When applying for a job, never forget to include a cover letter. The cover letter is just as important as the content of the resume itself. Resumes are merely a background relating to your experience and interest that determine if you qualify for a job. The cover letter offers additional information that the resume cannot cover. 
 
Cover letters are often provided when the resume is sent to the employer. A cover letter should have an outline of the basic information included in the resume.  The cover letter can bring forth more response from employers if it is presented properly. 
  
Never use negative connotations within a cover letter. The usage of negative connotations will only drive the employer into another direction. If you successfully did something in your life, use positive words to bring your success to light.  
  
It is important to keep within the guidelines when writing your cover letter. One of the important rules is to stay focused. Do not tell your life story in your cover letter. Be concise and don't lose sight of your goal; in this case, getting the job you're applying for.

​Dear (Contact Name):

I recently relocated from California to New York. Consequently, I am looking for my next challenge. My focus is a management role drawing on more than 15 years of experience in manufacturing and production. I have enclosed my résumé which outlines my qualifications.
 
I am asking my network — including you — to help me identify possible employers who would value someone with my experience and skills. My work history emphasizes supervising production teams (up to 30 employees per shift), keeping manufacturing lines operating at peak capacity with a minimum of downtime, ensuring quality and regulatory compliance, and managing special projects.
 
If you know of someone I should contact to explore an opportunity, I appreciate the referral. You can reach me at (phone number) or email me at (email address).

I look forward to hearing back from you with any potential leads.

Sincerely,

Your Name

​Starting your resume can seem like a complicated task but it doesn't have to be. When you are creating your resume, you want to make it the most powerful statement that you can about yourself. You want your resume to highlight your strong points that make your resume stand out from the others. Remember that you can make changes to it once you get something on paper and can revise it as you see fit.

​Here is a list of tips for resume writing:

• First, gather the information that you'll need to begin. You can use a worksheet or just a plain sheet of paper. Be sure to assemble your key pieces of information. This includes work history (including dates), education, skills, knowledge, qualifications, experience, professional affiliations, and any special achievements or awards you have been given that relate to the job. Start with as much information as possible. As you craft your resume, you'll filter out what items you don't need. It is always best to start with as much information as possible.

• Make a list of your qualifications for this particular job. Start with a Resume Checklist. Think about why you would make a good candidate for this employer and then write that into one or two sentences. This can be put near the top of the resume. The starting section of your resume should include a compelling one- statement about what sets you apart, what you bring forth, and why you would make a good candidate. This is similar to an elevator pitch.

• When you consider what your qualifications are, make a list of all of them. Then, edit the list to include the unique qualifications that many other people wouldn't have. Start with a list of at least three and no more than 10 of your outstanding qualifications for the job. These can be experience-related or skill-related or accomplishment-related. Write simple true statements about yourself to sum up your qualifications. It's important to also quantify your ccomplishments on your resume.

• Resumes are written in backward chronological order. Always list the most recent position first. If you have many years of positions you can drop off anything older than 20 years old which can be covered in the interview. List your previous employment along with job titles and major skills for each position. 

• Next, list your educational credentials including the name of the college, the location, the degree obtained and the year. Don't list high school education unless it is the only academic achievement.

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• If you have specific technical education or courses that pertain to your position list them here. If you have won any awards or special honors you should list them as well.

• As a general rule of thumb, you can add a statement at the end of your resume that says you will provide additional information on request.

• Consider the presentation quality. Browsing through professional resume samples helps. Arrange the items in an aesthetically-pleasing format. You can use special resume template software or just use your document.

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• Consistency is important. Choose one easy-to-read font and stick to it for the entire resume.

• When it comes to document alignment, keep the content formatted to the left of the page to create an easy-to-read document. It’s ok to center the headings.

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• Use bold for the main section names as well as for your name at the top.

• Be sure to include your contact information on top, under your name. Posting your contact information on the bottom section is not a good idea. 

