At some point in your professional career, you will need to create a resume and cover letter. Whether you are fresh out of college, looking for a new job, or seeking a promotion, a well-written resume and cover letter can make all the difference. However, not everyone is a skilled writer, and crafting a compelling letter can be daunting. That’s where resume and cover letter services come in. 

What is a cover letter?

When applying for a job, a cover letter is an important document that should be attached to your resume. Unlike a resume, a cover letter is written in a more informal and conversational tone. It aims to give a full picture of yourself to the company you are interested in working for.

A cover letter gives you the opportunity to present yourself as a person, highlighting your skills, experience and qualifications that make you a good fit for the job. It gives potential employers an idea of who you are and what you have to offer.

A resume can only list your qualifications, while a cover letter can explain how your personality, work ethic and experience will fit into the company’s culture and environment. A hiring manager or recruiter needs to know more about you than just what’s on your resume. A well-written cover letter can give you an edge over other candidates and increase your chances of getting the job.

Why Do I Need a Cover Letter?

While a resume provides an overview of your career, including your education, work history and skills, it is not intended to be a detailed description of your accomplishments and personality. A cover letter is a more thoughtful, detailed description of what motivates you, your best qualities and how your qualifications, skills and passion match the industry and job you want.

Here are some benefits of submitting a cover letter along with your job application:

• You can talk about your best skills and experience in more detail than you can with a few qualifications on your resume.
• You can explain any gaps in your work history or your reason for changing careers.
• You have a great opportunity to go into more detail about what specific contributions you can make to the company.
• You give potential employers more information about your personality and background.

Remember that even if the job posting does not require a cover letter, you should still take the time to write one and send it along with your resume and job application. The hiring manager or recruiter will appreciate the extra effort you put into preparing a thoughtful cover letter.

Determine Your Goals

Before you start looking for a resume and cover letter service, it’s important to determine your goals. What do you want your resume and cover letter to achieve? Are you looking for a complete overhaul of your existing documents or just need some minor tweaks? Do you want a service that specializes in a particular industry or job type? Answering these questions will help you narrow down your search and find a service that aligns with your goals.

Research Different Services

Once you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, start researching different resume and cover letter services. Look for services that have positive reviews, a proven track record of success, and specialize in your industry or job type. Avoid services that promise quick fixes or guarantee job offers, as these are often red flags.

Check Credentials and Experience

Before hiring a resume and cover letter service:

1. Check their credentials and experience.
2. Look for services that have certified writers or are members of professional organizations like the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC).
3. Ask about the experience of the writers and whether they have worked with clients in your industry or job type before.

Review Samples and Portfolios

Most reputable resume and cover letter services will have samples and portfolios of their work available for review. Take the time to review these samples and portfolios to get a sense of the quality of their work and whether it aligns with your goals and needs.

Consider Pricing and Turnaround Time

Resume and cover letter services can vary greatly in terms of pricing and turnaround time. While you don’t want to overspend, it’s important to invest in a service that will produce quality work. Consider the pricing and turnaround time of each service and weigh it against the quality of their work and your budget.

Look for Additional Services

In addition to resume and cover letter writing, many services offer additional services such as LinkedIn profile optimization, interview coaching, and job search assistance. Consider whether you would benefit from these additional services and whether they are worth the additional cost.

Trust Your Gut

Ultimately, choosing a resume and cover letter service is a personal decision. Trust your gut and choose a service that you feel comfortable working with and confident will help you achieve your goals.

In conclusion, choosing the right resume and cover letter service can make all the difference in your job search. By determining your goals, researching different services, checking credentials and experience, reviewing samples and portfolios, considering pricing and turnaround time, looking for additional services, and trusting your gut, you can find a service that will help you stand out in a competitive job market.

The Structure of a Cover Letter and How To Write It

If you’re looking to write a cover letter, you might be wondering about its structure. Fortunately, it’s straightforward, and with some basic information, you can make a compelling case for why you’re the right person for the job. Here are four critical elements you need to include in your cover letter:

1. Contact and personal information

Start with your contact information, typically located at the top of your cover letter. This includes your full name, phone number, email address, physical address (optional), and relevant links, such as your LinkedIn profile.

2. Greeting

Your cover letter’s greeting is more important than you may think, as it can indicate to the hiring manager how much effort you’ve put into crafting it. Avoid generic phrases like “To whom it may concern” or “Dear sir or madam.” Instead, personalize your letter by using the hiring manager’s name.

3. Opening and body paragraphs

The opening paragraph should introduce yourself and explain why you’re interested in the position. Use this opportunity to tell the potential employer why you’re excited about the possibility of working for them. The body paragraphs are where you’ll include your relevant experience and skillset. Make sure to connect your skills to how they can benefit the company and provide specific examples of past work. Use bullet points to make the information easy to read and concise.

4. Closing

Wrap up the letter by reiterating your interest in the job and thanking the hiring manager for considering you. Close with a statement that indicates you’re excited to hear back and would love the opportunity to interview. This encourages the hiring manager to take the next step and contact you for an interview.