Baffled, you double-check the job description, but the name of the hiring manager isn’t listed. So, what do you do?

Below, we go over a few steps you can take to address your cover letter when you don’t have a name.

Search for the Hiring Manager’s Name

Conduct an online search to find the name of the hiring manager. Tools like LinkedIn can be great for this. You can search a company’s LinkedIn profile to find the name of the person in that position.

For example, if you know the job ad says you’d report to the senior software engineer, you could use the company’s LinkedIn page to search for employees that hold that title. Then, once you find the name, address that person in the cover letter (make sure to double-check the spelling!).

Focus on Their Position

If you absolutely can’t find their name, focus instead on the position the person holds. For example, if you’re reporting to the content manager, you might try “Dear Content Manager” or “Dear Content Team” when addressing your cover letter.

A Last Resort

If you’ve tried the first three steps with absolutely no luck, it’s OK to use “Dear Hiring Manager.” If you have a name or title, that is preferable to something more generic. But using “Dear Hiring Manager” in your cover letter will suffice when all else fails. 

Avoid These Common Mistakes

There are some common cover letter mistakes that can be costly for job seekers. Even if you don’t know who the hiring manager is, avoid using “To Whom It May Concern,” as this is too vague. At the same time, “Dear sir or madam” is too formal (in addition, some people may not identify with these personal pronouns). 

Also, avoid time-specific greetings. “Good morning” or “Good evening” aren’t considered a best practice for cover letters, since you have no idea when the hiring manager will be reading them. 

Address Your Cover Letter to the Right Person

Cover letters are still a necessary part of the job search process. However, it can be challenging to craft a compelling cover letter when you don’t know who to address it to. If a name isn’t provided, do your research to find out who your recipient is. And if all else fails, “Dear Hiring Manager” will suffice in a pinch.

The post How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Recipient Name appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Relocating and job searching at the same time seem daunting enough that you may just skip the job search until the last box is unpacked. But you can connect with an employer willing to hire you from afar if you mention your relocation in your cover letter the right way.

How to Mention Relocating in Your Cover Letter

Most cover letters are “standard.” You talk about your skills and experience and give concrete examples of how you’ll put those to work for the employer. But when you’re relocating, you need to reassure the employer that you won’t leave the area (and job!) in a few months or even a year. Here’s how.

Talk About the Town

Explain where you’re relocating by naming a specific town or the general area. Why? Consider California. It’s one thing to say you’re relocating to the state for the sunshine. But it’s another to say you’re relocating to San Diego, California, when you’re applying to jobs in San Francisco, California!

Make your intended location clear so the hiring manager has a better understanding of why you’re applying for the role when you don’t live there yet.

Mention Your Ties

In addition to mentioning where you’re moving to, mention any ties you have to the area.

It could be that you have family in the area or that you’ve bought a house or signed a lease. Whatever it is, use that information to demonstrate you’ve got a reason to stay put for the long haul.

Give a Time Frame

Explain when you’ll be moving or how open your schedule is prior to relocating. This can help the employer understand when you’ll be available to interview and start the job. If you have specific dates, throw those in. And if you don’t, that’s OK. You can give a range, like “end of May” or “mid-October.”

If it’s in your budget, mention that you’re willing to travel to in-person interviews at your own expense. Or, mention that you’ll be in the area over the next few weeks or months attending to other business and could arrange your schedule to be available for an interview.

That said, if you can’t afford the travel, do not worry! You can interview online before you relocate or in person once you get there.

Do You Include an Address?

In general, it’s OK to omit your address from your resume. However, if you think mentioning you signed a lease or bought a home isn’t enough to sway the employer, you can include your local address in the contact information.

More: Should You Put Your Address on Your Resume?

Where to Mention Your Relocation

So, that’s the “how” part of the equation. Now, for the where. Should you mention your relocation at the top or bottom of your cover letter?

Near the Top

Mentioning your relocation at or near the beginning of your cover letter puts that information front and center. If that’s your preference, include the details in the second or third paragraph.

Start with the introduction to your cover letter and explain why you’re applying to this role. Then, bring up your move and that this job fits into your career and relocation plans.

Toward the Bottom

It’s also acceptable to include the information at the bottom of the cover letter, usually between your final paragraph and before the closing.

The advantage of this placement is that it puts the focus on your skills and experience before the topic of relocating ever comes up. This helps reinforce that you’re a fantastic candidate for the role and could calm any fears about hiring you.

Movin’ On

Knowing you have a job waiting for you after you move can make everything before the move a little less stressful. Use these tips to craft a cover letter that helps the hiring manager understand not only why you’re applying but also why they should hire you!

The post How to Mention Relocating in Your Job Search and Cover Letter appeared first on Job-Hunt.

You may be wondering if cover letters are necessary these days. After all, your resume explains most if not all of your work history. What else could an employer need?

Well, like many things, it depends! Sometimes cover letters are necessary, and sometimes they’re not. Here’s how to figure things out!

Are Cover Letters Really Necessary?

In general, yes! While there are a few times you won’t include a cover letter with your resume, more often than not, the hiring manager expects one—even if they never read it. Because it’s still expected, including a cover letter demonstrates that you’re a true professional that’s serious about the job.