This video demonstrates the first two pages of six resumes. You will see twelve pages. The first three resumes with pictures of nature are mostly selected for positions related to envrironmental protection businesses. The following resumes are mostly used for industrial jobs, production plants, and project management.

This is only an introduction. Please drop me a line if you are interested in seeing other designs. 

​In recent years, job search methods and practices have become increasingly digital. However, as you move forward with your job search efforts, you will soon learn that hard copies of your resume still play a significant part in your success.
 
Two of the most common scenarios where you will need hard copies of your resume are when you attend a job interview or a job fair and most people tend to overlook the actual paper they use to print their resume.
 
Many people wonder “how to write a resume that will stand out”. Of course, the content of your resume matters more than the resume paper. But let’s not forget that you are in a competition. It is when you go the extra mile and learn how to choose the right resume paper that you will make your resume stand out from the crowd. Not to mention resume paper lasts much longer than regular paper. 

Below are brief descriptions about the varieities in style and quality when it comes to choosing resume paper. 

The available shades are usually white, light grey, ivory, and even blue/grey.

• White resume paper - This could be a very conservative look. While other colors may help you stand out, many job seekers choose this color.
• Ivory resume paper - The ivory shade is readily available and it could be your safest choice if you want to stand out a little. Many job seekers and employers alike prefer this shade.
• Resume Paper in other colors - If you search for it, you will probably find that resume paper is available in many shades and colors. Experts’ opinions remain controversial because many employers find color paper to be unprofessional. Although for some professions—often in creative fields--colored resume paper could be a better choice. Of all the colors, aside from white and ivory, light gray may be the safest.

Resume paper quality is usually categorized based on weight and the varieties that you may find often available are 24lb/m2 OR 32lb/m2. The weight varies based on paper thickness. You will also find that they are substantially different in price.

​We recommend the 24lb/ m2 because it is a little thicker than standard copy paper but it is not as thick as a business card. The 24lb/ m2 also goes through most home office printers without complication.

There are many textures available and they vary in the weave and finish of the paper. More often than not, you will find linen or cotton. Other kinds include coated, uncoated, laid, etc. As you will shop for resume paper, feel the different textures to find out which you prefer.

​We recommend the cotton paper as it is more often used as a popular choice for resume paper and it has a smooth finish. On the other hand, linen resume paper feels like an embossed paper because it is woven-like. 

Watermark is used on high-quality paper. As you use any brand of resume paper with watermark, make sure the watermark is only visible under the light because you do not want the watermark to distract attention from your resume content. Next, make sure your resume is printed right side up. In other words, when you're holding the resume as you're reading it, the watermark should be readable (I am not saying visible, but when held under the light, the watermark should be seen the right side up and not backward).

​Of course, this is not a deal-breaker obviously but why take the risk of recruiters noticing that your resume is printed backward and thinking you are sloppy?

You’ve never had a résumé before. Maybe you’ve never needed one. But now you do. And you don’t know where to start.
 
The primary purpose of the résumé is to get you the opportunity to interview for the job. Everything you do — and include — should focus on this goal.
 
Your résumé should be targeted to be effective. If you don’t know what you want, it’s going to be difficult for the reader to know. The first step is to determine what skills, experience, and education are needed for your target job.
 
The late résumé guru Yana Parker used to say, “A résumé without a job target is like a book without a title.”
 
Understand that your résumé is not a “cut-and-dried job report.” It will not — and should not — include everything you’ve ever done in your career.
 
It still needs to be accurate, but you don’t need to list every job you’ve ever held. Nor do you have to list every aspect of the responsibilities that you held.

Your job descriptions on your résumé should not be extremely detailed because your résumé is not a Training Manual for other people to learn how to do your job. Your résumé should only give your audience an idea about "your results". If they are interested in details pertaining to "how" you produced those results, they will ask you in the interview. So, please learn to make the distinction between an actual "job description" and effective "resume content".
 
Your résumé is not a legal document, unlike a job application that asks you to list all your career experience and that you sign, acknowledging that the information is accurate and complete.
 
