Expert Tips for Writing Resumes & Cover Letters that Get Noticed

Making a resume and cover letter that stand out is one of the vital final steps in a job search. These documents are possibly the first lasting impression you will leave on a potential employer. Whether you are new in the working world or ready to start climbing the ladder, learning the art of creating an eye-catching resume and a letter full of excitement will greatly advantage you in the sphere of work.

Why Your Resume & Cover Letter Matter

Before getting into more details, it is paramount to consider why your resume and cover letter are so important. Essentially, the resume is a summary of your professional story-and an opportunity to showcase your qualifications, skills, and achievements that can reasonably apply to the position for which you are applying. In short, the resume should be a few well-chosen words that make an impact and tied to the position for which you are seeking employment.

Your cover letter, on the other hand, brings that human touch. It serves to clarify your resume a bit by explaining a little about what interests you concerning this job and this company, and why you are excellent for them. Together the resume and cover letter present you as a viable candidate while demonstrating your genuine interest in the position.

Tips to Make a Winning Resume

The days of simply listing work experiences are behind us in today’s competitive job market; a resume must be distinguishable. Here is an overview of some prescriptive measures to help you create an effective resume:

Customize Resume According to Job

Using an all-around resume will not work. One has to customize their resume for every job application. One should always make sure that their experience, skills, and accomplishments match those mentioned as requirements for the job posting. Highlight job description keywords related to the position, so that your resume matches the position.

Put Results in the Spotlight

Think results instead of responsibilities. What have you done that mattered to an employer in any of your previous job roles? Wherever possible, numbers and statistics should be used to demonstrate your accomplishments. There is no better way to show you have brought home the bacon than to share some evidence.

Keep a Clean and Professional Format

Resumes should be easy to go through. Use bullet points to split up the text and present it in bite-sized pieces. Pick a modern font and stick to it throughout. Never insert unnecessary graphics or images that will distract the reader.

Proofread for Accuracy

Even the slightest error could be disastrous to do with your chances. Proofread your resume for any possible spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. Letting a friend or family member take a look at your resume can even help catch mistakes you may have missed.

For more detailed tips on a great resume, look through our “How to Make a Great Resume for Job Search.“

Writing an Effective Cover Letter

Your cover letter is where your personality and passion for the position come into the picture; your resume lists skills and work experience. Here’s a quick snapshot of writing a solid cover letter:

Personalize Your Letter

Address the cover letter to the specific hiring manager, if possible. If you can’t find a name, go with “Dear Hiring Manager.” This bit of personalization proves that you researched the company and truly care about the role.

Keep It Focused and Concise

Your cover letter should be no more than one page in length. Be sure to focus only on your most relevant skills and experiences. Communicate how you can help the company meet its goals and make an emotional connection by expressing your excitement about the position.

Tell Your Story

A cover letter gives you a chance to tell a story. Share a specific example from your career that highlights your skills, accomplishments, or passion for the industry. This helps make your cover letter more memorable and relatable.

Show Enthusiasm

Employers want to hire candidates who are passionate about the opportunity. So, never hide your enthusiasm from your cover letter. Tell the hiring manager why you are excited about the opportunity and how your background complements the company’s mission.

For further details and for examples, visit our How to Write a Cover Letter page.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Some common errors that most job seekers make in resumes and cover letters. Avoiding these will help in ensuring that your application stands out for all the right reasons:

Using generic resume or cover letter: Customization is vital. Don’t apply for every job with the same resume and cover letter.
Including irrelevant or outdated information: Being direct is important; use only the most relevant and recent experience. Also, leave out skills or jobs that are out of date.
Forgetting to proofread: Any tailoring, misspellings, grammar issues, or format inconsistency will create a bad impression.
Being too vague: Don’t just say you fit the role; support that statement with examples of your achievements and skills.
Too much jargon: Though you want to show your expertise, make the language simple and clear.

Conclusion

Resumes and cover letters really serve as a key to opening doors in one’s job search. If one takes time in caring for the crafting of these documents, the candidate really stands apart among others and is more likely to get an interview. Every job is different, so make sure that all your application materials showcase your skills for and interest in that particular position.

Check out the other helpful sites on job search strategies, interview prep, and networking just to increase your winning odds. Good luck!

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