Tailoring Your Resume and Cover Letter for Maximum Impact
- amy Leighton
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
You may have started your career in the government sector so you could make a positive impact on the world around you. When employed by the federal government, many times you are working on the front lines and trying to solve challenging and complex issues. The federal government is a major employer in terms its number of employees, and the benefits you can get while working in the industry are sometimes even better than you’ll see in the private sector. If you’re looking for a government job or seeking to make the transition to the private sector, here are some tips for tailoring your resume and cover letter to secure that next job.
Change it up. If you’re busy applying for multiple jobs, you likely have the tendency of using the same resume and cover letter each time you apply to make the process easier. Every hiring manager is different and wants different qualities in a candidate, so you have to tailor your resume and cover letter for each new job you apply for. It is time consuming but worth it in the end. The reason is, many organizations may try to hire from within because they already know what to expect out of that person. So, you have to make yourself appear as though you’re perfect for the job as an outsider, and one way you do this is by looking at the job description and addressing each thing they’re looking for through your job experience and education.
Use keywords. Keywords are a way hiring managers weed out resumes. The best way to use keywords is having them flow naturally with the rest of your resume and cover letter. When deciding what keywords are important, look how they describe the qualifications for the job in the job description. For example, if you’re interested in a supervisory role but have never actually held this kind of position, look for opportunities to use the word “supervise” in your prior experience.
Quantify your achievements. Supplying data and statistics on your resume and in your cover letter help an employer know what you can accomplish. The first step of quantifying your achievements is tracking your work. Think about what a future employer wants from someone in the position you’re applying for and focus on gathering that type of data. When you don’t have the ability to supply exact numbers, feel free to use ranges where applicable, such as, “I answered 80-100 calls per week.” Quantifying results can focus on money, people, time, and rankings.
In the end, you want to tell a compelling story through your cover letter and resume. Start with a headline or summary that captures the reader. Summarize what you’re looking for and how they can’t live without your experience. Your resume should explain how your professional journey has shaped you and what your achievements have been along the way. All of this shows what value you bring to the table and makes you an ideal candidate.
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