Writing Your Technical Resume. A presentation by Dean Liesl Folks from University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Holly M. Justice from UB Career Services office in Spring 2014 for UB graduate level students.

1. Writing Your Technical
Resume
Dr. Liesl Folks
Dean
UB School of Engineering
and Applied Sciences
Holly M. Justice
Engineering Career
Counselor
Career Services
259 Capen Hall
hjustice@buffalo.edu

2. Technical Resume Writing

3. Student perspective
vs
Employer/Professional Engineer perspective

4. What Employers Have Said They Seek:
• EXPERIENCE!
(Co-op/Internship, related experience)
• GPA
• Good Communication Skills –
Oral and Written!
• Computational Skills
• Data Management & Analysis Skills
• Creativity
• Evidence of Team Work
• Time Management Skills
• Problem-solving Skills
• Enthusiasm
• Flexibility
• Being able to apply what you’ve learned

5. Internship posting examples
What is the employer really looking for in a
candidate?
How do you illustrate your skills in your
resume?

6. Internship Posting
COMPANY: FISHER-PRICE
POSITION: ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
INTERN
DESCRIPTION
As an Electrical Engineering intern you'll
have the opportunity to work on a wide
range of products and explore diverse areas
of electronics including:
• Digital and analog hardware design
• Mobile gaming
• Digital audio
• RF
• Embedded programming
Interns are an important part of our
organization making real contributions,
learning as they do. Over one third of the
electrical engineering staff at Fisher-Price
began their careers here as interns.
Primary Duties:
• Build and debug electronic hardware
prototypes.
• Testing and debugging of software.
• Debug and test production prototypes.
• Embedded programming
• Technology R&D projects
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of the fundamentals of digital and
analog transistor circuit design.
• The ability to read schematics and identify
electronic components.
• Hands-on experience building circuits
including soldering and wiring.
• Background in programming. Knowledge of
high-level languages such as C and low level
such as assembly is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to
work in a team environment.
Must be a registered student enrolled in a
Bachelor's or Master's Degree Program that is
technically-based, preferably Electrical
Engineering.

7. Internship Posting
Company: Flextronics
Position: Mechanical Engineer Intern
Purpose:
Assists with design and development of
mechanical parts, sub-assemblies or fixtures
for Disposable and Electro-Mechanical
systems
(surgical instruments, patch pumps, drug
delivery devices) in accordance with
Flextronics Product Life Cycle (FPLC).
Principle Accountabilities/Duties:
Participates in functional process execution.
Completes special projects within functional
areas.
Participates in meetings and training sessions
to obtain information related to position
objectives. Integrates information into job
performance.
Provides input on related functional
processes based on educational and
professional experience.
Job Requirements
Minimum (MUST HAVE) Qualifications:
Pursuit of BS degree in Mechanical
Engineering or equivalent
Strong verbal and written communication,
organization, problem solving and
interpersonal skills are necessary
Analytical mind and strong critical thinking
skills
Desired (NICE-TO-HAVE) Minimum
Qualifications:
Some exposure/experience in SolidWorks and
Pro-E.
Experience and familiarity with basic
manufacturing processes such as machining,
metal forming, etc.
Completed coursework in materials, stress
analysis, structural engineering, dynamics
Education or Training:
Pursuit of degree in Mechanical Engineering
or equivalent

8. The Resume
• What is it?
An individually designed, brief summary of your
accomplishments
– (including education, experience, skills, etc…)
• Purpose?
To get you an interview!
• Should reflect your unique background &
excite interest in you as a potential employee
• Must show your impact

9. The Resume
• Plan Ahead
- Know the job you are seeking.
- Know what you have to offer…
Accomplishments / Impact / Results
Skills
Experiences
• Research the Employer
- Know what qualities, skills and
experiences employer seeks in candidates

10. Resume Content: Must Have’s!
• Identifying Data: You must be easy to reach!
Your Name
Address (temporary/permanent, dates)
Phone (professional sounding message)
Email (professional address name)
Ex:
Yi (Mark)Wang
ywang2014@buffalo.edu
716-645-2231

11. Resume Content: Must Have’s!
Education
Name of College/Univ.
Degree, Major/Minor
Date Received or Expected
GPA (3.0/4.0 issue)
Applicable Coursework (optional)
Awards/Honors (optional)
Study Abroad (optional)
Example:
Education
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY
Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering, May 2015
Overall GPA 3.3/4.0 Civil GPA 3.6/4.0
Dean’s List, Fall 2011, 2010
Relevant Coursework: Engineering Economy, Construction Management,
Production Systems, Probability and Statistics
OPTIONAL – Only use if it will map to keywords.

12. Resume Content: Must Have!
Experience
(paid, volunteer, internship, co-op, military)
Target To Your Audience!
Reverse Chronological Order!
Ex:
CIVIL ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE
Turner Construction, Buffalo, NY
Civil Engineering Intern, Summer, May – August 2013
• Improved quality assurance of data through design of stress
analysis spreadsheets
• Reviewed designs and compared with field construction
• Supervised 10 person work team and coordinated all work
schedules
• Verified material compliance with all state and federal standards.