Why Cover Letters Still Matter

Tailoring your cover letter to the job and role you’re applying for takes time but is well worth the effort. Here’s why cover letters still matter!

Expands Your Resume

Your resume is a one to two-page summary of your skills and experience. And because your resume is a summary, you probably can’t include everything you want to share with the employer.

Think of the cover letter as a bonus resume page. It’s an excellent opportunity to sell yourself by highlighting accomplishments that didn’t fit on your resume. You can also include additional keywords from the job posting that could help your resume rank higher in the applicant tracking system (ATS).

Gives Your Resume Context

While your resume is a brief, concise, and clear summary of your professional history, sometimes you need to explain certain aspects of it. For example, if you have gaps in your employment history or are changing careers, your resume may not make sense to the hiring manager.

That’s where your cover letter comes in! It can give your application context when your resume alone can’t—like when your work history is in accounting, and now you’re applying for a social worker role. Your resume can’t explain what motivated your change and what you’ve done to prepare for it, but your cover letter can.

Showcases Soft Skills

Hard skills are often required for some jobs, but employers are always looking for applicants with soft skills. And while you can include a bullet point on your resume about your communication skills, your cover letter is the perfect place to demonstrate your written communication skills!

You can also use the STAR method to describe how you’ve used your other soft skills in past roles. This can help the employer understand how your soft skills will help you excel in the role.

When You Shouldn’t Include a Cover Letter

Cover letters aren’t necessary for every application, though. Here’s when you should skip it.

When the Posting Says So

Some job postings specifically say “no cover letter.” If that’s the case, don’t include it. If nothing else, not adding a cover letter demonstrates that you read the entire job posting and can follow instructions. 

Including one could make it appear that you’re “sneaking” something in or are trying to stand out by not following the instructions. While this could work in rare cases, it’s unlikely, so you’re better off spending your time customizing your resume to the role.

When There’s No Place for It

Many employers rely on an ATS to gather, sort, and rank applications. Employers can customize the settings, so some include a separate field for your cover letter, but some do not.

When you see a field for a cover letter, you should include one, especially when it says cover letters are optional! But what happens if there’s no field for a cover letter and the job posting doesn’t specify that you shouldn’t include one?

Start by double-checking the job posting to see if cover letters are optional or required and how to submit one. Sometimes that information is buried in the posting. Then, double-check the entire page to see if the cover letter field is at the very bottom of the page or on a sidebar.

If you cannot find a cover letter field and the job posting doesn’t give specifics about a cover letter, think about whether or not it’s worth the time and effort to create one.

Consider how large the company is. If it’s the kind of place that likely gets hundreds or even thousands of applications for a single role, you can probably skip the cover letter. It’s possible hiring managers don’t bother reading cover letters, and you’d be wasting your time creating one—the thought being that if the hiring manager truly wanted one, there’d be a cover letter field.

However, if you feel it’s necessary to include a cover letter for whatever reason and the posting doesn’t say not to include one, make the cover letter the last page of your resume file. This ensures that the ATS parses (as in, reads) your resume correctly and ranks your application accordingly. 

Mostly Necessary

More often than not, you should include a cover letter with your application. It can demonstrate that you’re serious about the role and is a fantastic way to sell your skills and abilities outside your resume.

The post Are Cover Letters Necessary? appeared first on Job-Hunt.

While you have a whole page to talk about why you’re the perfect fit for the role, coming up with something other than “please accept my application for…” can be kind of tough! But we’re here to help you out with some creative solutions for writing your cover letter introduction.

How to Start a Cover Letter 

1. Kick Off With Passion

One great way to start your cover letter is by talking about your passion for the job. This helps the hiring manager see you as someone who cares deeply about the role and is more likely to be engaged with the position and the company for a long time.

Example: I wrote my first short story when I was six and branched out into chapter books by the time I was 10. The following year, I used the family printer to self-publish and distribute my biography to everyone I knew. Though my early years of publishing did not lead to a six-figure book deal, I’ve always enjoyed writing fantastic content and sharing it with the world.

2. Mention Your Enthusiasm

The job may not be the only reason why you’re applying. You may strongly identify with the company’s mission, or perhaps you used its products and services in the past. If that’s the case, call it out in your cover letter introduction, as the company is more likely to hire someone who “gets” what they’re doing.

Example: I’m a long-time user of [product name]. It’s helped me create powerful presentations that clients connect with. Thankfully, creating these stellar presentations does not require a lot of technical skills, and I’ve come to rely on the simplicity of the product to make my job easier. It’s not often I get to work for a company that’s created a product I use almost every day, so when I saw the opening for the [name of position], I had to apply!

3. Describe Your Accomplishments

Talking about what you’ve achieved in past roles helps the hiring manager picture you in the role achieving similar goals at their company! Use the start of your cover letter to highlight one accomplishment that demonstrates you’re a fantastic candidate for the job.

Example: I’ve spent the last seven years optimizing my company’s website. My hard work and attention to detail have resulted in a 78% increase in year-over-year traffic (not to mention a 45% increase in sign-ups). I’m looking for my next challenge, and I believe I’ll find it at [company name] as your [name of position].

