel Redesigned the packaging of a leading parcel delivery company resulting in $1MM annual delivery company resulting in $1MM annual cost savings and 50% reduction in air cost savings and 50% reduction in air pollutants.pollutants.

Format and ContentFormat and Content

– The Michigan FormatThe Michigan Format– Transferable skillsTransferable skills– Include essential elements (ACR)Include essential elements (ACR)– Quantify accomplishments/resultsQuantify accomplishments/results– Bullet vs. Paragraph Bullet vs. Paragraph – Use of action verbsUse of action verbs– Use of articles, periods and personal Use of articles, periods and personal

pronounspronouns– Make use of ‘Additional’ sectionMake use of ‘Additional’ section

Quantify AccomplishmentsQuantify Accomplishments

Analyzed ash receptacle failures and identified Analyzed ash receptacle failures and identified design changes that improved customer design changes that improved customer satisfaction and reduced warranty costs by satisfaction and reduced warranty costs by 92%. (Senior Engineer, Manufacturing)92%. (Senior Engineer, Manufacturing)

Administered a $1M annual budget and Administered a $1M annual budget and negotiated maintenance contracts with agencies negotiated maintenance contracts with agencies outside of the Army in support of $60M worth outside of the Army in support of $60M worth of equipment (Maintenance Manager, US of equipment (Maintenance Manager, US Army)Army)

Format and ContentFormat and Content

– The Michigan FormatThe Michigan Format

– Include and structure essential elements (ACR)Include and structure essential elements (ACR)

– Quantify accomplishments/resultsQuantify accomplishments/results

– Bullet vs. Paragraph Bullet vs. Paragraph

– Use of action verbsUse of action verbs

– Use of articles, periods and personal pronounsUse of articles, periods and personal pronouns

– Transferable skillsTransferable skills

– Make use of ‘Additional’ sectionMake use of ‘Additional’ section

Bullet vs. ParagraphBullet vs. Paragraph

ANJIMOMOTO CO., INC.ANJIMOMOTO CO., INC.

Senior EngineerSenior Engineer Developed a new granulating machine for instant cup Developed a new granulating machine for instant cup

soup at Knorr, an Anjinomoto subsidiary, whose brand soup at Knorr, an Anjinomoto subsidiary, whose brand is owned by Bestfoods. Managed cross-company is owned by Bestfoods. Managed cross-company projects to introduce new manufacturing machine by projects to introduce new manufacturing machine by organizing six members. Started production in August organizing six members. Started production in August 1997 and improved product quality and cost efficiency. 1997 and improved product quality and cost efficiency. Filed patent application in Japan and US. (Granules Filed patent application in Japan and US. (Granules dissolve more easily and uniformly than powders).dissolve more easily and uniformly than powders).

Bullet vs. ParagraphBullet vs. Paragraph

Initiated development of new machinery that Initiated development of new machinery that spurred efficient innovation in food processing. spurred efficient innovation in food processing. New equipment improved product quality and New equipment improved product quality and decreased production costs by X%.decreased production costs by X%.

Managed cross-functional team charged with Managed cross-functional team charged with development and implementation of new development and implementation of new technology completing project under budget technology completing project under budget and before deadline.and before deadline.

Format and ContentFormat and Content

– The Michigan FormatThe Michigan Format– Include essential elements (ACR)Include essential elements (ACR)– Quantify accomplishments/resultsQuantify accomplishments/results– Bullet vs. Paragraph Bullet vs. Paragraph – Use of action verbsUse of action verbs– Use of articles, periods and personal Use of articles, periods and personal

pronounspronouns– Transferable skillsTransferable skills– Make use of ‘Additional’ sectionMake use of ‘Additional’ section

Action VerbsAction Verbs

Before:Before:Analysis of marketing opportunities for Analysis of marketing opportunities for strategic fit within scope of organizationstrategic fit within scope of organization

After:After:Analyzed all marketing opportunities ensuring Analyzed all marketing opportunities ensuring their strategic fit within goals of organization. their strategic fit within goals of organization.

Format and ContentFormat and Content

– The Michigan FormatThe Michigan Format– Transferable skillsTransferable skills– Include essential elements (ACR)Include essential elements (ACR)– Quantify accomplishments/resultsQuantify accomplishments/results– Bullet vs. Paragraph Bullet vs. Paragraph – Use of action verbsUse of action verbs– Use of articles, periods and personal Use of articles, periods and personal

pronounspronouns– Make use of ‘Additional’ sectionMake use of ‘Additional’ section

Articles, Periods, Personal PronounsArticles, Periods, Personal Pronouns

Analyzed the statistical and the clinical data, resulting Analyzed the statistical and the clinical data, resulting in a 30% reduction of the hospital’s costsin a 30% reduction of the hospital’s costs

Analyzed statistical and clinical data, resulting in 30% Analyzed statistical and clinical data, resulting in 30% reduction of hospital costs.reduction of hospital costs.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am currently playing on the University of Michigan I am currently playing on the University of Michigan Men’s Soccer team, in its first year as a varsity sportMen’s Soccer team, in its first year as a varsity sport

Selected to compete with the University of Michigan’s Selected to compete with the University of Michigan’s Men’s Soccer Team in its first year as a varsity sport.Men’s Soccer Team in its first year as a varsity sport.

