How to Write a CV Cover Letter: Don’t let cover letters be a roadblock preventing your search from moving forward. These easy steps which will lead you through the process of writing good CV Cover Letters quickly.

A. Address Your Audience in your CV Cover Letter.

Different audiences dictate different introductions.

Consider these guidelines:

• Whenever possible, write to an individual by name in your application cover letter. This creates a better impression and gives you a better opportunity for follow-up. Don’t be afraid to call a company and ask who your letter should go to. (Just be prepared with your professional introduction, in case you get that person on the line!)

• When responding to an online posting or ad, where you are likely one of dozens if not hundreds of applicants, don’t worry so much about writing to an individual. In these cases, it’s perfectly okay to omit the salutation—especially the outdated openings “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern”—and simply use a clear, concise subject line (“Re: VP Marketing”) as the opening to you CV Cover Letter.

 B. Be Clear.

While most readers enjoy a snappy, interesting opening more than the standard, “I’m writing inresponse to your posting,” never sacrifice clarity for cleverness. Be sure that the opening of your CV Cover letter clearly communicates why you are writing and why the reader should care. For example:

“Your need for a VP of Marketing is a close fit for my experience at Megacorp and my proven ability to drive up revenues, successfully launch new products, and steer growth in strategic channels.”

 C. Communicate Value.

The body of your CV Cover Letter should tell the reader what they care about—namely, what you can do for them. You can best communicate your value through specific accomplishments rather than vague statements. A bullet-point format is extremely useful for highlighting three or four relevant points, and this format forces you to keep your letter to a concise, readable length.

You can easily tailor this section of your letter to the specific needs of your audience—whether described in a job posting, related to you by a networking source, or learned through research. Use your accomplishments as evidence of your ability to assist them with precisely the challenges they are facing. Consider these three value-packed bullet points that make up the body of an executive’s CV Cover Letter:

• Revenue Expansion: During my tenure as VP Marketing/Sales, we averaged 24% annual revenue growth during a time of industry contraction. Our strong brand and benefit-focused product development were pivotal to our ability to steal market share from competitors.

• Successful Product Introduction: Launched the same year astwo key competitors, MegaSystem grew to 43% market share within two years; MegaAddon penetrated 78% of existing product users; and the entire MegaMini line was recognized as Product of the Year by the NAITP.

• Strategic Growth: Our MegaMini launches met the corporate goal of successfully penetrating the consumer market, which now represents 27% of company revenues.

D. Don’t Overdo It.

After delivering your value message in your CV Cover Letter, provide just enough information to give your audience a sense for your scope of experience and key selling points. Don’t overwhelm readers with too much detail; don’t retell your entire career history; don’t feel you must respond to every requirement listed in an ad in your application Cover Letter; and don’t go overboard relating your personal attributes.

In fact, if your letter is too long, your paragraphs too dense and wordy, your audience may give up before finishing. Your goal is simply to entice them to read your resume and want to know more about you, inviting a call for an interview.

Here’s an example of a semi-final paragraph:

• “In brief, I am an accomplished marketing executive with experience developing and executing global marketing strategies for Fortune 500 companies. My deepest expertise is in technology products (business and consumer), and I have a solid background in classical marketing methodologies for the CPG industry. My strengths in vision, strategy, and execution are complemented by a talent for building high-performing, highly motivated teams… we work hard, smart, and aggressively to achieve our goals and outdo the competition.”

E. Exit Gracefully from your CV Cover Letter.

You’ve said your piece, given your readers the initial information they need to evaluate your candidacy. End your CV Cover Letter on a positive note, expressing your interest in a meeting. Again, it’s more important to be clear than to be clever, but try keeping your language fresh by avoiding language that is overused. Here’s an example of a brief, positive closing paragraph:

• “May we schedule a time to meet? I’d like to learn more about this interesting opportunity and explore the fit between my background and your needs. I will call within a few days to answer any questions you might have and to discuss the next steps.”

If you are not writing to an individual, you cannot state that you will call to follow up. Otherwise, you should take the initiative to make contact a few days after sending your letter—just as you would with any important business correspondence.

There you have it! Each time you write a CV Cover Letter, save it to use as a template for the next letter. Soon you’ll have a library of good letters filled with apt phrases, strong accomplishment statements, and graceful opening and closing paragraphs that you can use repeatedly to keep your search moving forward quickly and smoothly.