4. Drop a Name

This isn’t like name-dropping during an interview. In your cover letter introduction, mention a company contact if you have one. Hiring managers are much more likely to consider you for a position if someone who works there drops your name! Just make sure you and your contact are on the same page before you proceed!

Example: [Contact name] and I worked together at [X] company. It was the first job for both of us right out of college! We learned a lot, and even though we’ve both moved on, we’ve kept in touch. [Name] recently reached out to me about the opening for [name of position]. Hearing them describe the job and talk about the company, I knew I had to apply.

5. Tell a Story

Telling a story about yourself is a great way to bring a bit of your personality into the cover letter. You can even consider adding some humorous elements. But since not every company has the same definition of “funny,” do a deep dive into the company’s culture as part of your research before you take the humor route!

Example: I started college majoring in undecided with a minor in partying. After several tries, I finally settled on communications and ended up in a career writing press releases for a small pharmaceutical company. The job was stable and paid the bills, but after a few years, I realized I missed the party aspect of my old minor. That’s why I’m very interested in the event planning role with [company name]. It’s the perfect mix of everything I learned in college.

6. Short and Sweet

Sometimes, none of the above suggestions work. For example, if you’re applying for a role as a lawyer or at a bank, you may want to go with a straightforward opening and use the rest of your cover letter to discuss why you’re qualified for the role.

Example: I’m applying for the position of [name of role with company name]. I’m confident that my [X] years of experience in [name of career field] will be an asset to your team.

Get the Ball Rolling

Here’s one more tip: save the introduction for last! Instead of worrying about how you’ll start, jump right into the “meat” of your cover letter. You might be surprised to find that the introduction writes itself after that.

The post How to Write a Cover Letter Introduction (Examples) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but the consensus among industry professionals is that you don’t need to include your complete address for most submissions. However, a lot depends on your particular situation and the job requirements you’re applying to.

Reasons to Omit Your Full Address

While it may seem like an old-fashioned habit, including some form of your home address on your resume is actually still a good idea. How much you divulge can be decided on a case-by-case basis, and there are several reasons why you might choose to omit your full physical address from your resume.

Protecting Your Personal Privacy

Gone are the days of stopping by an office to inquire about open positions and handing your professionally printed resume to a prospective manager. The majority of your submissions are going to be completed online.

Your resume will likely go through an applicant tracking system (ATS), then a recruiter, and possibly an executive assistant before making it to the hiring manager, leaving a lot of digital space and extra eyes on your information. As such, you might have legitimate concerns about fraud and identity theft. Wondering how to mitigate that threat?

Choosing Safer Digital Methods

Realistically, any digital communication is subject to hackers, and you can’t ever completely protect yourself. But you can lower your risks. For example, you should take extra care if you’re posting your resume on public job boards or responding to ads on sites without any vetting. Ensure that you’re never including your full address or other sensitive information.

This is especially true when you seek remote work where you might not think twice about only interacting online with the “company representatives” who might turn out to be criminals posting false opportunities. To help ensure that you’re enjoying a safe job search, stick to applying directly to companies you’ve researched or reputable job posting sites, such as FlexJobs, that vet the postings before you see them.

Avoiding Looking Outdated

Much like the “references available upon request” tagline, you might give a subtle signal to the recruiter that you haven’t stayed current with industry trends. Older job seekers and anyone taking a career break needs to have extra focus on appearing current. You’re already fighting bias and need every opportunity available to appear up to date with standards. Most recruiters will view your city and state or larger metro area as sufficient information for your initial resume.

Reasons You Might Include Your Address

That’s not to say that you’ll never be responding to a job posting where your full address would be appropriate or required. Even if you’re hesitant to do so, there are some times it would be beneficial to include it.

Applying to Local Roles

If you’re applying to a local company or for a position requiring frequent travel in the area, including your city and state may not be sufficient to let the employer know that you live close enough to make the commute. Consider larger metropolitan areas where you might face lengthy commutes from one suburb to another. An employer might be hesitant to hire someone if they can’t determine their specific geographical area.

Fulfilling a Submission Requirement

If you’re trying to get into government work, for instance, the application requirements often include a full physical address. It’s crucial to follow all submission requirements carefully, or you’re likely to be disqualified before getting to the first stage of the process. Some international companies and those with higher security concerns might also require a full address as they perform basic background screenings before passing your resume on to the recruiter for consideration.

How to Include Your Address

With each company having different requirements, it’ll be efficient to have several versions of your resume on file so that you can easily tailor them to each posting you’re responding to. You’ll include it at the top along with the rest of your contact information. Here are a few examples of different address formats you can choose from.

• City, State [Dallas, TX]
• City, State, Zip Code [Dallas, TX 12345]
• Complete Address [123 Main Street, Dallas, TX 12345]
• Relocating [Relocating to Dallas, TX metro area]

More: How to Mention Relocating in Your Job Search and Cover Letter

Be a Memorable Candidate

At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that your resume is just one piece—albeit an essential one—of a more extensive application process.

