While not always required, including a cover letter is a great idea—especially if you’re addressing a specific person. A well-written cover letter can enhance your resume by directly highlighting how your skills and experience align with the company’s needs.

A strong resume features clean, professional fonts, clear section headings, single-line spacing, and half-inch margins. Start your resume with your contact details and personal summary, followed by your most recent academic and professional experiences. Keep it organized and easy to read.

It’s a common misconception that employers prefer one-page resumes. The key is clarity and readability. If you have less experience, a one-page resume works well, but if you’ve been in your field for more than ten years, a two-page resume is perfectly acceptable. Focus on showcasing your qualifications and experience that best fit the job you’re applying for.

Make sure to showcase both hard and soft skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. Hard skills are your technical abilities, like software proficiency, writing, or other specialized job skills that are often mentioned in job descriptions. Keep your resume updated for each job application. Soft skills are your interpersonal qualities, like communication or teamwork, and can be highlighted in your personal summary or professional experience section.

Including references on your resume isn’t always necessary, but if you choose to do so, ensure you present them clearly. You can simply ask a potential employer to contact you for this information. If you do decide to list them, use this format:

• Reference’s full name
• Reference’s job title
• Reference’s current company or affiliation
• Professional contact details (such as work number or email address)
• A brief description of your professional relationship (optional)