Stand Out with a Well-Crafted Resume and Cover Letter
A great resume and cover letter can make all the difference in your job search. They serve as your personal marketing tools – allowing you to showcase your skills, experiences and qualifications to a potential employer, and give recruiters and hiring managers a snapshot of who you are and the type of employee you would be if hired.
Including a focused and well-organized resume and cover letter with your application can set you apart from the competition and help you secure an interview for your dream job. Below are some tips to consider when creating your documents.
8 tips for crafting a resume that recruiters will notice
- Review open positions on the company website and create a resume tailored to your skill set as it applies to the specifications of the position you are applying for.
- Make your resume easy for both recruiters and keyword scanning software to read by using a standard font type and size. Consider Calibri, Lato and Garamond in 11-12 point for body text and 14-16 for headings.
- Be concise. Keep your resume to a maximum of two pages . Don’t worry about listing work experience from 20 years ago that isn’t relevant to your current job search.
- Show your employment history in chronological order starting with the most recent. Include beginning and ending dates for each role. Note contract or temporary positions.
- Show and briefly explain any significant gaps in your work history – include dates.
- Use action words to highlight specific and measurable accomplishments from your past work experience. Don’t be afraid to brag!
- Include both your formal education and any relevant certifications you have received.
- Always include a cover letter with your resume. It is a sure-fire way to draw a recruiter’s attention to your application and it gives you an opportunity to more fully explain your goals and why you are qualified for a position.
Follow a winning formula for your cover letter
Your cover letter should explain why you are interested in the company and the position, and demonstrate your qualifications for the role. Keep your letter concise and focused. Aim to keep it to one page – no more than four paragraphs. Use a professional tone and be sure to proofread!
Make sure your cover letter contains these five key elements:
- Contact information. Include your name, address, phone number and email address.
- Professional greeting. Use the recipient’s name if you have it or use a general greeting like “Dear Hiring Manager.”
- Introduction. Express your interest in the position and mention how you learned about it.
- Body paragraphs: Use 1-2 paragraphs to highlight your skills and explain what unique qualities you will bring to the company.
- Professional closing. Use your full name and a professional closing such as “Sincerely” or “Best Regards” and your full name.