By following each application submission’s requirements carefully and practicing safe digital habits, you can ensure that your resume is up to date and that your data is secure. Beyond that, give yourself the best chance to stand out to recruiters by thoroughly researching companies, protecting your personal brand, and networking throughout your industry.

The post Should You Put Your Address on Your Resume? appeared first on Job-Hunt.

At first glance, defining problem-solving skills can be daunting. Even if you’re the team member voted most likely to have a creative solution at your current job, figuring out how to quantify that can be challenging. But with some practice and brainstorming past experiences, you can put those skills in writing and grab a recruiter’s attention.

What Skills Are Needed for the Problem-Solving Process?

Before you begin trying to communicate your problem-solving skills, ensure that you’ve cataloged all of the different ways you use them in your professional environment. Practical problem-solving generally occurs through three distinct steps. There’s usually a pattern where you’ve defined the root cause of the issue, researched possible outcomes, and then determined the best solution.

The First Step in Problem-Solving

The first step is generally to stop and observe, rather than jumping in with assumptions. Take time to use your observation and analytical skills to assess the issue and hear feedback from others. When communicating these skills, you’ll focus on how you analyzed a workflow, resolving pain points that led to a better outcome.

The Second Step in Problem-Solving

Skills you’d need for the second part of the process include research and creativity. When considering how to highlight these, consider examples of where and how you got your information. How did you put that information to work? Thinking outside the box to creatively resolve something will portray you as an innovative thinker.

The Final Step in Problem-Solving

The final step in problem-solving is decision-making. Often, you’ll hear managers state they are seeking applicants who show initiative. Without a doubt, it can feel intimidating to throw out suggestions or try something new.

However, having the confidence to decide on a solution and then give it a try is very attractive to prospective employers. You’ll set yourself apart from the other job seekers who play it safe, rather than take calculated risks.

How Can You Improve Problem-Solving Skills?

Problem-solving skills are part of the skills that you need to grow organically. There’s no specific certificate you can achieve to display that you’ve progressively increased your problem-solving acumen. Instead, you should seek out real-world challenges to improve your abilities. Consider some of the following ways to grow your skill set.

• Listen to any complaints or look for areas where a workflow tends to hit a speed bump.
• Ask for a stretch assignment. Are there any cross-departmental projects on the horizon?
• Create a portfolio of faux project samples. Consider different challenges that you observe businesses experiencing and create sample solutions. Bonus points if it’s for one of your dream companies, because you might get a foot in the door.
• Take some organizational and time management classes to develop those skills officially.

How to Show Problem-Solving Skills

You probably already know that you’ll need to do more than simply state that you have “exceptional problem-solving skills” on your resume and cover letter. Use action verbs, like “developed” or “refined,” to demonstrate how you’ve used your problem-solving skills.

Including Skills on Your Resume

You most likely already know that resume skills should be listed in a less conversational tone than those on your cover letter. You can use bullet points or include them in your skills section if you’re utilizing a hybrid format for your resume. Consider the following examples for ideas.

• Developed content workflow solution in collaboration with engineers to streamline creation and SEO process, resulting in a 25% quicker turnaround for customer content requests.
• Refined scheduling process to align more closely with business paterns, resulting in a 17% increase in labor costs YOY.

Including Skills in Your Cover Letter

Cover letters offer you the chance to expand on your skills with a slightly more relaxed tone. Consider some of the key duties of the role that you applied for and brainstorm challenges that might occur.

For instance, a manager might have challenges relating to leadership, a marketer could have problems relating to underperforming numbers, and an engineer might need to refine a user experience.

With that in mind, you can tailor your cover letter to include examples of how you resolved a similar situation. In practice, that might look like this:

This role is particularly appealing to me as I am motivated by the challenges that a project manager would face in this position. My experience has ensured my skills are an excellent fit for this post. For example, on my last project, our national supplier was having sourcing issues. Rather than allow the project to fall behind schedule and go over budget, I explored local businesses to source our materials. As a result, we completed the project ahead of the deadline.

Anticipating Interview Questions

The third place you should be prepared to showcase your problem-solving skills is during direct questions in an interview. Like your cover letter approach, you’ll want to phrase your answers as situational. Explain the challenge and how you analyzed it, then resolved the issue. Some example questions might be:

• Tell me about a time when you had to find a solution and didn’t have the knowledge you needed.
• Can you share a time that you took the initiative to improve a process?
• Give me an example of a time you saw a problem. How did you solve it, and what was the outcome?

Continuously Develop Your Problem-Solving Skills

Regardless of whether it’s a stated job requirement, managers always seek team members who can assess a situation and find creative ways to resolve it. Furthermore, if your solution wasn’t successful the first time, it’s alright to share how you used that information to approach the issue from a different angle. Using setbacks to learn and redirect a process for a better outcome is a sign of professional maturity that leaders value highly in every field.

One of the best ways you can set yourself apart from the competition is by creating a development goal that hones your problem-solving skills in tangible ways you can use to market your personal brand.

The post What Are Problem-Solving Skills? How to Use Them at Work appeared first on Job-Hunt.

