Professional Documents
Culture Documents
WSDM
Write. Speak. Do. Meet.
FORMATS TO FINDING YOUR FUTURE.
Platinum Members
QUALCOMM
Gold Members
Broadcom Corp
Cubic Corporation
Golden Eagle Insurance
Hewlett-Packard
Northrop Grumman
Peace Corps
2ſ\GT
Schlumberger
ViaSat, Inc.
SERVICES
Our Mission
The Career Services Center exists to help students and alumni of the
University of California determine and fulfill their career goals.
a) Use the education section to highlight your c) Create header sections that allow you to showcase
relevant academic experience & training. your relevant experience. If that experience was gained
through key course projects or programs then share them
b) Stick to 6-8 of the most relevant courses in their own special section, like Relevant Projects.
The primary differences between a resume and a curriculum vitae “CV” are the length, content and purpose.
a resume is a 1-2 page marketing tool summarizing your education, experience and skills as they relate to the position you
are seeking. While a resume is brief and concise, a CV is longer and its length can range from 2-4 pages, or more. a CV
can include all of your academic background as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations,
CYCTFUJQPQTUCHſNKCVKQPUCPFQVJGTFGVCKNU#TGUWOGKUV[RKECNN[WUGFYJGPCRRN[KPIVQLQDUCPFKPVGTPUJKRUKPKPFWUVT[
YJKNGC%8KUWUGFRTKOCTKN[YJGPCRRN[KPIHQTCECFGOKEGFWECVKQPUEKGPVKſEQTTGUGCTEJRQUKVKQPU+VKUCNUQCRRNKECDNG
when applying for fellowships or grants. please keep in mind each academic discipline has different standards. ask the
faculty in your department for feedback on your CV.
Campus Address:
UC San Diego, English Department
9500 Gilman Road, La Jolla, CA 92093-2222
(858) 555-1212
kdm@ucsd.edu
Web address: http://webadress.com
EDUCATION
Victorian literature, historical and cultural studies, colonial and post-colonial theory, genre studies, history
of science, and trans-Atlantic literature
Mellon Grant (UCSD): Competitive grant awarded to facilitate the pursuit of promising research, 20xx
Triton Award (UCSD): University-wide award for teaching and scholarly excellence; Nominees chosen
by English department faculty, 20xx
Scripps Scholarship (UCSD): Competitive department-wide award for facilitating scholarship outside the
department, 20xx
PUBLICATIONS
“Charles Dickens’s ‘Hunted Down’ and the Failure of Physiognomy,” Under review.
“Gender, Race, and Criminal Witchcraft: The Ideology behind The Sorceress of the Strand,” ELT:English
Literature in Transition, 1880-1920, 45:1 (January, 20xx). 176-194.
http://lit.com/free/v46/i42/42b00401.htm
“L.T. Meade” and ‘”The Hammer of God” by G.K. Chesterton,’ entries in Companion to the
British Short Story. New York: Facts on File (20xx). http://companion.com/free/v46/i42/42b00401.htm
K. Del Mar, p. 1 of 2
date of letter
employer’s name
position or title
company name
street address
city, state Zip code
dear mr./ ms./ dr. last name of addressee: (if no name is available…use a generic title such as
Human resources Manager or internship Coordinator)
Opening paragraph State the position for which you are applying; how you found out about it; and ask for consideration.
if referred by someone, indicate by whom.
Middle paragraph(s) in this section you want to build a connection between your background and the company’s needs.
Focus on your skills, education, and experience from your resume. Emphasize your strongest attributes
that relate to the position for which you are applying. if you have any directly related experience or
education, summarize it here so the reader can be looking for it in your resume. if you have used skills
or have accomplishments that relate to the job, mention them here. keep in mind that this letter is a
writing sample, so grammar, sentence and paragraph structure, spelling and punctuation are critical.
Sincerely,
{Your Signature}
enclosure
Elizabeth Kettner
Research Manager
County of San Diego, Environmental Division
239 Greenley Avenue
San Diego, CA 96071
Thank you for your time and consideration of my candidacy for The Natural
Science Researcher position with the Environmental Division for The County
of San Diego. While I believe firmly in the mission and appreciate the
challening career opportunities outlined during my selection process,
I must decline your offer.
As I explained over the phone this morning, I had another offer from an
organization which I believe better matches my current employment ambitions
and interest. I cannot express enough gratitude towards the hospitality
extended to me by you and your colleagues.
I wish you all the best in finding the best fit for this position and
look forward to seeing you at county meetings.
