Write for Us
Resume
Cover letter
Thank you letter
Job search
Career
Job Search Tips
Aug 24th 2025

Job Application Letter: Examples, What to Include & Writing Tips

Created by CakeResumeIn this article, we'll cover: What Is an Application Letter?What to Include in a Job Application LetterJob Application Letter SamplesApplication Letter TemplateTips for Writing an Application LetterAside from your resume, the hiring manager may ask you to submit a cover letter as a formal letter for a job application. Under different circumstances, it can go under different names shown below: Job application letter – explains why you're applying for this position and what makes you qualified.Letter of interest – expresses your interest in some position in a company even though it's already filled or not being advertised yet.Letter of motivation – proves that you are the perfect candidate for the position. Among these application formats for jobs, an application letter most closely resembles the function of a cover letter. It demonstrates your relevant qualifications for the position and convinces the employer to call you for an interview. This article will guide you on how to write an application letter for employment and feature samples of both an application letter format and an email job application format. What Is an Application Letter?Simply put, a letter of application is a formal document sent with your resume to explain at least these three things: Why you want to apply for this roleWhat makes you the right fitHow you can bring value to the organization A well-written job application letter can grab the recruiters' attention effectively, motivate them to read through your resume and offer you a job interview. Hence, you should always submit a short application letter, even though it’s not required for the application. Recruiters normally would read your application letter before your resume. Therefore, it is important that your job application letter could serve as an overview of your profile as a candidate, and is interesting enough to make them want to review your application until the end. When reviewing an application letter, recruiters expect to find a brief introduction of who you are and why you're applying for this role. Next, some paragraphs should elaborate the qualifications you possess that make you the right fit, in terms of education, experience, and skills. If you've stayed in the field for a while, focus on showing your achievements and present to the employer how you would contribute to their company in your job application letter. Lastly, to make a lasting ending for your application letter, express your appreciation for their time and insert a CTA about the job interview. Also, make sure you include a professional sign-off! What to Include in a Job Application LetterIn this paragraph, you will learn how to write each of the 6 sections included in a job application letter:Letter headerSalutationIntroduction paragraphBody paragraph(s)Closing paragraphSignature1. Letter header Basically, the header of an application letter should follow the format of any other formal letters. It means that you need to provide the following information: Your personal info (name, email, phone number/LinkedIn)Date writtenThe recipient's info (name, job title, email, company address) Example of anapplication letter header:Kaylee Tran9215 Fremontia Ave, Fontana, CA 92335[email protected](+310)-442-1500May 10, 2022Davis MiserPrincipalWest Randall Elementary School15620 Randall Ave, Fontana, CA 92335 2. Salutation The salutation in a job application letter is a greeting to the people who will read your document and evaluate your qualifications for the role. Normally, they can be the company founder, the hiring manager, or the position’s department head. Good salutations for application letters:Dear Mr/Mrs + [Last Name], Dear Hiring Manager,Dear [First Name], Hi Team,To Whom It May Concern,Bad salutations for application letters:Hey,How do you do!Dear all, Good morning/afternoon!What's up! 💡 Pro Tip: The cover letter salutation is one part of the letter where you can address the receiver of the letter directly. Addressing the correct or relevant people directly shows that you’ve put in the effort to do some research about the role and the team. 3. Introduction paragraph In the opening paragraph, it's essential to introduce yourself and the purpose of writing this application letter. The most important information that employers expect to read is a brief statement of your qualifications that make you qualified for the position. Instead of stuffing too many details in this section, keep your application letter opening paragraphs within 2-3 sentences. Example of the introduction paragraph in a job application letter:“My name is Kaylee Tran, an MSc graduate from IU International University of Applied Science. I am interested in applying for the Software Engineering Intern at Google after coming across your job listing on LinkedIn. I believe that my educational background and freelancing experience make me a highly competitive candidate for this position.” 4. Body paragraph(s) Here comes the most important part of your application letter for employment where you will need to express your motivation to apply and provide details on why you think you're the right fit. In the same way that you write a resume or CV, key components include skills, education, work experience, and professional achievements. However, instead of listing them in bullet points, you will compile a concise paragraph that best presents yourself to the hiring manager.💡 Pro Tip: Don't just repeat information from your resume. Keep your explanation no longer than 10 sentences. Be brief and concise since recruiters don’t have all day to review your application letter. Example of the body paragraph in an application letter:“I have a strong passion for writing and blogging, which is why I have found such fulfillment in content creation. My first job was as a social media specialist at IVY Travel, where I was responsible for managing the company’s social media accounts and producing well-thought-out content to attract more potential customers. My biggest achievement is receiving the 2018 Marketing Award for doubling the average organic likes from 80K to 160K on Facebook in one year.The following year, I advanced my career as a freelance content writer. This allows me to write for a variety of industries such as FinTech, EdTech, fashion, beauty, and tourism. I have helped over 15 companies with their content strategy and online branding. My previous clients are content with my active listening, attention to detail, and commitment to deadlines.” 5. Closing paragraph In this the final paragraph of your application letter, you will need to: Restate your interestKindly remind the hiring manager to review your resume and other files attachedKindly ask for an interviewExpress your appreciation for their time and consideration Example of the closing paragraph in an application letter:“As requested, I have enclosed my resume, work samples, and IELTS certificate. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any additional information. Thank you for your time and appreciate your consideration of my application. It would be my honor to have the chance to discuss this opportunity further with you.” 6. Signature To end an application letter, just simply write a formal closing, followed by your signature. If you're using an email job application format, make sure your email signature is professional and covers your personal information, like this: Kaylee Tran (Ms.)cakeresume.com/kaylee1990[email protected](+098)-1234-567 Good sign-offs for application letters:Best,Best regards,Kind regards,Sincerely,With gratitude,Bad sign-offs for application letters:See you soon!Thanks in advance!Stay safe!Cheers,Bye! Job Application Letter SamplesSample of an application letter for a job vacancy Kaylee Tran9215 Fremontia Ave, Fontana, CA 92335[email protected](+310)-442-1500 May 10, 2022 Davis MiserPrincipalWest Randall Elementary School15620 Randall Ave, Fontana, CA 92335 Dear Mr. Miser, My name is Kaylee Tran, an MSc graduate from IU International University of Applied Science. I saw the posting of the Software Engineering Intern from Google on LinkedIn, and I am very interested. I believe that my educational background and freelancing experience make me a highly competitive candidate for this position. For the past two years, I have gained hands-on experience in coding and programming, providing solutions in database technology, and testing applications. My main responsibility is collaborating with a US-based team to develop four new websites that serve 2.5 million users per month. The biggest accomplishment I have achieved is building and implementing an automated bug tracking system, resulting in a 25% reduction in issues reported in the later stages of development. The documents attached are my resume and work portfolio. I look forward to learning more about the Software Engineering Internship Program at Google. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely,Kaylee Tran Simple job application email sample Dear Hiring Manager, I'm writing to express my interest in the content editor position listed on CakeResume. While I have 5 years of experience in content marketing and social media management, I am confident that I am well-positioned to support IVY Magazine. I have a strong passion for writing and blogging, which is why I have found such fulfillment in content creation. My first job was as a social media specialist at IVY Travel, where I was responsible for managing the company’s social media accounts and producing well-thought-out content to attract more potential customers. My biggest achievement is receiving the 2018 Marketing Award for doubling the average organic likes from 80K to 160K on Facebook in one year. The following year, I advanced my career as a freelance content writer. This allows me to write for a variety of industries such as FinTech, EdTech, fashion, beauty, and tourism. I have helped over 15 companies with their content strategy and online branding. My previous clients are content with my active listening, attention to detail, and commitment to deadlines. As requested, I have enclosed my resume, work samples, and IELTS certificate. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any additional information. Thank you for your time and appreciate your consideration of my application. It would be my honor to have the chance to discuss this opportunity further with you. Kind regards,Colleen Miller[email protected](881)-123-1234cakeresume.com/colleen.miller Application Letter TemplateNeed to write a quick and simple application letter? Use the free application letter template below. [Your name][Your address][Your email address][Your phone number] [Date written] [Recipient’s name][Company name][Company physical address] Dear Mr./Mrs. [Last Name], I am writing this letter to apply for the [job title] position at your company - [company name]. I believe that my educational background and professional experience make me an ideal candidate for this role. Moreover, I can have a chance to continue building upon the [technical skill] and [soft skill] acquired over the past [number] years. In the last role as a [job title], I was responsible for [job task 1], [job task 2], and [job task 3]. I pride myself on [notable accomplishment 1] and [notable accomplishment 2], resulting in [contribution] at [your former company]. You and the team can rely on me as a [personal trait 1], [personal trait 2], and [personal trait 3] employee with the ability to [soft skill] effectively. In terms of my educational background, I earned my [degree type] in [your major] from [University name] in [year]. I also obtained a certificate (or license) in [field]. Please find attached my resume for your further review of my skills and work history. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this position and how I can bring more value to the [team or department name]. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Kind regards,[Your Name] Tips for Writing an Application Letter✅ Start with a professional subject line. This is particularly important if you choose an email format for your job application. Think of it as an article title that is professional-looking and can grab the reader's attention. Examples of email subject lines for application letters:Front-desk Position - Your NameJob Posting #321: Marketing ManagerApplication for Public Health Associate Position 💡 Pro Tip: Some job postings list specific formats that you are required to follow when submitting your application. Make sure to pay close attention to these specific instructions if you don’t want your application to go missing. ✅ Highlight your skills. Bullet points on a resume make it easier to list relevant skills. However, you can’t do so when writing a job application letter - instead, provide specific examples of how you’ve leveraged that skill and what you've achieved. That will help fully showcase why you’re the right one for the position. ✅ Incorporate related keywords. A rule of thumb is not only your resume but also your application letter should be tailored to the job opening. You just need to review the job description carefully and insert keywords related to skills, job responsibilities, and requirements. Doing so can help effectively pitch yourself to employers and stand out from the crowd. ✅ Be concise. In general, an application letter sample for any position should not exceed one A4 page, ideally 250 to 400 words. Also, keep in mind that the body paragraph is the focus of the letter - longest and providing the most detail. ✅ Express your gratitude. Being polite and professional will always imprint a positive impression on recruiters. It also indicates good character and can be seen as an indication of how you will fit into the company. Hiring managers will be impressed by your professionalism if you put your appreciation into words. ✅ Include a strong CTA. A CTA (call-to-action) is like an invitation and reminder to the hiring manager to follow up and speak with you further regarding the job opportunity. This allows you to express your interest in the role and give them a push to reach out to you for an interview. ✅ Proofread before sending it out. Many job applicants don't make a practice of proofreading their application letters, resulting in spelling and grammar mistakes. These may reflect badly on you and cost you the interview. Thus, make sure your job application letter is error-free before it's submitted.Take the guesswork out of resume writing. Our AI resume checker analyzes your resume against industry standards and provides instant feedback.Get AI Feedback--- Originally written by May Luong --
