Resume & Cover Letter

The Resume

Play the following video featuring Susan Thomas, Manager, Career & Placement Services. She offer eight (8) tips to make your CV stand out.

Take a look at the tipsheets (in PDF) below. They offer examples of power words to use and how best to show your education. And, there's a sample resume, too:

• Resume Power Words
• Education on your resume
• Sample Resume

The Cover Letter

Employers see your cover letter before anything else when you apply for a job. Its content sets you apart from other applicants. More than a summary of your CV, a cover letter draws the employer's attention to your strengths, skills and experience. Think of the letter as a personalized, targeted introduction.

A cover letter answers the question: What makes you the most suitable candidate for the job?

Structure your writing based on these sections:

1. Top of the page (Personal Data)

   • Put your personal data at the top of the page: your name, address, phone number(s), email address. The format should match your resume.
   • Recipient's work title, address and, whenever possible, their name (check for correct spelling). If you can't find out the the recipient's name, begin the letter with "Dear Human Resources," or "Dear Hiring Manager" not "To whom it may concern."

2. The Introduction

   • Who are you? What led you to write to this particular person/company?
   • Why do you want to work for this organization?
   • What position are you applying for?
   • Let the reader know why this letter has arrived at his or her desk.

3. The Body/Highlights of your qualifications

   • State your case concisely. Discuss only relevant strengths, skills and experience to the job you're seeking.
   • Give examples that demonstrate your skills and relate them to the job requirements. Show how you would benefit the employer. Customize your cover letter. This is not a mass email.

4. Request for further contact

   • Ask clearly and confidently to have the next step in the job search process (the interview) communicated to you.

Voice & Style

• Balance the needs to be professional, to the point and to write with a natural tone for you.
• Use action words and phrases; avoid passive verbs and sentences.
• Express interest, concern and enthusiasm for the field.
• Avoid using contractions like wouldn't or isn't and personal pronouns.
• Watch out for run-on sentences. Don't start each sentence with the pronoun I.

Layout

• Keep your letter to one page, while ensuring you include information requested by the employer, such as salary range and availability.
• Keep it as short but informative. Highlighting information relevant to the opportunity helps keep it brief.

Appearance

• Use 8 1/2" x 11" good quality paper: print on one side only.
• Maintain the format of your resume (fonts, size, letterhead, margins, etc).
• Avoid using illustrated stationery, or other distracting graphics.
• If e-mailing the employer, include an electronic signature.

Finally, check your spelling. Follow up. Even a well-crafted letter may be overlooked, while other applicants contact an employer once the application deadline has passed. Track letters sent and follow-up contacts.

Cover Letter Troubleshooting

Cut unnecessary information

Leave out headers saying "Cover Letter", or "Letter of Application". Also, information such as reasons for leaving previous jobs, lists of references, and salary expectations (unless requested by the employer) are inappropriate.

Avoid vague descriptions

Avoid general, frequently used phrases. For example, many people state that they have "good interpersonal skills". Decide what this means to you and give examples. This may mean that you're skilled at resolving conflicts, following instructions, motivating a group, making tough sales and so on.

Edit your letter

If you're repeating yourself, remove or merge sentences with the same thoughts. Reading the letter out loud helps. Does it sound like you? Be professional, but be yourself. This impresses employers, not obvious efforts to impress them in writing. For awkward sentences and phrases, think of other ways to express it. Write "In other words" and put in plain language what you mean. The letter works with, and doesn't repeat, your resume. Ask an instructor or industry contact to read and edit your letter. Make an appointment with a Career & Placement Services staff member to have your resume and letter edited.