Today I had to talk to two different people about creating their resume and cover letters. While there is a lot of info on the web about creating resumes, using templates, etc. I try to boil things down for my clients so that they can get right to work instead of spending all their time reading the web.
So, my advice was to look at a few samples on the web, and then use a template as a start for creating a resume. I don't really like using the templates exactly; any hiring manager can tell when you have based your resume on a template. But, they are an easy way to give you parameters to get started.
The first client had been out of the workforce for just a few months. She already had a pretty good resume, created with the help of Monster.com. However, she needed advice on cover letters. The point of a good cover letter is to tell the hiring manager how your skills can be of benefit to their company. In her case, I advised her to play up her ability to learn about very specialized products; at her past company, she learned all about Stainless Steel, and for this job she would need to learn a lot about doors. So, the point to remember is that you should show off your skills in such a way as to help the hiring manager imagine how you can best help them in the job.
The second client had worked for her husband for the past 30 years, but had no outside the family experience. She did not have even a rudimentary resume. For her, I advised considering doing a more functional resume, emphasizing the skills she used in her husband's business, and putting the actual company information near the bottom. Her cover letter needs to discuss how her outgoing personality is going to help a hiring manager see her in a sales or promotional position. We'll see how my advice translates to her resume.
