Resumes & Cover Letters
Writing resumes and cover letters is sometimes the most challenging part of the job search. Here are some tips to make the writing process a little easier.
Remember that your resume is a marketing tool, not a logbook. It's designed to show how your experience and skills match what the hiring manager seeks and to tell a story of a competent, skilled, and valuable employee (you!). To achieve this:
Use strong action verbs that show your achievement and accomplishment and don't just describe what you do in your current role or did in your previous roles.
Include quantifiable information wherever possible.
Provide relevant information only (think: how is what I'm including relevant to what they are looking for? how does this information tell my story?).
Everyone's attention span is shorter these days, so make sure to keep your resume concise enough to hold the hiring manager's interest but long enough to tell your story. This means:
Generally no more than 2 pages if you've been in the workplace for a while.
No crazy formats and enough white space.
Readable (avoid jargon!).
If part of your story is a career gap, consider addressing that.
AI and ATS! Artificial Intelligence can help you, but use it as an add-on to your own good judgement not a substitute for it. And, Applicant Tracking Systems can trip you up if you don't pay attention to how a computer will read your resume. Many times, the ATS is the screener (not a human) so you need your resume to get through the ATS first. Here are some tips to work with AI and manage ATS.
AI can help with writer's block or help you create concise summaries. Try submitting a block of text from your resume to ChatGPT (OpenAI's product) and ask for bullet points.
Check out Resume Worded or Jobscan to learn how your resume will fare in an ATS and to review suggested changes.
And, finally, create a cover letter that supplements but does not repeat your resume.
Key things to include in the cover letter:
Why this job and why now?
How do your skills and experience align with the job requirements?
Convey enthusiasm for the job and the company's mission. If you can't be enthusiastic about the job, consider if you should be applying.
