WEEK 1

Resumes & Email Writing

Building your professional foundation

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What We'll Cover Today

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01

Introduction

Why resumes and emails matter

02

Resume Fundamentals

Structure, formats, and best practices

03

Email Essentials

Professional tone, structure, and etiquette

04

Entrepreneurship

Applying skills to business contexts

05

Problems & Practice

Hands-on exercises

Recap & Objectives

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Welcome to Week 1!

• Last week: Getting started with BinaryTree
• This week: How to write resumes and emails that get results
• Goal: Build professional documents that open doors — for jobs and entrepreneurship

What Is A Resume?

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A resume is a concise document that summarizes your skills, experience, and education for job applications.

• Presents your professional background clearly and concisely
• Showcases your qualifications and achievements
• Serves as your first impression to potential employers
• Acts as the key to unlocking career and entrepreneurial opportunities

Career

Opportunities

The Purpose of a Resume

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01

Catch employer attention and make a strong first impression

02

Share your strengths, skills, and accomplishments

03

Win an interview opportunity by standing out from other candidates

Types of Resumes

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Chronological

Lists work experience in reverse chronological order. Ideal for traditional career paths with a clear employment history.

Functional

Highlights skills and abilities rather than work history. Best for career changers or those with gaps in employment.

Combination

Merges chronological and functional formats. Showcases both skills and relevant experience — great for entrepreneurs entering traditional roles.

Resume Sections Breakdown

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Contact Info

Name, phone, email, LinkedIn (professional and up-to-date)

Summary / Profile

Brief overview of your qualifications and career goals

Work Experience

Job titles, companies, dates, and accomplishments

Education

Degrees, institutions, dates, relevant coursework

Skills

Technical, soft, and industry-specific skills

Optional

Projects, Awards, Volunteer Work — additional achievements that showcase your abilities

Clean Formatting for 2025

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Minimal

Modern, clean look with plenty of white space

Bullet Points

Use bullets to break up text and improve readability

Clear Headings

Section headers help recruiters scan quickly

ATS-Friendly

Professional fonts that pass applicant tracking systems

Tailoring Your Resume

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Generic

Resume

Customize

for Job

Targeted

Resume

• Customize to each job: Update your resume for every application to match the specific role
• Use relevant keywords: Include terms from the job description to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
• Address required skills: Show how your experience meets the employer's specific needs

Showcasing Achievements

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❌ Basic Statements

• "Increased website traffic"
• "Responsible for sales"
• "Helped with marketing"
• "Worked on projects"

✅ Quantified Impact

• "Increased traffic by 45% in 6 months"
• "Generated $50,000 in new client outreach"
• "Grew social following by 2,000 in 3 months"
• "Led 3 projects delivered on time and budget"

Entrepreneurship on a Resume

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• Include business projects and ventures, even if they weren't financially successful
• Highlight leadership experiences and innovative solutions you developed
• Focus on transferable skills that apply to traditional employment
• Use the same quantified achievement format: Show measurable impact

Innovation

Growth

Leadership

Resume Example: Entry Level

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Sample entry-level resume — focuses on skills, education, and quantified project achievements.

JAMIE RODRIGUEZ | jamie.rodriguez@email.com | (555) 123-4567 | linkedin.com/in/jamierodriguez

SUMMARY

Recent CS graduate with strong foundation in programming and web development seeking entry-level software developer role.

EDUCATION

B.S. Computer Science, State University — May 2024, GPA: 3.7/4.0, Dean's List (4 semesters)

PROJECTS

Inventory Management System (Capstone): Built full-stack web app in React/Node.js. Reduced tracking time by 35%.

SKILLS

JavaScript, Python, Java, HTML/CSS | Git, VS Code, React, Node.js, SQL | Problem-solving, Communication

Resume Example: Entrepreneur

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Turning a side hustle or business into a strong resume section.

ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE

Founder & CEO, TechStartup Solutions | March 2023 – Present

• Launched e-commerce platform achieving $75K in sales within first year
• Built and led a team of 5 developers and designers
• Secured $150K in seed funding through pitch competitions
• Developed partnerships with 12 local businesses, increasing visibility by 45%
• Transferable skills: Leadership, Strategic Planning, Financial Management, Marketing

Top Mistakes to Avoid

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✗

Typos & grammar errors —

Proofread thoroughly — suggests carelessness to employers

✗

Generic, one-size-fits-all resumes —

Tailor every application to the specific role

✗

Wrong length —

Aim for 1–2 pages depending on experience level

✗

Outdated information —

Focus on recent and relevant achievements only

Resume Review Checklist

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✓

Clear and scannable layout with proper headings and white space

✓

No typos, spelling errors, or grammatical mistakes

✓

Information tailored specifically for the target role

✓

Strong action verbs used to describe accomplishments

✓

Contact information is current and professional

DISCUSSION

Quick Activity: Resume Fix

Which part of this sample resume should be improved?

