I love resumes and cover letters. I mean, it might be unhealthy how much I love them. There’s something fun about reading someone’s work trajectory and trying to get a sense for who they are. As someone who has been on many a search committee, I get to do that often, thank goodness! I know, what a nerd.
So when it comes to resumes and cover letters, I’ll keep things really simple. A job description is a checklist. You will want to make sure that both your cover letter/resume address the qualifications they are seeking. The first person that will review your resume is a bot. Yes, Hal 9000 is all up in your resume/cover letter. Hal is looking for key words/phrases that match what the employer is looking for. Hal will rank your resume based on the word search and that will be shared with the employer who will give it another read and decide whether or not to invite you for an interview.
Oh and yes you will have to rewrite your resume for every single job you are applying for.
For LinkedIn , the good news is that this is your repository for all things: roles, recommendations, organizations, you name it. It’s a great place for establishing your brand. Again, Hal 9000 is being paid by recruiters and employers who are looking for YOU. Your word choice matters! Don’t neglect your linkedin profile. Log in from time to time, contribute to other’s posts, celebrate other’s wins.
Finally, with resumes, cover letters, linkedin, etc., go with your gut - there are many people giving advice out there (myself included), but if you are happy with how it looks, submit it. Even with the downturn in the economy, folks are hiring if you know where to look.
And Hal 9000 is indeed looking.