How To Write A Professional Resume And Cover Letter
Perhaps you've been scrolling through job boards for a while, eyeing that perfect position. Sure, you have the skills and experience, but how do you translate that into landing the interview? The answer lies in crafting a powerful job application package: your resume and cover letter. These documents are your gateway to getting your foot in the door, so ideally, you want them to shine.
But where do you even begin? We understand the pressure of crafting the perfect resume and cover letter. It's not just about listing your experiences; it's about showcasing your unique value proposition and making a lasting impression.
Keep your chin up, fellow job seeker! This guide will share with you some tips and knowledge to write a resume and cover letter that will make hiring managers say, 'Wow, this is exactly who we need!'
In this guide, we'll show you how to write a cover letter that helps you land the job you deserve.
We'll cover:
- What is a Resume and Cover Letter?
- Building an Outstanding Resume
- Crafting a Compelling Cover Letter
- And more!
Let's get started.
What Is a Resume?
Your resume summarizes your personal data, educational background, training, professional experience, qualifications, and key achievements. Successful job seekers dedicate substantial time and effort to crafting their resumes, aiming to capture their essence and communicate their unique qualifications effectively.
Consider that 40% of hiring managers spend less than a minute reviewing a resume, and 75% of resumes are rejected before reaching a hiring manager due to poor presentation or irrelevant information. This highlights the importance of a well-prepared resume.
Your resume should touch on all aspects that influence your suitability for a specific position or type of employment. Essentially, it advertises prospective employers, requiring the same level of care as a major promotional campaign. A well-crafted resume distinguishes you from other candidates in the job market and showcases your most robust qualifications, effectively selling you to potential employers.
Here are a few more reasons why resumes are crucial:
- They offer a chance to market yourself to employers.
- They outline your skills, background, and education, making it easy for employers to see how your experience can benefit their company.
- They help employers filter out unqualified candidates.
- They allow you to showcase your written communication skills.
6 Ways to build a stellar resume
Your resume is essentially a snapshot of your professional journey. It highlights your skills, experience, education, and accomplishments, all on a single page, ideally. Here's how to make your resume page sing:
#1.Pick the Right Resume Format
There are two primary resume formats: you have the chronological and functional. A chronological resume format catalogs your work history in reverse order, highlighting your most recent experience first. This is ideal for applicants who have been steadily climbing the corporate ladder or have a solid track record in their field.
Meanwhile, a functional resume focuses on your skills and accomplishments grouped by category. This is a good option for career changers or those with gaps in their work history. This also lets you emphasize your transferable skills and highlights your achievements, rather than dwelling on any pesky employment gaps.
If you're still feeling a little lost on which format to approach, you can always tap into the assistance of professional resume writers. Resume writing experts for example ResumeWriterDen, provide an outside perspective to optimize your documents. Just be sure to vet any service thoroughly and be prepared to work collaboratively to achieve the best results.
Here are the types of resume formats. Determine which format suits you best before you start writing your resume:
- Chronological Resume Format: Focuses on your work experience.
- Functional Resume Format: Highlights your skills.
- Combination Resume Format: Emphasizes both your experience and skills.
#2.Headline Like a Pro
Skip the boring "Resume Objective" section that everyone uses and craft a compelling headline instead. This could be your current job title, a combination of skills relevant to your target job, or a career summary sentence showcasing your value proposition. For example, a headline like 'Award-Winning Marketer Driving Innovative Campaigns' or 'Seasoned Project Manager Delivering On-Time, On-Budget Results' packs a serious punch. With a magnetic resume objective or headline, you'll have the potential employer hooked before they even go into the rest of your stellar resume.
Here are five examples:
- "Dynamic Sales Leader Exceeding Targets and Growing Revenue"
- "Expert Software Developer Specializing in AI and Machine Learning"
- "Experienced Financial Analyst with a Proven Track Record in Risk Management"
- "Creative Content Strategist Boosting Engagement and Brand Awareness"
- "Skilled HR Professional Streamlining Recruitment and Employee Relations"
#3.Experience Matters
Your work experience is where you get to flex those professional muscles and truly impress potential employers. Start by listing your most recent gig, including the company name, your job title, and the dates you were there.
But here's the thing: don't just rattle off a boring list of responsibilities. Instead, spice things up by quantifying your achievements with hard numbers. Did you boost sales by 25% through some genius marketing tactics? Or maybe you streamlined operations in a way that saved the company a cool USD$50k?
Those are the juicy details that'll make hiring managers sit up and take notice of the impact you made in your previous jobs.
#4.Skills Section
As much as possible, don't just throw in a bunch of generic buzzwords on the skills section as that's a surefire way to blend into the background. Instead, take a strategic approach and highlight the hard skills (things like software proficiency or coding languages) and soft skills (communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving) that align perfectly with the job's requirements. Tailoring this section will prove that you're the full package and the good fit the company is looking for.
#5.Education on Point
List your degree, major, the institution you attended, and the year you graduated. Then, take it a step further by including any relevant coursework or certifications that align with the role. Maybe you aced a project management course or landed a Salesforce certification that would impress the hiring manager. A more targeted education info will demonstrate that you've got the knowledge and credentials to back up your professional work experience.
