CMPS 173, Fall 2008, Assignment 1, Word Review, Due September 1, 2008

1.  This assignment’s purpose is to review your familiarity with Microsoft word. Your assignment is to write a resume and cover letter for a job in the field in which you are studying.

  1. Your resume should include the following categories:

i.  Name

  1. Address (Remember, you will probably be sending resumes in your senior year, so include your college address and your home address if they are different)
  2. Objective – For example if you want to be software engineer that specializes in real time control you may put something like. “Software engineering position with emphasis on real time data collection and control in the Hammond La. Area.”
  3. Summary – Summarize your work experience and your educational credentials in one or two short paragraphs.
  4. Education – Provide a detailed outline of your education, including any awards, and list relevant course work.
  5. Experience – Provide a detailed outline of your work experience. List your jobs, and for each one describe responsibilities, and the starting and ending dates of employment.
  6. Activities – List any activities that illustrate your community standing. For example, you may have been a volunteer at a hospital, a fraternity president, or a student athlete.
  7. Write a short cover letter to go along with the resume. It should include the following sections:
  8. To:
  9. From:
  10. Date:
  11. Subject:
  12. Opening
  13. Dear Sirs,
  14. Dear Mr. Bean,
  15. Dear etc.
  16. Body of letter – The body of letter is very important and you should spend some time composing it. It should contain a few paragraphs –
  17. Introductory paragraph – introduce yourself and state the reason why you are sending your resume to the addressee’s company or organization. You may also want to mention how you learned about them, for example you have seen a news paper add, learned about them from a friend, etc.
  18. Qualifications paragraph – Here you need to provide a narrative that describes why you think that you would be a good employee. This paragraph should be backed up by the education, experience, and activities section of your resume.
  19. Closing paragraph – Here you want to thank them for their time, tell them that you are interested in hearing from them and can provide more information and references if they so desire.
  20. Closing
  21. Sincerely Ricky Bobby
  22. Sincerely etc.

2.  For any formatting help, refer to the Microsoft help.

3.  Make sure to use the spell checking and grammar tools provided by Word.

4.  Use bullets, bold letters, etc., to make your resume look professional.

I have included an example below from a former associate of a student from South Central Louisiana State University. Look at this as a reference, don’t copy it. I expect to see your information and your work.


To: ACME Steel LLC

Slidell, La

985-641-1234

From: Vicky Valencourt

101 Muddog Lane

Hammond, La 70403

Design/Drafting Position—www.betterhammondjobs.com

Dear Mr. Palen,

My name is Vicky Valencourt and I am interested in the Draftsman/Detailers position at ACME Steel. I am interested in a job with your company because of the way ACME went above and beyond for their employees after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. My good friend Bobby Boucheau told me about your add in the newspaper. I think that I will be an asset to your company and would love to aid in the rehabilitation of southern Louisiana.

My qualifications include five years experience as an office manager for S&T Fire and Ice. I have worked extensively with AutoCad 2004 and SprinkCad. I am currently working on my B.S. in Industrial Technology with concentrations in Design Drafting, Construction, and Supervision. I am interested in the development and planning of residential and commercial properties with emphasis in drafting.

Thank you for your time; I look forward to hearing from you,

Sincerely, Vicky Valencourt

vv

Vicky Valencourt

101 Muddog Lane, Hammond, La 70403

985-867-5309 (h) 504-867-5309 (c)

OBJECTIVE: I am seeking an entry level position as a Draftsman/Detailer at Nufab Rebar.

SUMMARY: • Background with architectural drafting and design.

• Extensive use of AutoCad 2004

• Aided in design and development of residential architecture.

EDUCATION: Working on a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology

Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, La

Concentrations: Design Drafting, Construction, and Supervision

GPA of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale

Courses taken included:

Technical Drafting (AutoCad) Adv. Technical Drafting (AutoCad)

Descriptive Geometry (AutoCad) Residential Architectural Design (AutoCad)

Occupational Safety and Health Metals Technology

EXPERIENCE: S&T Fire and Ice 08/1999-01/2003

·  Office Manager

·  Designed sprinkler systems for commercial properties

·  Use of SprinkCad

ACTIVITIES:

·  Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity

·  Worked with a team to build a catapult in a pumpkin throwing contest

References available upon request.