Cover Letter
Aug 25th 2025

Motivation Letter Examples, Template & Writing Tips

Created by CakeResumeIn this article, we'll cover: What Is a Motivation Letter?Motivation Letter ExamplesMotivation Letter StructureMotivation Letter TemplateMotivation Letter FormatTips on How to Write a Motivation LetterIf you're looking to apply for a job, internship, or scholarship, you may be asked to submit a motivation letter and other application materials. In a job search context, a motivation letter for work shows your passion and eagerness to pursue a certain career and demonstrates how your values blend with the organization's mission. When writing a motivation letter, you may encounter the following difficulties: Distinguishing a letter of motivation from a cover letter and a letter of intent.Knowing “What do you write in a motivation letter for jobs?”Knowing how to write a motivation letter and how long a motivation letter should be Worry no more, we're going to clear up all confusion regarding both motivation letters for jobs and motivation letters for internships. You can also find a template and samples for your reference below. Let’s get started! What Is a Motivation Letter?A motivation letter, a.k.a. a letter of motivation, is a short letter that expresses your interest and explains why you’re a qualified candidate for a certain program/position. It's commonly attached to your CV or resume - hence why it's also referred to as a motivational letter for a CV. There are other terms used to refer to a motivation letter, including:A letter of interestA statement of purposeA motivation statement Note that a motivational letter shouldn’t be confused with a cover letter as it puts an emphasis on your personality, interests, and motives for applying. A cover letter, on the other hand, is submitted to present your skills and professional experience related to the job opening. For that reason, a letter of motivation is perfect if you are applying for an internship/volunteer role, or if you have little or no relevant experience. That means motivation letters are commonly required by university admission offices, educational institutes, and internship programs. During a job search, you can also write a motivational statement for your job application that acts as the introduction to your CV/resume for the hiring manager. In general, there are 4 purposes for writing a motivation letter: Motivation letters for school admission – are used when you wish to enroll in an educational program of any level (undergraduate or postgraduate) at a college/university.Motivation letters for internship – are used when you’re looking to be an intern at a company.Motivation letters for volunteering activities - are used when you want to be a volunteer in an organization.Motivation letters for work - are used when you’re seeking employment. A well-written motivation letter needs to convey the following information to the readers:What position are you applying for?What motivates you to apply for this role/program?What skills and qualities do you possess that will benefit the organization?Can you provide any compelling facts to prove that?What are your career goals?How will you bring value to the organization? Motivation Letter ExamplesWe’ll demonstrate what a powerful letter of motivation looks like through the following samples: Motivation letter for job exampleMotivational letter for internship with no experienceMotivation letter for job example Katherine Connor7223 Fern St, Fontana, CA 92336[email protected](+310)-142-1098 May 20, 2022 Dave LeimoneHiring ManagerMind Mills Media9315 Main Str., Riverside, CA 92501 Dear Mr. Leimone, My name is Katherine Connor and I am writing this letter to apply for the Account Manager position at your agency, Mind Mills Media. With over 8 years of experience in consulting and account managing, I have developed a robust skill set that allows me to effectively build trusted relationships with valuable clients as well as implement high-impact projects. In my former role as a PR Account Manager, I’ve fulfilled all my duties and achieved some notable successes including: Spearheading new customer service initiatives, resulting in a 130% increase in business volume.Negotiated contracts worth over $7.5 million.Resolving issues regarding CRM, leading to a 25% boost in key client retention. Together with my exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills, I believe that I match all job requirements perfectly. This opportunity would also help me advance my career as it has always been my dream to work in such a client-oriented company as Mind Mills. I have attached my work portfolio and resume below for your review. Thank you for considering my application and please let me know if you have any questions. Kind regards,Katherine Connor Motivational letter for internship with no experience Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing this letter to express my interest in the Finance Intern position at NVP Group. As a final year Master's student in Accounting Finance at the University of Waterloo, I believe that the skills and knowledge acquired during my 6 years of studies will allow me to fulfill all job tasks efficiently. Specifically, I have completed various courses in the finance field, including: macroeconomics, microeconomics, personal finance, project management, and financial accounting. I possess strong analytical skills with thorough attention to detail and a can-do attitude. My main interest in working at NVP Group stems from its impressive reputation, recognized as "Northwestern America's Most Trusted Firm" for three consecutive years. Moreover, the corporation’s diverse clientele and well-established internship program would provide me with a precious opportunity to pursue my dream career as a Finance Reporting Analyst. Thank you for reviewing my application and considering me as a candidate for the Finance Intern role at NVP Group. I look forward to hearing from you soon. With gratitude,Tina Le[email protected]cakeresume.com/tinale Motivation Letter StructureWhen writing a motivation letter, you will need to include the following 6 sections: 1. Letter header The header of a motivation letter should include the following information: Your contact info (name, email, phone number, Facebook/LinkedIn)Date writtenThe recipient's info (name, job title, email, physical company address) For example: Kaylee Nguyen903 Fern St, Fontana, CA 92336[email protected]linkedin.com/kayleengApril 19, 2022Catarina LeimoneCustomer Relationship ManagerGalaxy Media9815 Main Str., Riverside, CA 92501 2. Salutation The most common way to greet the reader is “Dear Hiring Manager" who will receive and review your letter in the first place. However, you can also try to address the recipient directly to make your motivation statement more personal and sincere by using their last name, like this: Dear Mr/Mrs + [Last Name], 3. Opening paragraph Here are some tips for a great motivation letter’s start that will grab the reader's attention at once: Introduce who you are and what role/program you're applying for.Make a strong statement about your interest in joining the organization/company.Keep this paragraph within 2-3 short sentences. Here’s an example of a motivation letter’s opening paragraph: “I am writing this letter to express my interest in the Finance Intern position at NVP Group. As a final year Master's student in Accounting Finance at the University of Waterloo, I believe that the skills and knowledge acquired in 6 years will allow me to fulfill all job tasks efficiently.” 4. Body paragraph(s) As the main body of a motivation letter, this paragraph is written to provide the following details: Your educational background, relevant work experience, academic and/or achievements, and career aspirations.Your skills through practical examples and metrics.Your positive personal traits. 💡 Pro Tip: Keep your body paragraphs within 200 words. Being concise and direct is always the best way to go when writing a motivation letter, as you don’t want to bore the readers with irrelevant details. Here’s an example of a motivation letter’s body paragraph: “I've completed a variety of courses in the finance field, including: financial accounting, macroeconomics, microeconomics, personal finance, and project management. I possess strong analytical skills with thorough attention to detail and a can-do attitude.My main interest in working at NVP Group stems from its impressive reputation, recognized as "Northwestern America's Most Trusted Firm" for three consecutive years. Moreover, the corporation’s diverse clientele and well-established internship program would provide me with a precious opportunity to pursue my dream career as a Finance Reporting Analyst.” 5. Closing paragraph In this part of your motivation letter, it's important to mention your future plans, demonstrate what you expect to learn from the program/job, and thank the reader. Useful tips for writing a strong motivation letter’s ending are: Keep it within 3 sentences.Be sincere, positive, and professional.Include a CTA. Here’s an example of a motivation letter’s closing paragraph: “I believe that this opportunity would help me upskill my career as a Social Media Specialist. I've attached my work portfolio and resume below for your review. Thank you for considering my application and please let me know if you have any questions.” 6. Sign off To end a motivation letter, simply follow this format:Best regards,[Your name] Make sure you include a proper email signature if you submit your letter of motivation via email, like this: Regards,Kaylee Tran————————[email protected]+886-981-234-567 Motivation Letter TemplateIf you are in a rush to write a motivation letter for your job or academic program application, use this complete motivation letter template and personalize it with your own information. [Your name][Your address][Your email address][Your phone number] [Date written] [Recipient’s name][Company name][Company physical address] Dear Mr./Mrs. [Last Name], My name is [your name] - a [professional title/college major]. I am writing this letter to apply for the [job title/scholarship/internship] role at [organization name]. I feel that my skills, educational background (and relevant experience - if any) make me an ideal candidate for this role. I am thrilled to join [organization name] because [motives/reasons for applying]. Moreover, this opportunity will allow me to gain [knowledge] and [skills]. With [personal trait] and [soft skill], I am confident that I would be an asset to your organization. Enclosed with this letter are [documents attached] for your review. