How to Write a Great Resume and Cover Letter

Summary

This video emphasizes the importance of resumes and cover letters as marketing tools in a job search. With employers only spending about 7 seconds reviewing resumes, it's critical to highlight how you add value through strong action verbs, quantifiable accomplishments, and clear results. Resumes should showcase experience with impact, while cover letters should be highly customized, answering why you're the right fit for a specific role. Networking is presented as the most effective job search strategy, with informational meetings playing a key role in getting noticed before your resume even comes into play.

Takeaways

• 😀 Resumes and cover letters are marketing documents designed to showcase value to employers in a short amount of time.
• 😀 Employers typically skim resumes in about 7 seconds, so it's crucial to highlight your value immediately.
• 😀 A great resume should ideally be one page, with a second page acceptable in some cases, depending on experience.
• 😀 The experience section should focus on accomplishment statements rather than just listing job duties.
• 😀 Use strong action verbs to start your accomplishment statements and ask 'So what?' to ensure your points show impact.
• 😀 Always quantify results and accomplishments when possible, as numbers make a stronger case for your contributions.
• 😀 A strong resume also features clear and impactful numbers to illustrate the results of your work.
• 😀 Cover letters should be highly customized to the position and organization, answering why you're the best fit.
• 😀 The cover letter should explain why you're suited for the specific role, but it should not be generic.
• 😀 Networking is the most important job search strategy, as it helps establish personal connections that make your resume more impactful.
• 😀 Avoid relying solely on online job boards. Focus on networking and informational meetings to make your resume more relevant when it’s shared.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of a resume and cover letter?

The primary purpose of a resume and cover letter is to serve as marketing documents, showcasing your skills, experience, and qualifications in order to secure an interview and ultimately a job.

How much time does an average employer spend reviewing a resume?

On average, an employer spends only about 7 seconds skimming a resume, so it's crucial to make an immediate impact with key information.

Why is it important to consider both education and experience on a resume?

You should consider both education and experience based on which one is more marketable to the position you're applying for. The choice depends on what you want to highlight to demonstrate your value.

What is an accomplishment statement and why is it important on a resume?

An accomplishment statement highlights specific achievements rather than just listing job duties. It's important because it demonstrates your impact and results in a quantifiable way.

What are the key criteria for writing strong accomplishment statements?

The key criteria include starting with a strong action verb, focusing on results or impact (e.g., increasing, decreasing, or modifying something), and quantifying those results wherever possible.

How does quantifying results enhance a resume?

Quantifying results provides concrete evidence of your contributions, making your accomplishments more persuasive and memorable to employers.

What are the most important features of a strong cover letter?

A strong cover letter is highly customized, directly addressing why you're a good fit for the specific position and organization, and should not exceed one page.

What are the two key questions that a cover letter should answer?

A cover letter should answer two questions: 'Why are you the right fit for this specific position?' and 'Why are you a good fit for this specific organization?'

What role does networking play in a job search?

Networking is crucial because it allows you to connect with potential employers in a more personal way. It helps increase your chances of getting noticed compared to just reacting to job postings.

Why is it better to network rather than only relying on job boards?

Relying solely on job boards is less effective because you don’t have personal connections, and employers don’t know you. Networking allows you to introduce yourself first, making your resume more impactful when it follows.