Cover Letter Vs Resume
Many people think cover letters & resumes are the same, but this is a common misunderstanding. They are not the same at all.
Both of them have separate purposes, but when used together, they can improve your chances of getting hired.
And if you don’t know the difference between the two, you might miss out on job opportunities. In this guide, we’ll explain what each document is, their differences, when to use them, & how to make them impressive.
What is a Cover Letter?
The University of Arizona defined a cover letter as “a written document commonly required for job and internship applications that provides more information and specific examples of the skills and experience listed on your resume.”
A cover letter lets you explain why you’re applying, show your personality, & connect your experience to what the company needs.
These are the key things to know about a cover letter:
Length
The cover letter should be short (just a few quick paragraphs), & it should never go over one page.
Structure
It has a simple format: start with a greeting, introduce yourself, explain why you’re a good match, & then wrap it up with a closing.
Tone
It should sound professional but also a bit personal so the employer can feel your excitement about the job.
Purpose
Its goal is to make the employer see that you’re not only capable but also eager & pumped to work there.
What is a Resume?
According to Indeed, “A resume is a formal document that displays an individual's professional background and relevant skills.”
It’s a formal document that includes your skills, work experience, education, & achievements.
Its main purpose?
To quickly show recruiters why you’re a good fit for the job. No long stories, just the essentials.
These are the important elements of a good resume:
Length
A resume should be short (usually one page if you’re just starting out, or at most two pages if you have lots of experience).
Structure
Resumes follow a clear layout. They have different parts like your contact info, a summary or goal, work experience, education, & skills.
Tone
Tone matters. Your resume should sound professional & focus on facts. Keep it short, simple, & skip the extra words or big blocks of text.
Purpose
The goal is to show the most important things about you clearly. It should be easy for hiring managers to scan & understand quickly.
Main Differences Between a Resume & a Cover Letter
When to Use a Cover Letter, a Resume, or Both?
Usually, employers want to see both a resume & a cover letter. But depending on the situation, you might only send one or the other.
Resume Only
Sometimes, job portals don’t ask for a cover letter or the job itself doesn’t require it. In that case, just send your resume.
Cover Letter Only
Only a cover letter? Not common. But it can happen like if you’re sending an email to connect with someone or applying even though no job is posted.
Both Together
Usually, you send both. The resume tells them what you can do. The cover letter shows who you are & why you want the job. Simple.
Resume & Cover Letter Creation Made Simpler
Creating a professional-grade resume or cover letter from scratch can feel challenging, especially for fresh graduates who don’t know where to start.
That’s where Cvbuilder.io presents the solution. It’s designed to make the entire process of resume & cover letter creation simpler & easier.
Our resume builder lets you craft a top-quality resume in a matter of moments. All you need to do is select your desired template, add your information, & then download your finished resume.
On the other hand, our cover letter templates help you write a personalized cover letter.
With these tools, you’ll save time, avoid formatting headaches, & ensure your documents look professional & ATS-friendly.
Final Takeaway
Cover letters & resumes serve different purposes, but both are important when you’re looking for a job.
Your resume lists your work experience & skills. The cover letter adds emotion & personality, showing why you want the job. Knowing how to create both can help you stand out, so you get noticed by employers & invited for an interview.
And if you need assistance, Cvbuilder.io offers tools/templates to quickly create neat, professional resumes & cover letters that impress.