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, [Your Name] Motivation Letter FormatWhether you're writing a motivation letter for a job or academic purpose, make sure it looks neat and professional. Let's go over all the important elements regarding the motivation letter format. Letter format – The basics of font size are 12pt for body text and 14-15 for headings.Font – Top 10 best fonts for a letter of motivation are: Arial, Cambria, Calibri, Didot, Garamond, Georgia, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Trebuchet MS, and Veranda.Spacing – The standard letter spacing is 1” on all sides of the page, but you can adjust it accordingly based on the space.Motivation letter length – The letter should be sent as a PDF instead of a Word file because the reader won’t encounter any trouble opening and reading the document.Email format – The ideal length for a motivation letter sent through email is around 250-400 words.Tips on How to Write a Motivation Letter💡 Tailor the letter content to the program/job requirements. As a general rule of thumb, you should customize both your CV and motivation letter for the specific role instead of using the same document for the application. By doing so, you can stand out from the crowd of generic applicants and prove to the hiring manager that you're the best fit. Besides including keywords from the program/job description in your letter of motivation, you can also address the person in charge of the hiring to make your motivation letter more personalized. 💡 Explain how the position helps you achieve your career goals. It's important to be specific in this part of your motivation letter. Recruiters want to know not only about your career goals but also what you expect to learn from the position. These can reflect your passion and vision on the career path. Therefore, they will see your sincerity in working with them in the long run and be sure that hiring you will be a win-win situation. 💡 Demonstrate how your values align with the organization’s mission. Whether your personal values align with the company's mission is another important aspect that the hiring manager will consider while reviewing your motivation letter for work. Here’s how you can find out a company's values and work environment: Look for online reviews about the company or employer.Check out the company’s website and social media pages.Reach out to employees working there for insights. 💡 Show your personality. It's always important to be original and unique, especially when writing a motivation letter. To avoid sounding like everyone else, leave out some of the most overused phrases in motivation letter samples, such as: an ideal candidate for this rolebring more valuego above and beyond Another way to write with personality is providing specific examples and sharing your personal experience in the former role. Hence, recruiters can better understand who you are. 💡 Avoid repeating the contents of your resume. Keep in mind that a motivational letter for a resume should not simply restate the contents of your resume. In fact, it acts as an accompanying letter that writes about your motivation to apply for the job or program and provides more insights into your skills and capabilities that don’t fit into your resume.Submit your applications with confidence. Our AI resume checker gives you the insights you need to make every application count.Build Confidence--- Originally written by May Luong ---
Interview Skills
Aug 26th 2025

Writing a Thank You Letter for a Job Offer: Template, Samples, Guide, and Tips

Created by CakeResumeIn this article, you will read about:How to Write a Thank You Email for a Job OfferTips for Writing Thank You for the Offer MailThank You Email for a Job Offer SamplesThank You Email for a Job Offer TemplateYou’ve made it through all stages of the recruitment process and finally received the job offer. Congratulations! But it’s not done yet. To end it on a perfect note, you still need to write a thank you letter for the job offer you accepted. This shows that you know how to conduct yourself as a professional. In the cases that you want to reject the offer or consider it for a bit longer, a thank you letter for the job offer can also benefit you. Through a thank you email after the job offer, you can help make the recruiter's job easier and, thus, leave a good impression and and build professional relationships. In this article, we break down how to write a thank you email for a job offer and provide examples and tips for you. Read on to learn how to reply to a job offer letter with a thank you mail for various situations and expand your professional network. How to Write a Thank You Email for a Job OfferWriting a thank you mail for a job offer, or any formal email, can be stressful. Getting anything wrong might result in misunderstanding, a bad impression, or, worse, losing a great opportunity. But as long as you follow the steps below, your thank you email for a job offer would help your career develop. Step 1: Write a clear subject line. If you choose to send an email to thank for the job offer, keep in mind to write a good subject line. It should be simple, brief and includes your first and last name along with a few words about why you are sending this letter, such as "thank you" or "job offer acceptance letter". Job offer thank you letter: sample subject line“[First Name Last Name] – Thank you for the opportunity” Step 2: Greet the recruiter. A personalized greeting shows that you put efforts into writing this thank you letter for the job offer. Before you get the job offer, you are likely to have been corresponding with HR or managers from the company and know their names. So instead of writing a generic "Hi All", start your thank you letter with their names. On the other hand, you might want to choose a less formal salutation to start your job offer thank you email as it is the preferred way of communication nowadays. Email greeting examples:Dear/Hi/Hello + [First Name] or [Full Name]:Hello [Company Name] HR Team: Step 3: Include a thank you message for the job offer. Express your gratitude in the first paragraph of a thank you letter for the job offer and write the job title and the company name in the sentence to remind the recruiter of the offer. In your thank you letter after the job offer, express your appreciation for their time and consideration, as well as the precious opportunity they have offered you. But be sincere and don't go over the top. Don’t write more than 1-2 sentences as hiring managers don't necessarily have time to read that much. Step 4: Let them know your decision. Normally when writing a thank you email after the job offer, you also need to let the recruiter and employer know your decision. Thus, they can move forward to the next steps in the hiring process. The following is what you can consider to include in the job offer thank you letter in various situations. Accepting the job offer:If you are accepting the job offer, be sure to include the written acceptance of the job offer, the employment terms and conditions, including job title, salary, benefits, etc., as well as your employment starting date. Considering the job offer:If you need to further consider the job offer, you could consider explaining the reason why you need more time (this is optional), but make sure to let the recruiter know the exact date that you will let them know your final answer. You don’t want to waste people’s time. Negotiating the offer:If you want to negotiate the offer further, after saying thank you in the email, state your interest and enthusiasm for the job. Then, elaborate on the terms or conditions you want to discuss and provide reasons why it'd benefit both the company and you if they agree to your terms. Lastly, clarify that you are open to further negotiation. Rejecting the offer:If, after consideration, you decide to reject the offer, you could tell the recruiter the reason why you will not be accepting the position. Make sure to emphasize again how much you appreciate their time and consideration. Step 5: Ask HR any questions about the position. Upon receiving an offer letter from HR, you first need to review the offer details, such as, perks, benefits, time off, and sign-on bonus. If you are not sure whether to accept the offer nor not, you can bring up any questions you have in the thank you letter that might help you to make a more informed decision. If you decide to accept the offer, but there's something you find unclear in the offer letter, you can also use the chance of writing a thank you email to ask for clarification. Use the expressions below to address your concerns properly and professionally:Could you please clarify what you meant by…?Could you please give me some more details about...?Please let me know if I misunderstood. Did you mean…? Step 6: Sign off with a professional and polite closing. As with all formal letters, a thank you letter should also be signed off with an appropriate closing. Though there are countless letter sign-offs and closing greetings that you can use, you want to opt for the email sign-offs that shows your professionalism. ✅ Best ways to close an email to recruiters and employers:Best regards,Warm regards,Kind regards,Sincerely,❌ Worst email sign-offs to recruiters and employers:Yours truly,Lots of love,Warm hugs,Thanks bye, Step 7: Provide your contact details. For all documents related to job application, including job acceptance thank you emails, you should include your contact details. Hence, the hiring manager can easily contact you for further steps. Make sure all the personal information you provide is up-to-date and accurate, including email address and phone number, not to mention social media accounts. Tips for Writing Thank You for the Offer Mail💡 1. Proofread your thank you for the offer email. Although you are at the very end of the hiring process, you still want to show professionalism. It’s important to double-check your job offer thank you letter and make sure you get all the details correct, especially important information such as: Job titleWorking hoursStarting date of employmentStarting salary 💡 2. Keep it concise. Hiring managers are busy and only have a few minutes to read messages from prospective candidates. Thus, get to the point quickly and keep your thank you mail for the offer letter short. 💡 3. Be professional and polite. We know that you're very excited to be starting your new job and to be working with the team. Nevertheless, keep in mind to maintain professionalism and politeness when writing a thank you for the offer letter. Some of the elements you need to pay attention to are: Your email addressGreetingFormal languageExpressionSign-off and closing 💡 4. Tailor your email for different positions. Let's say you’ve received multiple offers and you want to recycle your job offer thank you letter. It's fine, but make sure you make changes to each thank you letter for job offer and write the correct company name and the correct job title when using a template. By doing so, both you and the recipient won't be confused by any of the info you included in the letter. 💡 5. Exclude any irrelevant details. Your thank you letter after a job offer should focus on how appreciated and excited you are. Don't contain any information unrelated to the position, and even something that you should speak with the HR representative or manager directly. Thank You Email for a Job Offer SamplesAs mentioned earlier, your thank you email after a job offer also depends on the decision you will make. Read on to learn about 4 examples of how to say thanks for an offer in different scenarios. Thank you letter for a job offer – AcceptDear Hiring Manager: I’m writing this email to express my sincere appreciation for how much time, energy, and thought you have put behind my interview sessions and, ultimately, my job offer. I’m more than happy to accept the Android Developer position. I’m sure it will be an absolute pleasure to learn and work with the team. I truly look forward to starting the journey with Podim TechLab soon. Thank you! Sincerely, Eunice Chen[email protected](+879)-789-9800 Thank you letter for a job offer – RejectDear Mr. Pullman: First of all, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for you considering me as a candidate for the Content Specialist position at SAMO. It was truly my pleasure to have met the team and gotten to know more about the company. However, I was offered another position that more closely aligns with my expertise and career goals. I’m writing this email to respectfully withdraw myself from consideration. I wish the best for everyone at SAMO and hope that we have another chance to work together in the future. Thank you again for this precious opportunity. Kind regards, Leslie Garcia [email protected] linkedin.com/in/leslie-garcia/ Thank you letter for a job offer – You’re still consideringHi Lawrence: Thank you for sharing the details of the offer for the Graphic Designer position at Rehgic Corp. I would like to request for a few more days as I am still considering the terms of employment. Could I get back to you by next Friday? I do apologize for any inconvenience caused due to the delayed response. Warm regards, Steve Le [email protected] (+554)-320-4124 Thank you letter for a job offer – Proposing a counter offerDear Team: Thank you very much for offering me the position of Sr. Customer Service Executive at IVY Moda. I am sure that I would find the position rewarding. However, I am hoping that we can discuss the possibility of increasing my base salary by 5%. This would bring my salary in line with the national average, and beat another job offer with a higher base salary of $4,500. Please let me know if we can discuss this before I can make a final decision on whether to accept your offer. I appreciate your time and consideration regarding my concern. Best, Jennifer Kim[email protected](+880)-999-1111 Thank You Email for a Job Offer TemplateStill worried about crafting your own thank you email for a job offer? Or in a rush? You can never go wrong with a template – that makes it much easier for you to write your letter or email. Check out a job offer thank you letter template below: Dear [Recipient's Name], Thank you for offering me an opportunity to work at [Company Name]. I very much appreciate the time and effort your team has spent to review my application and interview me for the position of [Job Title]. I’m happy to inform you that I accept the offer and can’t wait to start the journey with the team. Once again, thank you for the great opportunity. Sincerely, [Your name][Your email address][Your phone number][Your portfolio, personal website, or professional profile link] 🔑 Key Takeaways:To respond to an offer letter, a thank you email seems to be the quickest and most common way nowadays. In some cases, you can also choose to send a thank you letter for the job offer accepted. Regardless of the form, make sure to express your deep gratitude and use a business letter format so you will appear professional and polished. Take the guesswork out of resume writing. Our AI resume checker analyzes your resume against industry standards and provides instant feedback.Get AI Feedback--- Originally written by May Luong ---
