Chapter 1
Introducing the First-Rate Resume and Cover Letter
In This Chapter
Understanding what a resume is
Exploring the role of your resume and cover letter
Developing a resume that works online
A resume is more than just a piece of paper. It’s a marketing document promoting a very important product — you. Your resume advertises your skills: You know you’re a star and you know you can do the job; now you just need to prove this to the recruiter or employer. When it comes to jobs, you have plenty of competition out there. Your resume and cover letter need to be the ones that jump out of the pile, grab attention and land you an interview.
Putting together a revealing resume and a captivating cover letter takes time, effort and energy — they’re not something that can be rushed. In this book, we share our experience and provide plenty of inside information based on years of talking to employers and recruitment consultants about what they’re looking for when they review your resume and cover letter. Today, you need to tailor your resume and cover letter to each job you apply for. Recruiters and employers know how to spot a ‘one size fits all’ application. Employers want to believe you understand the role they are advertising and really want to work for their organisation, and tailoring your application to each job helps you show this.
You can also use job boards to post your resume online so employers can find you. Creating a winning social media profile that aligns with the image you want to project to employers also supports your standout resume.
In this chapter, we take you through the basics — what a resume is, its purpose, the keywords to include in your resume, the value of a well-crafted cover letter and the importance of using social media to support your job-hunting efforts.
Realising the Value of a Top-Notch Resume
Whether you’re interested in moving up the ranks or finding a new job, a well-crafted, top-notch resume can help you get to where you want to go.
A standout resume is a profile of who you are. The standout resume tells the recruiter or employer your career story. Your resume showcases your skills, abilities, qualifications, experience and personal attributes and ties all of these to the particular job you’re going for. The job of a standout resume is to get you noticed and shortlisted for an interview.
Your standout resume needs to convince the recruiter or employer that you have what it takes to do the job on offer. The things that make employers look twice include
- Showing how your skills and experience match the criteria for the job. Relevancy is the name of the game. Your resume must demonstrate that you understand the company and the role, and have the skills and experience required.We show you how to craft a targeted resume in Chapter 2, and explore how you can use a cover letter as your calling card in Chapter 7.
- Flaunting your achievements. Including past successes or achievements from your past two or three roles is a great way to show how you add value to an organisation.
A standout resume sells rather than tells. Don’t be afraid to big-note yourself in your resume. We talk about promoting your strengths in
Chapter 3 and provide specialised advice
for school leavers and graduates in
Chapters 11 and
12, respectively.
- Putting in industry experience. Nothing beats real-life work experience in your field. Even better when you’ve worked for some impressive names.
- Scoring high marks. Your university, college or school results speak volumes. When your academic record is strong, highlight the fact you blitzed it through university or school with straight As. See Chapters 11 and 12 for ways to present academic achievements.
Your resume will be scanned by a human eye or by a piece of software and summed up as a winner or a dud in a matter of seconds. Here are a few simple things you can do to create a positive first impression:
- Make sure your resume is easy to read. Use a simple layout.
- Keep your resume to around two to three pages.
- Mimic the keywords used in job ads.
- Back up any claims you make with examples.
- Proofread your document carefully.
To come out on top, you need to know what recruiters like and dislike in a resume. We provide some examples of offending behaviour in Chapter 14 and share our top tips for creating a standout resume in Chapter 15.
Don’t make claims in your resume you can’t back up with real-life examples. Any exaggeration that’s uncovered will cast doubt on your entire work history.
Planning Your Approach
Whether you’re putting together your resume and cover letter for the first time or fixing up old versions, you need to take your time and plan out each area of the information you will include. The key is to know as much about your career history and achievements as you can and then promote these dazzling facts in your resume and cover letter.
Remembering that your resume is valuable real estate
Getting your resume into shape requires time, effort and energy. Here are a few reasons you should consider writing your own resume rather than asking a friend or a professional to do it:
- You know yourself better than anyone else.
- You get to call the shots in terms of layout and content.
- You’re on a tight budget, so paying a pro isn’t an option.
However, if you want to explore using a professional, do your homework by
- Getting a recommendation. Ask friends, family, colleagues and contacts if they have used a professional resume writer and can make a recommendation.
- Use reputable professionals. Browse the websites of the Career Development Association of Australia —
www.cdaa.org.au — or the Career Development Association of New Zealand — www.cdanz.org.au — to find a resume writer. These organisations require their members to maintain high standards of knowledge and conduct.
Understanding your work history
Does your resume sell your strengths to a potential employer and promote you in the best possible light? Is your r...
