The Perfect Resume and Cover Letter

Part 1
Redefining the Candidate Package

Resume skills are an acquired talent. In this job market, many open positions are drawing hundreds of resumes. With this much competition, you need a unique resume and cover letter that pops. Don’t fret – we’re here to help you create the perfect candidate package to get that coveted job interview and jumpstart your career.

I know, some of you would rather have bamboo splinters shoved up your fingernails than spend an afternoon writing a boring resume. Speaking of boring resumes, that’s exactly what most employers typically get in response to a job ad – hundreds of 3+ page resumes, each of which basically amount to an exhaustive index of someone’s work history. With a stack like this to plow through, I bet those bamboo shoots would be looking pretty good to the employer too.

On the plus side, most people don’t put that much energy into their resumes. With some smart preparation you can create a brilliant presentation that commands attention, putting you well ahead of the pack in getting interviews. A compelling package not only helps you pass the initial screening, but also presents you as an eloquent professional. Your resume and cover letter should be well organized with a clean design that emphasizes your best selling points as they relate to the needs of the employer. Written in a clear and articulate manner, your resume and cover letter will double as a sample of your exemplary communications skills.

Think of your job hunt as a marketing campaign. Your resume is an advertisement, not a diary of every move you’ve made in the past 10 years. That in mind, it’s critical that you are saying the right things to the right audience. The resume that gets interviews is attractive and informative, but above all, it conveys the essential advantages the employer will benefit from by hiring you.

In Part 2, we’ll help you get the ball rolling with some helpful hints and resources on researching and preparing for the perfect resume.

Part 2
On Your Marks, Get Ready, Get Set…

It is helpful to have a basic resume and cover letter to use as a foundation to work from for each new application. I recommend creating a specialized resume and cover letter tailored exclusively for the demands of each position and the unique benefits the employer will gain by hiring you. Each customized presentation will highlight the applicable benefits you are offering, while emphasizing talents and experience to support them. Before you can accomplish this however, take some prep time to discover exactly what the employer wants, and how and why you can deliver.

Do Your Homework
Knowledge is power. Before you begin your resume and cover letter, research the job description and the company itself:
-Mission
-Value proposition
-Products and services
-Current news and events

Demonstrating knowledge of the company and its needs is impressive and does wonders to get interviews. It is a critical first step in writing a laser pointed resume and cover letter and will give you an edge over the competition.

Here are some great tools to help in your research:

Company Profiles & Company Information
Vault.com (http://www.vault.com/)
Comprehensive reports on employers, including tips on how to get hired.

Monster Company Profiles (http://company.monster.com/)
Videos, contact info, company history, and job openings.

ZoomInfo (http://www.zoominfo.com/search#search/company/1.6.e30%3D)
Company profiles and contact information. You can also access unlimited contacts for HR and other department with their free Community Edition tool.

Job Description Information
CareerPlanning.com (http://www.careerplanner.com/JobDescSearchTool.cfm)

Now that you are up to speed, write down a profile of the ideal candidate for this position with the most vital attributes that person would have, from the perspective of the hiring manager. Put yourself in the manager’s shoes. What key traits, skills and experience would the perfect candidate have? Then prioritize them so it will be easier to reference when you begin to develop and customize your resume and cover letter.

Next, take out your perfect candidate profile and brainstorm all of your own qualities, skills and experience that align you with that profile. Be sure to consider your educational background and any applicable volunteer work. The result will be the foundation of your candidate package.

It’s all About Style
The best way to choose the ideal format is to pick up a resume book or search the Internet for samples. Here are basic descriptions of the three main resume formats:

Chronological
With a conventional format, this concentrates on work experience with fuller job descriptions. This format is not always recommended because it doesn’t clearly present your value proposition. If you do choose this style, always incorporate an Objective and Summary.

Functional
This resume format focuses on your achievements and proficiencies. I recommend this style because it is a great way to draw immediate attention to your unique value proposition for the employer. The job history is secondary, with brief job descriptions or none at all.

