In today’s competitive job market, job seekers need to make a lasting impression to catch the attention of hiring managers and recruiters. Creating a standout resume and cover letter is crucial for this purpose.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to create a resume and cover letter that will help you shine in your job search.
Crafting a compelling resume
Your resume should present a clear, concise summary of your work history, years of experience, relevant skills, and achievements.
Here are some key elements to include:
Contact information
Make sure your contact information is clear and professional. This should include:
- Your full name
- Phone number
- Email address (refrain from using one with nicknames that may seem unprofessional, your full name is best)
- LinkedIn profile, if you have one.
Job title and summary
Start with a strong job title and summary that clearly states your professional identity and career goals. This helps recruiters to quickly understand your background and the type of job opportunities you’re seeking.
Professional experience
List your previous roles in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. For each role, include:
- Job title
- Company names
- Dates of employment
- Bullet points detailing your responsibilities and achievements.
Relevant skills
Include a section highlighting your relevant skills. Tailor this to the job description to show that you possess the skills required for the specific job.
Education
Provide details of your educational background, including:
- Degrees obtained
- Institutions attended
- Graduation dates.
Additional sections
Depending on your field and the job requirements, you may want to include sections on certifications, professional memberships, additional languages or English language proficiency if English isn’t your first language, and other relevant qualifications.
Understanding the importance of a great cover letter
A cover letter is your chance to make a personal connection with the hiring manager. It should complement your resume by highlighting your relevant experience and skills.
A standout cover letter can set you apart from others and highlight you as the ideal candidate for the specific job you’re applying for.
Cover letter basics
A good cover letter should be personalised and address the hiring manager directly. If you know the name of the person, use it. Otherwise, ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ or ‘To Whom It May Concern’ is acceptable. Avoid using ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ as it assumes the gender of the reader.
The cover letter should include:
- An opening paragraph that introduces yourself and explains why you’re writing
- Specific examples of your relevant skills and experience
- How you meet the job requirements outlined in the job posting
- Why you want to work for the hiring company
- A professional sign off.
Utilising cover letter templates and examples
Using a cover letter template can help you structure your letter, but be sure to customise it for each job application.
Look at cover letter examples for inspiration, but ensure your letter reflects your unique qualifications and personality.
Tips for writing a standout cover letter
To create a standout cover letter, follow these tips:
Personalise the letter
Address the cover letter to the hiring manager by name if possible. Research the company website or LinkedIn to find the name of the person responsible for hiring if it isn’t on the job advert. Personalising your letter shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position.
Highlight relevant experience
Focus on your relevant experience and how it aligns with the job requirements. Use specific examples from your previous roles to demonstrate your qualifications.
Show enthusiasm
Convey your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Explain why you’re excited about the opportunity and how you can contribute to the company’s success.
Keep it concise
A cover letter should be no longer than one page. Be concise and to the point, while still providing enough information to make your case.
End with a strong sign-off
Conclude your cover letter with a strong sign off. Express your interest in further discussion of your application and thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration.
Tailoring your application to the job description
One of the keys to a successful job application is tailoring your resume and cover letter to the specific job you’re applying for.
Carefully read the job ad and job description to understand what the hiring manager is looking for. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job requirements. Use keywords from the job listing to ensure your application gets past applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Proofreading and avoiding common mistakes
Typos and grammatical errors can make a poor first impression and hurt your chances of getting through to hiring manager consideration, interview stage, and ultimately landing the job. Consider asking a family member or friend to review your documents as well.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Misspelt words
- Incorrect dates
- Inconsistent formatting
- Lack of specific examples
- Generic statements.
Leveraging LinkedIn and social media
Your LinkedIn profile and other professional social media accounts should be up-to-date and reflect the information on your resume.
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for networking and job searching. Make sure your profile includes:
- A professional photo
- A compelling headline
- A detailed summary
- Your work history and relevant skills
- Recommendations from colleagues and supervisors.
Looking for an additional qualification to impress potential employers?
If you’re looking to progress your career into a more senior position, or you’d like to switch fields to a new specialism, why not study an online degree to gain in-depth skills and knowledge that will impress hiring managers and recruiters?
The University of Sunderland offers 100% online, part-time degrees which you can study around your existing role, enabling you to continue working on your professional development and earning without taking a study break.
Put yourself in a prime position for progression. Choose your master’s degree:
MBA degrees:
- International MBA
- MBA with Project Management
- MBA with Healthcare Management
- MBA with Supply Chain Management
- MBA with Hospitality Management
Computer Science master’s:
- MSc Computer Science
- MSc Computer Science with Data Science
- MSc Computer Science with Cyber Security
MDES Design
- MDES Design
- MDES Design with Fashion Design
- MDES Design with Graphic Design
- MDES Design with Animation
Management master’s:
LLM degrees:
Blended nursing degrees:
Nursing degrees:
