Tips for crafting a cover letter and resume that shine

Alright, early childhood job hunters, let's dive into crafting a cover letter and resume, because first impressions matter and you want to stand out from the crowd! Your cover letter is the first thing that'll make employers want to know more about you. It acts as a self-introduction to the position you’re applying for so it needs to cover your strengths and highlight why they should choose you for the position available. 

So, how do you make it pop? Here we’ve pulled together some tips to turn your application into a spotlight-stealer. 

Mastering the cover letter

Details matter: Before you hit send, make sure you've got the basics right. Check (and double-check) the recipient's details (including their title) and of course, make sure you’ve included your own contact info.

Relevance is key: Tailor your cover letter for the specific job. Focus on highlighting your skills and experiences that match the position. Also, ditch anything generic, make sure you tailor each cover letter to suit the job you’re applying for. 

Keep it snappy: Keep your cover letter to one page or a couple of paragraphs if it's an email. Short, sharp and to the point!

Grammar guru: Proofread like your job depends on it – because it kind of does!

Crafting the resume

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for writing a resume, but we’ve got some key areas that need to be nailed down. It needs to be clear, concise and up-to-date, and it’s worthwhile tailoring it a little for the position you’re going for.



Employers will pay particular attention to your first page, so make sure it looks polished! Make it shine with your career summary, objectives, and skills. 

Summarise: Start with a career summary that covers your experience, skills and what makes you stand out from the crowd in a few impactful sentences. 

List it out: Detail your career history (in chronological order) identifying the employer, position held, duration of employment and key responsibilities. Add your quals and education background as well, including the institution, degree and graduation date. 

Simplicity wins: Keep it short and sweet, stick to the essentials. Aim for a one-to-two page resume that succinctly highlights your key quals and achievements. Graphics and fonts might be fun, however, employers are here for the info. Bonus points – quantify your accomplishments by focusing on key metrics that highlight your skills and experience. 

In the spotlight: Add a section dedicated to showing off your skills. This quick snapshot gives employers a birds eye view of what they’re looking for. 

The extras: Don't forget to attach any academic certificates or references you mention. 

Tip-top attention to detail: Get a second set of eyes on your masterpiece. Ask a friend to check spelling errors and give you the thumbs up on layout.

There you have it, your ticket to creating a cover letter and resume combo that'll have employers wanting you to be a star in their team. Good luck out there!