Resume and Cover Letter Assignment

All of the knowledge you are acquiring in your engineering major is getting you ready to begin an interesting, challenging career. The typical way to let a potential employer know you are available is by sending out a resume. Once in a career in engineering, you will also have need to update your resume. Whenever you are part of a team completing a technical report or project proposal, your resume will be included at the end of that document. Also, as you gain experience and seek other work opportunities a current resume will be necessary.

You have access to extensive information and help when you are seeking employment. Visit the Rutgers University Career Services Web site to see what is offered.

For this assignment, begin by searching for a job in the engineering industry. On line employment sites are one place (Again, the Career Services site is a good place to look). You might also check professional publications for engineers. A third place is The School of Engineering itself where postings are often placed. Even the classified section of a newspaper can be useful. Narrow your search by considering what you are currently prepared to do. Your range of work experience and the number and types of college courses you've completed will determine what jobs to seek. If you are at least one year from graduation, an internship in an engineering firm might be the best choice. If you are close to graduating, an entry-level position can be sought.

Here are the basic requirements for the assignment. Your instructor might add a few additional details.

• Write a one-page resume. First, create a document suitable for printing and mailing. Second, create a document suitable for electronic transmission (plain text). The two different forms must have the identical information. Samples will be shown and discussed in class.
• Write a one-page cover letter for your resume. A four-paragraph model will be shown and discussed in class. Content for the paragraphs will also be discussed.
• Turn in a copy of the job announcement. This is your way of showing the intended audience for your writing.
• Make sure all of the work is absolutely free of sentence level errors.
• Submit your work on time.

See Grading for further information about the Cover Letter/Resume assignment.

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