A resume is a concise, written snapshot of your accomplishments and experience to date, designed to give an employer a quick view of your background and to create a favorable impression. The cover letter is an individually addressed letter that explains why an employer should pay attention to you and why a particular job or organization is appropriate for you. A cover letter accompanies a resume and, therefore, should highlight your strengths (as appropriate for the position), not repeat your resume. This letter should be interesting — give specific examples to back up the strengths you wish to highlight and be clear about the aspects of the position (and/or organization) that interest you.

To see example resumes and find templates, see our Resume and Cover Letter Guides in the Featured Resources section below.

Featured Articles

How to Write a Cover Letter | 10 Tips for Getting Noticed

Illustration by Marian Blair

The. Dreaded. Cover. Letter.

We all hope to find ways to stand out during our job search, and how best to convey “I’m perfect for this job!” to prospective employers. We also know that taking the …

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Ask Alexis | Should I Include Potentially Controversial Volunteer Experience On My Resume?

Dear Ask Alexis,

Over the last few years, I’ve been doing quite a bit of volunteering. I’m concerned, however, that some of my stints may be just a little controversial depending on the organization I’m applying to work for now …

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Here’s What You Should—and Shouldn’t—Capitalize on Your Resume

As a career coach, I’ve worked alongside recruiters and heard their complaints as they review resumes. I remember one squinting at the screen as she tried to read a resume with tiny font, and another telling me she doesn’t even …

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Hobbies and Interests: Should They Be on Your Resume?

If you’ve ever used a resume template you might have noticed a section for “extracurricular activities” or “hobbies and interests.” Today we’re going to talk about how to use this to your advantage, as well as what to avoid.

A …

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Creating an Effective Resume with Little to No Work Experience

When you’re ready to start your job search for the first time, you might feel as though the deck is stacked against you. With limited work experience, or perhaps none at all, you’ll need to craft your resume so that …

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Featured Resources

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