Skip to Content

Best Practices for Resumes and Cover Letters

IntroductionBest Practices Resources

Introduction

Creating impactful resumes and cover letters requires attention to detail and an understanding of what employers are looking for. Here are some best practices to ensure your documents make a positive impression.

Best Practices 

  1. Tailor Each Document:
    • Customization is Key: Tailor your resume and cover letter for each job application. Address the specific requirements listed in the job description and highlight relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments that align with the role. This demonstrates that you’ve taken the time to understand the job and shows how your background makes you a perfect fit.
  2. Use Action Verbs:
    • Strengthen Your Bullet Points: Start each bullet point in your resume with strong action verbs like "achieved," "designed," "implemented," "managed," or "developed." Action verbs make your accomplishments sound more impactful and help to clearly convey your contributions in previous roles.
    • Examples: Instead of saying "Responsible for managing a team," say "Managed a team of 10 employees, improving productivity by 15%."
  3. Quantify Achievements:
    • Add Specific Metrics: Whenever possible, quantify your achievements. Use numbers, percentages, or other metrics to give employers a clear picture of your impact. For example, instead of saying "Improved sales," say "Increased sales by 20% over six months."
    • Examples: "Reduced operating costs by 30%," "Managed a $1M project," "Increased customer satisfaction ratings by 25%."
  4. Keep It Concise:
    • Brevity is Important: Be clear and concise in your resume and cover letter. Aim to keep your resume to one or two pages, depending on your experience level, and limit your cover letter to one page. Focus on the most relevant information and avoid unnecessary details.
    • Avoid Clutter: Use bullet points for easy readability, and ensure your resume is well-organized with clear headings and consistent formatting.
  5. Proofread:
    • Attention to Detail: Carefully proofread your resume and cover letter to ensure they are free from typos, grammatical errors, and formatting inconsistencies. Errors can create a negative impression and might lead employers to question your attention to detail.
    • Tools to Use: Consider using tools like Grammarly, Hemingway, or even asking a trusted friend or mentor to review your documents before submission.

Following these best practices will help you create strong, polished application materials that effectively showcase your qualifications and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Resources

Resources for Resume and Cover Letter Writing
  1. Purdue OWL: Resume Writing Tips
    • Overview: The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) offers comprehensive guidelines on how to write effective resumes. It covers everything from choosing the right format to crafting bullet points that highlight your accomplishments.
    • Website: Purdue OWL: Resume Writing Tips
  2. The Balance Careers: Cover Letter Tips
    • Overview: The Balance Careers provides practical tips for writing strong cover letters. This resource offers advice on how to personalize your cover letter, what to include, and how to make it stand out to employers.
    • Website: The Balance Careers: Cover Letter Tips
  3. Harvard Career Services: Writing a Resume
    • Overview: Harvard Career Services offers detailed guidance on writing resumes and cover letters. This resource is particularly useful for students and professionals looking to create polished and effective application materials.
    • Website: Harvard Career Services: Writing a Resume

These resources provide valuable insights and tips to help you craft strong resumes and cover letters tailored to your job applications.