WIE

Cover Letter and Resume

Preparation
Pre-WIE Training

Agenda
WIE

1.

Steps in preparation

2.

Tips to empower your application

3.

Common errors to be avoided

4.

Further support and services for students

5.

Q&A

Purpose of a Resume
WIE

An important and No.1 Marketing Materials about YOU

Portray to a future employer on who you are

Value proposition

What you can do for the employer

Not what you want to do for them

Will get you an interview not a job offer!

How much
eyeball time will
HR spend on
your CV?

WIE

Steps in Resume Writing

Job Analysis Keywords and Requirements

Position your most strongest and relevant competencies

Steps in Resume Writing

Construction Internship Program
To help develop talented undergraduates by providing practical working
experience and exposure in the construction industry
Experience in various types of construction projects
Program Features: 10-WEEK PLACEMENT, designed to help develop talented
undergraduates by providing practical job experience and exposure to the
following areas:
Design and drafting of building engineering works
Conducting technical feasibility study, life cycle study and planning for building
engineering.
Preparation of study reports, technical notes and public consultation papers.
Preparation of tender documents (conditions of contract, specifications,
method of measurements & bills of quantities) and tender reports.
Project management and contract administration for building engineering
contracts

Steps in Resume Writing

Construction Internship Program
Entry Requirements:
* Undergraduate students in
o Building Engineering and Management
o Building Engineering (Construction Engineering and Management)
o Building Services Engineering
o Structural Engineering
o Structural and Geotechnical Engineering
o or other construction related disciplines
* Intent to develop long-term career in Company after graduation
* Strong interest in working on large-scale building and
infrastructure projects.
* Good communication skills and ability to work well in a team.
* Fluency in written and spoken English, Cantonese and Mandarin required.

What Does Employer Want

What Does Employer Want

WIE

Steps in Resume Writing

Starts with Profile

Use positive words, brief, accurate 3rd party
Use Action verbs:
http://career.opcd.wfu.edu/files/2011/05/Action-Verbs-forResumes.pdf
Reverse chronological order
Must be error free (double check grammar)
Good format (proper font size and margin) and readable
Personalized no template
2 pages max.

WIE

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What does a resume

include?

Contact Information
Profile
Educational background
Experience (work/project/exchange)
Extra-curricular activities
Awards and Achievements
Professional Qualifications
Additional Information (Computer,
Languages, hobbies)

WIE

Contact Section

Use your formal name

Email address should be professional
Address
John R. Smith
Flat A, 12th Floor, Java Building,
1234 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong
(852) 9123-5678
John.smith@yahoo.com

WIE

Profile

3 to 5 statements that about yourself that could

attract employers attention
Skills (Professional/Soft), Personalities, Values,
Interest
The statements should be positive
Prioritize your statements according to relevance
Create your Brand value proposition

Profile
Example
As coordinator of various academic projects on green and
sustainable designs / feasibility study of advanced
construction materials
Extensive teamwork experience in work and social
activities
Received multiple awards for excellence in study and
community services

WIE

Education

WIE

Education

Donts
list academic courses
include early education &
public examination results
(unless they were really impressive)

WIE

Experience

Sufficient information: Title, organization, and dates of the

experience
Tasks important?
Think about your role, contribution and success/results
State accomplishments using quantities, amounts, and
dollar values - measurable
Begins phrases with action verbs
Pay attention to grammars and accuracy
(e.g. past tenses)

WIE

Experience

Academic Projects, IC Experience,

Exchange, Study Trip
Deserve being mentioned in a
separate category
Cultural exposure
Soft skills
Professionally related experience

WIE

Extra-curricular
activities

Role/membership of professional
organization. e.g. HKIE
School / class activities
Clubs/organizations/committees
Volunteer experience
Community involvement
Service learning project
Sports/competition

