4 answers
Emily
Student
Jonesboro, Arkansas
1
Question
Asked
1044 views
How should I write my resume/cover letter?
What is the best way to set up and format your resume/cover letter?
How do you write a resume/cover letter correctly?
Why is a resume/cover letter needed?
When is the best time to start filling out resumes and cover letters?
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4 answers
Nina Panda
Sustainability
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Nina’s Answer
Great question! You can start by thinking about what skills and experiences you want to highlight, based on what you will be using the resume for. Then look for templates online that help you organize those. There is no right/wrong but clear and well organized is important, avoiding unnecessary information keeping it short enough so the most relevant can really shine!
A resume and cover letter are important to share your relevant experience and help people understand why you want the opportunity and where you want to go. They may not feel like fun or it feels awkward to be 'bragging', but if you don't share this information about yourself then they won't know!
It's helpful to have a basic resume on hand, you never know when you will need one. When you find something like a job or opportunity you want to apply for you might want to jazz it up to make sure it's best for what they are asking. Many organizations use keywords to search applications so think of how your experience relates and make sure you show it. The best time to write a cover letter is when you are going for a specific opportunity - this is your chance to stand out and tell your story beyond your resume. Let your personality shine through while keeping it clear and to the point.
And always remember to proof read and spell check. Good luck!
A resume and cover letter are important to share your relevant experience and help people understand why you want the opportunity and where you want to go. They may not feel like fun or it feels awkward to be 'bragging', but if you don't share this information about yourself then they won't know!
It's helpful to have a basic resume on hand, you never know when you will need one. When you find something like a job or opportunity you want to apply for you might want to jazz it up to make sure it's best for what they are asking. Many organizations use keywords to search applications so think of how your experience relates and make sure you show it. The best time to write a cover letter is when you are going for a specific opportunity - this is your chance to stand out and tell your story beyond your resume. Let your personality shine through while keeping it clear and to the point.
And always remember to proof read and spell check. Good luck!
Clara Moskowitz
Product Management
1
Answer
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Clara’s Answer
Hi Emily,
Great questions. For your resume, I suggest using the C.A.R (Context, Action, Result) method when writing your bullet points. This method helps to structure your bullet points so that they highlight your achievements in a clear and concise way. For each bullet point, start with the situation/task/opportunity (Context), then elaborate on the steps you took (Action), and then end with the outcome and impact of the action you took (Result).
A helpful tip is to google a list of action verbs. You'll need a ton of these and it helps to have a list! Indeed.com has a great list available.
The difference of your resume and cover letter is that your resume is adapted to a position, whereas your cover letter is adapted to specific needs of a specific company. Your resume summarized your transferrable skills, and your cover letter shows how your transferrable skills meet the company needs.
For your cover letter, I suggest the following method:
Paragraph 1: Why them? (why do you want to work at this specific company?)
Paragraph 2: Why you? (respond directly to the job description. Give 2-3 in-depth examples of why your specific skills match their needs)
Paragraph 3: Thank you and next steps. (I suggest providing your phone number and email address).
I hope this is helpful!
Great questions. For your resume, I suggest using the C.A.R (Context, Action, Result) method when writing your bullet points. This method helps to structure your bullet points so that they highlight your achievements in a clear and concise way. For each bullet point, start with the situation/task/opportunity (Context), then elaborate on the steps you took (Action), and then end with the outcome and impact of the action you took (Result).
A helpful tip is to google a list of action verbs. You'll need a ton of these and it helps to have a list! Indeed.com has a great list available.
The difference of your resume and cover letter is that your resume is adapted to a position, whereas your cover letter is adapted to specific needs of a specific company. Your resume summarized your transferrable skills, and your cover letter shows how your transferrable skills meet the company needs.
For your cover letter, I suggest the following method:
Paragraph 1: Why them? (why do you want to work at this specific company?)
Paragraph 2: Why you? (respond directly to the job description. Give 2-3 in-depth examples of why your specific skills match their needs)
Paragraph 3: Thank you and next steps. (I suggest providing your phone number and email address).
I hope this is helpful!
Lynn (Slater) Dittrich
Executive Assistant
5
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Updated
Lynn’s Answer
There are many formats available for writing a resume. You can search online for basic resumes or other resumes that pertain to a specific job or industry. Microsoft Word also provides resume templates when creating a word document. Go to templates and search for a specific type or scroll through the options.
Andrea Chan
IT Support Engineer
2
Answers
Sunnyvale, California
Updated
Andrea’s Answer
Hi Emily,
The first couple of replies to your post have already touched on the key points, but I'd like to emphasize how crucial it is to create an outstanding resume. After all, this is the initial impression you'll be giving to potential employers. Having been on both sides of the process, I can confirm that resumes are often quickly scanned, and if anything negative catches the eye, the candidate may be dismissed.
What really made a difference for me in crafting a resume that secured my current position at Synopsys was the valuable information I gained from a service called Wonsulting. Its founder, Jonathan Javier, visited my community college to share his expertise on career coaching and resume building, so I can vouch for its legitimacy. I recommend following both him and Wonsulting on Instagram, as the wealth of free content they offer was instrumental in my success.
The first couple of replies to your post have already touched on the key points, but I'd like to emphasize how crucial it is to create an outstanding resume. After all, this is the initial impression you'll be giving to potential employers. Having been on both sides of the process, I can confirm that resumes are often quickly scanned, and if anything negative catches the eye, the candidate may be dismissed.
What really made a difference for me in crafting a resume that secured my current position at Synopsys was the valuable information I gained from a service called Wonsulting. Its founder, Jonathan Javier, visited my community college to share his expertise on career coaching and resume building, so I can vouch for its legitimacy. I recommend following both him and Wonsulting on Instagram, as the wealth of free content they offer was instrumental in my success.