SUSTAINABILITY SCHOLARS: RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

SUSTAINABILITY SCHOLARS:RESUMES & COVER LETTERSCentre for Student Involvement & Careers (CSIC)DANI EL L E BARKL EY, G RADUAT E CAREER EDUCAT O R

As You Create Your Resume, Think About What is my value proposition for this position? What is my targeted employer likely to care about? Not care about? How can I show impact/accomplishment?2

Targeted to LengthFocuses on Publications, presentations,grants and fellowshipsWork & extra-curricularexperienceReferencesOverall the CV provides Key questionACADEMIC CVRESUMETargeted at fellow academicsTargeted at specific employerFlexible1-2 pagesAcademic achievements and researchprofileSkills and accomplishmentsAlways includedSometimes included brieflySometimes included brieflyAlways included –focus on transferableskillsIncludedNot usually includedA full history of your credentialsA snapshot of your skills for the job youare seekingWhat is your potential as a researcher?Do you have the skills our organizationrequires?

Key Principles Condense. Most employers spend an average of 7 seconds doing an initial scan of aresume. Get the most important information to the top of the page, and present it asclearly as possible. Tailor. Employers want to know about the experience that is relevant to what they arehiring for. Quantify whenever possible (years of experience, of budget managed, % of growth)4

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rtunity to concisely convey the major reasons you are a good fit for a positionImagine this is only the section of the resume anyone is going to read: what do you needto capture?Focus on concrete evidence and examplesUse bullet points to list skills, especially languages, software, techniques etc.Don’t overload it – usually 3-4 key points here7

EDUCATION Can be placed either immediately after summary/profile OR after experience Keep this section concise; usually a list of degrees earned, possibly with one or twobullets points giving relevant information Bullet points within a degree might include a major award, a thesis title (if relevant tothe position), key coursework, summary of major output (presentations/publications) If you want to capture detailed information about the research/projects you did as partof your education, try creating distinct sections for these (eg. Research Experience,Project Experience)8

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PublicationsYesAsk “Would this employerbe interested in READINGmy publications?”MaybeInclude. Long lists ofpublications could beattached as an appendixChoose significantpublications of relevanceto the positionNot reallyInclude as summary12

ACCOMPLISHMENTSTATEMENTSContentSample resume statements: Sold tickets for events Organized 1 month marketing campaign by scheduling groups of volunteers to runshifts at promotional booth, which resulted in selling over 450 tickets to students Designed engaging online content Supported company’s objective to boost employee engagement through the creationof innovatively designed online content using Photoshop, contributing to a 15%increase in views on company’s top 3 webpages

ACCOMPLISHMENTSTATEMENTSContentVerb TaskDuty statement–Drafted and revised questions for a survey assessing the feasibility of on-street electricalvehicle chargingVerb Task ResultAccomplishment statement– Drafted and revised questions for a survey assessing the feasibility of on-streetelectrical vehicle charging, resulting in clear survey questions and a 87% surveycompletion rate– Drafted and revised questions for a survey assessing the feasibility of on-streetelectrical vehicle charging resulting in positive feedback from both researchers andgovernment administrators– Drafted and revised questions for a survey assessing the feasibility of on-streetelectrical vehicle charging, ensuring survey was available for distribution withintarget timeline

ACCOMPLISHMENTSTATEMENTSContent[ Verb Task Result ]RESULTS illustrate the value provided to the employerand can be quantitative or qualitative: Outcomes Goals Numbers Metrics Feedback Skills learned

TIPS FOR EXPLAINING ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE Consider the level of specialization of your audience Be prepared to explain why this research matters in concrete terms Think about transferable skills: were you writing grants? Planning timelines? Mentoringstudents? Tracking outcomes? Troubleshooting problems? Focus on your specific responsibilities and contributions, not necessarily the project overall.16

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES17

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TEACHING EXPERIENCE20

OTHER SECTIONS YOU MIGHT INCLUDEDistinctions (scholarships, awards, fellowships, grants) Prioritize (“Selected Awards”) and don’t allow this section to dominate page spaceMemberships & Affiliations Typically relevant and active onesCertifications & Additional TrainingVolunteering / Community Engagement/LeadershipActivities & Interests Not all recruiters care about this section, but those who do, care A LOT Use this section as a conversation starter, personal touch, and sense of who you areas a well-rounded person22

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WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE IN A NORTH AMERICAN RESUME Date of birth, gender, marital status Photograph References or “References available upon request” (Unless otherwise instructed)24

RESUME VS.COVER LETTERCover LetterResumeCover Letter Matches you to the jobChronicles a timeline of yourexperience that is relevant tothe roleDescribes keyaccomplishments from eachroleCommunicates your valueproposition Matches you to the jobPreviews what you might share inyour interviewDescribes a story from your pastexperiences and connects the skillsand lessons learned to therequirements of the roleCommunicates your valuepropositionShows more of your personality(passions, dreams, values)

Header should be the sameas on your resumeSTRUCTUREDateName and mailing addressof companyReference to the joband salutation

STRUCTURECover Letter1st paragraph:– Write a genuine, authentic, and tailored expression of interest––––Include title of position you’re applying forShow knowledge of the specific project, partners, or goalsIdentify your key relevant knowledge/expertiseWhat’s your why?

EXAMPLECover Letter1st paragraph:Dear Ms. Stuart:I am writing to express my interest in the Sustainability Scholars program, andthe Benchmarking of City of Vancouver Street Sweeping Operations project inparticular. As a current UBC Masters student specializing in organic chemistry,I’m well equipped to support the research components of the project byconducting thorough and detailed literature reviews. I also have previousexperience conducting benchmarking surveys through my work on theGraduate Student Society Health and Wellness committee.

STRUCTURECover Letter2nd/3rd paragraph:– Describe your most recent/relevant experiences, highlighting howyou’ve successfully developed and displayed the key competencies ofthe role in your past work– Incorporate accomplishment statements [ Verb Task RESULT ]– Anticipate possible interview questions to articulate soft skills

EXAMPLE2nd/3rd paragraph:Cover Letter

STRUCTURECover Letter4th paragraph– Summarize what you know about the company or how you fit in with thisorganization– Request an interview and thank them

EXAMPLECover LetterClosing paragraph:Thank you for taking the time to review my application. This SustainabilityScholars project represents an ideal chance for me to use my data analysis andreport writing skills in service of a truly important cause: identifying whereconversations around equity, diversity, and inclusion are happening within theFaculty of Arts. I look forward to discussing this opportunity with you further.

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CONTACT INFODanielle.barkley@ubc.caTwitter: dbarkle4Career resources and events calendar at duate Student Drop In Career Advising: Friday mornings, from 10:00 to 12:00Appointments can be booked at ?and then by logging in with UBC ID34

RESUME VS. COVER LETTER. Header should be the same as on your resume Name and mailing address of company Reference to the job and salutation Date STRUCTURE. 1st paragraph: –Write a genuine, authentic, and tailored expression o