Contracting

Resumes and Cover Letters

Resume Preparation

The importance of a resume cannot be over-emphasised as it is the first impression you will leave with a prospective employer and in many instances will determine if you secure an interview. Below are some tips and a suggested format for a resume.

Resume Tips

Keep your resume simple, orderly and easy to read.
Use standard formats, white paper and include page numbers.
Do not include photographs or pictures – these are not necessary and clutter the appearance of a resume.
There is no need to include details of gender, age, marital status and health (these are optional).
Ensure that your resume provides contact numbers with an answering machine where you can be reached.
Ensure you include details of the companies with which you have worked including turnover, number of staff, ownership structure.
Clearly set out your technical, administrative, computer and staff management skills and strengths.
Include specific achievements such as involvement in special projects, streamlining procedures, computer system implementations or developing new initiatives.
Include responsibilities as dot points, ensuring they are not too long – 2 sentences per responsibility is sufficient.
Tailor your responsibilities to the position for which you are applying. This may mean certain tasks are further expanded or achievements amended.
Do not include company specific jargon, including job titles. This is confusing and may not allow easy interpretation of your tasks.
Include two or three business, work related referees who should be recent superiors, not colleagues.
Ensure someone else reads your resume to ensure it makes sense and there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
Ensure your resume is the appropriate length – a one-page summary will not allow you to sell your experience adequately. Conversely, a 15-page resume with copies of results from every exam, certificates and references dating back to primary school are not necessary. Approximately 5 pages is usually enough to cover everything.

Covering Letters

When sending a resume to a prospective employer, you need to attach a covering letter setting out why you think you are suited for a particular role. This letter should be succinct and total approximately 3-4 paragraphs and should address key issues noted in the advertisement.

Tips on writing a Cover Letter

Establish exactly to whom you should send the covering letter and ensure the correct spelling of their name and title.
Include the purpose of your letter, why you believe you are suitable and what you expect to happen.
Tailor your covering letter and resume to suit the position for which you are applying. Refer to your resume in the cover letter and highlight your skills.
Remember to sign your letter and check spelling and grammar. It is useful to have someone read it to ensure that it makes sense.
After sending your resume, a follow up call is appropriate after one week.