If you would like assistance in how to write you CV Cover Letter, please call Power Resume Writing Services email us on info@powerresumes.com.au 

Teachers resumes are often difficult to write, primarily due to the fact that teachers undertake so many different roles within the one position. Teachers will be expected to be a guidance counsellor, a strategic planner, a conflict negotiation expert and much much more! Accordingly, there are many skills teachers possess that range outside the traditional list of responsibilities. However, instead of viewing this as an obstacle to writing your CV, I suggest you see this as an opportunity to shine through your teachers resume, showcasing the lengths you go to when providing children’s education.

Teacher employment is a hot topic today, encompassing the issue of underpayment in the face of increasing teacher responsibilities and expectations from schools, government and parents alike. So whether you are looking for a teacher employment position within the private or public system, we understand your endeavour to find the right teaching position for you. Here are 3 tips to writing teachers resumes that I use, to help you formulate teachers resumes.

1. Don’t List your Responsibilities in Teachers Resume

Apart from the fact that this is an out-dated practice, it really does not show the scope of what you are able to achieve in your position and the intricacies that exist within your workplace that you deal with. Instead, list your major achievements within your teaching positions that link to the requirements of the job description. Don’t underestimate the power of being specific. If you’ve done something once with a great result, instead of stated it as a responsibility in general terms, a school will know you can do it again.

2. Remember to be Specific in Teachers Resume

As stated above, situational evidence is respected in resumes. Don’t get into the trap of thinking, ‘I do that all the time, it’s obvious.’ Provide an example!

3. Do Not Waffle in Teachers Resume

Specific points, related to the job ad are what needs to be included. Soft skills will naturally be included as these are an essential component to the job, but do not rely completely on qualitative evidence. Any exact measurements of improvements that you have made within the school system or for a child are ideal to include in your teachers resume.    

 

So to get your dream teacher employment position, remember these hints when writing your resume. Alternatively, you can contact Power Resume Writing Services on info@powerresumes.com.au for help and advice on the creation of your teachers resume from our experienced writing professionals. Good luck and happy writing.

 

How to write a resume?

A stumbling block that many people face when beginning their job search.

What to write in a resume?

Whilst there is a certain amount of skill in the ability to articulate our-self through the written word, there are some hints that we, as professional resume writers, can provide to you on how to write a resume.

Below are some guidelines to follow to write a resume accumulated from reviewing executive resumes for more than 15 years.

I’ve come to recognize five significant mistakes that most people make when writing a resume. Attention to any one—or, better yet, all five—of these areas will improve the effectiveness of your resume and, in turn, increase the speed and effectiveness of your job search.

 

1. Resume is not targetted to a specific job or industry.

Can readers tell—immediately—who you are (your functional area of expertise, probable job titles, and industry expertise)? Do they know—instantly—what you’re good at and your most impressive career achievements? If you resume does not have a clear focus, or create an instant positive impression, the reader will wonder why they are using their time to read any further.

Not only that, but if you don’t establish context right up front, you diminish the meaning and impact of all the information that follows.

You’ll lose many readers who will not take the time or make the effort to delve into the depths of your resume. Not only that, but if you don’t establish context right up front, you diminish the meaning and impact of all the information that follows.

 

2. Poor organization, structure, and resume format.

In today’s fast-paced world, attention spans are short. In writing a resume you must be crisp, concise, and compelling. It must present “sound bites” that jump off the page and have an immediate impact on the reader. In advertising language, you must convey your “USP”—unique selling proposition—what it is that makes you special and different from the competition.

When applying for jobs in Australian, this doesn’t mean that your resume has to be brief. It does mean that it must be well organized and the resume format should be crisp so that readers can quickly skim through to pick up the information they need.

The organization and structure of your resume should guide readers through the document, encouraging them to pause on important facts(such as job titles, company names, and key accomplishments) and providing easily absorbed chunks of information so that they don’t get bogged down.

To accomplish this, be sure to break up your resume format. Edit or subdivide long paragraphs so each is no more than four or five lines. Break up long lists of bullet points so that no more than four or five appear before some kind of break that provides “breathing space” for the reader.

Again, don’t think your resume has to be short. For most executives, two to  three pages is ideal. And you can pack a lot of information into those pages if the material is organized and structured in a way that makes it easy to follow.

3. Emphasis on job details rather than accomplishments in your resume.

What’s more important—what your job consisted of or what you did in that job? Career professionals, recruiters, and hiring authorities agree that your unique contributions are the most critical information on your resume.

Australian recruiters want to see the scope of your experience, and they want a snapshot of how your job fitted in with the organisational structure.

