Creating a standout CV and cover letter is crucial in today’s competitive job market. At Surejobs.com.ng, we believe in making the right impression on future employers. The long description from this chapter should, therefore, be a guide in creating documents that are going to catch the eye of the hiring manager to secure your dream job.
Understanding the Basics
CV (Curriculum Vitae):
- Length: Usually 2-3 pages.
- Content: Detailed information regarding career, education, work experience, skills, and achievements.
- Purpose: Provide an overview of your work experience.
Cover Letter:
- Length: 1 page.
- Content: Customised letter detailing why you are the best man/woman for the position.
- Purpose: To introduce yourself and provide an overview of your major qualifications that are included in your CV.
How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You Hired
Contact Information:
- Your name
- Telephone number
- Email address
- LinkedIn address
Professional Summary:
A brief 2-3 sentence summary of your career goals and major qualifications.
Work Experience:
- Provide your work experience in reverse chronological order.
- Include the job title, company name, location, and dates of employment.
- Use bullet points to describe the responsibilities and achievements.
Education:
- List education in reverse chronological order.
- Include the degree obtained, institution name, and date of graduation.
Skills:
- Outline relevant skills that fit the description of the job at hand.
- Bullet points for clarity.
Certifications and Awards:
- Include relevant certifications, awards, or honors.
Additional Sections:
Consider including sections such as Volunteer Experience, Publications, or Languages if they are appropriate for the position.
Writing an Effective Cover Letter
Header:
- Include your contact information in addition to the date.
- Include the employer's contact information.
Salutation:
- Address the hiring manager by name, if possible.
Introduction:
- Use a very strong opening sentence to get attention.
- Follow with the job you are applying for and the place where you learned about the position.
Body:
First Paragraph: Show interest in the role and the company.
Second Paragraph: Describe relevant skills and experiences to the reader.
Third Paragraph: Point out specific examples of achievements pertaining to this job.
Closing:
- Summarize why you are the best person to be hired for this position.
- Add an action item, such as requesting an interview.
- Thank the reader for their time to have read through your letter and for considering your application.
Sign-Off:
- Use a professional closing like "Sincerely" or "Best regards."
- Mention your name and contact information.
4. Tips for Success
- Customize: Customise your Resume and Letter for every application.
- Use Keywords: Use the Keywords mentioned in the Job Description to pass through ATS systems.
- Proofread: Make sure there are no spelling and grammatical errors.
- Concise: Write simple and clear.
- Show Interest: Mention your interest in the Position and Organisation.
CV Sample
Name: [Your Name]Address: [Your Address]Phone: [Your Phone Number]Email: [Your Email Address]LinkedIn: [Your LinkedIn Profile]Website: surejobs.com.ngObjective:To build a challenging career, which will utilize my skills and experience in areas of: [Your Key Skills].Education:[Degree], [Major][University Name, [Year of Graduation]]Experience:[Job Title], [Company Name][Month/Year] – [Month/Year]Achieved [Key Achievement]Managed [Responsibility]Improved [Outcome]Skills:[Skill 1][Skill 2][Skill 3]Certifications:[Certification Name], [Year]References:Available upon request.Cover Letter Sample[Your Name][Your Address][City, State, ZIP Code][Your Email Address][Today's Date][Employer's Name][Company's Name][Company's Address][City, State, ZIP Code]Dear [Employer's Name],I hereby wish to apply formally for the position of [Job Title] as advertised on surejobs.com.ng. I am a graduate in [Your Field], and this career opportunity would be particularly exciting to work on since I am very interested in [Relevant Interest].In my previous role at [Previous Company], I had the opportunity to achieve [Key Achievement], which clearly illustrates the probability of myself performing [Relevant Skill]. I find my background and competence make me a strong candidate for this position.One of the major reasons I am interested in [Company's Name] is due to [Reason for Interest in Company]. I am so enthusiastic about bringing my expertise in [Your Key Skills] to your team and helping in attaining [Company's Goal or Mission].Thank you for considering my application. I appreciate the opportunity that explains how my background, skills, and certifications can be useful for [Company's Name].Sincerely,[Your Name]
Conclusion
By following these guidelines, you will be well on your way to developing a winning CV and cover letter to help you stand out in the job market. A well-written CV and cover letter could be all that will give you the edge to land that dream job of yours. Surejobs.com.ng is here to help you attain the best tips and resources for success through your career journey. Good luck!