Resume & CV
Apr 12th 2023

How to write a professional resume | Ultimate writing guide & tips 2023

Resume writing guideline and tips in 2023 Crafting a professional resume is crucial to make a good first impression on potential employers. However, job seekers may need guidance to create an impressive resume that captures recruiters' interest. Fear not, as Cake — thebest resume builder, is here to guide you through the process of writing a professional resume in 2023. In this blog, we'll cover everything you need to know to write and create an astounding resume that can help you land your next career move. 📌 TABLE OF CONTENT What Is a Resume? Resume Writing Do's and Don'ts 9 Must-Have Resume Sections The Best Resume Builder What Is a Resume?A resume is a brief summary of skills, experience, and education. Its purpose is to impress potential employers and lead to an interview. While it won't guarantee employment, a well-crafted resume can convince potential employers of suitability for the job. In order to do so, you'll need to have 9 essential key sections on your resume. Keep reading to find out what they are!It's important to note that a resume and a CV serve different purposes. While a resume is typically used for job applications, a CV is usually used for academic pursuits such as post-graduate or PhD programs.You can create a resume using many different tools, like the traditional Microsoft Word,design tool like Canva, or resume builder like Cake. Later one, we’ll instruct you to choose the best online resume builder that is not only free but also help you with all you need! 📖 Further reading: What is a resume? [Definition, elements, writing tips, and examples] Resume Writing Do's and Don'tsWhen writing a resume, there are two common issues that bother us all. Whether you’re a seasoned employee with years of work experience or a fresher who just graduated with no work experience. They are: “What to include in a resume?” and“What NOT to include in a resume?” A professional resume should be able to serve its ultimate purpose, which is to help you land interviews. After reviewing your resume, recruiters and hiring managers should at least be able to learn the three following information:Is the candidate qualified for this job position in terms of skills, knowledge, and experience?What can the candidate contribute to the company based on previous work experience and achievements?How to contact the candidate if they’re qualified? In order to do so, there are five fundamental sections you must include in your resume in order for it to be deemed as “good.” They are:Contact InformationWork ExperienceEducationSkills (technical soft)Achievements and Awards While you can skip sections such as interests and hobbies, some jobs might require it. So you can read this article to know about theoccasions when it's suitable to mention hobbies and interests. What to Include in a Resume:Contact InformationProfile Summary / Career ObjectiveEducationWork ExperienceSkills and QualificationsAwards and AchievementsWhat to Exclude from a Resume:Marital statusPhoto (headshot)Religious preferenceIrrelevant ExperienceHobbies and InterestsComplete mailing address 📙 Further reading:5 Essential Steps to Build A Convincing Resume | Resume Building Guideline 9 Must-Have Resume Sections 1.Resume headline/title A resume headline which is located in the header section of a resume, summarizes your working experience, strengths, and qualifications. It is often used to show recruiters that you’re a perfect fit for the vacancy. To quickly catch the recruiters’ eye, remember to carefully tailor your resume headline/title according to the job applied Here’re some tips for you to refer to while writing a resume headline/title:Utilize keywords: You can refer to the job post and read the description carefully. What are the required qualifications or skills? If you have any of the skills or experience the employer’s looking for, include them in the headline.Keep it concise: A resume title should be short but concise. An ideal headline should be within 10 words.Customize: It is necessary to customize the headline for each resume when you are applying for different job positions since every company has diverse job requirements (even when they’re hiring for the same profession!).Capitalize: In order to catch a hiring manager’s attention quickly, it’s suggested to capitalize the headline. 💡 TIPSWhile adding certain details, such as a profile picture or personal background, may enhance your resume, they can also become a deal-breaker in some cases. As a rule of thumb, only include information that is directly relevant to the job requirements. Adding photos or personal details are typically unnecessary unless specifically requested by the employer. If you still have no idea how to write a professional resume title, here are 2 easy formulas for you: Resume headline writing formulas: 📍 [An adjective describing your personal trait] + [Job title] + with + [Experience] 📍 [An adjective describing your personal trait] + [Job title] + Skilled in/Specializing in + [Skill/Qualification] Resume headline examples:Creative Digital Marketer Specializing in SEODetail-Oriented Baby Sitter with First Aid TrainingMultilingual Translator Skilled in Website TranslationChartered Accountant with Analytical and Interpersonal SkillsGoal-Oriented Sales Representative with 5 Years of Experience in FMCG 📚Further reading:Resume Headline|Examples, Templates, Writing Guide 2. Resume summary/Resume career objectives A professional resume objective can be seen as an extension of your resume headline, more like a resume summary statement. Initially, a career objective on a resume was used to express a job seeker's professional aspirations. Nowadays, the purpose of a resume objective has evolved to become a concise summary of a candidate's qualifications and achievements, highlighting what they can bring to the table. On the other hand, a resume summary is a brief paragraph consisting of 2 to 3 sentences that encapsulate the candidate's relevant qualifications, career objectives, and desired job title. It should emphasize the candidate's skills, experiences, current job search status, and career vision to grab the attention of potential employers. 💡 TIPS It is suggested that freshers and career changers include a career objective or summary in their resume. Like resume titles, resume summaries, and objectives are not strictly required for a resume. However, a good summary/objective can spice up your resume and catch the attention of recruiters. A good resume summary and objectives should be concise, eye-catching, and, most importantly, should be closely related to the job position and the culture of the company you’re applying for.  Concise, eye-catching, and most importantly, it should be closely related to the job position and the culture of the company you’re applying for. How to write a summary/objective for a resume?Keywords: Read through the job post carefully and collect keywords of required skills, experience, and personal traits that match yours. Use them wisely in the personal statement to catch a recruiter’s (or an applicant tracking system’s!) attention.Growth (optional):State your career goals and how the job/company can help you achieve them.Value: Instead of only gabbling about what you can gain from the company, an employer cares more about how you can add value to the company.Accomplishment: Remember to include your accomplishment at work to beef up your objective statement. It can be certification, license, and award that’s relevant to the position. If you would like to highlight any outstanding work performances in the past, don’t forget to utilize numbers!Place at the top: Depending on the format, a career objective should be placed under the resume title or contact information. Here are 2 simple formulas for freshers and career changers to write a good resume objective/summary:  Resume objective writing formula for freshers: 📍 [Your major] graduate with [required skills for the position] skills.Currently seeking a position as a [job title] at [company name], to [career goal].Gained [required experience or ability] experience at [academic/extra-curricular activities], receiving/achieving [achievements or awards]. Career objective example for freshers: Computer Science graduate with proven front-end coding skills. Currently seeking a position as a Frontend Developer at Amazon to leverage coding UX skills to help improve user experience and conversion rate. Gained application development experience at Tata Consultancy Services in internship programs, receiving Best Intern Award for excellent performance.Marketing graduate with outstanding analytical skills. Currently seeking a position as a Marketing Strategist at Facebook to apply my passion knowledge for content writing and marketing strategic planning. Gained social media and offline marketing experience at the student association as Marketing Lead, receiving Student Organization Leadership Awards for outstanding performance. Resume summary writing formula for career changers: 📍 [Previous job title] with [required skills for the position] skills.Currently seeking a position as a [Job title] at [company name], to [career goal].Built [required experience or ability] experience at [work experience], receiving/achieving [achievements or awards]. Resume summary examples for career changers: Patient and detailed-oriented customer service agent with proven communication organization skills. Currently seeking a position as a Product Manager at SoFi, to enhance customer loyalty and user experience. Built problem-solving UX research experience at Delhivery as a Customer Care Specialist, achieving a 30% increase in user retention rate in 3 months.Elementary education teacher with lesson planning classroom management skills. Currently seeking a position as a Classroom Teacher at Merion Elementary School to apply my 10 years of teaching experience to create better educational content. 💡TIPS A professional summary/objective for a resume should be around 30 to 50 words. A summary/objective with more than 100 words is considered too lengthy. 