A) Contact information B) Work experience C) Skills section D) Education formatting

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What Is a Professional Email?

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✅ Professional

• Clear purpose and structure
• Appropriate, respectful tone
• Proofread and concise
• Represents you and your brand

❌ Unprofessional

• Casual, unclear, or sloppy
• Missing greeting or signature
• Slang, emoticons, or rants
• No subject line or vague subject

When & Why to Use Professional Email

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Job Search

Reaching out to hiring managers, following up on applications

Networking

Connecting with industry professionals and mentors

Professionalism

Business inquiries, proposals, and follow-ups

Entrepreneurship

Partnership opportunities, investor outreach, client comms

Professional Email Structure

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Subject Line

Clear, concise, and relevant to grab attention

Greeting

Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name, or Hello Team

Body

Purpose in first paragraph, details in middle, action items at end

Closing

Professional sign-off with complete contact information

To:

recipient@company.com

Subject:

Meeting Request: Project Collaboration

Dear Ms. Johnson,

I hope this email finds you well. I'm writing

to request a meeting about the upcoming project.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards, Your Name | Position

Email Etiquette: Essentials

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• Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname@domain.com)
• Include a clear, specific subject line
• Be polite, concise, and focused on your purpose
• Always proofread before sending to avoid errors
• Include a professional signature with contact information

Effective Email Example

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To:

hiring@techcompany.com

Subject:

Application for Software Developer Position - James Miller

Dear Hiring Manager,

I'm writing to express my interest in the Software Developer position (Job ID: 12345). With my background in computer science and 3 years developing web applications, I'd be a valuable addition to your team.

My recent project at XYZ Technologies increased customer engagement by 35% through innovative UX solutions.

Sincerely, James Miller | james.miller@email.com | (555) 123-4567

Templates for Common Situations

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Job Application

Be specific about the position and include your most relevant qualifications.

Informational Interview

Mention shared connections and be clear about your goals.

Networking Follow-up

Thank them for their time and reference your prior conversation.

Business Introduction

Highlight mutual benefits and suggest a specific next step.

Common Email Mistakes

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✗

Too casual: Using slang, emoticons, or informal greetings

✗

Missing or vague subject line: Makes your email easy to ignore

✗

Lengthy or unclear content: Recipients may not read past the first paragraph

✗

Grammar and spelling errors: Can damage your professional credibility

✗

Poor formatting: Walls of text with no spacing or structure

Digital Presence & Personal Brand

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• Align your resume and emails with online profiles (LinkedIn, websites, portfolios)
• Demonstrate professionalism across all digital touchpoints
• Use consistent messaging across platforms to build a cohesive personal brand
• Regularly audit your digital footprint to ensure it reflects your professional goals

Resume

Email

LinkedIn

Website

Personal Brand

Practice Problems

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DISCUSSION

Problem 1: Which headline is strongest for a tech/entrepreneurship role?

A) "Experienced Developer"

B) "Hard-working Team Player"

C) "Full Stack Developer with 5+ Years Building Scalable SaaS Solutions"

D) "Recent Graduate Looking for Opportunities"

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Problem 2: Spot the Email Errors

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Identify at least 3 errors in this email:

From: partyguy123@hotmail.com

To: hiring@techcompany.com

Subject: Job

Hey,

I saw your job posting and wanted

to apply. I think I'd be great for

this because I have some experience

with coding and I learn fast.

Let me know when you want me

to start! I'm available immediately.

Thanks, Jim

Errors Found:

1

Unprofessional email address

2

Missing proper greeting/salutation

3

Too casual language and tone

4

Vague, non-specific subject line

5

Missing professional signature

6

No mention of qualifications or role

DISCUSSION

Problem 3: Formatting Check

Match each section label to the correct resume part:

Professional Summary / Work Experience / Education / Skills / Contact Information

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DISCUSSION

Problem 4: Keyword Challenge

Job: "Marketing Coordinator — seeks digital marketing experience, social media management, content creation, email campaigns, analytics, SEO, project management."

​

Which resume keywords should you include?

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DISCUSSION

Problem 5: Networking Email

Draft a short networking email to a potential mentor or business partner.

Include: specific subject line, brief intro, reason for reaching out, and next steps.

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Thank You!

That wraps up Week 1. See you next week!

Next: Week 2: Social Media & Networking

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