Format and ContentFormat and Content

– The Michigan FormatThe Michigan Format– Transferable skillsTransferable skills– Include essential elements (ACR)Include essential elements (ACR)– Quantify accomplishments/resultsQuantify accomplishments/results– Bullet vs. Paragraph Bullet vs. Paragraph – Use of action verbsUse of action verbs– Use of articles, periods and personal Use of articles, periods and personal

pronounspronouns– Make use of ‘Additional’ sectionMake use of ‘Additional’ section

Additional SectionAdditional Section

Examples:Examples: Effectively invested and tracked life science Effectively invested and tracked life science

portfolio, achieving a 42% gain in 2001.portfolio, achieving a 42% gain in 2001. Avid runner; completed Chicago Marathon in Avid runner; completed Chicago Marathon in

1998 and 20001998 and 2000 Volunteer basketball coach – 2000-2001Volunteer basketball coach – 2000-2001 Connoisseur of fine beef and pork barbequeConnoisseur of fine beef and pork barbeque

Resume Do’s and Don’ts.....Resume Do’s and Don’ts.....

DODO- Include core desired skills- Include core desired skills

- Customize according to targeted industry, - Customize according to targeted industry, job function and/or company culturejob function and/or company culture

- Quantify your accomplishments- Quantify your accomplishments

- Include Interests and HobbiesInclude Interests and Hobbies

- Send resume and cover letter via email or Send resume and cover letter via email or MTrack electronic dropMTrack electronic drop

Resume Do’s and Don’ts.....Resume Do’s and Don’ts.....

Don’tDon’t- Include information about health, - Include information about health,

marital status, or willingness to marital status, or willingness to relocaterelocate

- Misrepresent work/abilities- Misrepresent work/abilities- Use current company/function jargon- Use current company/function jargon- Indicate fluency in a language if you - Indicate fluency in a language if you

are only conversationalare only conversational

Top TipsTop Tips

Know the desired skills of your target Know the desired skills of your target industry or functionindustry or function

Review resumes of previous studentsReview resumes of previous students

Know that you can maintain multiple Know that you can maintain multiple resumesresumes

Use Career Counselors and StaffUse Career Counselors and Staff

Career Counselor ListCareer Counselor List

I-Banking I-Banking Marcelo AlmeidaMarcelo Almeida malmeida@umich.edumalmeida@umich.eduMark BirkettMark Birkett mbirkett@umich.edumbirkett@umich.eduElizabeth FastiggiElizabeth Fastiggi efastigg@umich.eduefastigg@umich.eduAmy SteffekAmy Steffek asteffek@yahoo.comasteffek@yahoo.comBen RibackBen Riback briback@umich.edubriback@umich.edu

Sales and TradingSales and TradingMike ManleyMike Manley mmanley@umich.edummanley@umich.eduBrian CoxBrian Cox coxba@umich.educoxba@umich.eduWinston MaWinston Ma wenyanm@umich.eduwenyanm@umich.eduYeow Tong NgYeow Tong Ng ytng@umich.eduytng@umich.edu

Private Banking/PCSPrivate Banking/PCSBrian CoxBrian Cox coxba@umich.educoxba@umich.edu

ResearchResearchYeow Tong NgYeow Tong Ng ytng@umich.eduytng@umich.eduMike ManleyMike Manley mmanley@umich.edummanley@umich.edu

Corporate FinanceCorporate FinanceAshwani AggarwalAshwani Aggarwal ashwani@umich.eduashwani@umich.eduEric BaltuchEric Baltuch ebaltuc@umich.eduebaltuc@umich.edu

Inclusion Process . . .Inclusion Process . . .

Respond to inclusion email to be sent out Respond to inclusion email to be sent out on Friday, September 27th.on Friday, September 27th.

Publish Resume by Friday, October 25Publish Resume by Friday, October 25thth at 5:00 PMat 5:00 PM

Cover Letters - The FactsCover Letters - The Facts

Why bother? Why bother?

PurposePurpose

To Whom and When to Send Cover To Whom and When to Send Cover LettersLetters

Anatomy of a Cover LetterAnatomy of a Cover Letter

OPENING PARAGRAPH - Introduce yourself OPENING PARAGRAPH - Introduce yourself and your specific interest in the company.and your specific interest in the company.

MIDDLE PARAGRAPH - Highlight areas of your MIDDLE PARAGRAPH - Highlight areas of your background that would be of greatest interest to background that would be of greatest interest to the company.the company.

CLOSING PARAGRAPH - Outline procedure for CLOSING PARAGRAPH - Outline procedure for action. Make specific requests.action. Make specific requests.

Cover Letter Do’s & Don’tsCover Letter Do’s & Don’ts

DoDo

- Highlight Accomplishments not Responsibilities- Highlight Accomplishments not Responsibilities

- Be BriefBe Brief

Don’tDon’t

-Repeat Resume-Repeat Resume

-Make Errors-Make Errors

-Make Demands-Make Demands

Resume & Cover Letter WritingResume & Cover Letter Writing

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?