Résumé and Cover Letter Basics
Résumés
- Should be no more than 2 pages.
- Employer will scan for 7-10 seconds.
- Impress the employer in first 2/3rds of page.
- Profile is preferred over an Objective.
- Font size between a 10-12 point
- Must be free of all grammatical and typing errors
- Use action/value statements to describe your work experiences and skill sets
- Use bulleted points starting with a verb, e.g. developed, supervised, planned, organized
- Organize your information under headings so the employer can easily follow your résumé
- Avoid using: the personal pronoun "I"; "My duties included..." or "Responsible for..."
- Avoid abbreviations
- If résumé is two pages, make sure your name appears on the top of Page 2
- Should include a minimum 2, preferably 3 references. (Teacher, employer, minister etc)
- Never include SIN, DOB, Race, Religion etc.
- Remember to spell check, have someone else review.
Cover Letters
- 1st paragraph: The position you are applying for.
- 2nd paragraph: Discuss your employability skills.
- 3rd paragraph: Thank the employer and request an interview.
- Cover letters should be only 1 page, and each paragraph should be around 4-6 lines.
- Address your letter to the person in charge of hiring
- Centre your letter on your page (equal amount of white space at top and bottom of page)
- Customize a letter for each position you are applying for
- Don't repeat résumé, explain why you are the best fit
- Be specific, saying you have skills is fine, but back it up with specifics from your experience
Download Samples