Cover Letter & Resume Tips

Here are some important things to keep  in mind when writing your cover letter and resume.

Don’t forget to download our free templates here.

Cover Letters:

Do I really need a cover letter? The short answer is yes, you absolutely do.

A cover letter should be included for every single job you apply for, and act as your sales pitch to the company. You’re essentially selling yourself, your skills, and your knowledge to convince them that you’re the best candidate for the job.

Here are some tips on writing a great cover letter that will get attention and, hopefully, an interview:

  • If you can, address it to the hiring manager personally rather than a generic “To Whom It May Concern”.
  • Aim for around three paragraphs:

1. An attention-grabbing introduction that expresses your interest in the position and the company

2. Relevant skills and experience with examples of times these came in handy and how that sets you apart for the role

3. Finally, restate briefly how you can add value, including any personal qualities and attributes that will see you successful in the role.

  • Get specific with facts and figures. For example, if you’re applying for management role you could mention the size of teams and budgets you’ve managed. For a sales role it could be sales KPI’s you reached or exceeded.
  • Customise your cover letter for each job you apply for. Being job specific shows that you’ve done your research. Include keywords and phrases from the job description to relate back to your relevant skills and experience.
  • Close by thanking them for their consideration and initiate next steps by offering your contact details so they can reach you to further discuss your application.
  • Proofread, proofread, proofread! Never send an application without spell checking and proofreading for errors.

Don’t forget, your cover letter is your sales pitch, not a rewrite of your resume. Keep it succinct and professional, telling them why you’re the best fit for the position.

Resumes:

Did you know most recruiters and hiring managers only spend around 7 seconds reading your resume? (Not us, of course. We’re far more thorough than that!)

Here are our top tips on writing a winning resume that impresses in 7 seconds, or less:

  • Limit your resume to one to two pages.
  • Break down your resume into distinct sections with clear headings (eg, Skills, Employment History, Education).
  • List employment history in reverse chronological order, with most recent first
  • List duties under each job role in dot point – why? Because it’s easier to read and scannable. Be concise here too. 4-6 dot points is ideal.
  • Customize your resume for each job you apply for by incorporating keywords and phrases from the job ad or job description into your resume.
  • Be sure to include any extra qualifications or accomplishments that could be relevant to the role and will help you stand out from the crowd (eg. Forklift license, Salesperson of the Year Award etc.).
  • Have someone proofread your entire resume before you send it off to ensure your grammar and spelling are correct.
  • Format your resume in a way that makes it easy to read, with clear headings and an easy-to-read font.

Don’t forget to download your free resume templates here