Project 3
Student id: v27
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<?xml-model href="../schema_3302.rng" type="application/xml" schematypens="http://relaxng.org/ns/structure/1.0"?>
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<DOC>
<docHead>
<!--required header includes metadata about the assignment (title, author, version)-->
<title>WP3: Cover Letter</title>
<author xml:id="v_27">Djordje Vlajkovic</author>
<version n="3" date="2016-08-22"/>
</docHead>
<cover_letter>
<header>
<name>Djordje Vlajkovic</name>
<contact_info>
<!-- One or More Contact -->
<contact type="address">1050 Main Street, Melrose MA 02176</contact>
<contact type="phone"> 857-285-8415 </contact>
<contact type="email"> vlajkovic.d@husky.neu.edu </contact>
</contact_info>
</header>
<greeting>Hello hiring committee,</greeting>
<intro_para>
<intent type="purpose">I am applying for the lead engineering position in your
development department at GE Aviation.</intent><intent type="connection">After
attending a seminar hosted by one of your employees, I found out that there were
some open positions at the company which made me apply immediately.<note
type="instructor" resp="#kgs">this sentence is a little awkward
sounding</note></intent> I have been looking for a position at GE Aviation for a
while now,<note type="instructor" resp="#kgs">what is it about this branch of GE that
you find so appealing?</note> so when I saw that this position was open, I knew that
I had to apply. <reason> Considering my background and qualifications, I think that I
would be a perfect fit for the position.</reason>
<proposition>If I am accepted, I feel that I will translate well into the culture of the
company and excel at every opportunity the position throws at me.</proposition>
</intro_para>
<para_background>
<!-- One or More -->
<experience type="work">In my previous work experience, I've worked at GE Aviation in a
business and manufacturing capacity. From that experience I've worked with
<programs>Solidworks and Digital Workbench</programs> to design and review parts
of the engine. I've also worked with customers in a business manners<note
type="instructor" resp="#kgs">manner</note>, fulfilling their needs and making
sure necessary arrangements are made to satisfy their experience. Some of my
achievements over the years include <accomplishments>reducing inventory by over a
quarter million dollars, creating engine shipments to multiple nations,
identifying and incorporating process drawings to thousands of parts and
designing apparatuses for fully automated production cells.</accomplishments>
Through these experiences I have been able to acquire a lot of knowledge and skills
that have enabled me to succeed at my previous positions and hopefully in future
ones. From working with other individuals at the company I have developed
interpersonal and communication skills that I've used to be successful lead<note
type="instructor" resp="#kgs">leader</note> and guide others in team
projects.<note type="instructor" resp="#kgs">any specifics you could add
here?</note></experience>
</para_background>
<para_background>
<experience type="personal">Outside of work I have many other skills that I practice or
have learned in my spare time. One such skill that I've acquired over the years has
been coding in languages such as <programs>C++, Matlab, and Python </programs>,
where I've developed many programs and in turn strengthen my ability to comprehend
and write within those languages<note type="instructor" resp="#kgs">this last clause
is a bit difficult to follow, maybe break this into two sentences</note>. I also
come from a diverse background which enables me to speak languages like
<languages>Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian, and Montenegrin</languages>. Between my
work and school experience, I've also <accomplishments>done some research work on
weld samples, measuring the deformations in the samples in relationship to their
material type.<note type="instructor" resp="#kgs">how does this relate to the
position?</note></accomplishments> And in my spare time I like to
<interest>read up on new breakthroughs in the aerospace field and learn about
the new engines and air crafts that are being released.</interest></experience>
</para_background>
<para_background> For my education background, <experience type="school">I have a bachelor's
degree in Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University. There I have developed
a strong understanding in the sciences and math, and have learned all of the
necessary information that the field of Mechanical Engineering would require. Some
of the classes that I've taken that are relevant to the position include:
Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Static and Dynamics, Material Science and
Vibrations. From my classes in school I am capable of <skills>understanding the
mechanics and principles with components like turbines, compressors and
combustors</skills>. I've also developed an <skills> understanding behind the
