Writing a resume and cover letter

When you’re writing your resume and cover letter, it’s best to keep it short and to the point yet capture all the important information your audience needs to know.

So we’ll try to do that here.

A resume outlines your personal details, and skills, experience and abilities that make you suitable for the job.

A cover letter introduces you, and highlights how your experience, skills and career direction match the job description.

Together, they are the best way an employer can get to know you and secure you an interview.

Tips to write your best resume

It’s your first impression. So write it well and keep it short and simple. Two to three pages at most. Don’t cram too much in and make it hard to read. Use dot points and keep some white space.

Check spelling, grammar and contact details, as this shows you have good communication skills. Mistakes and poor writing mean you don’t take care to check things or have attention to for detail. 

What to include

Personal summary or profile: A short intro of your experience, skills, and abilities relevant to the position. Two paragraphs at most. Put yourself in the best light without boasting. And use ‘he/she/they’, not ‘I’.

Personal details: Name, address, mobile, email and potentially a LinkedIn profile link, or link to personal profile page on social media. 

Don’t include personal information such as your date of birth, height, weight, marital status, and children unless the position requires it.

Key skills: Outline your demonstrated abilities, relevant skills, competencies, capabilities, and work skills for the job, such as:

• Languages you can speak.
• Technical skills such as software you are proficient in.
• Leadership or problem-solving experience.
• Special skills from other activities, like volunteering or charity work.

Key achievements: Achievements you are proud of that relate to your technical and transferable skills suitable for the job.

Education and qualifications: Include your highest year of school, training, or degree. Include the qualification, where you studied and when, putting the most recent first. 

Can also include computer skills, tickets, licences, qualifications, awards.

Latest job held: Date from/to, name of the business, role held, dot-point summary of tasks/responsibilities and achievements. 

Employment History: Going backwards in time - start and finish date, name of the business, roles held, dot-point summary of tasks/responsibilities and achievements. Include any paid or unpaid work experience. 

Professional memberships/community involvement: Include any volunteering, community or charity work, to demonstrate other skills that might be relevant. 

Referees: Ensure you have the details for at least two people who can speak about your professional skills.

And don’t forget to make it look good

If the resume looks good, so do you. There are templates in MS Word or in design platforms like Canva, which have simple, clean designs that also save you time designing something yourself.

Writing a great cover letter

A cover letter is a letter that goes in front of your resume that lets you introduce yourself, to highlight how your experience, skills and career direction matches the job description.

And show your enthusiasm for the opportunity this role means to you.

Tips to write your cover letter

Start strong

This is your chance to make a great first impression. Begin by addressing the hiring manager by name if possible. If the name is not available, “Dear Hiring Manager” works.

In the opening paragraph, express enthusiasm for the role and briefly state why you’re a great fit. 

Mention the job title and how you heard about the opportunity. Showing excitement about the role sets a positive tone right away.

Tailor it to the position.

Tailor each one to the specific job and company. And reflect the language in the job posting in the words and language you use. 

Focus on what the company needs. Highlight your skills that match the job description and provide examples of relevant achievements, while keeping it brief.

Showcase your selling points

Your letter isn’t just a resume summary. It should focus on the attributes that set you apart and make you ideal for the role. 

Select two or three key strengths or experiences and link them directly to the job description. Use specific examples of how your skills or accomplishments can benefit the company. 

And, if possible, put a number to your achievements, like “increased sales by 22%” or “completed projects ahead of schedule.”

Keep it short and sharp

Never write more than page. Try keep it to  three to four paragraphs. The language should be more formal and avoid jargon. 

Keep it focused and avoid long-winded explanations. Your cover letter should enhance your resume, not repeat it.

End it well

End your letter with a strong closing paragraph. Restate your suitability for the role and how the position aligns with the values or goals of the organisation. 

Thank the employer for their time and consideration. End the letter by saying you look forward to an opportunity to discuss this further. 

And use ‘Yours sincerely’ or ‘Kind regards’ to sign off your letter.

And one more thing, always proofread it, or better still, get someone else to read it to ensure it makes sense and there are no errors. 

Even small ones can leave a negative impression.

Cover letter example

Your name

Your address

Phone number/s

Today’s date

Name (of the person you are writing to)

Title

Address

RE: Position (Title and if stated, the job number)

Dear ____________________,

First paragraph: Say where and when you saw the job advertised. 

Second paragraph: Write a short paragraph saying how you meet the most important selection criteria you have identified. Write one or two sentences about why you are applying for the job and a statement explaining how your experience and skills are relevant to the position being applied for.

Tip: be positive

Third paragraph: Write short paragraphs about the second and third most important of the selection criteria you have identified and why you believe you are suitable for the job. Include any relevant experience that you have.

Last paragraph: Thank the employer for their time regarding your application and let them know that you are available for an interview.

Sign off: Use ‘Yours sincerely’ to sign off your letter.