Skip to main contentSkip to main navigationSkip to footer content

Resume & Cover Letters

Resumes are not beauty contests or up for best dressed on the red-carpet at the awards...they are to highlight your skills especially in the 7-10 secs a recruiter takes when scanning resumes! Let us help you, it's what we do!

Quotes from 2 Recruiters

THE NUMBER ONE WAY TO STAND OUT AS A JOB APPLICANT...Write a clean, concise, and easily readable resume that PROVES THROUGH ACCOMPLISHMENTS that you fit as many of the requirements as possible.

  • All the BQs (Basic qualifications), and hopefully a good number of PQs (Preferred qualifications).
    MOST Recruiters don’t want colors and graphics and Canva resumes which are really the stuff of nightmares. Clean, decent size font, simple bullets, enough white space to be readable, and CONTEXT relevant to the job. (Amy Miller, Recruiter, @https://www.recruitinginyogapants.com )
  • 100% agree with this! Recruiters don’t want to see pictures, graphics or fancy fonts. We want to know about your experience and accomplishments and be able to read through it easily! Plain and simple. Great advice! (Local Corporate Recruiter)

What is a Resume?

A resume is a clear, concise, and professional one- or two- page summary of your qualifications relating to the position for which you are applying. It is a statement that should reflect your style and will differ from any other resumes. It serves as an advertisement that highlights your skills and experiences and creates a prospective employer’s first impression of you. It should provide sufficient information to effectively present your qualifications and generate enough interest to get an invite for an interview.

Cover Letters

A cover letter (if requested) should highlight in 1 or 2 paragraphs which position and where you found the position you are applying for, the skills you have that match the position, and close by requesting an opportunity to interview. It should be directed to a named individual or a title such as Hiring Manager, Selection Committee head, etc.

Learn More

  • Place your name, address (city, state, zip), telephone number, and e-mail address at the top of the resume.
  • Bold or increase the font size for your name to help it stand out.
  • Avoid using labeling or itemizing these: name, phone number, address, or resume.
  • Avoid including personal information such as marital status, date of birth, number of children, etc.

  • Place your education history at the top of the page.
  • Include the names of schools, degrees received, dates you received them.
  • ONLY list earned degrees or certificates.
  • You may list some relevant course work if desired. This could be particularly helpful in some of the technical fields or if seeking an internship.

  • Can be titled “Work History,” “Employment,” “Employment History,” or “Professional Experience.”
  • This category can also include internships and volunteer activities.
  • Include the name of the employer, your job title, and your responsibilities or duties.
  • No need to include your supervisors' names and phone numbers, as this should be on the official job application.
  • Avoid gaps in your work history.
  • Avoid using first- and third-person narrative. (I did or we did)

  • This category can include information such as club memberships, awards, honors, interests, etc. especially if holding a position. Employers want to know this.

  • This category is normally included since employers want to ensure that the candidate has common computer skills such as Word, Excel, or other required computer software.
  • Can also use the simple heading "Skills" to include all other relevant skills such as such as language skills.

  • It is not necessary to list references on your resume. If you want to include your references, they should be placed on a separate sheet entitled “References.”
  • Most employers do not require references to be sent with the resume. nor do you need to indicate references are available upon request, but have them ready.