As you may already know, we are migrating all our content from the website over to Substack. Feel like this was a big one that was still pending.
So if you’re new to it, enjoy.
If you’ve seen it already, perhaps refresh your memory.
Step 1: Watch the Video Guide above or by clicking the button below:
Step 2: Download the kit here: https://buymeacoffee.com/sknexuspk/e/337611
And if you fancy written format, here is a summary for you:
This article is based on a recent Career Workshop session that took place in our Discord server.
How to Write an ATS Optimized Resume and a Cover Letter that Sells
In today's competitive job market, crafting an effective resume and cover letter is crucial for fresh graduates and professionals transitioning between jobs. Many job seekers often feel overwhelmed by the task of creating documents that not only showcase their skills but also pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
This workshop provides key insights and strategies for writing ATS-optimized resumes and compelling cover letters.
Challenges with Common Resume Practices
One of the primary challenges job seekers face is the tendency to create visually complex resumes, often in PDF format. These designs can hinder ATS from accurately parsing the information, leading to automatic rejections. To mitigate this issue, it's advisable to use simple, text-based formats such as Word files instead of PDFs. This ensures that your resume can be easily read by ATS software used by many companies.
Key Guidelines for Resume Simplicity
Simplicity is essential when it comes to resume design. Here are some guidelines to follow:
Avoid Fancy Designs: Steer clear of elaborate layouts and custom fonts.
No Photographs: Especially important for applications in the U.S., as biases can lead to legal complications.
Use a Minimalistic Template: Start with a basic template and personalize it without over-relying on pre-made resources.
Tailoring Resumes and Summary Sections
A well-crafted summary section is vital for making a strong impression. Tailor this section for each job application by emphasizing relevant skills and experiences. This approach allows job seekers to maintain a balance while applying for multiple roles. Additionally, highlighting career accomplishments with specific keywords and metrics relevant to the job can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your resume.
Incorporating Professional or Project Experience
For recent graduates or those lacking formal work experience, including project portfolios can be an effective substitute. Clearly outline contributions and impacts using bullet points to make your experience stand out.
Field Example and Creative Approaches
While it's helpful to refer to example resumes, avoid direct copying. Instead, consider creative methods such as reframing years of experience into hours worked to enhance perceived achievements. Use quantifiable metrics to substantiate claims, ensuring that your accomplishments resonate with hiring managers.
Cost Reduction as a Key Resume Element
Highlighting cost reduction alongside revenue generation is crucial in demonstrating value on your resume. This dual focus can create a more compelling narrative about your impact within previous roles.
Highlighting Professional Experience Effectively
When detailing professional experience, always present past employers positively. Include essential information such as the company's primary business focus, employee count (especially if over 100), and revenue figures. This context not only enhances your credibility but also reflects positively on your previous employers.
Optimizing Resume Points for ATS and Readability
To ensure that your resume is ATS-friendly, structure your professional experience using the following format:
Action Verb + Task Description + Result/Impact
For example: "Managed a team of X to achieve Y resulting in Z."
This structure helps both ATS systems parse your resume effectively and provides hiring managers with concrete evidence of your impact.
Candidates Should Structure Their Points To Include:
Metrics and results as quantifiable outcomes.
Team size and responsibilities in the first point.
Role and unique contributions in subsequent points.
Skills and Education Sections
Skills Section
Focus on high-value technical skills rather than generic soft skills like "strategic planning." Research in-demand skills relevant to your target roles.
Education Section
While education may hold more weight in certain fields (e.g., medicine), it is often less significant in fast-paced environments like startups. Hiring managers typically prioritize experience over educational background in these contexts.
Additional Information and Project Portfolio
Include any notable achievements or contributions under an "Additional Information" section if they don't fit elsewhere. For fresh graduates or candidates without formal experience, personal projects should be highlighted with summaries that outline learning outcomes, challenges faced, and impacts made.
Cover Letter Strategies
A balanced approach is key when crafting cover letters:
Generic Cover Letter: Tailored for specific roles but can be used for most applications.
Customized Cover Letter: Created for high-priority jobs with personalized content based on industry needs.
This strategy helps avoid burnout while maximizing impact for critical applications.
Crafting a Memorable Cover Letter
Unlike resumes, cover letters allow for creativity. Structure them effectively:
Opening Line: Start with an engaging statement.
