Research Writing for Engineers
In this assignment, you will research a prospective employer, then generate a targeted resume and cover letter for a position with that employer.
At the conclusion of this assignment, you will submit: the results of your research, a resume, and a cover letter. The position you are applying for may be genuine (that is, you are really applying for it) or it may be a position you may apply for soon (i.e., after graduation).
For the first part of this assignment, you will gather information about the position you are targeting, including:
You will want to use a variety of sources: general Internet search engines, library searches, the organization website(s), specialized job search engines, paper job materials, news items, etc.
You may also want to contact the employer directly (in person, by phone, or via email) and request additional information from them. If you are contacting a very large organization, narrow your request to the subsidiary or department where you intend to apply. Request information on the products or services you would like to work with.
Obtain the name of the first person inside the targeted employer who will receive and process your application. This may be a human resources (HR) person, a department head, or other contact.
You should use all of this information to fine-tune your resume and cover letter (the next parts of the assignment).
Your resume should be a focused, persuasive document that compellingly presents you as a person with the relevant skills and knowledge for the job you’re targeting. Additional information can be found on the schedule page during week 2.
Writers submit cover letters to inform recipients what they have received and how they should proceed. (Cover letters are used for a variety of purposes, not just for job materials.)
In the case of a job search, though, you write a cover letter to accompany your resume, and the letter’s primary purpose is to persuade the reader to read your resume and grant you a job interview. Your cover letter should summarize your strengths and set you apart from other candidates, and should be no longer than a page. It should also be written in simple, easy-to-understand language, telling the reader who you are, what position you are applying for, and why they should consider you for the position.
Again, check the schedule page for more information.
You should submit the following by the due date:
If you’re aiming for an A in the class, you will need to substantially revise your job materials to apply to a different job. You will want to wait until I provide feedback on your initial submission before you work on the revision. The deadline for this extra work submission is 5/17.