Respectfully,
(Your Signature)
Chris Gomez
Ŗ test drive your career! 6QEQPſTO[QWTEJQKEGQHUVWF[ pick schools where your interests match the school’s mis-
develop the skills and knowledge needed to achieve sion and where your studies will be supported by faculty
your goal, and prove your ability to succeed, get some with similar interests, appropriate resources and experien-
GZRGTKGPEGKP[QWTſGNF2CTVKEKRCVGKPTGUGCTEJIGVCP tial opportunities. Consult with your professors, mentors,
internship or job, shadow a professional or volunteer in EQPVCEVUKP[QWTſGNFCPFCFXKUQTUKPVJG%CTGGT5GTXKEGU
[QWTſGNF %GPVGTVQſPFVJGUEJQQNUVJCVCTGTKIJVHQT[QW4GUGCTEJ
on your own with lists of schools and search engines found
Ŗ explore your interests! 6CMGENCUUGUKP[QWTſGNFCPF on the CSC website. Look at the curriculum, your likelihood
related topics. Try out new subjects, too! Build a strong of admission, the cost of attending and the location of
transcript, a broad perspective, and a foundation of each program to narrow down your choices. Contact the
KPHQTOCVKQPCPFUMKNNUVJCVCTGTGNGXCPVVQ[QWTſGNF schools, faculty and graduates from the programs to learn
even more and make the most informed decision. You’ll be
investing a lot of time, effort and money, so choose wisely.
Ŗ create connections! Talk with professors, supervisors,
friends, family, colleagues and others doing the job you
eventually want to do. Get involved in professional as-
sociations, community organizations and clubs. Network
your way to success.
Letters from professors are most commonly required but with the
large class sizes at UC San Diego it can feel challenging to get to
know your professors.
1
Plan Ahead. It takes time to get to
know someone. Don’t wait until the
quarter you’re applying to talk to your
professors. Get in the habit of inter-
acting with your instructors throughout
college. The more you talk to them,
the easier it gets.
2
Find Small Classes. Maximize your
personal contact with professors by
enrolling in seminars, small labs or hon-
ors courses. It’s easier to stand out in a
small class than a large lecture.
3
Take the Same Professor Twice.
If you take multiple classes with the
same professor, it gives you more time
to make an impression. It can help
them to remember you and give them
more to write about in your letters.
4
Go to Office Hours. Think of ques-
tions you’re genuinely interested in
(and capable of discussing!) before
you go. Talk about the course, related
topics, and your graduate school
plans. Ask more than “is this going to
be on the midterm/final?” – show your
intellectual curiosity!
Do an Independent Study or
5
Research Project. This can be a
great way for your professor to know
you and your abilities well. Find a Tips for Requesting Letters
professor doing work you’re interested • Request a letter in person. The writer connects
in and get started. You get research your face with your name and you can gauge
experience, teamwork and commu- their enthusiasm.
nication skills, and a connection to a • Ask well in advance of deadlines. Two
professor all in one! months notice is ideal.
• Offer your writer a packet of background
6
Become a TA. Being a TA can get information about you (transcript, resume,
you direct access to a faculty mem- copy of a paper or project you did for them, a
ber who can then write about your draft of your application essay, etc.) so they can
knowledge of the subject you taught know you better and enhance your letter with
as well as your communication and more details.
teaching skills. It can be a great way • Remember to thank your writers with a nice
to review coursework for an admis- note. And let them know if you get in! They’ve
sions test, too! made an investment in you – let them know if it
paid off.
personal statement
The personal statement is your opportunity to explain how your experiences (class-
es, internships, job, organizations, research, personal, etc.) have given you the skills,
interest and motivation to pursue your professional education and career. Don’t
LWUVNKUVCPFFGUETKDGVJGVJKPIU[QWŏXGFQPGDWVGZRNCKPVJGKTUKIPKſECPEGVQ[QW
and to your future. Show how each experience sharpened your perception,
VCWIJV[QWKORQTVCPVNGUUQPUQTENCTKſGF[QWTIQCNU
$GUWTGVQCPUYGTCP[URGEKſESWGUVKQP[QWCTGIKXGPDWVKHPQRTQORVKURTQXKFGF
write your essay so the admissions committee can know you as a person and deter-
OKPGKH[QWYQWNFDGCIQQFſVHQTVJGKTRTQITCO9KVJKPVJKUHTCOGYQTM[QWECP
incorporate one or more of the following:
Personal background
9JCVUKIPKſECPVGZRGTKGPEGUFKUVKPIWKUJ[QWCUCPKPFKXKFWCNQ
9JCVUKIPKſECPVGZRGTKGPEGUFKUVKPIWKUJ[QWCUCPKPFKXKFWCNQTTGXGCNUQOGVJKPI
about your value system or your goals?