It’s important to provide the context of your positions in your resume. But keep that information brief, and focus on what you did within that context—how you grew the organization, increased profitability, improved efficiency, boosted competitive advantage, outperformed competitors, and other key benchmarks of executive performance within your area of expertise.

4. Vague, unsubstantiated, or meaningless accomplishments within your resume.

You might think you’ve focused on your accomplishments in your resume content, but take a critical look at what you’ve included. Are your statements vague (“Improved market position”), unsubstantiated (“Achieved significant revenue growth”), or meaningless—not really accomplishments (“Led a task force on efficiency and productivity”)?

You will need to delve deep to uncover the real results and meaning of your achievements. This will make all the difference in your resume.

5. Inclusion of nonessential or irrelevant information in your resume.

Does your resume have a clear, consistent focus? Or have you included information such as irrelevant projects or long-ago job details that will sidetrack readers? Everything in your resume should add value.

Don’t take up valuable space in your new resume with information that is not material to your current career goal.

“Avoid these 5 ‘Resume Writing’ mistakes”

Follow these guidelines to ensure your resume crisp, concise, and compelling to capture attention in a crowded market.

 

#1 Ranked Australian Resume Writing Services

If you need help to write a resume, want to see how to format your new resume  or would like to view some resume examples, please feel free to contact Power Resume Writing Services on info@powerresumes.com.au

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If you are concerned that your Selection Criteria Responses are letting your job application down, here are 5 tips on common errors to avoid, so that your submission doesn’t go straight into the recycle bin.

1. Not Including any Selection Criteria Response Examples

The purpose of Key Selection Criteria is to provide recruiters with evidence that you can perform a certain skill/task effectively. Without one or more specific examples in your response to Selection Criteria, you will be considered “unqualified” for the position.

2. Detailing Irrelevant Selection Criteria Examples

Interpreting Key Selection Criteria can be challenging, which we believe is often the intentions of those who have created them! The test is to see whether applicants can divulge what the organisation is looking for and provide selection criteria response examples that meet the essence of the response question.

3. Utilizing Weak Key Selection Criteria Examples

Many of us struggle to remember the tasks, duties or achievements we have had in previous employment positions. In addition, a lot of people struggle to promote themselves using their biggest achievements. However, this is not the place to be modest, choosing lower level examples won’t impress recruiters and will, once again, make you appear ‘unqualified”.

4. Providing out-of-context Responses to Selection Criteria

You may come up with a relevant example that appears strong, but if it occurred in a situation completely unrelated to the future job role then try to avoid using it. It won’t prove that you are the correct fit for the role.

5. Conflicting Resume & LinkedIn Information

If your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile don’t back up your Selection Criteria Responses, it will look suspicious. You need to make sure that all documents are congruent with each other, to certify your honesty and further demonstrate your competency to perform the requirements of the role.
Avoid these common mistakes in Selection Criteria Responses to enhance the standard of your application.

View FREE Selection Criteria Response Examples.

Selection Criteria Response Examples 1

Selection Criteria Response Examples 2

Power Resume Writing Services can also help you create your Selection Criteria Responses with tailored packages or alternatively, you can purchase one of our successful Key Selection Criteria E-books that are full of powerful examples of the best ways to respond to Key Selection Criteria.

 

So you’ve made the decision to advance your career, increase your skills or are simply looking for a career change. But where do you start?

If your resume hasn’t been updated for a 1 or more years and you’re not sure that it meets current industry standards, a FREE Resume Check Service might be the perfect solution for you.

If your time is valuable, we suggest you don’t waste even an hour wondering where to start on making your new resume. We make your life easy and save you from staring hopelessly at your computer hoping for inspiration, or trawling the net looking for the right resume writing tips. Power Resume Writing Services can provide you with a FREE Resume Check Service and Quote, obligation free, which will provide you with the direction you need!

The requirements of recruiters have changed dramatically in the last decade. Therefore, to stand out from the crowd you need to meet and surpass their expectations. The team at Power Resume Writing Services will conduct your resume check service by considering the following criteria in your current CV.

Content of a Resume

1. Scope of Information- What information you have included that is relevant or non-relevant and what recruiters need to see more of.

2. Quantifiable achievements- The days where we simply listed our key responsibilities are gone. Our certified resume writer will review your CV for measurable results and assess whether your current resume contains enough of this crucial information.

3. Writing Expression-Does your resume flow seamlessly? Are you expressing yourself in the most persuasive way? Power Resume Writing Services will check that your style of writing isn’t letting you down.