What You Need to Know About Resume Headlines

These one-line blurbs are the first thing that recruiters see, and a keyword-optimized resume headline helps tell an applicant tracking system (ATS) that you closely match the target applicant. Deceptively simple, you should take the time to ensure that your headline works hard for you.

Who Should Include a Resume Headline

The simple yet honest answer is, everyone. A resume headline is the opening line, or the hook, that entices the recruiter to read further. For job seekers without solid experience for the role, you can highlight transferable skills. For more experienced job seekers, you can show off your skills and job experience, making you the perfect fit for this specific position.

How to Write a Resume Headline

There are some basic rules that you should follow to create an outstanding headline.

Be Concise

You have a limited amount of space. Omit fluff phrases that are often just adjectives to describe you. Instead, use power words and action verbs in your resume headline. Adjectives take up space (goal-oriented, driven, dedicated) but don’t give any actual details. Action verbs naturally lead you to develop a sentence that shares information, such as developed (project), facilitated (what result), and influenced (who).

Craft a Customer Benefit

Use your resume headline to market yourself as the best possible solution to the employer. Think of them as the customer you’re trying to win over. Ensure that your focus is on what you can provide them. This is not where you say:

Dynamic Sales Professional Proactively Working Toward a Sales Manager Role

That’s a focus on you and your career goals. Instead, focus solely on how your skills will benefit the employer. Your interview is the place to talk about longevity and career goals. Change that headline to something like:

Sales Professional Experienced in Developing Team Initiatives That Helped Create 35% Increase in Revenue

Now you’re pointing to a tangible benefit for the company. Because, honestly, what company doesn’t want to increase sales by 35%? And you’re not trying to do it alone but inspired a team to do it together? Now that headline will be interesting to a manager.

Be Specific

Similar to the previous tip, use descriptions and actual data in your resume headline, rather than an incomplete list. It’s not enough to say that you improved productivity. How much did productivity increase? What was the average percent change? The more specific you can be, the better. When in doubt, include numbers to back up your claims.

Focus on Keywords

Keywords are single words or short phrases that reflect skills and qualities employers typically seek. The more keywords you include in your resume headline, the easier it will be for a recruiter to match your experience with their opening. Don’t make them guess how your experience lines up. Connect the dots for them.

Pay Attention to Format

Your headline should use the title case and be the first thing recruiters see. It should be at the top of the page under your contact info. You want your words to jump out and shout, “read me first,” rather than blending in with the rest of your resume.

Choose the Structure That Fits Your Experience

If you’re changing careers or you’re a new graduate, you’ll be writing a skills-based headline that says something like:

Recent Business Graduate With Internship Experience in Project Management

On the other hand, if you’ve been in the career field for a while, you might write an experienced-based headline that reads:

Organized Project Manager With 10 Years of Experience Successfully Beating Budget Goals by Over 10%

Resume Headline Examples

• Marketing Graduate With 5 Years of Team Leadership Experience
• Multilingual History Graduate With Volunteer Experience With The Red Cross
• Nursing Student and Founder of University-Wide Alcohol Awareness Campaign
• Accountant With 5+ Years Experience Filing Error-Free Taxes for a Diverse Range of Businesses
• Experienced Social Media Specialist Providing Campaigns That Grow Traffic Over 40%
• Professional Computer Scientist Focused on Improving Security for Over 50 Small Businesses

What Not to Include in Your Headline

It’s vital to include certain aspects in your headline. It’s just as essential to leave some out.

Don’t Stretch the Truth

Lies and exaggerations don’t belong anywhere on your resume. Especially not in the headline. The recruiter will be looking for supporting work experience, and they won’t find it when they look down your resume. Even if you fudge the experience section as well, you’re bound to have to back up that claim at some point.

Leave Off the Objective

We touched on this above, but it’s worth noting again. This might feel contradictory to the standard you remember from previous job searches. However, an objective is no longer needed, and in fact, it makes your resume look dated.

Consider adding a profile summary or professional branding statement instead. The resume headline is the brief phrase that catches their eye, and the profile is a concise list, in bullet points or list form, that summarizes your skills. Essentially, a micro cover letter.

So, picking one of our headlines from earlier, a social media specialist might have a resume headline and profile combo that looks something like this:

Experienced Social Media Specialist Providing Campaigns That Grow Traffic Over 40%

• Collaborated with clients for targeted branded campaigns
• Applied solid data analysis to drive content
• Increased inbound traffic to landing pages over 40%
• Developed long-term engagement plan to grow followers

Find Job Search Success With a Great Resume Headline

If you’ve been struggling to get your resume noticed, don’t leave your headline as an afterthought. They are small but mighty! In today’s digital world, it’s more important than ever to stand out from the rest of the pack. And with a resume headline that packs a punch, you can be sure your application won’t get overlooked.

The post How to Write a Resume Headline (Examples) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

It’s a lot of work but worth it in the long run. However, simply adding some keywords or picking relevant skills to feature on your resume may not be enough to land you an interview. To give your application an edge, consider adding some exciting and dynamic action verbs to your resume.

What Is an Action Verb?

