Your Guide to Writing a Winning Resume and Cover Letter
Writing a winning resume and cover letter can seem daunting, but it doesn't need to be. After reading this article, you will be able to write your resume and cover letter with confidence. You can also learn about what not to include in your resume.
By understanding the job requirements, you can write a successful resume and cover letter. Maintain a professional, tailored approach and avoid common mistakes. Pay close attention to detail and focus on presenting yourself as a well-qualified and enthusiastic candidate for the role and the company.
You can download templates for your resume and cover letter below, as well as discover ways to make your application stand out from the rest.
Writing a Winning Resume and Cover Letter
Writing Your Resume
Writing a successful resume often depends on the job you're applying for, but here are some general tips and things to include.
Understand the job requirements: Before you start writing, carefully read the job description. Understand what the employer is looking for in a candidate. Identify the skills and experiences the employer values most, and make sure to highlight these keywords and include them in your resume.
Tailoring your documents to each job you apply for shows you've done your homework and you understand what the role entails.
Use a professional format: Your resume should be easy to read, clean, and consistent. Use a simple font, such as Arial or Calibri, and keep the font size between 10 and 12. Use bullet points to make it easier to read.
Use a header: Your header should include your name, contact information (email, phone number), and possibly a LinkedIn profile or professional website.
Write a strong objective or summary: This should be a brief 1-2 sentence summary of who you are as a professional, what you can offer, and what you’re seeking in your career. Make it tailored to each job you apply for.
Detail your work experience: List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Include the company name, your job title, the dates you worked there, and list your responsibilities and achievements.
Highlight your skills: This is where you list your relevant skills. These can be both technical skills (like proficiency in a specific software) and soft skills (like good communication or leadership abilities).
Include your education: Again, list in reverse chronological order. Include the degree you obtained, the school you attended, and the year you graduated. If you're currently a student, it's okay to include your expected graduation date.
Include certifications and awards: If you have any professional certifications or awards that are relevant to the job, include them here.
Proofread: Make sure to thoroughly check your resume for any spelling or grammatical errors. Consider asking someone else to review it as well.
Tailor your resume: Remember, it’s not one size fits all. Each job application should have a customized resume that speaks to the specific requirements of the job.
Remember, the purpose of your resume is to get you an interview, not to tell your whole life story. Keep it concise, and focus on the highlights of your career and education.
Formatting Your Resume
The information above can be formatted in the following way to keep your resume clean and concise.
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
Objective:
[1-2 sentences about your career goal or job objective.]
Skills:
- Skill 1
- Skill 2
- Skill 3
- Skill 4
Experience:
Job Title, Company Name, Location (Month, Year – Month, Year)
- Responsibility 1
- Responsibility 2
- Responsibility 3
Job Title, Company Name, Location (Month, Year – Month, Year)
- Responsibility 1
- Responsibility 2
- Responsibility 3
Education:
Degree, Major, University, Year
Degree, Major, University, Year
Certifications: (Optional, if applicable)
Certification Name, Issuing Organization, Year
Professional Affiliations: (Optional, if applicable)
Organization Name, Role, Year – Present
References:
Available upon request
Writing Your Cover Letter
The cover letter is your chance to personally address the hiring manager. It should express your interest in the role and the company, and elaborate on your relevant skills and experiences.
Start with a professional header and salutation. Then, in the body of the letter, provide examples of your achievements and how they align with the job description. Conclude by reiterating your interest in the role and thanking the manager for considering your application.
Just like with your resume, it's crucial to proofread your cover letter for any errors. Below are the key ekements you should include.
1. Header:
The header is relatively straight-forward and standardized. The following information is all you need at the top of your cover letter.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Your Email Address]
[Today’s Date]
[Recipient's Name]
[Company's Name]
[Company's Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
2. Salutation: If you know the name of the hiring manager or recruiter, use their name (e.g., "Dear Mr. Smith"). If you do not know their name, you can use "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Company's Name] Team".
3. Introduction: In the first paragraph, mention the job you're applying for and where you found the job listing. Briefly introduce yourself and express your interest in the position and the company.
4. Body: This section should be 1-2 paragraphs long. Use this section to highlight your skills and experiences that make you a good fit for the job. Draw attention to the relevant aspects of your resume, and provide specific examples of your achievements and skills that align with the job description. Show that you've done your homework about the company and how you can contribute to their mission or projects.