Instead, your résumé is a marketing document.
 
The most important thing to remember is: The résumé is not about what you want — it’s what you can offer to an employer.
 
In her book, “Résumé Magic,” author Susan Britton Whitcomb explains there are 10 main reasons that motivate employers to hire. These include your ability to help the company:

• Make money
• Save money
• Save time
• Make work easier
• Solve a specific problem
• Be more competitive
• Build relationships/an image
• Expand business
• Attract new customers
• Retain existing customers

 
Everything you put in the résumé — or don’t put in the résumé — should relate to the job that you’re seeking, demonstrating to the person with the authority to hire you for that job what you can do for the company in that position. When trying to decide whether or not something is relevant, think about the Hiring Manager.
 
Technology has changed the hiring process in some ways, but the essence is still the same: How can you attract the attention of the person who has the power to hire you and get the opportunity to get in front of him or her and demonstrate you’re the right fit for the job?
 
If you are submitting your résumé online, it’s very likely that your résumé will go into an applicant tracking system, which is software that helps hiring managers track applications and select which candidates to interview.
 
Applicant tracking systems — and the integration of technology into the application process — underscore the importance of tailoring your résumé and cover letter for the role you’re seeking. If there are specific words and phrases used in the job announcement, make sure those are included in your résumé. You can’t simply create a résumé and use it to apply to 100 different jobs. Not only is that inefficient, but it’s ineffective.
 
Résumés are not “one size fits all.” You can’t expect a résumé focused on one type of role to open doors for you in another career field. A résumé written for a job as a Middle School Principal is not likely to generate interviews for a role as a Sales Professional. Nor is a résumé written for a Social Media Specialist going to work for someone applying as an Executive Assistant. There may be aspects of the résumé that you can use in both versions of the résumé, but you can’t use the same document.
 
Nor can you copy someone else’s résumé — even if it’s incredible — and expect it to work for you in landing your dream job. Even if the résumé lands you an interview, you need to be able to speak to the experience and accomplishments described. You not only have to walk the walk, you have to talk the talk.
 
Tell a story with your résumé. How did what you’ve done in the past lead you to the right combination of skills, experience, and education for the job you want? Who are you? What sets you apart? What can you do for the company that no one else does?
 
If you are a recent graduate with little to no work experience in the field you’ve studied and are targeting, your strongest qualifications are your just-completed education and any internships, projects, or relevant volunteer experience.

CV stands for "Curriculum Vitae" which is a Latin word.

"Curriculum Vitae" means "Course of Life". ​

A CV is a collection of documents that describe your education and professional history, focusing on your accomplishments and showcasing a higher level of detail than a resume. People most typically using CV as a form of application are seeking positions in education, entrance into graduate and post-graduate programs, or research, and they are required to discuss their professional philosophies.
 
A resume is limited to a maximum of two pages in length. However, a CV is a collection of content and is not limited in the number of pages used (four or five pages are considered average, but given the experience and accomplishments, the length can vary).

CURRICULUM VITAE

A CV and a resume are similar in context, but a CV has a more noticeable focus on scholastic achievements and professional accomplishments and accolades.
 
Unlike your resume, a CV would contain information on scholarships you may have received, essays, or research you have completed and published, grants you received, community and volunteer work, teaching philosophy, etc. You will begin by listing your career objective in a summarized form to showcase your commitment to your goals, and the actions you are willing to take to achieve those goals.
 
Whatever your career, start your CV with a brief outline of your career philosophy and your professional goals. Focus on goals that are aligned with the philosophy you have introduced.
 
Immediately following your goals, list your achievements, highlighting your education first. Here, you can mention your thesis project or dissertation, courses that support your career objective, publications & research (in progress or completed), certifications, studies abroad, languages, etc.
 
Your experience should be included next, focusing on the work history that supports your career objective. This should conclude your CV. ​

RESUME

A resume is a concise document that outlines your experience, results, and academic background. Your contact information (name, location, email, phone number, LinkedIn) should be listed at the top of your resume. It should not contain personal information that discloses ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, living situations, or any other personal information that is not directly related to your career.
 
