So you need a great resume and cover letter to help you land your dream job! Today, you’ll learn how to engage a hiring manager, a recruiter or an employer with your resume and cover letter so that can land a job interview and ultimately a job offer.

And stay until the end to find out where you can get a sample resume template that you can download today and use to apply for your next job. You won’t be disappointed!

If we’ve never met before, I’m Heather Austin from ProfessorAustin.com and The Career Club on Facebook, and here, I share simple solutions to help you build a business or launch a career you love.

The 6-Second Resume

Your resume is one of the most important documents you’ll create in your lifetime. Download your free resume template to make yours stand out!

A great resume and cover letter are simply the first step to landing your dream job. They are the resources that get you in the door for an interview.

These two items work together to showcase your greatest accomplishments and demonstrate your proven ability for the position.

So making sure they are spot on is essential to securing your ultimate job offer.

Let’s jump into how to write a GREAT resume and cover letter

1. Tailor both documents.

This might sound time consuming, but trust me, it’s so worth it. Customizing your cover letter and resume to each position you apply for, will demonstrate that you are a serious candidate.

Generic resumes and cover letters are a big turn off to employers. Think of it this way… Someone else out there is tailoring their resume and cover letter to the exact position you’re applying for.

If you want to beat out the competition, then you need to do the same and make it even better.

The best way to customize your career documents is to narrow in on keywords or phrases from the job posting. Then reiterate those keywords and phrases in a meaningful way in both your resume and cover letter.

For example, the opening paragraph of your cover letter should state exactly what position you are applying for and how you heard about the position.

Likewise, the opening paragraph of your resume, referred to as your professional summary, should contain your greatest accomplishments as they relate to the position.

2. Show you are the solution.

To really stand out, your cover letter and resume need to demonstrate how you can help the company solve their problems.

To find out what problems the company is facing, go back to the job posting again for clues.
Also, research the company’s website and their activity on social media.

Talk to others that work for the company. Ask them for their insight into what the company’s biggest pain points are.

With this information, compose statements validating how your skills and expertise make you an ideal candidate.

This can easily be done in a professional highlights section with bullet points on your resume or by telling an interesting story in your cover letter.

3. Don’t rehash.

Make each document unique. The last thing you want to do is copy and paste content directly from your resume to your cover letter.

Each document serves a unique purpose. Think of your cover letter as a supplement or introduction to your resume.

Your cover letter is the perfect opportunity to share details about your most important accomplishments.

Where as your resume will emphasize your skills, expertise and experience at a quick glance. It is a summary of your background and work history.

4. Focus on your accomplishments.

Use your cover letter and resume to emphasis your talents in action. Give clear and direct examples of your accomplishments and how they relate to the position you are applying for.

And try your best to quantify your accomplishments. Employers love to see numbers.

For example… List the number of people you managed, or the percentage of time you saved, or the amount of money you raised.

Focusing on quantifiable results will go a long way.

Just For You

To get it right when it comes to your resume, grab your copy of the 6-Second resume. It’s a downloadable resume template that you can download today and customize for the next position you apply for.

The 6-Second Resume

Your resume is one of the most important documents you’ll create in your lifetime. Download your free resume template to make yours stand out!