Resumes and Cover Letters

• Why do you need a cover letter?
• What's the purpose of a resume?
• Gathering the data
• What type of resume should you use?
• General formatting
• Powerful Resume Tips

What's the Purpose of a Cover Letter?

The purpose of a cover letter is to quickly show the recruiter how well your skills match the job requirements.  One page maximum.  Identify the top two or three job requirements from the posting and then provide statements about how you meet and exceed those requirements.

What's the Purpose of a Resume?

Your resume is the marketing document designed to get you the interview.The purpose of the resume is to get your talents noticed during the first culling phase by the recruiter and then to get you an interview.  The resume is not the place to tell your life employment history.  It is the place to show what you've done, and how well it matches up with the job requirements.  Gathering the Data

If you haven't written a resume in a while, first assemble all of your information.  Start by listing each employer and each position you've held.  Remember, all this detail is not the resume, but will be used to write the resume.  Include job duties, skills, capabilities, and accomplishments. Be sure to list all the various software and computer tools you have used. During this phase, don't worry about length.  Get dates, addresses, and job titles. This research will also come in handy when you have to fill out an employment application form.

Resume Types

Selecting a Resume Type:  Functional, Chronological, or Combination

Resumes are usually organized as chronological resumes or functional resumes.

Chronological Resumes

The chronological resume is the preferred type if your job history has been in the same industry with a steady progression of promotions and responsibilities. This format emphasizes the accomplishments for each position held. Don't go back more than 15-20 years unless there is some compelling experience.

Functional Resumes

Use the functional resume format if you have had frequent job changes, are making a career change, have little related experience. In this format, you emphasize your abilities and accomplishments, and minimize your chronological history.  Break your experience into areas of expertise such as planning, research, and management.

Combination Resumes

Use the combination format when you can show career progression but want to focus on your functional skills. This type of resume is good if you have done a lot of contract or temporary work.

Formatting a Resume

Keep your resume formatting simple and clean and remember the amount of white space is as important as the amount of information.  Use a simple sans-serif font such as Arial 11 point.  Make sure you have 1" margins on all sides.  For headings, use Arial 14 point bold.
The resume should not exceed two pages. On the first page, at the very top, usually centered, include in your contact information (name, address, contact phone, and contact email). On the top of the second page, just your name in the header is required. The bottom footers should only contain the page number.

Your resume should be set out in sections starting with the position title, Summary, Skills and Capabilities, Work Experience, Computer Skills, and Education. Your summary and skills and capabilities sections should include "key words."  These are the skills noted in the job posting or job description of the position for which you are applying.  Use bullets to highlight your skills and capabilities. Use whole years (not months) in the work history section and provide a brief description of your accomplishments under each position. Use white space above each major section to make the resume more readable.  Finally, leave out all dates in the education section..

Creating a Powerful Resume and Some Final Tips

There are many writing services that can produce a resume for you.  Before you choose one, be sure to get references from past clients. A professionally written resume will pay for itself if it gets you an interview, and ultimately a job, even one week earlier.

Here are some final tips about creating a powerful resume: 

• Remember that the purpose of your resume is to get you an interview.
• Your resume will be read and a decision made to interview or not in about 10 to 15 seconds.
• Your resume must be "scannable" so the hiring manager can skim the material for "key words" and make a decision to bring you in for an interview.
• Triple check your resume for spelling, grammar, and verb tense.  Have someone else review it. Have someone else read it out loud.
• Use action words such as "managed", "achieved", or "delivered" for your accomplishments.  Check the Internet for lists of words by type of occupation.
• Read your resume out loud.  The language should flow smoothly.  If it sounds awkward, it will read awkward.