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Am I overthinking my résumé and cover letter?
Posted on 2/19/18 at 1:58 pm
Posted on 2/19/18 at 1:58 pm
I've been tailoring my résumé and cover letter for every job opening that I've applied to. I also really try to create the perfect argument for how my experiences and skills match up with the listed responsibilities and requirements of the posted position. This takes me about an hour to do for each opening, and I haven't had much luck in getting interviews despite people telling me that I'm highly qualified for many of the positions.
I've also read differing opinions on how long a résumé and cover letter should be. Both of mine are two pages each, and that includes almost 10 years of relevant experience.
I'm thinking about switching up how I go about this. Streamline the info on my résumé to only convey professional experiences but without too many details about each entry. A quick cover letter that provides an attractive overview of why I'm interested in the position and how I would be a good fit. However, I would leave out the dense sentences of how my specific experiences match up with every detail of the open position.
Thoughts?
I've also read differing opinions on how long a résumé and cover letter should be. Both of mine are two pages each, and that includes almost 10 years of relevant experience.
I'm thinking about switching up how I go about this. Streamline the info on my résumé to only convey professional experiences but without too many details about each entry. A quick cover letter that provides an attractive overview of why I'm interested in the position and how I would be a good fit. However, I would leave out the dense sentences of how my specific experiences match up with every detail of the open position.
Thoughts?
This post was edited on 2/19/18 at 1:59 pm
27
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:00 pm to StringedInstruments
That's too long. Resume should be a page, cover letter about a paragraph or two.
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:01 pm to Brosef Stalin
quote:
That's too long. Resume should be a page, cover letter about a paragraph or two.
I'm coming from an academic background where extensive CVs and cover letters are the norm. It's kinda hard for me to grasp how I could communicate enough information to land an interview, but the proof is in the pudding at this point. I cannot sell myself to companies at all with my wordy documents.
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:02 pm to StringedInstruments
Just list your education and your jobs. If they want to know more they'll call you for an interview.
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:02 pm to StringedInstruments
You're doing the right thing by tailoring each resume.
You should be able to keep your CL to a page maximum, but that's not a hard and fast rule.
Resume could go over a page but it better all be pertinent. Not going back to bullshite internships or anything.
You should be able to keep your CL to a page maximum, but that's not a hard and fast rule.
Resume could go over a page but it better all be pertinent. Not going back to bullshite internships or anything.
This post was edited on 2/19/18 at 2:12 pm
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:03 pm to StringedInstruments
Taco bell doesn't take that much thought
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:04 pm to Teddy Ruxpin
quote:
Resume could go over a page but it better all be pertinent. Not going back to bullshite internships or anything.
Yeah it's not that I'm listing too many jobs or experiences, but I provide details of what I accomplished and what I did at each job. I mostly list things that match up with the posting.
The postings can sometimes feature 15-20 different responsibilities and requirements. That makes for a long resume...
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:07 pm to StringedInstruments
quote:
I'm coming from an academic background where extensive CVs and cover letters are the norm. It's kinda hard for me to grasp how I could communicate enough information to land an interview, but the proof is in the pudding at this point. I cannot sell myself to companies at all with my wordy documents.
I have a brother who works in R&D. He says to keep it as brief as possible, even in Academia. Save the details for the interview. Employers go through many, many resumes.
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:09 pm to Brosef Stalin
quote:
That's too long. Resume should be a page, cover letter about a paragraph or two.
I disagree. I regularly hire mid- and late-career program managers and would not get what I need from short resumes and cover letters. The cover letter needs to specifically address the primary responsibilities of the position as well as minimum requirements...can't do that in a paragraph or two.
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:13 pm to StringedInstruments
You should most definitely taylor your resume and cover letter to the job you are applying for.
In regards to the cover letter, the following approach has never failed me (I've applied for 3 jobs post college and have been hired at all 3):
1st Paragraph - brief introduction and explanation of what you admire about the company you are applying to.
