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Resumes 

​Most employers spend 20 seconds or less scanning your resume for the first time. In those few seconds, you need to clearly demonstrate how your skills, experience, education, and characteristics match what they are looking for. 20 seconds isn’t long to make that kind of impression. 

Writing a Winning Resume provides a wealth of valuable, detailed information and a sample resume. 

Cover letters

Cover Letters personalizes your application and is a chance for you to emphasize your most relevant qualifications for the position.  What to put on your cover letter:  
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CONTACT INFORMATION
  • Include your name, address, telephone, and e-mail
  • Keep the format of this section consistent with your resume
DATE
  • State the month, day, and year (e.g., May 15, 2009)
EMPLOYER’S INFORMATION
  • Include the name of the contact person, job title, company name, address, and postal code
  • Try to obtain as many of these details as possible through research or by calling the company
SALUTATION
  • Begin with “Dear” or “To”
  • Address the contact person by the last name starting with “Mr.” or “Ms.”
  • If you don’t know the person’s name, address the person by their job title or address your letter to “Human Resources”
  • Avoid “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”
OPENING PARAGRAPH
  • Open with strong sentences that grab the employer’s attention
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the position: say why you are interested, mention two or three strengths that qualify you for the position
  • Mention the position you are applying for and how you learned about the job
  • Name your referral if relevant, e.g., “Joe Davis, Manager of Customer Service, suggested I write you...”
  • If you are responding to an advertisement, refer to the ad
FOLLOW-UP PARAGRAPHS
  • Describe specific accomplishments from your past work, volunteer, and academic experiences that show your strengths
  • Target your strengths to the needs and requirements identified in the ad or from your research
NEXT-TO-LAST PARAGRAPH
  • Explain why you are interested in working for this employer
  • Do research to show you know something about the organization’s values, culture, or areas of prospective growth
  • Describe how these values are similar and relevant to you and your previous accomplishments
CLOSING PARAGRAPH
  • Mention your interest in an interview or discussion about opportunities
  • Provide information on your availability and how the employer may contact you
  • When appropriate, take a more proactive approach by arranging to call the employer

Crafting A Cover Letter provides great tips to creating a Cover Letter that employers will notice. 
UBC Resumes, Cover Letters & Curricular Vitae: You have more experience than you think.  Share who you are and what you're capable of. Retrieved from https://students.ubc.ca/career/career-resources/resumes-cover-letters-curricula-vitae