Interviews are an integral part of the hiring process, and presenting your documents is just as important as choosing the best outfit to wear. Your documents give you the best opportunity to show the hiring manager your qualification, experience, and personality.
Consider that you send your documents before you show up for the interview: this is where first impressions should matter. So, the last thing you want is to make a grievous mistake by overlooking the difference between a cover letter and a resume.
Today, we’ll go over:
– Is a cover letter the same as a resume?
– Better still, which of the two documents do you send as an attachment?
– Do you need to carry both of them to an interview?
Let’s examine the differences between these documents, their similarities, and how to use them effectively before and during your interview.
A cover letter is a detailed document that serves as your resume’s introduction to the employer. The letter shows your interest and why you want that specific employer or job. It also lets you showcase your hidden personality that the resume isn’t portraying. So when writing it, ensure that your content outlines the specific items listed in the job description and how you’ll meet those criteria.
Another notable fact is that the cover letter is an expanded resume form but not a repetition. Moreover, it’s your first point of contact with the employer; make it impressive. That’s also saying ensure it’s precise and shows effective communication.
A cover letter has these crucial parts, which are :
– Header
– Salutation
– Introduction/Opening paragraph
– Main body
– Closing paragraph
– Sign off
The heading of your cover letter includes your name, email address, contact, date, and the recipient’s contacts.
Salutation is a professional greeting used to introduce a letter. If the recipient is familiar to you, you can use their titles, e.g., Mr, Miss, followed by their name. The best way to make a good impression is by using the hiring manager’s name. But if you aren’t sure, always stick to ‘Dear Hiring Manager .’However, try to avoid ‘To whom it may concern’- it sounds too generic.
The introduction captures the reader’s attention and tells them why you are interested in the organization. Use this space to tell the employer how you discovered the opening and why they should consider you. Also, highlight your relevant work experience here.
The main body is the place to show your ability to do the job. This is where you promote your education qualification, professional work experience, etc. Even so, stick to skills relevant to the position you are applying for. The cover letter’s body also enhances your accomplishment by using bullets to highlight. Point to note, do not repeat what’s in the resume.
The closing paragraph is where you present your ultimate case. Here, you express your enthusiasm for the advertised position. After that, show your plan to follow up with the employer. Don’t forget to provide your preferred contact details and when you are usually available. Finally, thank the employer for taking the time to consider your application.
You sign off using ‘Yours sincerely’ or ‘Respectfully,’ followed by your signature and name.
A resume is a document that highlights your qualification for employment, including your skills, education, experience, and accomplishment.
Employers use the resume to determine potentially suitable candidates to interview for specific opportunities. Therefore, your skills and achievement should be detailed enough to convince the employer that you added value to those roles.
When making your resume, ensure to customize it for the specific position you are applying for. Make it more factual, as it needs a logical approach to the application process.
Last, list the information, making it easy for employers to scan it. Remember, a resume is a requirement for every job posting: better start creating one.
– Functional Resume. These are used by individuals whose skills, education, and experience do not match their career objectives. The resume focuses on professional skills instead of work experience.
– Scannable Resume: A resume that Applicant Tracking software can read. The computer reads the resume for scanned keywords and other specifics, then matches it with the employer’s job openings.
– Combination/Hybrid Resume: A mix of reverse-chronological and functional resume formats. It focuses on skills and work experience. It’s mainly used by highly trained job seekers with a wealth of experience.
– Chronological. Popular among graduates who have a continuous work history. The resume lists your professional work experience in reverse chronological order. Your most recent job accomplishment takes the top section, and the previous jobs follow below.
A basic level resume comprises the following parts:
– The header
– A professional objective
– Qualification summary
– Education
– Awards and honor
– Experience
– Skills
– Hobbies
– References
This includes your name, contact details (phone number, email, complete address), and current job title. You can also add your LinkedIn profile if it’s up to date.
It’s an optional sentence(s) highlighting your specific goals and accomplishments. Make it suit the organizations and positions you are applying for.
This is a summary of your qualifications and attributes. For instance, you can talk about your technological proficiency, highest achievements, languages, and work experience. Compel the hiring manager to read your resume by making the above sections enticing.
This is the section where you mention your education history from the highest to the lowest. The section outlines the name of your college, degrees earned, and minors and majors. You can also include your GPA if you lack work experience.
Consider listing them here if you have academic honor, professional affiliations, grants, and scholarships.
The experience category lists your only jobs and the responsibilities held relevant to the job position you want to fill. Your professional work history should start with your most recent job. Also, list the position titles, company name, location(city and state), employment dates (months and dates), and duties.
Include the list of relevant job skills. Mention your diverse soft and hard talent–portrays you as an all-rounded applicant.
These include your activities and roles in your previous organization to date.
The section is not mandatory, but you can provide it upon the employer’s request. The part contains a list of people who have known you for some time and can speak of your qualification to endorse you. You’ll alphabetically list their names, titles, telephone numbers, email, and complete addresses.
No. A CV presents an overview history of your academic credentials and professional experience. In contrast, a resume represents your skills and qualifications for a specific position. The significant difference between the two documents lies in the purpose, content, and sometimes length.
– Format
– Length
– Purpose
– Tone
– Importance
– Details of both documents
We have already looked at the definition of the two documents and have a bigger picture of their differences. Nevertheless, we want to delve into their specific differences for better understanding.
A cover letter is a standard structured professional document that follows a formal and laid down format. The format includes addresses of both the recipient and sender, salutations, and subjects. It also has the introduction, body, conclusion, and signing off. However, the resume is custom-made, and an individual may follow the format that achieves their desired aim.
The two documents,’ cover letters and resumes, have varying lengths. A concise cover letter containing less detailed information shouldn’t exceed one page. A resume is more complex and can take up to three pages.
The cover letter creates a brief but comprehensive view of applicants, their interests, and their qualifications. The resume conveys detailed information about the applicant to enable the employer to gauge their skills and determine if they are qualified. So the two documents have different purposes and can’t replace each other. They thus complement each other, as you have to attach one to the other during the application process.
A resume takes a more factual approach to remain objective and neutral. The tone of a cover letter is formal, though it contains a personality. This formality will also vary depending on the job. The most important thing is to certify that your character matches the courtesy of your target company.
Most companies make a resume a requirement when applying for a job. Cover letters can be optional during the application unless the company states so. But you can still send both of them during the application if you are unsure.
Each of these documents is detailed in its aspect. Even though the cover letter is brief, much of the detailed information comes from the resume. The resume is also detailed as it contains detailed information on your education, work experience, and accomplishment.
To sum it up, the resume is like an overview, while the cover letter narrows down to specifics. Remember that you can showcase your skills and stand out during the application. So focus on making your resume explain what makes you the best candidate.
Let your cover letter shout out why you are the best fit for the job. All the same, carry both documents because of their complementary relationship.
Sources:
Key Elements of a Cover Letter | Washington.edu
10 Skills for Cover Letters | Indeed.com
How to Feature and Format Key Skills on Your Resume | Coursera