3. Personal details When crafting your resume, it is important to avoid including any irrelevant personal information. Instead, focus on including key details that will help you stand out as a qualified candidate. These details should include:Full nameEmail addressMobile numberCountry and city you’re currently in(Optional) Active links to your portfolio(Optional) Active links to your LinkedIn profile However, there are certain personal details that should never be included in your resume. These details are:AgeMarital statusSexual orientationReligious preferenceSocial Security numberComplete mailing addressIrrelevant social media links 📕 Further reading:Personal Details in Resume|Samples, Formats, Writing Guide 4. Skills (personal skills/technical skills) When it comes to listing skills on your resume, it's essential to tailor them to the job you're applying for. You should categorize your skills into bullet-point lists based on different skill sets and highlight the ones most relevant to the job requirements.There are generally two types of skills to include in a resume: technical skills (hard skills) and personal skills (soft skills). When selecting which skills to include, refer to the job description and highlight the skills that are particularly critical for the position. For instance: hard skills are especially important in a technical job. However, for jobs with no specific hard skills required, like teachers or baristas, you might consider adding computer skills or language skills to your resume.If you have gaps in your employment history, consider using a skill-based resume format (functional resume), which focuses on your skills and qualifications instead of your work history. Remember that it’s not about the number of skills you list but rather the quality and relevance to the position/industry. Ensure that the skills you include can answer the following questions:How are they relevant to the job requirements?How can they make you qualified for the work?How can they add value to the company? 💡TIPS Another point to keep in mind is that listing skills are a way to showcase your strengths, so there's no need to include weaknesses unless it's explicitly requested. When organizing your skill section, group them into categories based on the qualifications required for the job. Here are some examples of skill categories for software engineers and designers:Created via CakeCreated via Cake 💡 TIPS It's not suggested to use bars, charts, or ratings to display skill proficiency. These methods lack credibility and are not compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Instead, list skills in bullet points and include objective proof such as licenses, certifications, awards, or accomplishments. 5. Educational qualification An education section can be a vital factor in your resume, especially if you just graduated from college. How to list education on a resume? Educational qualifications should be listed in reverse chronological order, starting with your highest level of education. Usually, it is not recommended to include high school education on resumes. However, if it is your highest degree, it should definitely be included. What do I put for education on a resume? School nameSchool locationDegree levelMajor minorGraduation year (Optional) GPA(Optional)Relevant coursework(Optional)Academic honor (award, scholarship, publication) The content and placement of the education section can be adjusted accordingly to a job seeker’s seniority. Freshers with no or little work experience should make the most of the education section to highlight their achievements and knowledge learned. Some of you might wonder whether it is ok to leave education off your resume. If you’re a career changer with more than 5 years of work experience, simply state the school name, major, and graduation year of your highest level of education. Also, for experienced employees, placing the education section after the work experience section is suggested. How to list education in progress on a resume? If you’re currently in college, you can still list the in-progress degree on your resume with relevant coursework you’ve done. Simply note the expected graduation date beside the starting year.Should I include education on my resume if I didn't graduate? If you did not complete the degree (and you're not going to), it is not suggested to include it on your resume, unless you don't have any other education or training.To list an incomplete degree, you can include the name of the school and program and also relevant coursework you finished. Do note that you should not mislead employers in believing that you've graduated. 📖 Further reading:Education on Resume|Examples, Templates, Writing Guide Created via Cake6. Work experience Work experience is the most important section of a resume. It can fully demonstrate your competency, qualification, and experience in a proper manner. In this section, full-time/part-time/contract/freelance work and internships can all be included as long as they are relevant to the position. How do I write my work experience on a resume?List the past work in a format of reverse chronological order, with 3 - 5 bullet points for each experience to indicate the skills learned and goals accomplished.Use past tense while describing work and goals you’ve achieved, no matter if they’re in your past or current jobs. It is allowable to use present tense for current jobs, but do notice to keep the tense consistent under each item.Make use of action verbs to construct strong statements. Also, adopt active voice instead of passive voice to write sentences, which can create a positive image. Here are 5 tips to keep in mind when writing the work experience sectionCustomize:Tailor-make the resume work experience section for different positions and companies. Read the job description carefully and do research on the corporate culture and industry trends to select the experiences and accomplishments that will help you stand out from other candidates.Consistency:Make sure your work experience appears to align with your career goals or path. “Should I include irrelevant work experience on a resume?” Since there’s a length limit for resumes, it’s only wise to exclude experiences that stray from the current career path. Trial and repeated job duties should also be removed.Keywords: To catch recruiters and Applicant Tracking System’s attention swiftly, insert keywords (e.g., specific skills, qualifications, and requirements) from the job post directly in the sentences.Quantify:Numbers can be eye-catching among a pile of words. Quantifying your achievements and experiences enables employers to understand your value more quickly and precisely.Explanation:Since recruiters can’t be experts in all fields, try further to explain some abbreviations, proper names, and statuses when necessary. Besides, if the resume is meant for a foreign company, do utilize further explanation to highlight your experience. How many years of work history/experience should be on a resume? It depends on the candidates’ seniority levels. Generally speaking, there should be 3 - 5 relevant work experiences (jobs) included on a resume, which can be traced back to 10 - 15 years ago for some senior-level job seekers. 💡TIPS If you are a fresher just out of college, you can include your academic, extra-curricular, volunteer, and internship experiences in college. However, it’s not suggested to add high school experiences on resumes if you’re a college graduate. How to include work projects in resume? Cake is the best online resume builder. Users are able to include maps, links, videos, images, and slides in their resumes to showcase skills and profession. Adding projects and portfolios can make your resume more appealing and professional, especially for designers, software engineers, and marketing professionals. Created via Cake Created via Cake 📖 Further Reading:Work Experience on a Resume|Samples, Formats, Writing Guide7. Declaration in resume Resume declaration is a statement where job applicants assure their potential employers that everything included on the resume is accurate and without any misleading information. It usually comes with the writer’s signature and the date. Declaration for resumes is common during the job application process in India, and it can also be found in companies or organizations with formal application processes (e.g., Traditional enterprises, government agencies, and academic institutions). 💡TIPS Keep your resume declaration statement short and genuine. It's not necessary to have a lengthy statement. Being honest and authentic is key to securing an interview. How to write a declaration in resume? Here’s the resume declaration sample and format.Resume declaration sample and format I, [You Full Name], solemnly declare that all the details above in my resume is true and accurate. I take full responsibility for the correctness of the information mentioned.[You Formal Signature] [Date] 📖Further reading:Declaration in Resume|Formats, Examples, Writing Guide 8.References on resume Reference on a resume is not strictly requested in general cases. Adding references in resumes used to be common in the past, but the trend is now fading out. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that references are not important during the job search process anymore. When should I put references on a resume?If the recruiters specifically request applicants to add references to resumes, or it is clearly indicated on the job posting, you should for sure put references on your resume or attach a reference page/sheet in the mail. How to put references on a resume? It is appropriate to list 1 - 3 references on a resume with the following information:The referee’s full nameThe relationship between you and the refereeThe referee’s current job titleThe company at which the referee’s current workingThe referee’s contact information (e.g., Email, phone number)(optional) A short description of the projects you worked together on 💡 TIPS Remember to start the reference list with the one you had the best working relationship with and to previously confirm the referees’ willingness. If you’ve decided to write references in your resume, your next question might be, “Where to add references in resumes?”. Here are some suggestions:Add a reference section at the end of the resumeAdd a reference page/sheet with the resumeAttach another reference page/sheet with the cover letter mail Since the ideal number of references is around 3 (it’s not suggested to list more than 5 referees considering the quality), simply adding a reference section in a resume would be adequate. 📕 Further reading:References on Resume|Formats, Samples, Templates 9.Hobbies This is one of the most common questions asked by job seekers, “Should I put hobbies on a resume?” Generally speaking, it is not suggested to include hobbies in resumes since usually, they can’t directly prove you’re qualified for the job. However, the following 2 conditions can be the exceptions: Your hobbies and interests are highly related to your profession or the position you’re applying for.For example, writing, blogging, and podcasting can be attractive hobbies on resumes for Brand and Marketing specialists; volunteering and community service can be good hobbies on resumes for people applying for jobs at NGOs; and sometimes, even playing video games can be the best hobby if you’re trying to get into the gaming industry!Your resume is less than a page, and you have nothing else to put on it.If you’re writing your very first resume, and you don’t have any skill, work experience, or major achievement to write in it, the section on hobbies for a resume can be your savior. Due to the lack of experience, the only things you can leverage are your personal traits, characters, and personalities, which can also be associated with your soft skills. Make the most of the hobbies and interests section in your resume to show your future employers that you’re a responsible person, a self-starter, a fast learner, a team player, and even a leader! 📒 Further reading:Hobbies and Interests in Resume|Examples, Formats, Writing Guide What are good hobbies to put on a resume?Here is a list of hobbies and interests to write in resumes:Hobbies InterestsPosition/Company/IndustryPet CarePet industryChild CareTeacher position / Child Care Services IndustryPhotographyPhotographer positionCooking, BakingRestaurants and Food Services industryArt, Sketching, PaintingDesigner positionHistory, Culture, TravelingTour guide position / Tourism IndustryReading, Writing, BloggingWriter position / Publishing industryNetworking, Public speakingSales position / Business development positionLanguages learning, TravelingTourism IndustryWriting, Blogging, PodcastingMarketing positionComputer games, Video gamesGaming industrySports, Exercising and healthcarePersonal trainer position / Fitness industryVideo production, Filming, MoviesVideo editor position / Film and Television IndustryVolunteer work, Community involvementSocial enterprise / NGOsListening to music, Making music, Playing an instrumentMusic industryThe Best Resume BuilderCake is the best free resume builder tool that can help you build an attractive and professional resume in just 10 minutes. With Cake, you can easily create a custom resume that reflects your skills, experience, and achievements. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out in your career, Cake provides a range of customizable templates and formatting options to ensure that your resume stands out from the crowd. By using the best free online resume builder, you can be confident that you're presenting your best self to potential employers and increasing your chances of landing your dream job effortlessly.Start your Cake journey today!