An action verb describes what you’re doing. They are all about what you do versus describing your state of being (“is” or “seems” are examples).

Run, eat, and cry are all action verbs. These words place an image of someone running, eating, or crying in your mind.

Why You Should Use Action Verbs on Your Resume

Action verbs are dynamic, and when it comes to your resume, a dynamic one is more likely to stand out to the hiring manager. Using the right action verbs creates a compelling image in the hiring manager’s mind that helps them picture you in the role and getting things done!

How to Use Action Verbs on Your Resume

While there are many places to use action verbs on your resume, one of the most effective places is at the start of each bullet point under your work history. When you lead with an action verb, you immediately create the visual image of you engaged in that action.

147 Action Verbs for Your Resume (Examples)

The problem with action verbs, though, is that people default to using the same action verbs repeatedly. This is true not just on your resume but also across the many, many, many resumes a hiring manager reads. 

For example, many bullet points lead with “created” or “saved.” While it’s true that these are both dynamic action verbs, they are a little overused. Likewise, many bullet points start with “responsible for.” And though that’s an accurate description, it isn’t very dynamic.

Recycling the same verbs on a resume happens partly out of habit. But it can also occur because it’s difficult to come up with other verbs that say the same thing without making it sound like you’re trying too hard to get your resume to stand out!

To help you swap out your old verbs for exciting, dynamic ones, here are common action verbs people use on their resumes and some suggested alternatives.

As you read through this list, you’ll see some repeats, and that’s OK. Some of these action verbs have more than one meaning.

1. Instead of “Led,” Use…

In this case, “led” means leading a project, not people (even though you may have acted as a leader).

• Advised
• Aligned
• Chaired
• Coordinated
• Enabled
• Ensured
• Forecasted
• Formalized
• Furthered
• Implemented
• Initiated
• Orchestrated
• Reorganized
• Resolved
• Restructured
• Spearheaded

2. Instead of “Developed” (or “Created”), Use…

When you create a new product or procedure, you’ve developed or created something. 

• Administered
• Built
• Designed
• Established
• Founded
• Formed
• Launched
• Pioneered

3. Instead of “Saved,” Use…

Whether it’s time or money, saving something for your employer is an accomplishment you want to call attention to.

• Conserved
• Consolidated
• Lessened
• Reduced
• Slashed

4. Instead of “Increased,” Use…

Whether you retained more customers or brought in new revenue, describe what you did as dynamically as possible.

• Accelerated
• Advanced
• Amplified
• Boosted
• Enhanced
• Expanded
• Generated
• Grew
• Maximized
• Outpaced

5. Instead of “Changed” or “Improved,” Use…

The existing procedures might be fine, but you made a few tweaks to make them even better.

• Boosted
• Centralized
• Converted
• Integrated
• Merged
• Modified
• Overhauled
• Redesigned
• Refocused
• Restructured
• Revamped
• Simplified
• Standardized
• Streamlined
• Strengthened
• Transformed

6. Instead of “Managed” or “Supervised,” Use…

Managing and supervising people is often something to highlight on your resume. But in a leadership role, you do more than manage or supervise, so swap in a few action verbs to spotlight it.

• Cultivated
• Evaluated
• Fostered
• Guided
• Hired
• Inspired
• Instructed
• Mentored
• Motivated
• Nurtured
• Recruited
• Taught
• Trained
• Unified

7. Instead of “Responsible for,” Use…

Yes, you’re responsible for your duties. But “responsible” is implied when you have a job (and easily the most overused word on resumes). Try shaking your bullet points up!

• Completed
• Executed
• Forged
• Navigated
• Negotiated
• Partnered
• Performed
• Prepared
• Produced
• Secured
• Succeeded (in)
• Undertook

8. Instead of “Supported,” Use…

Support comes in many forms. You might support clients and customers, but you might also support coworkers and projects.

• Advised
• Advocated
• Aided
• Answered
• Coached
• Collaborated
• Consulted
• Educated
• Helped
• Partnered
• Resolved

9. Instead of “Researched,” Use…

Research doesn’t just apply to lab roles. When you research something, you’re taking a deep dive into the information, then interpreting what it all means.

• Analyzed
• Assessed
• Audited
• Checked
• Evaluated
• Examined
• Forecasted
• Identified
• Interpreted
• Mapped
• Measured
• Proved
• Qualified
• Tested
• Tracked

10. Instead of “Communicated,” Use…

Whether written or verbal, communicating is a crucial soft skill in every job. But there’s more than one way to say it!

• Authored
• Coauthored
• Composed
• Conveyed
• Critiqued
• Documented
• Edited
• Illustrated
• Persuaded
• Promoted
• Publicized

11. Instead of “Achieved” or “Accomplished,” Use…

There are far more descriptive and action-oriented verbs you can use to describe what you achieved and accomplished.

• Attained
• Capitalized
• Completed
• Demonstrated
• Drove
• Earned
• Exceeded
• Generated
• Outperformed
• Shattered
• Surpassed

12. Instead of “Assisted,” Use…

Whether or not the word “assistant” is in your title, you likely assist people in your role.

