Resumes and Cover Letters That Don't Suck

A hiring manager will look at your resume for about seven seconds before making a decision. Seven seconds. That’s less time than it takes to watch a social media video. For your first job or volunteer position, you won’t have a long work history. That’s okay. Your resume isn't about listing every single thing you've ever done. It's about making those seven seconds count.

Think of a resume as a one-page advertisement for you. It summarizes your skills, experiences, and education. A cover letter is a short, personal note that explains why you want this specific job and why you'd be great at it. It's your chance to show some personality.For you, "experience" isn't just about paid jobs. It includes:School projects you led or organizedVolunteer work or community serviceSports teams or clubs you're part ofResponsibilities at home, like caring for a sibling or petAny personal project, like building a website or starting a social media accountSending the same generic resume to 50 places is a waste of time. It’s better to tailor it for 10 jobs you really want. Also, avoid common mistakes. According to researchers, spelling errors are one of the top reasons applicat...

Nia, who is 12, wanted to volunteer at the local animal shelter. The application asked for a 'brief introduction about yourself.' Excited, she wrote two full pages about her pets, her favorite subjects, and how she once found a lost cat. It was long and messy. Her older cousin took a look and smiled. 'Let's focus on what they need to know,' he said. They cut it down to one page, highlighting three key things: she walks her neighbor's dog daily (responsible), she helps care for her two family pets (good with animals), and she has perfect attendance at school (reliable). Nia got the volunteer position. She learned that saying the right things was more powerful than saying everything.