You must have an opening section. Be it a Title, a Summary, or an Objective section, we need an opening. Do not begin listing your work experience right after your contact information. A brief starting section for the resume should give your potential employers an idea of how you wish to move forward in your professional life.
 
A concise profile or opening section should discuss who you are and how your skills and experience best apply to the job you are interested in. Personal profile/summary should only contain a few well-written sentences that convey what you can bring to the table in terms of the specific job. Use this section to attract the employers’ attention, but don’t go overboard in trying to be creative; stay professional.
 
Next, you should list your work experience in reverse chronological order. Leave your education for the end, unless you graduated less than two years ago.
 
Your experience listing should include information on one to five jobs you've held, starting with your current or last job, and listing previous positions thereafter.
 
Your education should include college, graduate & post-graduate work, as well as any courses or professional certifications that are relevant to your career development.
 
Achievements, volunteer positions, publications, and affiliations should only be listed if they apply to your professional work experience.

CONCLUSION

If you are unsure which form of application to use, do the appropriate research, and create a resume or CV that best fits the format commonly accepted in your industry. If you need help, start here. 

TARGETING. Your resume and cover letter must reflect your objective. This means placing the relevant data in a section where it will be noticed even when speedreading.

• The Hiring Manager is not always the first person who will see your resume. Remember that your resume will be screened by other people as well as applicant tracking systems. You will increase your chances of being seen when you consider these resume building tips.

 
SUMMARIZE IT. The idea is to provide as much information as needed using as few words as possible. Proper bragging is ok, but please do not fill your resume with fluff or industry jargon. Chances are your potential employer won't have a lot of time to read every detail, so stay focused on what matters.
 
SHOWCASE YOUR SKILLS. Don't create a long list with any and every skill you have. The key is to be brief and to the point. Find the proper terms to describe your skills (the ones most in-demand). Use those terms in your resume to create a flow. This resume building tip alone can greatly help your resume stand out and improve your chances of getting noticed.
 
KEYWORDS. Have you included the relevant keywords? Review your resume and include the job title you are seeking along with the keywords that best describe your target position.

• If you were the employer and needed to hire someone with your skills, what words would you use to start your search online to find someone like you?

 
DON’T GET TOO CREATIVE. A little style is fine, but when you get into intricate designs or colored textured paper, you are breaking the rules. The key is balance. Try to stand out while you respect the rules, not otherwise. For example, if you are a Graphic Designer, it doesn't mean you must have a resume that contains too many elements of graphic design. If you are a pet Veterinarian, it does not mean that you must have cartoon images of cats and dogs on your resume. Such actions may work against your goal of getting hired. In other words, some hiring managers may suspect that perhaps based on the appearance of your resume, you may not be too interested in learning the right way of doing things. 
 
START WITH ACTION VERBS. Start your sentences with action verbs. Be mindful of the tense you are using. If a project is listed under your current job and yet it is something that you completed in the past, please feel free to use the past tense when using action verbs, even if the project is listed under your present job.

• A good example of using action verbs is starting a sentence with "Directed" or "Coached" instead of starting a description with "I was in charge of the department."

 
BULLET POINTS. Don't ever underestimate the power of bullet points in a resume. Stay away from writing long paragraphs. The bullet points should not be longer than two (2) to two and a half (2.5) lines. A bullet point with five (5) lines is no longer a bullet point. It's a paragraph. Keep in mind that your job is to help employers find the details they are looking for quickly.
 
TWO PAGES AND NOT LONGER. Perhaps you feel the need to explain the details. Please do not be tempted to include more detail than necessary. Also, do not clutter your document. Here is an important rule: In a resume, white space is your friend. Try to have enough white space.

• If you must go beyond the two- page rule, learn to use an addendum.

 
USING TEMPLATES. Think twice about using templates. A template may be useful when you are looking for ideas or trying to figure out what a resume should look like. However, stay away from using the template as your own resume, because that design is never exclusive to you. It is a template that others are using as well.