• Aided
• Boosted
• Helped
• Coached
• Cooperated
• Collaborated
• Expedited
• Facilitated
• Maintained
• Reinforced

13. Instead of “Utilized,” Use…

You utilize software, hardware, and even analytical skills.

• Applied
• Deployed
• Employed
• Exerted
• Handled
• Mobilized
• Operated
• Restored

Use More Than Action Verbs

Simply adding these action verbs to your resume won’t be enough to help your resume stand out, though. Make sure you leverage action verbs on your resume to help explain how you got results for your employer.

For example, if your bullet point says:

• Created new invoicing system

Swap in some action verbs to liven things up:

• Implemented new invoicing system to increase on-time payments

That’s a great bullet point. It’s dynamic and action-oriented, clearly explaining what you did and why. Now, add in some metrics so the employer gets a better idea of what hiring you could mean for them:

• Implemented new invoicing system, which increased on-time payments by 50%, generating an additional $500k revenue per quarter

Not only does this bullet point incorporate some strong action verbs, but it also helps the hiring manager see how your actions improved your employer’s bottom line.

Describe What You Do

Your resume is a summary of your professional skills and experience. And while you might have an interesting career story and the background to qualify your for the role, adding action verbs to your resume will help bring that story to life.

The post 147 Action Verbs for Your Resume (Examples) appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Why do we say that? Well, you already know that a tailored resume and cover letter are critical. So, you’re most likely struggling to create a unique one for each job that catches the recruiter’s eye, right? And ideally, you don’t want to spend all day doing it.

Have no fear! With a few simple tips, you can make your cover letter stand out from the crowd. When you take a step back and realize the potential that a cover letter gives you to really express your enthusiasm for the role, you might start to actually enjoy the process.

Cover Letter Basics

Why do you need a cover letter to begin with? After creating a tailored resume, what more is there to share?

A cover letter helps the hiring manager better understand who you are and why you want to work for their company. It’s more than just a piece of paper; it’s your opportunity to tell your story. You get the chance to infuse your personality and energy into a cover letter with far greater impact than you can in a resume. You’ll tell the recruiter what makes you the perfect person for the job by sharing your thoughts on aspects unique to the company and signifying your focus on this position.

Do You Always Need a Cover Letter?

While some resumes can get away without one, most recruiters expect to see a cover letter. After all, if you’re passionate about working for a specific company, then it should be easy for you to explain why! Plus, using a cover letter gives you a chance to introduce yourself.

More: Are Cover Letters Necessary?

Basics of Writing a Great Cover Letter

Writing a good cover letter is like writing an essay. You need to make your piece interesting and exciting! You’ll want to follow some basic instructions, and start with a clear introduction, but after that, it’s all about your tone of voice and finding inspiration in the company’s mission statement or job requirements. It might not be easy at first, but with practice, you’ll find it’s easy to express your enthusiasm.

What Should You Include in Your Cover Letter?

Essentially, your cover letter should include four key elements:

• Who you are
• What position you’re applying for
• How you got interested in the job/company/industry
• What skills and experiences make you a terrific fit for the role

Here’s an example of how you can put these elements together:

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am writing to express my interest in the open accountant position at ABC Inc. As I was researching your company, I found myself impressed by your mission statement and the strides you’ve made as a corporation over the past decade. You care deeply about your customers and their experience with your products. It’s displayed in the volunteer events that your team participates in, such as the Habitat for Humanity build last December and your veteran support initiatives.

I was delighted to see an accounting position open up, as that is a perfect match for my skills and experience. Ever since I was little, I have loved numbers—they’re so precise! So, taking an interest in finance seemed like a no-brainer when I went to college. While working for three years at XYZ Corporation as part of their accounting department, I managed the community giving fund. I realized that accounting roles do much more than just record numbers. They ensure that the company can continue to thrive and support its mission and goals.

I’d love to help you take the next step with ABC Inc. and grow your company even further! I look forward to meeting with you in person, and I hope that this letter shows you how truly invested I am in working for your team.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Phone number]

[Email]

As you can see, the first paragraph shares what position the applicant is interested in and expresses interest in the company. The second explains why the applicant is passionate about the role and how their skills are a perfect fit.

Essential Cover Letter Guidelines

To make sure that your piece stands out, follow these guidelines:

1. Keep it under one page
2. Leave some white space
3. Use paragraphs, rather than bullets or blocks of text
4. Make it easy to read by using clear fonts and keeping the reader in mind
5. Use action verbs, present-tense, and active language throughout
6. Make sure that you reference specific job requirements. Don’t just summarize your resume or say that you meet all their qualifications!
7. Proofread constantly for typos/grammar mistakes!

This last one is essential. Typos and spelling errors are the first things that employers will notice. If they think you aren’t detail-oriented and can’t communicate effectively through writing, they will generally send your submission to the “pass” file.

Writing a Cover Letter Without Experience

Can you write an effective cover letter when you don’t have any experience in the field? Yes! Consider any volunteer experience that you’ve had. You can also use student internships, coursework from your major, or an alternative spring/summer program, like AmeriCorps.

