COVER MEMO
TO: Prof. Vanessa McLaughlin
FROM: Madeline Haus
SUBJECT: Job Application Packet
DATE: February 6, 2012
SUMMARY
The purpose of this memo is to provide an explanation of the way I tailored my resume and cover letter to meet two different job descriptions. This summary provides a description of the job advertisement, an analysis of the audience, and a rhetorical analysis of how my experience is highlighted to meet the needs of each position.
JOB #1 –TRANE SALES ENGINEER
This job advertisement is seeking candidates that have an engineering background and are willing to train as sales representative. Trane seeks students graduating from engineering programs rather than business programs because they are confident in the right candidate being able to learn sales rather than a business student learning engineering. This position requires someone with excellent people skills and the desire to please their customer since you would be working on commission. The position would look more toward how well you can sell their product than at the degree you have. Trane is looking for someone that doesn’t hesitate to reach beyond what is asked and learn from a new environment.
Trane manufactures and sells heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems used in all different applications, and is a very large international corporation that has locations all across the world. They employ approximately 29,000 people, which lead me to believe that someone from human resources would be the first to see my resume and cover letter. Therefore, I have chosen to address my cover letter to the director of human resources at their corporate headquarters, and highlight aspects of my experience that show leadership and a passion for customer service.
In my cover letter, I highlighted my enthusiasm for customer satisfaction to emphasize how I could potentially build a client base. I chose not to go into details on my background in the building industry because Trane does not expect you to understand the industry. Instead, Trane requires hired sales engineers to go through a six-month training course to learn how their company fits in to the building industry and understand the products they produce. Additionally, I added a sentence that touches on a communication challenge that I faced within my experience in customer service. Lastly, I mentioned my leadership experience and technical experience that I have developed at Penn State to further establish credentials that Trane is seeking.
My resume incorporates my leadership experience towards the top of the page to put a greater emphasis on my willingness to take on large roles during school. I also broke up my experience into sales experience and technical experience in order to translate how different both job positions were. I went into more detail about my job at Spring Gulch and elaborated on my responsibilities since this is the most directly related experience that I have for a position as a sales engineer. I chose to limit my technical skills and relevant coursework to programs and classes that directly relate to the building industry that Trane is a part of. Lastly, I included my volunteer experience in the resume to provide evidence that I can effectively work with and lead others.
JOB #2 – SUMMER CONSULTANTS MECHANICAL ENGINEER
The position as a mechanical engineer will focus more on the technical work that the candidate is experienced with. This person would be responsible for conducting on-site assessments of buildings, developing designs for new mechanical systems, and drafting the required plans for the projects they are involved with. Summer Consultants allows for their employees to find their niche in the MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) consulting industry by exposing entry level engineers to projects that involve all aspects of their business. This therefore requires candidates to have some previous experience with the building industry. However, Summer Consultants has many repeat clients and strive to meet the goals and build strong relationships with every client.
Summer Consultants is a firm located in McLean, VA that specializes in institutional renovations. They have approximately twenty employees and treat all of their engineers with respect and equality. This company is very familiar with the Penn State Architectural Engineering program as their president and many engineers have graduated from the program. I addressed my cover letter and resume to the human resources representative, as requested, but did not hesitate to discuss my technical experience because at such a small firm the human resources personnel would definitely have some understanding of the technical aspects of the industry. Additionally, from my experience with this company, I know that the final hiring decisions are based on interviews with the president of the company and other engineers that you would be working most closely with.
In my cover letter I first mentioned my senior thesis coordinator, Kevin Parfitt, because it is very likely that the president and engineers know and have a personal connection with him. I thought this might give me the opportunity to connect with Summer Consultants through a mutual person that oversees the work I have conducted throughout my senior year. Later in my cover letter, I address my specific interest in building renovations and give a few varied examples because Summer Consultants specializes in this line of work and look specifically for candidates that have the same interests. Additionally, since much of their work is with the government and other historic structures, I made sure to mention my thesis building which shows my experience with historic structures.
My resume is tailored to highlight many of my technical skills, and I chose to include many additional courses and programs that I am familiar with due to the diverse capabilities at Summer Consultants. For this resume, instead of separating my experience into different categories I listed my work experience chronologically and included my position as a teaching assistant. I included this position because many of the engineers at this office may have taken this class, and it also will show that professors and the architectural engineering department have faith that I can be trusted and fair as a grader. I also included an abbreviated summary of my experience at Spring Gulch Resort because even though Summer Consultants seek candidates that have a firm technical understanding they also need engineers that have people skills to work with their clients. Lastly, instead of using valuable room for references, I wanted to include my involvement as a dancer in THON. As stated previously, many of Summer Consultants’ twenty-one employees have graduated from Penn State, and I am sure know the challenges in being selected to dance and dancing at THON. This would also give me the opportunity to connect with someone that perhaps danced themselves or was part of a committee during their time at Penn State.
Job Ad #1
TRANE SALES ENGINEER
If you have an engineering degree and are exploring career opportunities that require you to think outside the box, why not check out the possibility of a career in sales engineering?
This work — the application of engineering knowledge to the sale of technical products — is a direct result of rapid technical advancement and promises a rewarding future. A career in sales engineering builds on your engineering skills and offers the opportunity for you to develop all your talents. It demands an excellent education, strong interpersonal skills, determination, confidence, the will to work hard and the desire to succeed.
Trane Inc., a top global supplier of HVAC equipment to homes and businesses, is actively recruiting sales engineers. The company is committed to providing its customers with the best heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and, in order to do that, it relies on a sales staff with technical expertise and applications knowledge – sales engineers.
The position offers many rewards. You’ll be able to fully use your engineering expertise and interact with people having similar backgrounds – mechanical contractors, consulting engineers, building owners/developers, industrialists and architects.