4. Writing Style– Is it too casual or too formal for the role to which you wish to apply? Power Resume Writers have experience in a vast array of industries and with positions from entry level to CEO and Board Appointments. This evaluation will help you to make your resume is accurately targeted.

5. Spelling and Grammar- The best way to ruin your first impression on recruiters is with spelling errors. This is an obvious but crucial mistake that many people make.

Formatting of a Resume

Once again, your resume needs to make a positive first impression by looking professional and appealing. Power Resume Writing Services will provide tips on areas such as colours, headings and sections to include that will help you create a resume that will catch a recruiter’s eye.
All these elements are assessed in accordance to the roles that you wish to apply for. This is how Power Resume Writing Services are able to provide Australia’s highest quality resume writing advice.

Be wary of Australian resume writing services that offer to evaluate your resume without relevant job information. How can they tell if your resume meets requirements if they don’t know what those requirements are? Here at Power Resume Writing Services, we will ask that you send us up to three job ads for roles you wish to apply for so that we can analyse the deficits of your current documents and give you the most valuable information.

All evaluations will be accompanied by recommendations for improvement and hints on how to improve the standard to make a new professional resume. You are also able to request a quote for the professional writing of you documents by the Power Resume Writing Services Team.

To be provided with a FREE Resume Check Service today, email up to three job ads and your current resume to info@PowerResumes.com.au and let the team at Power Resume Writing Services help you achieve your career goal
.

We recently had a client reach out to us who was in the IT space, he called us and expressed his frustrations with breaking into the Melbourne IT. job market.

He was one of those typical quiet, unassuming types that found it difficult to express what he did in his positions, let alone promoting himself to recruiters.

And he’s not alone, it’s extremely difficult to make a resume for IT, so we have asked our professional resume writers to come up with their top five tips on how to write a IT resume.

1. Overview or Professional Summary Section of an IT Resume

To begin your resume it is essential to include a Professional Summary that provides an overview of your key skills, as they relate to the requirements in the job ad for the position that you want to apply for. Select 3 or 4 requirements from the job description that you feel are vital to the role and briefly state your capability in these areas. Do not speak in first person (ie do not use ‘I’ or ‘my’ within your IT Resume).

2. Skills Summary Section of an IT Resume

Particularly in the case of IT resumes, an Expertise Offered section is a good way to get your key words included in your document in a quick and easy manner. Include the skills that you hold, using wording from the job ad requirements-but only if you have demonstrated experience in them and they are expanded on later in your document. In higher level IT roles this section can also be extended to include a Technical Specialities section where relevant information such as Architectures or Methodologies can be included. See the sample resumes below for possible formatting options.

3. Career Highlights Section of an IT Resume

A professional with more than 8 years experience with the IT industry will benefit from a career highlights section on the first page. This emphasises your greatest triumphs in the work force and provide recruiters with a brief snapshot of what they should expect to see further through the document. If you are a IT professional with significant experience you would include your education after your work experience.

4. Education / Qualification Section of an IT Resume

Depending on whether you are a graduate or an experienced professional, where you include your Education/Qualification within your IT resume, will change. As a graduate, most of your experience will come from your university studies and so, your Education/Qualifications can be listed on the first page to lead into your relevant experience. This may include details of key subject or projects which highlight your ability to fulfil the requirements of the offered position.

5. Work History / Professional Experience Section of an IT Resume

Your Relevant Experience or Work History should include relevant examples that support your ability to perform various tasks within the organisation. The key here is not to list your responsibilities. This is an out-dated practice that merely shows a recruiter that you do what is expected and not what benefits you are capable of achieving for a potential employer. Try thinking about great results that you have made possible within your previous position, and what skills you used to achieve these.

Finally, the essence of the difficulty in writing a resume is expressing yourself in a succinct manner and in a way that others can understand. If you are having trouble writing down what it is you do, get a friend to read over your work for you and prompt you as to where better explanation is needed. You will then be able to view your work from an outsider’s perspective.

Another hint for the especially complex tech terms or processes is to Google their explanations and find the versions that cater to the layman. This way you will ensure that the information you include will not be too complex for any recruiter who may not specialize in your area of IT merely shows a recruiter that you do what is expected and not what benefits you are capable of achieving for a potential employer. Try thinking about great results that you have made possible within your previous position, and what skills you used to achieve these.

These are 5 key elements to consider when putting together your IT resume, however they are just the beginning of the work that we at Power Resume Writing Services do. To find out more about what we can do for you, follow this link for a FREE resume check service and quote and let Power Resume Writing Services help you on your path to a new career.