Writing resumes and cover letters

The importance of creating a professional resume

A resume (sometimes also known as a Curriculum Vitae or CV) is like a sales representative going forth into the job market and pitching you to potential employers. As such, it needs to make a great impression from the get-go. You wouldn’t wear shoddy clothes or act sloppy if you were knocking on employers’ doors, so your resume needs to be as smartly presented and professional as you would be in person. Here are our top tips for writing a resume that opens doors for you.

• Click here for our top tips on how to write a great resume:

  Watch out for the number one mistake!

  The biggest mistake most people make when it comes to resumes, is thinking that a good resume will get you hired. It won’t, but it will get you to the next stage of the process, which is to achieve an interview. Keep this in mind when you’re writing the resume. You don’t need to include your entire life story in there. You just need to give them all the top level information that is 100% relevant and pertinent to the job you’re applying for, so they become interested enough to put your CV in the ‘interview’ pile.

  Take care with detail

  When reading through piles of resumes, Employers are usually busy and they’re looking for key points and certain attributes, experience or qualifications, so you need to make your best assets easy to find. You must also be very careful with consistency of layout, spelling, punctuation and grammar, as these give the reader a strong impression of your attention to detail, how much you care and your overall attitude to work.

  Don’t lose your personality

  While keeping it professional, it’s important that you don’t completely eradicate your personality from the document. Your profile summary is the place where you can explain a little about yourself, and really give them a glimpse of the great candidate you truly are. You can also include some interesting information in your Hobbies & Interests section, that demonstrates more about your character and personality, such as that you enjoy horseriding or bushwalking, or pottery or reading.

  How to choose a layout

  In terms of layout, there are many different ways to present your information, but a good rule of thumb is to keep it aligned with the type of job and industry you are applying within. For example if you’re going for a job in an accounting firm, keep the layout pretty standard, streamlined and professional, with short bullet points and punchy information. But if you’re applying for a job in a creative field such as design, you can afford to be a bit more artistic with the layout and colours used, as long as you don’t go over the top or make it difficult to find and read the key information.

  Add useful information

  Don’t forget to add useful points in your introduction section such as whether or not you have a driving license (if that is relevant to the role), perhaps the suburb you live in (if that helps show you are local), that you are a non-smoker (if you will be looking after children perhaps) or any other addition information that can help sell you as a great candidate. If you’ve done any volunteer work this is also great to include towards the end of the resume near your Hobbies & Interest section: volunteering demonstrates your character and values, so this is always a good thing to get involved in if you can.

  Make it easy to contact you!

  Last but not least, make sure your name, phone number and email are large and easy to find, preferably in the header of the first page and even in the footer of following pages. The last thing you want is to pique someone’s interest, only to find them struggling to find your contact info to get in touch with you!

Why should you write a cover letter?

Nowadays, cover letters are a standard requirement of most job applications, however even if you do not strictly need to write one, you probably still should.

Writing a positive cover letter, that demonstrates your interest in the role, and highlights the ways your skills, experience and characteristics make you the ‘best fit’, will set you apart from the crowd.

• Click here for our top tips on how to write a brilliant cover letter:

  What should you include in your cover letter?

  Writing a cover letter can be overwhelming, but once you know what you need to incorporate, it can be easier than you think to get started.

  Your cover letter should look like a formal business letter and include:

  • Today’s date.
  • The employer’s name and address, remembering that cover letters should be addressed to a specific person if possible, rather than “To whom it may concern” or similar.
  • How you heard about the job, and why you are interested in the role.
  • A brief outline of your key skills and experience, with examples showing how they match the ones required for the position.
  • A request for consideration (usually an interview).
  • An expression of appreciation for taking the time to read the letter, such as “Thank you for taking the time to consider my application”.

  How long should my cover letter be?

  Your cover letter shouldn’t be too long, usually just a page is sufficient. You can make the most of the little space that you have by ensuring that everything is relevant and the language is simple.

  Don’t forget to use first-person and an active-voice to draw attention to positive attributes and achievements, such as “I achieved’, “I successfully completed” etc.

  Hints and tips for writing cover letters
  

  • Remember to proofread your letter to check that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes and, if possible, ask a friend or family member to check it as well.
  • Always check that you haven’t left the name of the last employer you contacted in the letter – it’s a more common mistake than you might think.
  • Keep a copy of the cover letter so that you can review what you wrote before an interview.

  Key points to remember about writing cover letters

  • A cover letter can accompany your resume or job application. It’s an opportunity to show the employer how you can meet their needs.
  • Match your cover letter to the job description, highlighting the skills and experience that make you perfect for the job and using examples where possible.
  • Make your cover letter easy to read and double-check it for typos and other mistakes before submitting.
  • Job applications can be accompanied by a cover letter that shows your interest in the role and the ways in which your skills and experience make you the ‘best fit’ for the job. It’s a great opportunity to make your application stand out from the crowd!
    

Final pointers - don't forget!

• Remember to proofread your CV and cover letter to check there are no spelling or grammar mistakes and, if possible, ask a friend or family member to check it as well.
• Always check that you haven’t left the name of the last employer you contacted in the cover letter, or in the email if you have copied and pasted. It’s a more common mistake than you might think.
• Keep a copy of both the cover letter and resume so you can review what you wrote before an interview.