Summary of Professional Experience: Briefly highlight relevant work.
Core Principles: Present three defining values or skills.
Unique Ability: Describe what sets you apart.
Key Achievements: Mention three to four relevant accomplishments.
Closing: End with contact details, a call-to-action, and gratitude.
Each cover letter should maintain a balance between personalization and consistency across applications.
Insights on Job Applications and Cover Letters
Continuous improvement is essential in the job application process. Many overlook opportunities to refine their resumes or cover letters, resulting in less impactful applications. Success in job hunting relies not only on external conditions but also on individual performance and adaptability.
Performance and Resilience in Careers
High performers tend to excel even under challenging conditions, while lower performers may struggle to maintain success over time. Consistent effort and adaptability are critical traits for long-term career resilience.
Future Discussions and Community Engagement
I invite readers to join future discussions on best practices for job applications within our community. These workshops aim to provide personalized discussions and free career mentoring opportunities as long as they remain sustainable.
By following these guidelines, candidates can create ATS-optimized resumes and compelling cover letters that effectively showcase their qualifications, ultimately increasing their chances of landing interviews in today's competitive job market.
Why are you 'selling' this on BuyMeACoffee?
Well I am not, these kits and resources are absolutely free, unless you decide to leave a tip.
The reason I do them this way is because it makes file management easy, and ensures that you get the latest version of the tools at the time of downloading.
Also since you are required to submit your email address to unlock the kit, this ensures that if down the road I update the resource, you get notified with the latest version. I try to push out email notifications whenever there is a new update.
Get The Job Application Resume and Cover Letter Kit Here
Chapters
0:00 - Introduction: Why You Need a Resume and How This Workshop Can Help
0:46 - Common Resume Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1:00 - The Importance of Using a Simple, ATS-Friendly Resume Template
3:11 - Building a Strong Resume Foundation: Key Elements
3:22 - Why You Should Not Include a Picture in Your Resume (Especially in the US)
4:05 - Creating a Customizable Resume Template for Different Jobs
4:52 - The Importance of Tailoring Your Resume to Specific Job Applications
5:26 - Beyond This Workshop: Resources and Q&A
5:37 - Breakdown of the Blank Resume Template
6:18 - Formatting Your Resume for Readability by ATS Software
7:49 - The Summary Section: Highlighting Your Skills and Experience
8:15 - How to Customize Your Summary for Different Job Applications
9:12 - Career Accomplishments: Quantifying Your Achievements
9:26 - Showcasing Your Project Portfolio Experience (For Students with No Work Experience)
10:15 - Using the Template as a Foundation to Build Your Own Resume
11:04 - Getting Creative When You Have Limited Work Experience
11:27 - Writing Effective Accomplishments: Including Numbers and Metrics
12:05 - Highlighting Achievements Tied to Revenue or Cost Reduction
12:42 - Professional Experience: Highlighting Your Work History
13:09 - Briefly Highlighting the Company You Previously Worked For
13:15 - Key Takeaways: Three Things to Remember About Your Resume
13:40 - The Importance of Including Company Information in Your Resume
14:07 - Using a Consistent Format for Your Work Experience
14:49 - The Importance of Using Action Verbs and Quantifiable Results
15:31 - Optimizing Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
16:01 - The Importance of Including Relevant Technical Skills
16:30 - The Role of Education in Your Resume
17:11 - The Importance of Project Portfolio Experience
17:42 - Creating a Professional Portfolio for Your Projects
18:39 - The Value of Personal Projects in Landing a Job
19:34 - Addressing Common Concerns and Misconceptions About Resume Building
19:50 - The Importance of a Cover Letter
20:11 - Creating a Generic Cover Letter and a Customized Cover Letter
20:54 - Tips for Writing an Effective Cover Letter
21:44 - A Suggested Cover Letter Template
22:20 - The Importance of Creativity in Your Cover Letter
23:36 - A Sample Cover Letter Structure
24:42 - The Importance of Personal Branding and Customization
25:34 - The Competitive Job Market and the Importance of Standing Out
26:20 - The Importance of Updating Your Resume Regularly
26:33 - Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building Your Resume
27:12 - Conclusion and Next Steps
Note: The above article is generated based on the Workshop Video. Some inconsistencies may be present due to the process of manual edit. For the most accurate info, refer to the video.
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