When you graduate from college, one of the following steps is to seek a job. Of course, some students work when studying to earn money. One may work to be able to pay for PowerPoint presentation, for example, when he/she has no idea how to meet a professor’s requirements; some work to pay for education, but in most cases, they do not work in the spheres they study in college. After graduation, every student dreams of a well-paid job, but how to get it and what can help you stand out from the crowd? – A strong resume and a hooking cover letter. In this article, we will look at these factors, tell you the differences, and provide some tips on how to create a winning resume and get your dream job.
A résumé is a formal document that overviews your professional experience, skills, education, and accomplishments. It helps employers quickly assess your qualifications for a specific position. A résumé usually includes sections like work experience, educational background, relevant skills, certifications, and sometimes personal achievements or volunteer work. It is a structured document that briefly presents your qualifications. On the other hand, a cover letter is a formal document typically submitted with a job application. With the cover letter, you can showcase your strong skills, experience, and achievements that make you a strong fit for the role. While a résumé is a structured summary of your professional background that lists your qualifications, skills, and experience, a cover letter introduces you, explains your interest in the specific position, and highlights why you are a good fit. But both are very important.
Tips for writing a solid resume
Let’s take a look at what tips can help you handle your resume writing.
- Tailor your résumé for every position you want to apply. Customize your résumé for each job application by highlighting relevant skills and experience matching the job description. Of course, you can use a template, but make sure the draft you send to the company matches their needs.
- Use a professional format. Use a clean, easy-to-read layout, clear section headings, consistent font, etc. Also, ensure there is enough white space and your résumé looks polished.
- Start with a strong summary. Include a professional summary at the top naming your main qualifications.
- Use action verbs when writing. Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb to convey your proactive contributions.
- Always highlight relevant skills. Include a section where you will highlight both hard and soft skills relevant to the job.
- Focus on results. Dwell upon the impact you had in previous jobs and show how your work resulted in positive outcomes.
- Keep your résumé concise. Limit your résumé to one or two pages, focusing only on the most relevant and recent experiences to keep the content focused and impactful.
- Include keywords. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and using job-related keywords can help the system choose you and show your resume to managers.
- Showcase education and certifications. List your academic qualifications and any relevant certifications, especially if they are important for the position you are applying for.
- Add relevant projects, if any. Include specific projects you worked on that are directly relevant to the job you are applying for right now. Don’t forget to highlight your role, the tools used, and the outcomes.
- Proofread carefully. Typos and grammatical errors can make a negative impression. Thus, it is highly recommended that you carefully proofread your résumé before submitting it.
- No jargon! Use language that is clear and accessible, avoiding industry-specific jargon or technical terms unless you’re sure the employer will understand them.
- Limit personal information. Focus on professional experience, and avoid including unnecessary personal details such as marital status, age, or unrelated hobbies unless your manager requests it.
- Show career progression. Highlight promotions, increasing responsibilities, or new skills acquired to show your professional growth and adaptability over time.
Tips for composing a winning cover letter
Browse these tips to come up with a solid cover letter that will support your resume and provide your manager with more information about your professional skills.
- Personalize. Address the letter to a specific person, using their name rather than a generic greeting.
- Start strong. Begin with an attention-grabbing opening that clearly states the position you’re applying for and why you’re excited about the opportunity.
- Highlight key achievements. Showcase some significant achievements from your past roles relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Show enthusiasm for the company. Research some information about the company, demonstrate your knowledge of them, and explain why you’re excited about joining their team.
- Use a professional tone. Keep your language professional and polished, but reflect your personality as well to make the letter more engaging.
- Tell a story. Use examples from your work history to illustrate how you’ve successfully handled similar responsibilities to those required in the job.
- Keep it concise. One page is enough to focus on the most important points.
- Match your résumé. Does the content of your cover letter complement your résumé rather than repeating the same information?
- Close with a call to action. End with a strong closing statement. For example, you can express your eagerness to discuss the role further in an interview.
- Proofread and edit. Carefully proofread your cover letter for typos and grammatical errors to ensure it reflects your professionalism and attention to detail.
Hope this article was helpful, and now you know what makes your resumes and cover letters strong. Of course, having professional skills is the most important thing, but when you come to a company where they do not know you personally, it is essential to “sell” yourself with the help of a solid presentation. We wish you good luck!
