How to write Effective Resumes & Cover Letters

Your resume is probably the most important document in any job search process. Most people think that because they have a qualification, skill and experience they can sell themselves to hiring managers and ignore the resume. What they do not realize is that a resume is the first document that will attract the hiring manager to consider to shortlist them for interview. Ignoring and neglecting to provide an effective resume will nullify your chances of been shortlisted. Hiring managers scan through hundreds of resume looking for the exact qualifications, skills and experience required to fill the vacancy. If your resume is badly written recruiters will find it difficult to select such candidates. It must be remembered that hiring managers are also under pressure to fill vacancies and will not have time to read every resume thoroughly to understand if potential candidates fulfils the exact requirements of the post. Why make it difficult for them to select your resume? The hiring managers will only scan and select a resume that present the most concise information with the relevant and informative text that will catch his eye. Your resume can open doors for you to be selected and hopefully shortlisted for the position you have applied for.

The content of your resume and how you have arranged your career history will improve your chances of getting into the interview. Anybody who reads your resume should be able to understand your resume without meeting you or reading your cover letter. Besides, that is what happens in real life – hiring managers peruse your resume long before you are called for interview. The final decision to finally call you for interview will ultimately rest on your resume. Your resume is the only key that will get you through the door of the company you wish to work for

Create a dynamic cover letter

The second step to actually getting a job interview is to create an attention-getting cover letter. Your cover letter is a piece of information that lets’ a potential employer know what your skills are and whether you would make a perfect fit for the available position. Your cover letter must be as detailed and informative as possible, without going beyond a one-page limit. Write a cover letter that will be attractive and draw as much attraction as possible. Remember getting noticed amongst hundreds of resume is the only way to get a job. Take time to compile a compelling cover letter that sells your skills.

Branding and Objective Statement

Many people think that cover letters are merely a concise summary of what is in your resume, or at least a list of signposts that point to what they’ll read about later. Effective cover letters however are more than that. They are a platform to sell your application, to brand yourself using differentiating attributes and strengths and merging these with your experience and skills. It helps you to clarify and communicate differences and specialties and how to use those qualities to guide your career. It also helps you to highlight your strengths, skills, passions and values and to separate yourself from your competitors. Use persuasive writing that creates a professional identity about yourself. Place your brand on top of the front page of your resume and cover letter like a catchy headline on the front page of a newspaper grabs the attention of the reader.
In the book, we provide you with examples of how can you craft a winning objective statement which can help your resume, and your accomplishments, stand out in a crowd. Typically, the objective statement is meant to provide a brief summary of the position you seek and the main skills you can offer an employer; the provided information forms a first impression with the reader.
Professional or Executive Summary
A professional or executive summary is similar to an objective statement, but it focuses more on what you offer a potential employer versus what you seek in a position. The summary also provides an opportunity to highlight your skills upfront. A professional summary is, in essence, an executive review of your career. If a recruiter or hiring manager reviewed your resume, what are the top three or four points you’d want to stand out? These highlights should serve as the basis of your statement.

Discuss your soft skills because employers desire candidates who can do more than just apply their trained skills to a job. Qualities such as teamwork, leadership, interpersonal and critical thinking skills are just as important. Make use of the professional summary area on your resume to highlight these less technical or taught attributes. A professional summary does not have to be “one size fits all.” Create a general professional summary that will be attractive to many types of employers. If you plan to target your search to a particular employer or position, create a customized summary that specifically addresses what you have to offer and how those qualities match what the company seeks in a new employee.

While your resume and cover letter form a first impression of your skills and accomplishments to a future employer, the important take-away is that you don’t always have to follow rigid practices in formatting a resume. Being creative in your approach to introducing your value to a new employer will often win you more call backs than sticking to an old-fashioned template. In this case, instead of limiting yourself by including only objective statements, ensure your resume stands out and provides a future employer a rich and clear view of your experience by using a professional summary.

If you can take time and write an executive summary of your strongest skills, you have the edge over other contenders who skip this important step.

Here are other things you need to note regarding your resume and cover letter;
• Prove that you are the right person for the job. In one sentence tell the employer what you can do.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to suit the advert you're replying to.
• Delete the all details that are not relevant to the job you're applying for.
• Show the employer how your skills will help him. Emphasize your suitability by repeating keywords appropriate for the job you're applying for.
• Describe what your achievements have taught you. Quantify your achievements with numbers, volumes and values.
• Create an instant impact. Use action words to describe your achievements e.g. "increased", "achieved", "succeeded”, “developed”. Avoid words like "assisted", and "participated in". Instead use words like: "co-wrote", "co-designed", "as a member of the team".
• Focus on the needs of the employer.
• Add a "PS" to your cover letter. Use it to highlight the key benefit for the employer when he recruits you.
The reason a "PS" is so effective is, after reading your cover letter; most recruiters go straight to the signature and the name to see who sent the letter to them. They won't be able to avoid a clear "PS" with an irresistible promise.
Your cover letter has to sell you and your skills faster than a TV advertisement. Most interviewers decide to chuck your resume or invite you to an interview within one minute of reading your cover letter. So to land that job fast, grab the hiring manager's attention straight away with a compelling cover letter.

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