Resumes and Cover Letters in a Job Search

Targeted Resumes and Cover Letters

Your job search will probably involve use of a professional resume, often accompanied by a cover letter. Developing resumes and cover letters to get you "a job" is likely to be a waste of time and money. Why? Because your resume needs to communicate value to prospective employers. A generic resume that attempts to leave you open to a wide range of jobs can't do that well and doesn't offer great odds for success

To increase your chances of hitting the target, you need to gain an understanding of what that target (your career direction) is. Then you can structure your resume and cover letter to address the needs of the employers you want to focus on.

Career Transition Resumes

If you're considering a career transition, engaging in resume writing before you define the new goal could be premature and ineffective. At best, it might delay the success of your job search because the resume and cover letter won't target your goal clearly enough. They also won't take into consideration the specific needs and challenges of moving from your present or previous field to the new career.

Resumes and Cover Letters that "Sell"

It's also important to realize that a resume is not an historical document (focusing only on where you've been and not on where you want to go next). Equally important, it's not just a summary or description of tasks you have performed at your current or past jobs. A resume like that will not "sell" you to prospective employers! Neither will a more or less generic cover letter that doesn't zero-in on the employer and job you are submitting it for.

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