WIE

Experience

Work Experience
Collaborated with EOSH team in updating the existing EOSH
measures aiming to reduce accidents by 20% for the
construction site of 200 workers
Academic Project
Leading a group of 6 students to carry out design work at the
initial stage of feasibility study and successfully deliver the last
stage of detailed design on civil infrastructure

WIE

Experience

Volunteer, Caritas Youth and Community Service

Organized fundraising events and assisted organization in
raising over $20K
Orientation Leader, International Student Office
Mentored over 50 incoming international students; supervised
orientation procedures; recruited nearly 30 student volunteers
in planning and facilitating orientation program

WIE

Awards and
Achievements

What recognition or awards you have received

When you have received the awards
Name of issuing organization
If warranted, provide details

WIE

Professional
Qualifications

Certificate/licenses recognized by employers,

governments and universities
e.g. Green Card

Additional Information / Other Skills

Unprofessional
Data Privacy

Spot any error(s)?

Data Privacy
Where is
Address?

Capital letter
Typo
Not necessary

Reversed
Chronological

Academic
Projects
Page Break

Past tense
Lack of Info
Irrelevant

Unable to
demonstrate
skillset
Reversed
Chronological

Re-format
Abbreviation

Elaborate

Categorise

Irrelevant

Too long ago

E-resume Builder (CAPS)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

29

Where to find

WIE

Objective of Cover Letter

Cover Letters get only 15 seconds of eye-ball time

Therefore Cover Letter is

Important and add weight to your application

Must illustrate relevant examples of your experience,

studies

Personal , warm and explains why you are suitable for the
position

WIE

Strategies of Cover Letter

Do make the letter as concise as possible

(no longer than 5 paragraphs 1 page)
Do tell relevant stories:
Focus on requirements of the job description

Do use some of the employers messages and languages

Show your passion for the job

Cover Letter
Paragraph 1 (Introduction):
Why you are writing this letter
How you learned about the post
Highlights of your key strengths/selling points/uniqueness

Paragraph 2, 3, and/or 4 (Argument):

Elaboration of your key strengths/selling points/uniqueness/one success or
achievement

Last Paragraph (Closing):

Your passion / commitment to the job / reason of application (optional)
Thank the employer for his/her attention
Ask for interview

Top Tips about Cover Letters

1.
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5.

Make it obviously different from your CV

Take care with the salutation and sign-off
Beware of being informal
Get the address and name details correct
Use lively, straightforward, direct language,
avoiding all jargon and long-winded sentences
6. Be positive, no need to be humble
7. Tailor the letter

Differences between Resume and Cover Letter

WIE
Cover Letter

Resume

15 Seconds of eye-ball time

20 seconds of eye-ball time

Passionate desirable
behaviour

Profile and Summary of

Qualifications (Strong)

Focus on Stories that are

relevant to the job
description

Target accomplishments
that are related or
transferable

Personal and Interesting to

read

Quantify results
35

CAPS Service

E-Resume Builder |Career Lab | Mock Interview

PolyU Online Student Services (POSS)
www.polyu.edu.hk/poss

WIE

Benefits of WIE

Personal growth
To make yourself more competitive in the job market

Gain some work experience

Apply classroom knowledge
Understand employers requirement & expectation
Equip yourself with generic / transferable work skills
Networking opportunities

WIE

Transitioning from
Classroom To Office

Classroom

Office

Study in groups

Office hours

Academic learning

Learn on-the-job

Casual Wear

Business Attire / Uniform

Interaction not a must

Proper communication

Grades determined by exam

Team work

Students roles

Results driven

WIE

Reality Check

What employer would expect from you?

How you can tackle these expectations?

Conform with rules and regulations

Be punctual and self discipline

Be responsible

Proactiveness and interaction

Proactively seek for advice

Be responsive

Cultural awareness

Adapt to the work environment and

workplace behaviour
Be open minded

Follow steps and instructions

Dont underestimate clerical tasks

Ask your direct supervisor /mentor
Take notes

Error free

Deliver good quality of work with no

careless mistakes

Work ethics

Respect your internship

Stay positive
Practice

WIE

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