#6.Keep it Clean and Readable
A messy, hard-to-read resume is an instant turn-off for hiring managers. You could have the most impressive experience and skills, but if your document looks like a hot mess, it might as well be headed straight for the trash bin. That's why you've got to keep it clean and readable from start to finish to attain a functional resume.
Stick to a tried-and-true professional resume font like Arial or Calibri and nothing too fancy or distracting. Also, maintain consistent formatting throughout with your spacing, margins, and bullet points. A visually appealing, easy-to-scan resume template is key to ensuring your stellar qualifications actually get noticed.
What Is a Cover Letter?
In addition to complementing the personal statement on your CV, a cover letter allows you to share more about yourself and showcase your unique personality.
Though primarily used for job applications, it can also be useful when applying for internships or accompanying business documents like loan applications or contract drafts. A cover letter can even serve as a marketing tool when inquiring about potential job openings at companies where you'd like to work.
Here are a few reasons why a cover letter is important:
- A cover letter serves as a personal introduction to your prospective employer.
- It succinctly outlines why you're the ideal candidate for the position.
- It provides an opportunity to demonstrate your unique personality and fit for the company.
- It adds depth to the information presented in your CV, offering a fuller picture of your experience and skills.
- It allows you to exhibit your written communication abilities.
- Given that only 38% of candidates include a cover letter, it can help you stand out in a competitive job market.
- Besides job applications, it can be used for internships, business document submissions, and job inquiries at companies where you want to work.
When Should You Write a Cover Letter?
It's always advisable to include a cover letter with your job application, even if there's a chance the hiring manager might not read it. Including a cover letter is as crucial as submitting a resume if you aim to present yourself as a serious candidate.
When an employer specifically requests a cover letter as part of the screening process, failing to provide one can raise red flags and may result in your application being promptly dismissed.
Conversely, if the job listing doesn't explicitly ask for a cover letter, including one, demonstrates your willingness to go above and beyond expectations.
Crafting a well-written cover letter can distinguish you from other candidates with similar professional backgrounds and skill sets. Done effectively, it has the potential to persuade the hiring manager to invite you for an interview.
5 Ways to Crafting a Compelling Cover Letter
Your cover letter bridges the gap between your resume and the job requirements. It's your chance to personalize your application, highlight specific skills relevant to the position, and showcase your enthusiasm for the company. Here are some tips on how to write a cover letter that gets your job applications noticed:
Tailor your cover letter to the job you're applying for. Research the company and understand the job description thoroughly. Mention details about the company and explain why you are particularly excited about the role. This demonstrates your genuine interest and shows that you've done your homework, making you stand out from candidates who send generic cover letters.
Use your cover letter to tell a story that connects your past experiences to the job you're seeking. Highlight critical accomplishments and experiences that align with the job requirements. Use quantifiable achievements to demonstrate your value, such as "Increased sales by 30% in six months" or "Managed a team of 15 to deliver a project two weeks ahead of schedule." This makes your application more compelling and provides concrete evidence of your capabilities.
#1.Research is Key
Before you write your cover letter template, spend some time learning about the company culture, mission, and values. This vital step allows you to strategically tailor an effective cover letter that shows you're genuinely jazzed about the opportunity and understand what makes this particular company tick. Sprinkling in those personalized details is what separates the applicants who get callbacks from the ones whose letters get lost in the shuffle.
#2.Greet Properly
Start things off on the right foot by properly addressing your cover letter recipient. If you can find the hiring manager's name through some deep online research or by calling the company, use it! Addressing them directly creates an instant personal connection.
But if their name remains a mystery after your best detective work, don't worry. 'Dear Hiring Manager' or 'Dear Sir/Ma'am' is a perfectly acceptable way to begin your letter when you're unsure of specifics.
Just avoid anything too generic like 'To Whom It May Concern'. That would only come across as lazy and impersonal.
#3.Grab Attention in the Introduction
Most applicants during their job search start their introduction with something like, 'I'm writing to apply for...'. Unfortunately, it's too common and will only risk your cover letter blending in with the rest of the pile.
As a better alternative, open with a strong hook that grabs the employer's attention. For example, 'As a top-performing sales rep who boosted quarterly revenue by 27% last year, I'm stoked to bring my proven abilities to your outstanding team.' See how that grabs you way more than a generic intro?
Or try expressing your enthusiasm like 'Your company's cutting-edge work in sustainability had me hooked from day one.' When you lead with impact and intent, you'll have the hiring manager's undivided attention.
#4.Connect the Dots
In the body paragraphs, discuss deeper into your skills and experience. Highlight accomplishments from your resume and explain how they translate to the specific needs of the job description. You may use action verbs and cover letter keywords to showcase your initiative and achievements.
Also, don't be afraid to express your enthusiasm for the company and the role. Briefly explain why you're interested in this specific opportunity and what you can bring to the team.
#5.Call to Action
Conclude your letter with a call to action. Then thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration and express your interest in an interview.
Key Takeaway
Resumes and cover letters are not one-size-fits-all documents. Thus, you must tailor them to each job, highlighting the skills and experience that match the description. Sprinkle in some keywords from the posting too, for good measure. With these tips and a little effort, you'll be crafting applications that have hiring managers saying, 'job interview!' Remember, this is your first impression, so make it a good one!