How to write a resume correctly and what to write in a cover letter

There comes a time when each of us starts looking for a job. We fill out resumes and are placed in recruiting services for the first time, we have little or no work experience, and there is no question of cooperation with companies.

How to respond to a vacancy to get noticed? We will talk about this in the article.

First, how to fill out a resume?

I’ll start with my own example: when I started looking for a job, the first question that came to me was: where can I get a resume template? Then I took a simple Word template as a basis. And not in the default format, but after finalizing it, removing extra lines and sections. Already then I posted the questionnaire in the recruiting service.

Another option is to find a template online. That is, enter a query in the search engine, find an acceptable option and create your own version based on it.

The third, most effective and easiest way is to create a resume directly on a recruiting site, for example, on hh.ru, rabota.ru, and so on. Just register your profile, and then start filling out the questionnaire. By the way, hh.ru has a “Career for young specialists” section – an excellent option if you are looking for an internship or a job immediately after graduating from university.

There are several points that should definitely be discussed in the resume:

Position. If you have decided exactly where you want to go and who you want to be, be sure to indicate it. The reason is banal – the recruiter enters a specific position in the search and searches for a resume based on it. And if you are just looking for yourself and don’t understand what you want to do, plus you don’t have experience, write “beginner”. Just do not forget to clarify the specialization, otherwise instead of digital, as you, let’s say, wanted, you will be invited to a call center or a promoter.

Salary. Yes, you are a beginner and you will not always be able to accurately name the price of your work. In this case, I recommend that you do the following – look at the vacancies of your “competitors”, the same novice applicants, and take the average rates.

Photo. Preferably, it should be neutral, like a selfie or a picture from a laptop camera on a flat, light background.

Education. Everything is simple here – which school did you graduate from, which university, when and in which specialty.

Language knowledge. Now, knowledge of foreign languages will not be superfluous, especially if you know something at an above average level. This point is always taken into account when moving up the career ladder, regardless of which company you chose – a giant conglomerate or a small local web studio.

In the office or from home. Currently, there are many remote jobs on the labor market, but the choice is up to you. There is also a hybrid type – for example, 3 days in the office and 2 remotely.

Employment. They are mostly looking for people full-time, but you can find a lot of vacancies with part-time or project employment, as well as volunteering or internships. Consider that it is much easier to find a full-time job.

Skills. If you apply for the position of journalist/copywriter/editor, indicate skills related to, say, literacy and work with text editors, basic knowledge in SMM and SEO will not be superfluous. Manager or marketer – communication, management and organizational skills are required, plus teamwork and leadership skills. And also – never indicate resistance to stress. Want to know why? Thousands of memes on this topic will be the answer 😉

About myself. You can note a number of passions, list other rocks, note the potential for growth and ambition, but here it is important not to overdo it.

Additional education. If you studied online courses, participated in trainings, seminars, conferences, etc., add a certificate.

What should not be specified

For starters, send the recruiter as few third-party links as possible. For example, if it’s a resume, download it and attach it to the message as a file. Just minimize the recruiter’s expected links so they can view your information in one place.

In addition, I will list a couple of points from what is better not to indicate:

A biography, even a short one. This is redundant information for the recruiter, which he mostly does not read. Yes, the biography is often related to the career, but there is no need to describe in detail your achievements from school (the team won the basketball competition in the 5th grade, received the certificate “Russian Bear”). If you still think it is necessary to tell about yourself, highlight only the most significant stages, such as the same internship or internship in a large company.

Qualities that do not belong to work. A controversial point, because some employers consider the candidate’s personal qualities important in order to understand whether he will fit into the team. You can’t please everyone, but it’s still important to show yourself as a professional, not a navel-gazer. And the fact that you are a cool specialist will become clear after hiring.

Inappropriate skills. For example, this is when you, responding to a PR manager vacancy, attach a resume indicating such qualities as accounting or record keeping. It doesn’t fit – that’s an understatement.

And most importantly, don’t lie! Even if you do and pass the interview, your deception will eventually be exposed. As a result, your image and trust from the employer will suffer. And when you go to look for another job, this moment can leave a bad aftertaste, when other recruiters will apply to your former place of work.

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What to write in a cover letter

Writing a cover letter correctly is another task. In order for the recruiter to pay attention to your review, include the following in the accompanying resume:

Greeting. Moreover, do not write “Good morning” or “Good afternoon”, because most often reviews are not viewed immediately, and it is not a fact that at the same time. It is better to do with a neutral “Hello”.

The position you are applying for. Especially if you write to e-mail or social networks.

Why did you choose this company?. And here it is good to note that you can give the company for its development.

Your competitive advantages. This is how you will show what sets you apart from other applicants.

There is no need to write anything in detail, because you write the main information in the resume, and in the letter you just create a hook. This is just an addition, a kind of demonstration of yourself as a worthy candidate who knows how to communicate and understands the principle of performing tasks.

A little about the portfolio

A portfolio is most often needed by copywriters, editors, SMM specialists, designers, illustrators, etc. If you are a beginner, then attach any experience related to the profession. Even if it is a non-commercial public project, it will show at least a little experience in a specific field.

Did you write columns for the student newspaper? Apply! Helped with accounts? Also show me, give me exile! Did they help develop the site? Show! Wrote a small program or video game? Add a link to it.

Let the recruiter know that you didn’t just wipe your pants at the desk, you got your hands full.

Some recommendations

So that your resume and cover letter do not look like fairy tales by A.S. Pushkin, pay attention to the following recommendations:

Carefully study the job title and job requirements. Ideally, you can create several resume options with different relevant positions and respond by attaching the appropriate one to the cover letter. It is good that hh.ru has such an opportunity.

Explain why you responded without relevant experience. In the cover letter, write that you understand the task at hand and know how it can be solved in the most effective way. At least this can affect the recruiter even in the absence of experience – interested candidates are important to the employer.

Describe the achievements realistically. Here I return to the fact that you should not lie, and even more so lie. Provide evidence of your achievements, if any, give real numbers and facts.

Respond appropriately. That is, adjust the cover letter to a specific company, and not throw a standard template everywhere. Show that you are interested in the company and position, that you understand the chosen field.

Reception and processing of resumes also depend on some subjective factors, such as the opinion and ideas of the recruiter, the employer’s requirements, the company’s values in general, etc. I believe that you should create a resume and respond based on your own preferences, because only then will you find a company to your liking, even if you spend a lot of time.

As for the search time, you have to be patient. If you find a job in a month as a beginner, consider yourself lucky. Others spend 3-6 months in search, sometimes even longer.

And yes, the most important thing – do not expect that they will respond to you the first time. Maybe you dream of working in a certain company, but without experience they won’t take you there. Work hard, gain experience and be proactive, and then maybe this company will invite you. Because dreams are destined to come true 😉