Tips for Choosing a Resume and Cover Letter Template

Perhaps the most important weapon in the job search is a strongly put-together resume and cover letter. The resume creates the first impression, while the cover letter allows you to break away from the pack. No matter whether it is your first job or a change in career, using a good template for a customized resume and cover letter will work wonders in standing out in the eyes of the hiring personnel.

Importance of Using ATS Resume Templates

But such great looking resumes don’t work alone today in getting the desired job. They also have to be visible. Most companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to scan resumes before it reaches a recruiter. This means if your resume is not in the correct format according to the system, he/she is as good as rejected outright without ever seeing actual human eyes.

Reassuringly, here is how you can design a resume to give it the best chance of getting through the ATS filters: Modern resume templates are designed across a range of ATS compatibility in mind, meaning that the structure of your resume is aligned with what the system looks for, which increases your chances of getting it into the hands of a hiring manager.

The main and most effective ways of getting noticed is through the rights keywords. ATS scans the resumes for the matching jobs listing of exact words and sentences. If your resume does not match these keywords, it is unlikely to get picked up regardless of how qualified you are, and one can stick to it simply. Enter the job title and the skills needed in the job listing in a tool like ChatGPT that can generate keyword ideas for you, and then add them to your resume.

Or to make it even easier, take the resume builder that comes with ATS functionality, and it will automatically cram into your resume some invisible keywords that will make it rank better in ATS rankings. This way, your resume is more likely to be delivered to the top of search results when hiring managers perform searches for relevant qualifications.

Professional Cover Letter Templates

Just like a template for a resume, a cover letter template presents the design by which one must write a professional and impactful cover letter. The cover letter is part of the initial introduction into the establishment. It highlights your interest in the particular vacancy and how you tie in with the needs of the job.

An effective cover letter template is to show applicants the process they should have followed in writing it to ensure no detail is missed. Precisely what it said helps in making sure that the cover letter’s direction is clear and concise. Customizing such for every listing will then go a long way toward having a memorable application that stands out from the rest of the candidates. You can access free professional cover letter templates here.