The Importance of Having a Credible Resume and Cover Letter

Hiring managers have certain criteria that they use when looking for a prospective employee and it is my goal in writing this article to help you become more competitive in your job search and to even become a front-runner in today's job market.

I will be focusing on two things: resume and cover letter. These two important career tools are often disregarded by job seekers which many a time cause them to lose the opportunity to get hired. Remember, a credible resume and a cover letter can get your feet in the door for an interview so it only makes sense to prepare them accurately and with a purpose. You cannot just turn in a poorly written resume and an unedited cover letter and expect hiring managers or even job agencies to call you in and grant you an interview. It just doesn't work that way. You need to produce a gripping resume and a stimulating cover letter should you wish to be considered for an interview. How can this be accomplished? Let me tell you how!

When writing your resume and cover letter, write down all the important things you have accomplished and contributed to your previous employers. Focus on what you have fulfilled by using action verbs like collaborated, demonstrated, directed, and led followed by the particular tasks you performed. Do not use phrases like "responsible for" or "duties included" because these sound more like a description of what you should have done on the job rather than what you actually achieved. You must make every word count in your cover letter and resume to keep them brief and concise because anything longer than a single page cover letter and a two-page resume will find their way to the garbage bin instead of reaching an interviewer's desk. Talking about your strengths and abilities is not considered bragging, but an important key to make your potential employer be aware of who you are and what you are capable of doing.

In composing a resume and cover letter, there are many words which are considered to have empty meanings unless they are combined with specific actions. Don't get me wrong, these are good words but you need to use them with caution to avoid ruining your resume and cover letter. Here are the words I am referring to: aggressive, creative, determined, flexible, independent, competent, logical, successful, meticulous, and well-organized. Instead of using these words to describe yourself, use them to describe a project you designed, event you planned, business strategy you implemented, or team you managed. By applying this principle, you give your prospective employer a view of your genuine contributions and abilities based on past endeavors.

Another important tool that you must not ignore in your job search is the usage of exact keywords. Most job searches are done online nowadays so focusing on specific keywords will make your resume and cover letter more searchable on the Internet. Avoid using fancy words that have nothing to do with the field you're looking to pursue. If you want to work in the computer industry, you must not use a lot of words geared on clocks, shoes, pencils, telephones ... that's just pointless! Use beneficial keywords like software, hardware, database, programs, and other words that employers in your specific industry will be using on their online resume search.

Do an analysis and learn the words and phrases that you must avoid when writing your resume and cover letter. This strategy will help you define your job search more accurately and professionally. So to recap, use action verbs, avoid empty meanings, and choose industry-specific keywords to get ahead of everyone else and obtain your dream job or at least be given the opportunity to showcase yourself in an interview.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something from it. Until next time ... good luck in your job search and keep charging!

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Career Articles from National Employment Solutions