Cover Letter
Mar 6th 2024

Motivation Letter for an Exchange Program | Writing Guideline [w/ Samples and Tips!]

Applying for a student exchange program abroad is a multi-stage process that is taken over several months. During the application process, exchange programs typically require the same documents, including recent transcripts, recommendation letters, and, most importantly, a motivation letter for the exchange program itself. A motivation letter for an exchange program is a one-page letter that explains your interest in the program you are applying to and the reasons for your candidacy to the program. In the consideration process, admissions committees place enormous importance on candidates’ motivation letter, or sometimes known as motivation essay, for the exchange program. While grades and outstanding recommendations are great, the motivation letter for the exchange program application is a more personal document that provides key information that other documents are unable to. Well-written motivation letters for exchange programs will connect with the reader and thoroughly convince them that you are the ideal candidate for the exchange opportunity! If you are looking to take a step out of your comfort zone and leap on the opportunity of a lifetime, this article will tell you everything you need to know about motivation letters for exchange programs. We will cover everything from tips to writing a killer exchange program motivation letter, to sample motivation letters for student exchange programs so that you can get a comprehensive understanding of how to write your own! TABLEOFCONTENTS Motivation Letter for Exchange Program Example How to Write a Motivation Letter for an Exchange Program in 5 Steps Tips for Writing an Exchange Program Motivation Letter Motivation Letter Template for Exchange Program Conclusion Tips for Writing a Motivation Letter for an Exchange ProgramMotivation Letter for Exchange Program Example Before we begin, it is necessary to first distinguish between a cover letter and a motivation letter. Cover letters are often conflated with motivation letters but are, in fact, completely different and are used in different scenarios. A cover letter is a one-page letter that is written as a part of a job application or other form of an employment application. Cover letters go into detail on an individual's work experience and qualifications that make them the most suitable candidate for a job. On the other hand, a motivation letter is a more personal letter that delves deeper into an individual's interests and suitability for a program. Motivation letters focus less on professional experience and more on personal accomplishments that align with the overall purpose of the letter. To further illustrate the contents of a motivation letter, here is an example of an exchange program motivation letter. Dear Mr. Ethos, I am writing to express my interest in the 2022 Rotterdam University exchange program. For over a decade, I have dreamed of traveling to the Netherlands, both for its natural beauty and vibrant culture, and would like the opportunity to realize my dream through this unique exchange program. There is no better way to learn about a culture than through physically experiencing it. To this end, I would like to experience the culture of the Netherlands while pursuing my Master’s Degree in Architecture and Interior Design from the University of Rotterdam, whose Architecture Department is a trailblazer in the field throughout Europe. From an early age, my parents instilled the importance of learning about new cultures and languages. Of all the countries that I have learned about, the Netherlands has stood out due to its rich history, architecture, and culture. My desire to experience this first-hand translated into me double majoring in Architecture and Dutch in college. During my degree, I also completed an apprenticeship in CallisonRTKL as an Architect's apprentice, where I worked with a team of 7 in designing 6 buildings set for construction in Washington State. I believe that my experience and skills will lend a great hand in my acclimation to life in the Netherlands and will allow me to thrive in my studies during the exchange program itself. Please take a moment to review my attached resume, recommendations, and transcripts. I look forward to sitting down with you to further talk about how this experience will change my life forever! Thank you for your evaluation and I enthusiastically anticipate your forthcoming response! Sincerely, Jack Arno How to Write a Motivation Letter for Exchange Program in 5 Steps Let’s break it down. In this section, we will explain the various parts of a motivation letter for an exchange program. Introduce yourself. Start a motivation letter for an exchange program with a brief introduction of yourself. Include critical information including your motivation for applying and, optionally, the experiences that you have had that makes you a viable candidate for the exchange program. Here is an example of a brief self-introduction from a motivation letter for a university exchange program: “I am writing to express my interest in the student exchange program at Washington University. This program has captivated my attention for years, and I am jumping on the opportunity to realize my dreams into reality.” State your reason for wanting to participate in the exchange program. A motivational essay for an exchange program should, above all, convince the admissions board of your enthusiasm for the program and your ability to succeed and constructively apply your experiences. You can develop this from early in your exchange program motivation letter by building on your reason for wanting to participate in an exchange program in the first place. While this reason is highly personal, it should be worded in an impactful way. Here is an excerpt from a motivational letter for an Erasmus exchange program application: “The Erasmus Mundus program offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get the European Experience while studying at world-class universities. The Master’s in Data Science program at Rotterdam University, in particular, is the reason why I am applying to this exchange program. I believe that under the tutelage of Professor John Doe, a pioneer in the technology and programming fields, I would gain valuable experience and insight that would otherwise be impossible at my current university.” Mention your achievements. Although motivation letters for exchange programs place great importance on the illustration of your motivation and capacity to excel in a foreign environment, you are still going for a reason! Mention achievements that are relevant to the purpose of the exchange program. For example, if you are writing a motivation letter for a university exchange program, you would highlight academic achievements. Conversely, if you are writing a motivation letter for a cultural exchange program, you would include achievements that testify to your ability as a cultural ambassador. Let’s expand more on the latter through this excerpt from a motivation letter for a cultural exchange program: “From an early age, my parents found it necessary to provide me with the space to become aware of my culture and its wonders. I have spent most of my childhood and formative years working with my local UNESCO branch to provide cultural presentations to international exchange students and represent my country on the international stage through presentations and performances. I believe that participating in this cultural exchange program in Taiwan is a unique opportunity for me to spread awareness of my country to others, and hopefully learn from the Taiwanese experience in the process.” Explain your goals for joining the exchange program. Your motivation letter for the exchange program you are applying to should show your vision beyond receiving the exchange opportunity. You can do this by elaborating on your personal/professional goals concerning the exchange program. Here is an example of describing your personal goals in this extract from a motivational letter for an Erasmus exchange program: “Given my major in East European Studies, I believe that participating in the Erasmus program would be an incredibly valuable experience and will provide a unique perspective on my studies that I am not able to get in my American university. I wish to apply what I learn directly and experience from the Erasmus program to my master’s degree thesis on European integration theory, which I would ultimately like to leverage into a future job in the EU private sector.” Express your appreciation. Finally, close off your exchange program motivation letter by expressing your appreciation to the admissions committee for evaluating and considering your application. Be proactive in your closing by indicating your excitement to hear from them and to continue communications through further correspondence and interviews. To demonstrate a strong closing, here is an excerpt taken from a motivation letter for a university exchange program: “Per your request, please take a moment to review my attached resume, recommendations, and transcripts. I look forward to sitting down with you and the admissions committee to discuss in greater detail exactly how I can excel in this unique experience. Thank you for your evaluation and I enthusiastically look forward to speaking with you soon!” Cake is the best free resume builder that allows you to easily create a resume online. With tonnes of free resume templates and examples, you can have a resume in just a few clicks. Moreover, you can download your resume in PDF formats for free. Land your dream job, create your resume online (free download) now!Create Resume Tips for Writing an Exchange Program Motivation Letter Let’s take your exchange program motivation letter to the next level with these tips to boost the effectiveness and impact of your letter! 💡 Explain your reasons well. Fulfill the fundamental purpose of your motivation letter for the exchange program by ensuring that your reasons for applying are well-explained. Oftentimes, exchange program motivation letters are filled with word filler (to reach a word limit) or stray from the original focus of the letter. Student exchange motivation letters are typically one-page in length (unless explicitly stated otherwise) for the sake of brevity and conciseness. This means that you have very limited space to convince the admissions committee of your candidacy for your program of choice. To this end, you must make sure that every sentence of your student exchange motivation letter is purposefully and intentionally written! We recommend reviewing your motivation letter for your student exchange program several times after writing to check for pertinence. You can also ask friends, family, or your professors for their opinions. Do: “I would like to challenge myself through this exchange program by increasing my cultural awareness and intelligence in a country that I have admired for years.”Don’t: “I wanna travel because the city I live in is boring.” 💡 Highlight any experience abroad that you already have. An individual may be the most academically qualified candidate for an exchange program but lack the personal maturity to thrive in a foreign environment. That said, if you have any experience traveling (or living) abroad, it's usually a great addition to any motivation letter for an exchange program! Experiences abroad, especially those taken on your own (or, at least, without parental supervision) are a great way of convincing admissions officers that you will be able to live and thrive in a foreign environment. In your motivation essay for your exchange program, including one or two of your formative international experiences and detail how they have helped you develop as a person. Avoid including extraneous information that does not contribute to the point of your motivation letter. Below are examples of how you should and shouldn't phrase this part of your motivation letter for an exchange program. Do: “My formative years were spent traveling around the US and Mexico with my parents, who sought to instill a sense of independence and proactiveness from an early age. I have also become fluent in Spanish, which is an invaluable language to have since I am applying for an exchange to Madrid.”Don’t: “My parents took me to Canada and the plane ride was really cool. I like flying so I would love to go on an exchange program far away!” 