Sending Out Your Resume

It is essential to check your resume before you send it out to apply for a job, and to tailor it for the specific position you are trying to get. Your resume should show that you are the right person for the job. Don’t put in any unnecessary information, and make sure that the relevant aspects of your experience are the most prominent.

It seems obvious, but it is all too common for people to send out applications and resumes with basic grammar and spelling mistakes in them. Make sure that you use the spell-check function, and also read through to pick up any errors that it cannot correct.

Use a font that is easy to read. Don’t make it too small, and don’t add any unnecessary decoration. Your resume should look clear and business-like. Bullet points and sub-headings are useful ways of grouping and organizing information.

Address all your communications clearly and to the right person. Always use a name if you can, rather than the generic “Sir/Madam”, and make sure that it is spelt correctly.

Your own contact details should also be included, and they should be correct and current. You don’t want to miss out on a job because you used an old phone number or made a mistake in your email address. If you are including an email address then make sure it is one that sounds professional rather than funny or silly. Get a new account that is separate from your personal one, if you need to.

You will need to write a cover letter to go with your resume. This is how you will introduce yourself to your potential employer. Set it out as a business letter, and write it with as much care as you do your resume. Keep it short. Use it to point out the most important elements of your resume and how you meet the requirements described in the job advertisement. Write a new cover letter for each application rather than sending out a generic version.