• Looking like everyone else is not the best strategy if you truly want to stand out from your competition.

 
CREATE AN ERROR-FREE DOCUMENT. Please review your resume carefully. Every expert will advise you not to submit a resume with errors. Check the grammar thoroughly and avoid typing errors.

Are you looking for a job? Thinking about a career change? Want to just earn a little extra money? Reach deep to discover and articulate more of your skills and you can land the position of your dreams.
 
Whatever your situation, you may find yourself wanting to showcase some of your non-paid work experiences. What constitutes non-paid work experience? Here are some examples:

1. If you've ever led an organized group for children, you have non-paid experience under your belt. Being a Cub Scout Leader, Girl Scout Leader, or Eagle Scout Leader involves numerous skills and talents. More about that later.
2. Volunteer stints certainly count. If you've ever been a volunteer, you know the dedication, skill, and work it requires.
3. Being a member of your local school's Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) can be considered non-paid work experience.
4. Serving on community committees would certainly count.
5. Perhaps you've done a lot of babysitting over the years for neighbors, friends, and family members. Babysitting requires many skills that can be showcased on a resume or in an interview.

Determining the skills used and the tasks completed for each non-paid work experience takes a little time. Let's consider the above-listed examples and review sample skills and duties for each.

For Scout Leader or similar "leader" positions of organized children's groups, what duties did you perform? How could you phrase them so that they're relevant to a work environment?

• Responsible for management of weekly meetings.
• Performed scheduling duties: Set schedules for when, where, and how long to meet
• Utilized planning skills to plan weekly, monthly, or yearly activities.
• Demonstrated organizational skills:  Gathered necessary supplies, produced appropriate purchase orders, and selected materials.
• Designed and managed the budget.
• Prepared reports for the local organization that oversaw the group.

When you volunteer, skills and experiences will vary depending on the type of volunteer work performed. For the sake of illustration, let's assume you did volunteer work for a local social service organization.

• Consistently reported for duties on time and followed all instructions.
• Performed sorting and delivery of daily mail twice per week.
• Planned and carried out mass mailings of program materials.
• Provided unpaid staff leadership during the Supervisor's absence.
• Designed and wrote the  monthly program Newsletter.

 
As a member of a PTO, you might have performed a variety of duties that can be showcased on your resume as non-paid work experience.

• Acted as Committee Chair for fundraising events.
• Planned and coordinated fundraising events for the school.
• Served as Co-Chair of Meet and Greet Committee.
• Developed activities to encourage more parents to join PTO.
• Responsible for increasing PTO membership by 3% per year over a three-year period.

 
For this example, you served as a volunteer in the fictitious Welcome to Our Town group. The following duties could be noted on your resume as non-paid work experience:

• Developed marketing flyers.
• Coordinated meetings of Welcome to Our Town staff.
• Supervised volunteer staff of four. Supervising volunteers can be a weighty asset; most hiring managers know how challenging it can be to manage people who aren't being paid.
• Responsible for setting up exhibits and providing information about the town at local publicity events.
• Conducted phone interviews with new community members.

 
Being a babysitter involves several skills and duties and a lot of responsibility.

• Provided childcare to four children, ages 2 to 4, Monday through Friday, over a two-year span.
• Planned, organized, and conducted field trips and tours to local museums and parks for the children.
• Kept documentation on each child to share with parents regarding the child's behavior and activities throughout the day.

 
Begin a list now of your unpaid work experience, compiling the position and approximate month and year you started and ended each "job." Use the above examples to get ideas for the list of skills necessary for each experience and the duties you performed. Now you can showcase your non-paid work experiences on your resume to help you attain your career goals.

​A Resume Writer uses the right keywords, has the best ATS resume checker, applies the latest formatting strategies for speedreading, enhances your content, and helps your resume stand out from the crowd.

A Resume Writer is often a freelance writer who specializes as a technical writer and focuses on resume writing and other career-related documents.