5. Conclusion: In the final paragraph, reiterate your interest in the position and the company. Thank the hiring manager for considering your application. You can also suggest a follow-up, saying you're looking forward to the possibility of discussing the role in more detail.
6. Complimentary Close and Signature: End your cover letter professionally, such as with "Sincerely" or "Best Regards," followed by your name.
7. Enclosure: If you're submitting your cover letter as a hard copy, you can mention any enclosures (like a resume) at the end. If it's an email, you can mention any attachments.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a well-structured resume and cover letter, there are common pitfalls to avoid. In both your resume and cover letter, it's important to present yourself in the best possible light. Here are some of the common mistakes made:
1. Typos and grammatical errors: These can make you appear careless or unprofessional. Always proofread your documents multiple times before sending them, and consider having someone else look them over too.
2. Being too vague: Your resume and cover letter should be tailored to the job you're applying for. Make sure to highlight the skills and experiences that make you a good fit for the specific role.
3. Including irrelevant information: Keep your resume and cover letter focused on the information that's most relevant to the job you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for a job in marketing, the hiring manager probably doesn't need to know about your summer job as a lifeguard (unless you can tie it directly to a skill or experience relevant for the marketing job).
4. Being negative: Avoid speaking negatively about past employers or colleagues. This can make you seem unprofessional or difficult to work with.
5. Using unprofessional contact information: Your email address should be simple and professional, ideally just your name or some variation of it.
6. Lying or exaggerating: Always be honest about your skills and experiences. If you're found to have lied on your resume or cover letter, it could cost you the job.
7. Using cliches and buzzwords: Phrases like "team player" or "hard worker" are used so often that they've lost their impact. Instead, show these qualities through concrete examples of your work.
8. Using a generic cover letter: Hiring managers can tell when you're using a generic cover letter for every job application. Tailor each cover letter to the specific job and company that you're applying for.
9. Including personal information: It's generally not necessary to include personal information such as your age, marital status, or religion on your resume. In many countries, it's illegal for employers to consider this information when making hiring decisions.
10. Including a photo: Unless you're applying for a job where your appearance is relevant (such as acting or modeling), it's usually best not to include a photo with your resume. Like with personal information, it's illegal for employers in many countries to consider your appearance when making hiring decisions.
Remember, the goal of your resume and cover letter is to get you an interview, so make sure they're both polished, professional, and tailored to the job you're applying for.
Making Your Resume and Cover Letter Stand Out
1. Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point in your job descriptions with action verbs like "led", "managed", "developed", etc. This helps to make your experiences sound more dynamic and impactful.
2. Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, quantify your achievements. Instead of saying "led a successful project," say "led a team of 5 to complete a project 2 weeks ahead of schedule, resulting in a 20% increase in sales." Numbers draw the eye and provide concrete evidence of your skills.
3. Utilize Keywords: Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they're seen by a human. These systems look for keywords that have been programmed in advance by the employer. Use keywords from the job description in your resume and cover letter to ensure they pass the ATS.
4. Show, Don't Tell: Rather than simply listing your skills, demonstrate them with specific examples. If you're a great communicator, describe a situation where your communication skills were crucial to success.
5. Use a Modern, Clean Design: A well-designed resume and cover letter can help you stand out. Use a modern, clean design that makes your documents easy to read. There are many free templates available online. Just make sure to keep the design professional and appropriate for your industry.
6. Write a Compelling Opening Line: The opening line of your cover letter is your chance to grab the hiring manager's attention. Instead of starting with "I am applying for the role of...", try something more engaging, like "As a digital marketing professional with 5 years of experience driving successful SEO campaigns, I was thrilled to see your job posting for a Digital Marketing Manager."
7. Tailor Each Document: Each job you apply for is unique, so your resume and cover letter should be as well. Tailor each document to the specific job by highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences.
8. Proofread, Then Proofread Again: A resume and cover letter with no typos or grammatical errors show attention to detail. Proofread multiple times, and consider having someone else look them over as well.
By following these tips, you'll be able to make your resume and cover letter more distinctive and memorable, which will help you stand out from the competition.