Combined
A combination of chronological and functional, this can be the best of both worlds because you can use their best features while minimizing the disadvantageous aspects of each. The only challenge is that it tends to be longer, while the basic rule of thumb is to keep your resume as short as possible.

In Part 3, we’ll explore the best strategies for each section of your resume.

Part 3
Presentation is Everything – Preparing a Knock-out Resume

The Objective and Summary of Qualifications Sections
The first two sections of your resume are critical to getting a call back. At best, your resume will get a few seconds attention, so it is vital to convey the specific key benefits the company will gain from hiring you. For your Objective section, start by defining the top three attributes, skills and accomplishments from your perfect candidate profile (see Part 1). Then fold them into your Objective statement to communicate that you are seeking this specific position where these top three things would be desired.

Next, I recommend including a Summary of Qualifications section, which is devoted solely to proving you have what it takes to deliver the benefits you’re promising. This section works well as a bulleted list of accomplishments, experiences, skills and accolades that directly support the key attributes in your Objective statement. The key is to be specific. For example, you may have received an award for your work, were promoted three times in your last position, or you’ve worked with highly recognizable people or companies – state these accomplishments in clear and concise language.

Professional Experience Section
Regardless of which resume format you decide on, your Professional Experience section should include brief descriptions of your previous positions, focusing on your highest achievements and recognition. I recommend a single summary sentence describing your position (if not obvious by your title), followed by bullet points describing your most notable duties and accomplishments. Again, your job descriptions should be succinct and devoted solely to the most important evidence that you are the perfect candidate for the job.

To keep your resume as short as possible, consider including only the jobs you’ve held within the past 5-10 years. These positions will be the most relevant to your current level of expertise, and the employer will ask if they are interested in your previous job history.

Education Section
List your educational history starting with degrees and licenses. Then, include any certifications or other training you have under your belt. Include only your major any awards you received. Be sure to include your GPA only if above a 3.5.

Now you’re ready to write a rockin’ resume! While you’re at it, be sure to put your resume online at sites such as LinkedIn.com. LinkedIn is an amazing resource not only for self-promotion, but to connect with potential hiring managers and others in your industry for job referrals. Once you have created your profile on LinkedIn, ask your previous employers, co-workers, clients and colleagues to write a recommendation for you, which will appear on your profile for prospective employers to review. For good measure, consider including a page with your LinkedIn recommendations along with your resume and cover letter when you apply for jobs.

Part 4
The Interview Gateway – Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter is likely the first thing the employer will review before even bothering with your resume, so take special care with this. A well-written cover letter is your best chance to get a foot in the door.

Rule number one is to tailor it specifically to the job you are applying for, explaining why you are the perfect candidate for it. Use your perfect candidate profile (see Part 1) as well as the Objective and Summary of Qualifications sections of your resume for help. However, do not simply copy and paste these into your cover letter – big no-no! Think from the employer’s perspective while you are writing. What would you want to hear if you were hiring for this job?

Cover Letter Format
The format is simple, but it’s all in your style and wording. Here is how a great cover letter is laid out:

Paragraph 1: State the position you are applying for and if listed on a job board, where you found it. This paragraph should be kept very short to leave room for the meat of your letter.

Paragraph 2:
Summarize the key points explaining why you are the perfect candidate; focusing primarily on the key benefits the employer will gain by hiring you.

Paragraph 3:
List the most impressive accomplishments and accolades that make you perfect for the job.

Paragraph 4:
Thank the employer for their consideration, and let them know you would be delighted to talk with them about how you can help them achieve the goals of this position.

In short, here are a few critical tips to write an awesome cover letter that will grab their attention.

1. Keep it reasonably short, yet engaging. The employer may simply skim it to determine whether they will even look at your resume.
2. Use bullet points wherever possible; it breaks up the cover letter and will be much easier for the employer to read.
3. Highlight the reasons you are perfect for the job – include the most important benefits the employer will gain by hiring you.
4. Include your most impressive accomplishments (promotions, special achievements, awards, etc.)

Most importantly, be enthusiastic! Show your excitement for the job while you are laying out the reasons you are the ideal candidate, and all the way through the hiring process.

Good luck Darling!