Resume And Cover Letter Guidelines Which Get Job Seekers Hired

By Jim Davis


You want to make a lasting impression when you apply for a job. There are so many people looking for jobs in today's market that you cannot make any mistakes. You want to ensure that your resume and cover letter is seen by a potential employer who only has a few seconds to make a split decision. The following rules are guidelines which will help you get employed and on your way to a your new career.

How you layout your information is important. It should conform to two sides and should be clear and organized. Do not try and get fancy by using strange fonts or funky colors. Also do not think that using any color besides white will get you noticed. It will not have the effect you desire. You want to make a good impression that shows you understand the hiring process. This makes you appear professional when your resume is neat, clean, and on white paper. Remember also when sending your data via email that it can be viewed by others by their software.

When writing the resume you should have clear headings and it should be well organized. Your name and contact details should be at the top. It is usual to begin with your most recent employment history and set this out in chronological order. If there are any gaps in this then you should be able to account for them. Bullet points are a good way to organize information and keep it concise.

List your education and any relevant voluntary work that you may have done that is relevant to the job. There is no point in talking in great depth about a fashion retail position you did ten years ago if the position you are applying for is as an accountant. You need to keep it concise and keep it relevant.

Interests and hobbies are relevant, but only to the point that they add something to your resume. If it does not then you should not include it on paper. You will want to make sure that anything you place on paper creates excitement and shows your skills and value to the employer.

Do not forget to include a cover letter. Most people do not do this one thing and decrease their chances of getting hired. When you create it include key duties and responsibilities you have and how they will fit with the new position. Start out by telling a little about yourself and then what you can do for the company. Also include your knowledge about the potential firm and any tidbits of information that you have researched.

The cover letter should not be too lengthy. It is a concise way of introducing yourself and explaining how you meet their needs, but you will be able to expand on things in the interview. Think of the cover letter as an overview of your skills. An employer will make a snap decision of whether to interview you based on how you project yourself in the letter.

Creating a decent resume and cover letter is not difficult if you follow these guidelines provided. It will have your paperwork looking professional and desirable to potential employers. You want to get your foot in the door with an interview which can be done from making yourself stand out from other candidates. This is what makes a difference in getting hired.




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