Related experiences
&GUETKDGGZRGTKGPEGUVJCVJGNRGF[QWGZRNQTG[QWTECTGGTKPVGTG
&GUETKDGGZRGTKGPEGUVJCVJGNRGF[QWGZRNQTG[QWTECTGGTKPVGTGUVUCPFEQPſTO
your desire to attend professional school. Say what insight you gained from these
experiences about yourself or the profession.
Future goals
What are your future goals, ideals, or objectives within the profession? How have
you prepared for this future?
Program appeal
4GUGCTEJVJGRTQITCOCPFGZRNCKPJQYURGEKſECURGEVUQHVJGRTQ
4GUGCTEJVJGRTQITCOCPFGZRNCKPJQYURGEKſECURGEVUQHVJGRTQITCO
RJKNQUQ-
phy, curriculum, etc.) match with your interests.
special expertise
Describe the skills (e.g., artistic, computer, or language skills) or knowledge you may
JCXGVJCVFGOQPUVTCVGUVJGFGRVJQH[QWTGZRGTKGPEGKPVJGſGNF'ZRNCKPJQY[QWT
JCXGVJCVFGOQPUVTCVGUVJGFGRVJQH[QWTGZRGTKGPEGKPVJGſGNF
expertise is applicable.
Phuong Pharmacy
PharmCAS ID #1234567
5678 College Avenue (858) 555-0987
La Jolla, California 92093 phuong.pharmacy@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, University of California, San Diego Graduation Date: June 20XX
Major in Biochemistry and Cellular Biology
Minor in Health Care–Social Issues
RELEVANT COURSEWORK
Organic Chemistry/Lab Structural and Metabolic Biochemistry Physical Chemistry
Economics of Health Pharmacology and Toxicology Drugs and Behavior
LABORATORY SKILLS
x Proficient with laboratory equipment including spectrophotometers, micropipettes, and
chromatography columns.
x Competent in filtration (gravity and forced), purity determination, and characterization of unknown
compounds.
x Proficient in techniques of reflux preparation, recrystallization, melting point determination, and yield
calculation.
x Experienced with titration of unknown acid/base, volumetric analysis.
x Practiced in laboratory safety protocols including MSDS.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Researcher, Independent Study Project, Prof. Smith Genetics Lab, UCSD January 20XX – Present
x Design and execute research project to determine role of histone acetylation in DNA transcription
x Conduct survey of literature and liaise with other labs
x Coordinate upkeep and sterility of laboratory glassware
x Communicated findings and drafted weekly progress reports to Professor Smith.
x Presented 30-minute summary bimonthly to lab group of 8
Co-Chair, Membership Committee, Pre-Pharmacy Society, UCSD September 20XX – May 20XX
x Oversee records of members in the organization and dues payments.
x Organize recruitment events, like information tables and flyer distribution, to attract new members.
x Increased (KPCN6JQWIJVUQP2TQHGUUKQPCN
school Resumes:
Volunteer, UCSD Medical Center Pharmacy, San Diego, CA April 20XX – October 20XX Ŗ Just like any other resume,
x Observe and assist pharmacist and pharmacy technicians with processing prescription requests. your professional school re-
x Maintain accurate records of dispensations and requests.
sume should be neat, visually
x Communicate with and deliver medications to hospital patients.
appealing and typo-free!
Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, New Orleans, LA June 20XX – August 20XX
x Collaborated with others in a summer-long project to build new homes. Ŗ Stick to the traditional one-
x Provided comfort by listening and speaking with families affected by Hurricane Katrina. page length unless you have
x Delivered supplies to and painted mural on newly built community center for children and families. enough experience to
YCTTCPVCUKIPKſECPVUGEQPF
page.
Ŗ applicants to academic
master’s or ph.D. graduate
programs may be asked for a
a) don’t be afraid to include c) be sure to elaborate on activities like CV (curriculum vitae) instead
information outside of your independent study, being a Ta or special of a resume. Consult the
ſGNFit helps to show the projects you may have done for a class. WSDM section on CV’s for
schools who you are as a whole Even though they are mentioned on your details on this format.
person. VTCPUETKRV[QWYCPVVQƀGUJVJGOQWVQP[QWT
resume. Ŗ (QTSWGUVKQPUQTCFFKVKQPCN
information on your resume,
b) if you have developed
d) show a variety of skills on your consult the Career Services
special skills, relevant to Center website or meet with
[QWTſGNFVJCVCTGPŏVCNTGCF[ resume. For example, on a pharmacy
a CSC advisor. Good Luck!
covered in your “Experiences” resume, don’t just focus on science or phar-
section, you can highlight them macy-related experience, include examples
in a “Skills” section. of communication and people skills.
CRMpubs.com