If you’re still having trouble thinking of experience that directly relates, focus on the skills that you have developed. Can you speak another language? Are you great at accounting for your budget every month? Do you know how to build a strong network of professionals in your field? Express your enthusiasm for the role and share how your transferable skills would be a great fit.

A Cover Letter Allows You to Share Your Story

Remember, the employer already has your resume. Your cover letter is meant to communicate why you think the company is incredible and why you’d love to work for them. This is an ideal place to show some of the research you’ve done. They’ll see that you’re not simply submitting applications en masse but genuinely think they are a great culture fit.

The post How to Write a Cover Letter: Essential Tips & Examples appeared first on Job-Hunt.

Mentioning your “gold stars” on your resume may seem like overkill or that you’re bragging. However, including awards, scholarships, and other outstanding achievements on your resume can help your application rise to the top of the hiring manager’s “must interview” pile.

Why You Should Add Awards and Scholarships to Your Resume

No matter the field or job market, your resume helps make the case why the hiring manager should pick you over the other applicants. If it comes down to you and one other candidate, having awards and scholarships on your resume can give you the edge you need to land the job offer.

Beyond being impressive, awards and scholarships help demonstrate that you have the skills and qualifications to do the job. Instead of claiming you can do X or Y, awards and scholarships prove that someone else agrees you can do X or Y so well that they gave you an award for it!

Which Ones to Include

As proud as you should be of all of your accomplishments, you shouldn’t include every single one on your resume. Not only does it take up a lot of space, but it’s also unlikely your perfect attendance award from third grade will help you get the job!

Only include the awards or scholarships that are relevant to the role and prove that you have the skills for the job. The exceptions are if you’re a recent graduate and have general scholarships you want to highlight or the award is well-known and prestigious (like an Oscar).

Likewise, the awards you include on your resume when you’re right out of high school or college are very different from the awards you might add when you’re mid-career. Getting a four-year paid scholarship to college is impressive but may not be relevant 20 years later when you’re applying for a C-suite position.

Below are some examples of the different types of awards and scholarships you may want to consider adding to your resume.

School Awards

• Honor roll
• Department award
• Fellowship
• Honor society membership
• Scholarships
• Grants

Company Awards

• Top performer
• Leadership award
• Mentorship award
• Peer award

Industry Awards

• Well-known and respected awards for your industry
• Inclusion on a round-up list (30 Under 30, for example)
• Association awards

Other Awards

• Athletic awards
• Community service or volunteer awards
• Military awards or commendations
• Well-known awards (Eagle Scout)

How to List Awards or Scholarships on Your Resume

To get the most out of your awards and scholarships, include on your resume the relevant information that gives context and meaning to your achievements. 

Award Name

List the name of the award or scholarship exactly as it appears elsewhere (online, official documentation, etc.).

Year Awarded

In addition to the year, note how often the award is given (monthly, quarterly, or even yearly, if you know).

Who Awarded It

List the name of the awarding body, particularly if it’s not obvious from the award name. That said, depending on the entity that gives the award, you may want to leave the specific name out and use something more general. Saying “state political party” is more neutral than saying which political party gave you the award.

Why the Award is Given

This information is optional, but if it’s not apparent from the award name (Volunteer of the Year), describe what the award is for or what it recognizes.

The Competition

How many people were you up against for this award? Was this nationwide or your department? If you can quantify how large the pool was, include that information so the reader understands how competitive the award is.

Why You Won

Though this is an optional section, including why you won can help quantify your achievement. For example, if you won for Best Advertorial, explain what you did or why your campaign won. 

Where to List Awards or Scholarships on Your Resume

You can include your awards or scholarships in several sections of your resume. However, consistency is key. Highlight your awards on only one section of your resume instead of sprinkling them throughout. 

Here’s what formatted award information looks like for each resume section.

Experience Section

List the award as a bullet point under a job title:

• Top Sales Associate 2017, 2018, 2019: One of five sales associates nationally (total of 200 associates) to rank in top 10% of sales

Education Section

An award or scholarship is a bullet point under the degree information:

• Dean’s List: Fall 2018 – Spring 2021 (all 8 semesters)
• Outstanding Senior, 2018: Awarded to one graduating senior for excellent grades and commitment to the school community
• President’s Scholarship: Full tuition scholarship awarded for academic excellence

Awards Section

Depending on your situation, a dedicated awards section may make more sense. Format this section similar to the work history section, though you may not need as many bullet points. For example:

Volunteer of the Year for [Name of Organization]: 2020

• Awarded to one volunteer out of 3,000 statewide for consistent and dedicated commitment to the organization
• Volunteered for over [X hours] per month
• [Information about the specifics of the work]

Summary Section

It may make sense to include the award information in the summary of qualifications statement. This ensures it’s at the top of your resume and is likely one of the first things a recruiter sees when they review your resume:

Dedicated and award-winning customer service professional and three-time winner of the Most 5-Star Customer Reviews Award.

Take Pride In Your Achievements

Think of adding relevant awards and scholarships to your resume this way: you’re providing third-party proof that you have the skills and abilities to get the job done!

The post How to List Awards, Scholarships, and Honors on Your Resume appeared first on Job-Hunt.