The position also offers the chance to schedule your own time and requires little, if any, overnight travel. Plus, you will be able to earn an income directly related to your effort — Trane sales engineers enjoy an income that ranks them in the top 10 percent of all engineers in the United States.
Trane employs engineers with backgrounds in a wide variety of engineering curricula. Before being assigned to a field sales office, Trane sales engineers undergo the industry's most comprehensive training program, which covers technical product and systems information, along with sales and marketing strategies. Virtually all Trane sales managers and district managers are engineers who graduated from this program.
Qualifications
Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering, be a team player and have exceptional communication skills. They must be aggressive, competitive, goal-oriented and possess a strong desire to sell. They must be legally eligible to work full-time in the United States without sponsorship and hold a valid driver’s license.
Madeline Haus e: | p: 717.715.3399
Current Address: 320 South Fraser Street, State College, PA 16801
Permanent Address: 463 Springville Road, New Holland, PA 17557
February 7, 2012
Lisa Chupak
Wisconsin Human Resources
Trane Equipment/Controls/Parts
2525 Larson Street
La Crosse, WI 54603
(608) 788-8430
Dear Ms. Chupak,
I was very interested to learn about available positions as sales engineers with your company. Currently, I am a fifth-year student studying architectural engineering at Penn State University with a focus in mechanical systems. Upon graduation in May 2012, I will have obtained a Bbachelor of Aarchitectural Eengineering Degree ,and I am in pursuit of a full-time position where I will have the opportunity to apply my interests in customer service as well as continue my education in the building industry.
Over my time at Penn State and during my previous experience while working at a family camping resort I have grown to appreciate how proper customer service can make a huge impact on a business. My experience with sales and service at Spring Gulch Resort was invaluable because I was able to learn how to effectively communicate with people in all walks of life. In many occasions I was put in situations where I was forced to communicate with people that were deaf or did not speak English. Once developed, I believe that the passion to please people will never leave someone.
At Penn State I have been able to extend this trait into the classroom. As a tutor and mentor to other students, I was able to effectively communicate the technical aspects of building mechanical systems and assist others in making proper decisions. As an intern for the Penn State Facilities Engineering Institute, I was able to gain an understanding of how building owners view their existing facilities and act as a liaison between owners and design professionals.
I hope that you could review my attached resume. I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with you and further discuss the opportunities available with Trane. Please feel free to reach me via email at or by phone at 717.715.3399. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Madeline Haus
Madeline Haus e: | p: 717.715.3399
Current Address: 320 South Fraser Street, State College, PA 16801
Permanent Address: 463 Springville Road, New Holland, PA 17557
Objective
To obtain a full-time position, starting in May 2012, where I can apply my background in building mechanical systems and continue to develop my interests in customer service and sales.
Education
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
In pursuit of a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering-Mechanical Option
EIT status upon graduation in May 2012
Cumulative GPA: 3.14/4.0
Relative Coursework: HVAC Design, HVAC Controls Systems, Load/Energy Simulation
LEADERSHIP
Treasurer of Alpha Rho Chi Fraternity Spring 2010-Spring 2012
Special Events Chair of Alpha Rho Chi Fraternity Spring 2010-Fall 2011
Communications Chair of Design Build Institute of America Spring 2010-Spring 2011
Fundraising Chair of Alpha Rho Chi Fraternity Spring 2009-Spring 2010
SALES Experience
Spring Gulch Resort Campground, New Holland, PA May 2004-August 2010
Shift manager & Customer-service receptionist
Responsible for customer correspondence and making reservations
Aided in resolving customer’s issues and attending to their needs
Assisted in campground store, cleaning, and site maintenance
TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
Penn State Facilities Engineering Institute, State College, PA May 2011-Present
Intern for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Team
Responsible for 3D modeling of buildings and coordination of building systems
Conducted heating and cooling load calculations
Assisted in HVAC and lighting design for building renovations
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Centre County Habitat for Humanity Fall 2011-Present
Tutor & Mentor to students in Architecture and Architectural Engineering Fall 2010-Present
Assistant Penn State Ski Team coach Present
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Trane Trace, AutoCAD, Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS
The Vitruvius Chapter of Alpha Rho Chi Inc. Fall 2008-Present
Penn State Ski Team Fall 2007-Present
Penn State ASHRAE Fall 2011-Present
Design Build Institute of America Spring 2010-Fall 2011
Penn State Fall Athletic Band Fall 2007
Interests include: skiing, biking, camping, jazz music, bocce
REFERENCES
Available upon request
Job Ad #2
SUMMER CONSULTANTS, INC. MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Since 1963, the Architectural-Engineering firm of Summer Consultants, Inc. has been
specializing in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing renovation of existing facilities, including
many of the historic buildings and monuments in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area.
Work directly with engineers in preparing studies and designs for a variety of facilities. Perform
field survey and prepare drawings utilizing AutoCAD and Revit. Exciting opportunities await you
in a busy, well-established firm. A diverse client base and unusual projects provide a challenging
and rewarding work environment.
Candidates should be a U.S. Citizen with ability to obtain a security clearance. Excellent English
skills desired. EOE
Our most successful permanent full-time employees started out as interns with our Company.
In fact, the President of our company is a PSU A/E (HVAC Option) Alumni who started out as an
intern.
Please forward the following to:
Ann Derr
Director of Human Resources
6845 Elm Street, Suite 200
McLean, VA 22101
(703) 556-8820
(1) Cover letter
(2) Resume
(3) Expected graduation date
(4) Overall GPA
(5) In-major GPA
We encourage you to visit our website at www.summerconsultants.com and read about
our history, and unique and challenging projects.