13. Resume Content: Must Have!
Experience
(paid, volunteer, internship, co-op, military)
Target To Your Audience!
Reverse Chronological Order!
Ex:
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE
Qualcomm, San Diego, CA
System Test Engineer Intern, May – Aug 2013
•
•
Key contributor to the successful establishment of automated RF System
testing and characterization entity.
Conducted first high-volume RF system test on QC single chip product.
Collected and analyzed data and presented to project leadership

14. Resume Content: What’s so technical?
• Technical Skills (maps to keywords)
• Projects (with impacts)
• Professional experience (Technical/Related
Experience) (with impacts!)
Example:
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Languages: C, C++, Java, Assembly
Software: Maple, Visual Basic, Microsoft Office
(Excel, Word, Powerpoint), Knowledge of Matlab
Operating Systems: Windows 98/NT, Unix
Field : Surveying, estimating

15. Resume Content: What Else?
Category Headings
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Engineering Experience
Engineering Co-op
Community Service
Professional Affiliations
Leadership
Computer Skills
Achievements
Special Interests
Availability
Interests
References Available Upon
• Objective
Engineering Projects
Co-Curricular Activities
Honors and Awards
Professional Development
Language Skills
International Experience
Special Skills
Certification/Licenses
Additional Experience
Request.

16. Leveraging Brand names on
your resume
The power of recognized names on your
resume.
Education – Advisor’s name
Experience – Name of company and/or
Supervisors/Colleagues

17. A separate page for
Publications, Patents & Presentations
(if you have them)
References

18. Publications & Presentations
Example
• S. Solin , D. R. Hines , A. C. H. Rowe , J.
S. Tsai , Y. A. Pashkin , S. J. Chung , N.
Goel and M. B. Santos "Nonmagnetic
semiconductors as read-head sensors for
ultra-high-density magnetic recording",
Appl. Phys. Lett., vol. 80, no. 21,
pp.4012 -4014 2002

19. References
• Add a separate page formatted in the same
manner as your resume with 3 references
EXAMPLE:
• Format
–
–
–
–
–
–
Name
Title
Company/organization
Phone
Email
Rationale/Relationship
Dr. Liesl Folks, MBA
Research Staff Member
Hitachi Global Storage
Technologies
888-123-4567
Liesl.folks@company.com
*Supervisor during internship

20. Resume Content: Soft Skills
Employers look for candidates who have:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Good communication skills
Good interpersonal skills
A strong work ethic
Are team players
Are flexible
Are detail-oriented
Are motivated.
• Demonstrate these skills through your work
experience and project descriptions.
• Ask your references to comment specifically on your soft
skills

21. Quiz
How many pages should
your resume be?

22. The Resume: Final Touches
Overall appearance:
– Does your resume make you want to read it at a glance?
• Ensure white space on page
– 15 second rule
– Modern font type (e.g. Sans Serif)
– Font size 8-12 point
– NO ERRORS!
Do KEY points stand out at a glance?
– Typically one page, no more than 2 pages!
– if two pages put most important information on first page
– use category headings to point to your strengths!
Use impact, accomplishment statements!
– Impact statements with action words, do not use complete
sentences
Is it getting you the interview?

23. The Resume & Applying Online
Special Considerations
• You will need a traditional Paper Version, and you may need
a simple text Electronic Version
– Keywords*
– Keep fonts, margins and enhancements simple.
– Use a clear file name (ex. Your_name_resume.doc)
• Emailing your resume
– Email your resume to a specific person (Never mass email your
resume.)
– Use formal, professional language (do not be casual in your emails! )

24. Yi (Mark) Wang
ywang2014@buffalo.edu * 716-645-2231 * www.buffalo.edu/mysite
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering, May 2014
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Overall GPA 3.2/4.0 IE GPA 3.4/4.0
HONORS
Engineering Dean’s List
Name of Scholarship awarded for high academic achievement
RELEVANT
COURSEWORK
Engineering Economy, Operations Research, Ergonomics, Production Systems, Statistics
ENGINEERING
EXPERIENCE
Research Intern, Praxair Inc., Tonawanda, NY, Summer, 2012
* Evaluated an advanced Nickel Aluminide intermetallic material for possible structural
applications.
* Initiated the use of CAD software (Autosketch) for general test specimen
development and the design of specific project components.
* Due to productivity performance, asked to continue interning throughout fall semester.

25. Corey S. Engineer
Page 2
COMPUTER SKILLS Working knowledge of UNIX, Windows 3.1/95/NT, Maple, Matlab, C++
HTML, MS Word, Excel Power Point, Access
LEADERSHIP
President, Engineering Student Association, 2012-13
Team Leader, UB Soccer Team, 2011-12
PROFESSIONAL
ASSOCIATION
Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), Member
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Fluent in spoken and written Spanish.
ADDITIONAL
EXPERIENCE
Wegmans Food Market, Buffalo, NY
Associate, July 2011 – present
* Provided high quality customer service in a fast paced environment.
* Introduced more efficient system for stocking shelves saving time and money.
* Maintained an orderly and clean work environment.
The Gap, Rochester, NY
Salesperson, Summers 2008– 2010
* Served customers providing timely and courteous service.
* Trained new employees and supervised staff of six in manager’s absence.
* Won Salesperson of the Month, August 2009
March 2014

26. UB Career Services
• Contact us:
– 259 Capen Hall 8:30am – 5:00pm M-F
– Call 716-645-2231 to schedule an
appointment
– Email us at jobs@buffalo.edu
– Express Career Consult –
• 12:00-4:00pm M-F
• www.ub-careers.buffalo.edu

27. Thank you for your time.
Good Luck!