💡 Show how your personality suits living/studying abroad. Build on the previous section of your exchange program motivation essay by connecting your international experiences, your personality, and how the combination suits living and studying abroad. School is hard enough without the burden of living away from home, so show that you have what it takes! But what if you lack international experience? No problem! Although having and mentioning your experiences abroad is a great way to boost the message of your motivation letter for an exchange program, it is definitely not a must-have. In its place, describe personal experiences and how they have built your personality to be independent and fully capable of thriving in a foreign environment. Here are some ways you can (and also shouldn’t) include these ideas in your motivation essay for an exchange program. Do: “Whether it be helping around the house or engaging in community service, I have dedicated my teenage years to become as self-sufficient and independent as possible. I consider myself highly self-motivated, which I believe will greatly benefit my day-to-day experiences when living abroad.”Don’t: “My parents let me babysit my siblings, so I would say that I’m pretty independent. This would be super helpful when living by myself in another country” 💡 Illustrate how you can contribute to the community of the place you are going to. Although altruism exists in an ideal world, it very rarely does so in reality. The motivation letter for your exchange program of choice should clearly outline how you intend to apply the knowledge and experiences you had throughout your exchange program to your society and the society of the place you are going to. Admissions officers need to know that you are applying to their program with a purpose in mind, rather than just doing so for the traveling it brings! Here are a few ways you can phrase this in a motivation letter for an exchange program. Do: “This experience would be life-changing. Not only will the exchange year allow me to uniquely develop, both personally and professionally, but would give me the international perspective I need to be able to better serve my people and country.”Don’t: “The exchange program would be super cool and I would have some awesome stories to tell my friends when I get home!” 💡 Follow the essay prompt properly (if any). Finally, pay attention to the application’s contents before writing your motivation letter for the exchange program. Some programs provide essay prompts for you to base your motivation letter on so that exchange program applicants can create a focused essay that provides the exact information that is desired!Motivation Letter Template for Exchange Program Finally, combine everything you have learned and use this template of a motivational letter for an exchange program as a guide to writing your own! [Your name][Your job title/position] (if any)[Your home address][Your email address][Your telephone number] Date [Name of Admissions Officer][Job title of Admissions Officer][University/Organization name][University/Organization address] Dear [Mr./Ms./Mrs.][Admissions Officers last name], I am writing to express my interest in the [name of exchange program] at [university name]. [give a brief reason for your candidacy]. This exchange program, as described, is the perfect opportunity for me to develop both personally and professionally. I believe that my interests and qualifications make me an ideal candidate for this unique opportunity. For years, I have [expanded on the reasons that you are applying for the exchange program]. [Talk about your experience and professional qualifications and how it translates to your candidacy for the exchange program you are applying to]. My [connect 1 or 2 personal achievements that relate to the exchange program and how they will help you survive and thrive in the foreign country and the program]. [if you are fluent in the native language, you can also include that here]. I believe that these skills and experiences will allow me to thrive and excel in this program. Please take a moment to review my [list the attached documents that were requested as part of the application package for the exchange program]. Should the need for further documentation for clarification of existing material arise, I can be contacted at any time through my [email and telephone information]. [Thank the admissions officer/committee for reading your letter]. [Include a call to action that expresses how much you look forward to hearing from them]. Sincerely, [Signature] [Your full name] Conclusion Writing an impactful motivation letter for an exchange program is no easy task, but it's well worth the time! Here are some key takeaways for you to consider when writing your own: Your exchange program motivation letter should make you stand out against the competition. Remember that motivation letters are more personal than cover letters, so use that to your advantage in telling your story!When writing a motivation letter for an exchange program, aim to connect your personal experiences with reasons that you will succeed, should you receive the opportunity to travel.Pay attention to the application information! Sometimes, universities/institutions will include an essay prompt on which to base your exchange program motivation letter! Find this article helpful? Follow us for more!— Originally written by Alexander Coye —
Resume & CV
Jun 28th 2021

Virtual Assistant Resume: Examples & Writing Guide

Created by CakeYou'll learn:How to write a professional virtual assistant resume?What is the best resume format for a virtual assistant?How to make a virtual assistant resume template?Top 10 virtual assistant resume Dos and Don'tsVirtual assistant resume sample Virtual assistants are generally independent contractors who provide assistance to clients remotely. They mostly perform administrative tasks but may also get involved in other functions of a business such as marketing, accounting, design, etc. Due to the increasing demand for this job, you might want to build a professional virtual assistant resume and land this job. Check out this article to learn how to write a virtual assistant resume. How to write a great baker resume? Step 1: Write an eye-catching headline for your virtual assistant resume. Firstly, a catchy resume headline can quickly tell hiring managers who you are as a job applicant by highlighting your skills, experience, and achievements. When well-written, it can make you and your virtual assistant resume stand out. Examples of virtual assistant resume headlines:For an entry-level virtual assistant resume:Energetic and proactive virtual assistant with 2 years of experience working in website content management, record-keeping, and event scheduling. For a professional virtual assistant resume:Detail-oriented and enthusiastic professional with 5+ years of experience in providing comprehensive support to senior directors. Step 2: Craft a professional virtual assistant resume summary. A simple yet incredibly effective way to make your resume stand out is crafting a professional virtual assistant profile summary. It is placed at the beginning of the resume, consists of two sentences, and briefly represents your experience and outstanding skills. Check out 3 examples below to learn how to polish a well-written virtual assistant profile summary:Maintain a high level of integrity, supported by a flawless record of securing confidentiality. Adapt rapidly to changing situations, flexible about working hours, and experienced in running personal errands for executives.Strive in fast-paced and virtual environments following established procedures and practices to exceed all customer expectations. Experienced in providing top-level client support, solving problems, and maintaining relationships to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty.Take the initiative to handle the day-to-day work without the need for supervision. Current IVAA and GAVA member. Uploaded and edited content for 5 websites with more than 80k monthly visitors each in 2020. Step 3: Include skills for virtual assistant resume. The skills section in a resume plays a very important role in leaving a great first impression and landing a job interview. Remember to include appropriate skills for your virtual assistant resume. Here are 3 simple tips: List all professional skills you possess.Then select only those related to the virtual assistant job.Refine keywords from the job descriptions and requirements. Take a look at the list below to see some of the virtual assistant skills for resume that you can include:Hard skills: Microsoft Office, Outlook, typing, data entry, database management, etc.Soft skills: Communication, office management, time management, reporting skills, problem-solving.📝 Find a complete list of skills for 16+ different roles and professions! Step 4: Tailor your virtual assistant resume to the specific role. Instead of writing a generic virtual assistant resume, you should craft it based on the position you are targeting. For instance, a virtual assistant resume with no experience is different from a virtual assistant resume for beginners or for an associate virtual assistant. This way you can further differentiate yourself from other candidates by demonstrating your professionalism. Step 5: Proofread your virtual assistant resume. Lastly, don't rush to submit your virtual assistant resume without checking the grammar and vocabulary carefully. Error-free writing can show hiring managers that you are highly detail-oriented, meticulous, and professional. What is the best resume format for a virtual assistant? Four common types of resume format:Chronological resume format: The most basic format in which information is listed in a reverse chronological order.Functional resume format: Commonly used for a skill-based resume that highlights the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and accomplishments.Hybrid/Combinational resume format: A combination version of the two previous formats. It first presents skills and experience, while listing employment history in a reverse chronological order.Targeted resume format: Highly-tailored for a specific position or company to show that you are the best fit for the particular opening.Based on that...A chronological or targeted virtual assistant resume format can be favorable for those with urgent employment needs such as fresh graduates or virtual assistants with no experience.Meanwhile, if you are aiming for a position requiring considerable experience, a hybrid/combinational format would be a good choice for your virtual assistant resume to express yourself better to recruiters, for example, a professional virtual assistant or executive/personal assistant. How to make a virtual assistant resume template? Struggling with making a virtual assistant resume template on your own? No need to panic! These two easy yet effective ways will do your part! 1️⃣ Microsoft WordRefer to virtual assistant resume templates online and collect your favorite components, including layout, sections, and formats.List necessary information: Personal Contact, Work Experience, Education, Skills/Qualifications.Adopt an ATS-friendly virtual assistant resume format and utilize bullet points.Make sure the font size is easy-to-read and the layout is consistent.Best fonts to use: Times New Roman, Helvetica, Cambria, Calibri, and Arial 2️⃣ Online Resume BuilderIf you may find it annoying and confusing to create your virtual assistant resume template with Microsoft Word, head over to Cake which provides plenty of templates for various roles/professions. Simply add, remove, and edit to make your professional virtual assistant resume highly unique. Top 10 virtual assistant resume Dos and Don'ts In addition to the fundamental elements of writing a professional resume for virtual assistant, take note of the following dos and don'ts that either benefit or do damage to your virtual assistant resume.✅ Dos:Tailor your virtual assistant resume and only include information related to the role.Quantify results and accomplishments to express yourself better through the contributions you made, not just listing what you were assigned to do.Optimize the resume for ATS by covering all must-have sections, using keywords from the job description, and saving your virtual assistant resume file as a PDF.Adopt a simple virtual assistant resume format with a clean design and a clear hierarchy.Utilize action/power verbs in your virtual assistant resume to demonstrate your skills and expertise that qualify you for the job. 🚫 Don’ts:Mix up a resume with a CV. Though virtual assistant resumes and CVs are both job application documents, they are different in terms of length, purpose, content, and design.📚Read about the differences between a CV and a resume➡What Is the Difference Between CV and Resume?Adopt an old-style resume objective statement. Meaning that you are not responsive to modern industry terms. Instead, polish a catchy resume objective for virtual assistant with clear goals and sincerity.Disclose confidential information about previous employers.Which can expose you to a lawsuit and be considered unprofessional conduct. Former job salary, business strategies, and private affairs are the things that you absolutely need to drop-kick from your virtual assistant resume.Include unnecessary personal details.You don't need to include needless personal detailsin your virtual assistant resume that might lead to discrimination, for example, height/weight, race, religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, etc.Send the resume as a Word doc. Here are some drawbacks of a Word file:❌Error opening for reading.❌ Format changes depending on the Word version. ❌Your resume can be rewritten and copied for other purposes. Virtual Assistant Resume Sample Kaylee Hudson | Seasoned Virtual Assistant [email protected]/in/kayhudson643-954-0040 Summary Virtual assistant with 4+ years of experience with proven organizational, communication, editing, and event planning skills. Looking to fulfill the role of a virtual assistant and maintain exceptional internal and external communication. Work Experience Virtual AssistantThe Admin Center | Upwork.comSep. 2018 - Sep. 2020 Maintained client communication over phone and email with a high response rate of 98% and a CSAT (Customer Satisfaction Score) of 83%.Multitasked between client phone calls, arranging appointments, and planning work schedules for executives.Created and updated the companies' spreadsheets with a 100% accuracy rate.Administrative AssistantProfit Factory | Mesa, AZ Feb. 2015 - Dec. 2017 Managed company’s social media accounts (Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and LinkedIn), maintaining a fast response time within 1 hour.Assisted in client support with over 15 clients in the Southwest U.S.Created and edited PowerPoint presentations for the department heads.Arranged daily meetings for executives. Certificate Virtual Personal Assistance Technical Certificate - CCC Skills Hard skills:Calendar managementMicrosoft OfficeSocial media platformsOutlookWordpress CMS management Soft Skills:Interpersonal skillsCommunicationCollaborationSolution-orientedFlexibility Education MCCOMBS School of Business | University of Texas BBA in General Management2010 - 2014 --- Originally written by May Luong ---
