Resumes and cover letters play a very important role in the lives of many applicants.

But some applicants might be confused about it. They would ask about its differences. Well, both are giving information to the employer. A resume can be sent with or without a cover letter. However, cover letters should never be sent to an employer without a resume.

Cover letters always accompany resumes. A cover letter contains the summary of the credentials of a potential job seeker. A resume contains the detailed information about the applicant.

Some companies may either prefer just the resumes. However, many companies are asking for a resume along with a cover letter. They believe that lost time will be minimized by reading the cover letters instead of browsing the entire resume.

Besides the slight difference of a cover letter from a resume, both follow the key factors to help an applicant standout from other applicants within a very tight competition. Rest assured that you will be successful in getting interviews.

1. The key element of both resumes and cover letter is to give information. Make sure that it responds to what an employer needs from their applicants. Review the advertisement. It will help you better on what you are going to write. Select your best accomplishments that will directly match to the qualifications needed. It will increase your chance of getting an interview.

2. The employer should be interested in hiring you. Your potential as a professional must be seen. It is important that you will become an asset to the company. Focus on the things that you can offer instead of what you can gain from your employer.

3. Never waste the time of your potential employer by submitting lengthy resumes and cover letters. Always make it direct to the point. The employer should immediately recognize you as their best candidate. Avoid writing a chronological resume. Your experiences and accomplishments related to the job you are applying for must be put on top. This will also be the content of your cover letter.

4. It should both market your abilities and skills. Your resume must never appear as listings of your previous work experiences. Extract the abilities and skills that will be most applicable to the job you are applying for.

5. Avoid any mistakes. Check your grammar, punctuation, word usage, and spelling. This is a very critical factor. It can give a bad impression about your personality. Your employer can entirely be frustrated if he will find any error on your resume and cover letter. Don't be surprised if you are denied for an interview.

6. Always use a good writing format. Resumes and cover letters should be well-written, simple, and creative. These are not just pieces of papers. Both resumes and cover letters allow your employer to give his first impression on your talents, skills, and professional standards.

7. Never forget to include your contact information. If possible maintain a close contact with your employer.

8. Make sure that your resumes and cover letters have the same type of quality papers and printed using the same type of printer or ink.

Never say that you will just express yourself during the interview. Remember, resumes and cover letters decides your destiny. Badly written resumes and cover letters might decrease or entirely deny you from getting an interview.

Jimmy Sweeney
http://www.amazing-cover-letters.com