2nd Paragraph - brief description of how your experience is specifically useful at said company
3rd Paragraph - short conclusion thanking "to whom it may concern" for taking the time to review your application and another statement on how you could be a real asset (with specifics tying in your background to what they do at that company).
Should be less than a page if possible.
In regards to the cover letter, the following approach has never failed me (I've applied for 3 jobs post college and have been hired at all 3):
1st Paragraph - brief introduction and explanation of what you admire about the company you are applying to.
2nd Paragraph - brief description of how your experience is specifically useful at said company
3rd Paragraph - short conclusion thanking "to whom it may concern" for taking the time to review your application and another statement on how you could be a real asset (with specifics tying in your background to what they do at that company).
Should be less than a page if possible.
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:13 pm to StringedInstruments
I think a potential issue is both your CL and Resume are two full pages.
There should be something that can be pulled back. The resume should have bullet points and probably no more than 5 for any one position. You shouldn't have mini essays on the resume.
There should be something that can be pulled back. The resume should have bullet points and probably no more than 5 for any one position. You shouldn't have mini essays on the resume.
This post was edited on 2/19/18 at 2:14 pm
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:23 pm to StringedInstruments
Just trace your dick on a blank sheet of paper & send that in
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:26 pm to StringedInstruments
Resume should be no more than 2 pages
Cover letter a couple of paragraphs
What industry are you in?
Cover letter a couple of paragraphs
What industry are you in?
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:28 pm to StringedInstruments
they have website where you can pay someone who knows what recruiters and hiring managers are looking for to edit or write that stuff. just do that and then tailoring it for each job should only take 15 minutes or so.
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:29 pm to StringedInstruments
When interviewing I just want to see a short concise resume that can give me an idea of what you can do and not a bunch of overused buzz words. I’d rather see someone say they were in Purchasing than a Strategic Sourcing post. It just seems dumb to try and oversell yourself with some goofy job title that tries to impress.
This post was edited on 2/19/18 at 2:32 pm
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:32 pm to 14&Counting
quote:
What industry are you in?
Various.
Been a professional musician and adjunct college English teacher the past 18 months. Trying to parlay my skills into a new industry honestly. Extensive high school teaching experience and had some cool jobs and responsibilities in research and professional development while in graduate school (that I've continued to this day).
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:32 pm to StringedInstruments
From a C level guy
I have reviewed thousands of resumes in my career
One page only for the cover letter and keep it to 3 or 4 brief paragraphs. The purpose of the CL is to get me to read the resume--
The RES- should be no more than two pages, DON"T GET CREATIVE and FANCY!. This is not a work of art but rather a document that will get you an interview
I cannot over emphasize this- At least once get a professional resume writer( someone with credentials not a friend) to assist you.
Finally, Yes you should tailor things to the job. The worst effort in the world is sending hundreds of resumes that all look the same- wasted time and money
I have reviewed thousands of resumes in my career
One page only for the cover letter and keep it to 3 or 4 brief paragraphs. The purpose of the CL is to get me to read the resume--
The RES- should be no more than two pages, DON"T GET CREATIVE and FANCY!. This is not a work of art but rather a document that will get you an interview
I cannot over emphasize this- At least once get a professional resume writer( someone with credentials not a friend) to assist you.
Finally, Yes you should tailor things to the job. The worst effort in the world is sending hundreds of resumes that all look the same- wasted time and money
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:34 pm to 756
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:34 pm to StringedInstruments
Aubies plagiarize like their hairs were on fire:
Here ya go-
Here ya go-
Posted on 2/19/18 at 2:35 pm to StringedInstruments
Definitely continue to tailor your experiences to the actual job posting in the cover letter, but absolutely keep it to one page...
If your CV includes publications, 2 pages is ok. If it's just long, be more selective and concise and keep to one page.
Best of luck!
ETA: Are you applying for jobs outside of city/state where you live?
If your CV includes publications, 2 pages is ok. If it's just long, be more selective and concise and keep to one page.
Best of luck!
ETA: Are you applying for jobs outside of city/state where you live?
This post was edited on 2/19/18 at 2:37 pm
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