In today’s competitive job market, a generic resume and cover letter won’t cut it. Employers spend just 6-7 seconds scanning applications, so yours must shine. Here’s how to create documents that get noticed—and get you hired.
Let me tell you a little story.
The Story of a Job Seeker Who Almost Gave Up
Meet Tunde, a recent graduate with big dreams but no job offers. He’d sent out over 50 applications, but all he got were rejections—or worse, silence. Frustrated, he almost gave up. Then, he stumbled upon a simple truth: Your resume and cover letter aren’t just lists of your skills and experiences—they’re your story.
Tunde decided to rewrite his resume and cover letter, this time focusing on telling his story in a way that resonated with employers. Within weeks, he landed three interviews and, eventually, his dream job.
The Resume—Your First Impression
Your resume is like the trailer to a movie. It needs to grab attention, highlight the best parts, and leave the reader wanting more.
1. Start with a Bang: The Professional Summary
Imagine you’re introducing yourself to a stranger. You wouldn’t start with, “I’m a hard worker.” Instead, you’d say something like:
“Results-driven marketing graduate with 3+ years of experience in digital campaigns. Increased social media engagement by 40% and boosted sales by 15% in just six months.”
This is your professional summary—a 2-3 line snapshot of who you are and what you bring to the table. It’s your chance to make a strong first impression, so make it count.
2. Tailor It Like a Custom Suit
Tunde made the mistake of using the same resume for every job. Big mistake. Employers can spot a generic resume from a mile away.
Instead, tailor your resume for each job. Use keywords from the job description, especially those related to skills and responsibilities. For example, if the job requires “project management,” make sure that phrase appears in your resume.
3. Show, Don’t Tell
Instead of listing duties, highlight your achievements. For example:
- Before: “Managed social media accounts.”
- After: “Grew Instagram following by 30% and increased engagement by 40% through targeted content strategies.”
Numbers and results speak louder than vague statements. Employers want to see how you’ve made an impact, not just what you’ve done.
4. Keep It Clean and Professional
Your resume should be easy to read and visually appealing. Use a clean, professional template, and stick to one page if you have less than 10 years of experience. Avoid flashy designs or overly creative formats—they can distract from your content.
The Cover Letter—Your Personal Pitch
If your resume is the trailer, your cover letter is the full movie. It’s your chance to tell your story, connect with the employer, and show why you’re the perfect fit.
1. Start with a Personal Greeting
Avoid generic openings like “To Whom It May Concern.” If possible, find the hiring manager’s name and address them directly. For example:
“Dear Ms. Adeyemi,”
2. Tell Your Story
Your cover letter should answer one question: Why you?
Start with a hook that grabs attention. For example:
“When I launched my first social media campaign for a small business, I didn’t just increase their followers—I helped them double their sales in three months. That’s the kind of impact I want to bring to your team.”
3. Connect Your Experience to the Role
Highlight 1-2 key achievements that align with the job description. For example:
“At XYZ Corp, I streamlined workflows, reducing project delays by 25%. I’m excited to bring this problem-solving mindset to your operations team.”
4. End with a Call to Action
Close your letter confidently. For example:
“I’d love the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to [Company Name]. Let’s schedule an interview!”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the best stories can fall flat if they’re poorly told. Some common mistakes to avoid are:
Focusing on Duties, Not Achievements: Employers care about results, not just responsibilities. Show them how you’ve made an impact.
Typos and Errors: Proofread your documents multiple times. Even a small typo can make you look unprofessional.
Being Too Generic: Tailor your resume and cover letter for each job. Employers can tell when you’ve sent the same application to multiple companies.
The Happy Ending
Tunde followed these steps and rewrote his resume and cover letter. He tailored each application, highlighted his achievements, and told his story in a way that resonated with employers.
Within weeks, he landed three interviews. One of them turned into his dream job.
Tunde followed these steps and rewrote his resume and cover letter. He tailored each application, highlighted his achievements, and told his story in a way that resonated with employers.
Within weeks, he landed three interviews. One of them turned into his dream job.
Key Takeaways
- Your resume is your first impression—make it count.
- Your cover letter is your story—tell it well.
- Tailor your documents for each job.
- Focus on achievements, not just duties.
Final Word
Your resume and cover letter are more than just documents—they’re your chance to tell your story and show employers why you’re the perfect fit. Take the time to craft them carefully, and you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream job.
I want you to know that getting hired isn’t an ABC game, It’s something you have to try again and again, refine your CV to align with the Job you’re applying for before you can get hire.
What are you going to do if you found that you have 50 No(s)/ Job denial from getting hire, will you keep going? or will you give up? I’d leave you to answer that question.
Ready to get started? Begin drafting your story today!