physics and characteristics that exist on an operating
aircraft.</skills></experience>
</para_background>
<closing_statements>
<compatability>From what I have written, I hope that you can see that I would be right
for the position. I get on the same page with others quickly and communicate well
with my co-workers. I am very respectful of other individual's views and can conform
to the environment that I am placed in swiftly.</compatability>
<pb/>
<next_step>I hope we can talk about the position in the future, and to reach me you can
contact me by phone, 857-285-8415, or email, vlajkovic.d@husky.neu.edu. I appreciate
the time you took to go through my application and thank you for your
consideration.</next_step>
</closing_statements>
<signature>
<salutation>Sincerely,</salutation>
<name>Djordje Vlajkovic</name>
</signature>
</cover_letter>
<docReview>
<reviewer type="peer" xml:id="g14"/>
<report type="peer" resp="#g14">
<p>In summary, this document represents the situation where Djordje is applying for a
lead engineering position in a GE Aviation development program, wherein he outlines
which aspects of his experience, skills, character, and interest would make him a
competitive candidate for the open position.</p>
<p>I'll list some typos/minor suggestions as I come across them here: In the first
background paragraph, check for missing words, typos, etc., there are a couple that
standout. I recommend against listing experience with Microsoft Office and then
listing specific programs, your resume can speak to this, it's probably assumed at
this point that everyone knows how to use these programs, only mention them if you
are an Excel expert, etc., something that really stands out. Otherwise, I recommend
omitting or just mentioning Microsoft Office and leaving it at that. Especially so
since your following accomplishments are supremely more relevant and impressive.
Consider rephrasing "traits" to "skills," or add a sentence to talk about
personal/character trait development.</p>
<p>In the "personal" paragraph, add in any hobbies or interests that might be relevant
(read about aircraft development/design, etc.) or any volunteer research work you
have done in mechanical engineering/related disciplines (or even unrelated personal
volunteer work that speak to your character). In the final background paragraph, add
more info on specific higher level classes that are relevant to the position, such
as thermo, materials, etc. (you know them better than I do) - classes that
demonstrate you have gained a comprehensive relevant education. Include any minors,
etc. that might or might not be directly relevant (math minor, etc.).</p>
<p>We can speak in person about exact phrasings of things, but overall the key takeaways
are to take a more action-oriented stance, as opposed to passive suggestions, and
minimize the use of "you" and "your" whenever possible. Remember: this is about you
trying to get an interview, not about trying to please the reader. My ultimate
recommendation is to use language that expresses interest in the company or the
position -- at times you sound dispassionate and disinterested, and a hiring manager
might not feel the urgency to call someone who outwardly uses
passive/disinterested/last resort-type language. In terms of structure itself, I
might suggest making your work experience last, so that your big accomplishments are
the most recent thing on their mind when they reach the bottom. Also, upon realizing
this is for a lead engineering position, I recommend citing any
leadership/teamwork/teambuiling experience you have (mention it to have it come up
in the interview) that would make you a strong candidate for this position, as
opposed to a process engineering/lower-profile position in the same department with
less leadership expectations.</p>
<p>Overall, you did a great job of using all/most of the elements of the schema, and did
a fantastic job using skills, accomplishments, programs tags. If possible, include a
few more accomplishments to really demonstrate your prowess. After you visit each of
the comments listed above, feel free to remove them, the XML schema agreement was
impeccable before it started getting upset that I used my xml id multiple times
(giving the red flags -- just delete them when you're done with them). Overall the
schema use is perfect, only steps need to be taken on typos and rephrasings, and
adding more content as suggested previously. Great start.</p>
</report>
<reviewer type="instructor" xml:id="kgs"/>
<report type="instructor" resp="#kgs">
<p>This is a good effort and I'm glad to see you found a relevant position that you are
interested in for this project. See my notes above that focus on two main areas for
revision: 1) additional specificity w/r/t the position (consider referencing
specific language from the job call or your research into the division at GE); and
2) specific words/phrases that are difficult to follow or sound awkward. Good work,
overall.</p>
</report>
</docReview>
</DOC>