Cover Letter
Aug 24th 2025

Cover Letter vs. Application Letter [Differences, Pros & Cons, and Writing Tips]

Created by CakeResumeHowever, the major difference between a cover letter and an application letter lies in the content. A cover letter, which is usually submitted along with a resume, focuses on expressing your interest in the position. An application letter meanwhile can replace a resume and a cover letter and briefly describes your education and work history.Job search jargon can be confusing sometimes, especially when there are terms that sound alike but mean differently. Yes, we're talking about a cover letter vs. an application letter. They serve the same purpose – introducing yourself, demonstrating your qualifications for the job opening, and convincing the employer to call you for an interview.Read on to learn more about: When to Use an Application Letter vs. Cover LetterCover Letter vs. Application Letter - ContentCover Letter vs Application Letter - Pros ConsTips for Writing a Strong Application Letter When to Use an Application Letter vs. Cover LetterSince an application letter and cover letter are two different documents, they should also differ in terms of usage. As we all already know and understand, a cover letter is used to accompany a resume when applying for a job vacancy.Then, what about application letters?Below we will discuss the 5 different situations that tell whether you should use an application letter or a cover letter.💡 When there is no job postingIf the job isn't being advertised, you can consider sending out an application letter or a letter of interest. These two documents work well when you want to express your confidence and desire to work at that company in the future. That being said, a letter of interest is another different document, just like how an application letter is different from a cover letter. Application letters highlight your skills, strengths, and previous work experiences in detail, along with your interest in the specific position you are writing about. 💡 When you’re applying for academic programs or scholarshipsIn such situations, a longer-form letter like an application letter or an academic CV is more preferred compared to a resume and cover letter. The reason is that school advisors expect to see the details of your personal growth in terms of both education and employment. Therefore, they can decide whether you would be an excellent candidate to be granted the opportunity. 💡 When you’re applying for internshipsAs a student looking for internships, you might not have a lot of work experience to describe in your resume. For that reason, an application letter will be able to do the job of both a resume and a cover letter. Also, the potential employer would like to dig deep into your educational background as well as personal traits and strengths, not just hear about your passion. That's why an application letter is preferable to a cover letter or a motivation letter. 💡 When you’re applying for a job openingA cover letter is generally sent along with your resume for a job application. It is considered as a supporting document that helps provide additional information besides what is written in your resume. Though it’s optional to include a cover letter in your job application, you should need one to express yourself further in a more personal way. 💡 When you have a lot to write in your resumeYou have plenty of work experience and have achieved many accomplishments in the field, so a 2-page resume is not enough. If so, you should describe those work experiences and accomplishments that don’t fit in your resume in a cover letter.Remember, do not repeat the same information on your resume in your cover letter. What if you are a recent graduate and have limited professional experience? A cover letter will then help you demonstrate your passion and motivation to apply for the job opening. You can also impress the hiring manager by stating your career goals. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - ContentIn this paragraph, we're going to show you the difference between a cover letter vs. a letter of application in terms of their format and structure.1. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - HeaderBasically, the header of a motivation letter vs. an application letter follows the format of business letters, which includes your contact information, the date when the letter is written, the recipient's address, and contact information.Example:Moon TranLa Mesa, CA, 91941[email protected](+310)-442-1549 April 10, 2022Davis PullmanMarketing ManagerIVY Media1836 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942 2. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - SalutationThe salutation in a letter is a greeting to the people who can make a decision on hiring you or offering you the scholarship. In general, they could be the hiring manager, the employer, or the Head of the Department where the vacancy is from.For any kind of formal letter, including a letter of interest, application letter, and cover letter, you should write a proper salutation like these: If you already know the recipient's name: Hello / Dear [Name]If you already know the recipient's gender: Dear Mr. / Ms. + [Name]If you only know the team or department: Dear Hiring Manager / Dear The Head of [Department] 💡 Pro Tip: You might be wondering, what about “To Whom It May Concern”? Believe it or not, this salutation is now considered outdated and overused. Read more on why you should consider not using “To Whom It May Concern” as your cover letter salutation. 3. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - Opening paragraphHere's what to include in the opening paragraph of your cover letter:Your nameThe position you're applying forThe purpose of the letterA brief statement of your qualificationsExample of the introduction in a cover letter: “My name is Kaylee Sands, a TESOL-certified teacher currently seeking a teaching position at Dream School. I believe that my 8 years experience in teaching English and my strong communication skills make me the right fit for this role.”On the other hand, application letters have a more extensive introduction through which the employer can grasp more in-depth information about the candidate’s skills and qualities. You need to cover the following elements in the opening paragraph of your application letter: Your nameThe purpose of the letterA brief overview of your skills, experience, and goalsExample of the introduction in an application letter: “My name is Flavien Louis, an undergraduate student majoring in Marketing at Academy of Journalism and Communication. I am writing to express my desire to participate in the Unilever Future Leaders Program. I have a strong passion for exploring customer behaviors and developing Marketing plans to help the company maximize the profit. Previously, I have worked part-time at an advertising agency for one year where I have obtained much knowledge, experience, and skills in this field. I know UFLP would be the perfect opportunity for me to advance my goal of becoming a Digital Marketing specialist.” 4. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - Body paragraph(s)In terms of the body paragraph, a cover letter aims to express your motivation and explain why you think you're qualified for the job opening. Thus, you will need to draw strong connections between your qualifications and the job requirements, and avoid repeating the information that is already mentioned in your resume.Example of the body paragraph in a cover letter: “During my 10 years of experience as an HR Specialist, I have engaged in a variety of industries such as EdTech, fashion, and tourism. My major job responsibilities include employee recruitment and retention, staff development, employee benefits, and HR records management. I’m detail-oriented and able to deal with complicated issues by leveraging organizational management as well as problem-solving skills. In the most recent position at PledgCam, I have implemented the very first corporate-wide program to foster employee engagement, having achieved 100% employee participation. Regarding my educational background, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in HRM and an MBA in Organization Development, both from Western State University.” Meanwhile, an application letter provides a brief description of your educational background, employment history, and accomplishments in the field. The information needs to be listed chronologically so the employer can see your personal development. That makes a job application and a cover letter different.Example of the body paragraph in an application letter: “In 2010, I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Communications and an MBA from the University of Texas after studying for 6 years.My first job was a Sales Representative at Genex Engineering, where I was responsible for selling hardware and software for Asia-based customers while obtaining orders from existing or potential sales outlets. I hit and exceeded sales KPIs by 25% for 3 months in a row in 2018.After that, I advanced my career as a Sales Specialist at Ragic. My main job responsibilities include developing and implementing sales strategy, searching for potential clients, managing the retention of existing clients, and negotiating the contract of sales. My biggest achievement is receiving the 2020 and 2021 Sales Eminence Award for annual sales volumes over 115% of the goal.” 5. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - Closing paragraphHow to write a cover letter vs a job application’s closing paragraph is similar. You will need to include the following information:Restate your interest in the role/program.Include a call to action inviting the hiring manager to reach out to you.Express your gratitude for their time and consideration. Example: “As a big fan of BAS Glow for many years, I hope that I can become a part of the Business Analysis Development team. I am confident that the experiences and skills I’ve obtained in 5 years of working have prepared me for this position. I would appreciate your time and consideration for a further discussion.Thank you and please kindly let me know if you have any questions." 6. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - Sign-offThere’s no difference in the sign-offs of a cover letter vs a letter of application. Just simply end your letter with a formal closing, followed by your signature, like these: Sincerely,Best regards,With gratitude, 💡 Pro Tip: Avoid sign offs that are too personal and casual like: With love, Lots of love, XOXO, See you. 7. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - AttachmentsIn general, you’re required to include a resume with your cover letter. You can also submit other supporting documents such as certificates and a portfolio.However, application letters don't contain any other attachments since they're considered a standalone document and you’ve already disclosed your explanations in the body of the letter.Still, to make sure you don't miss any requirements, read the job posting carefully. 8. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - LengthA cover letter is typically half to one page long with 250-400 words. An application letter can typically be longer than a cover letter and can be one to 2 pages long. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - Pros ConsWondering which type of letter you should use for your application? Below we've listed some pros and cons of using a cover letter vs. an application letter.Pros Cons of a Cover LetterPros:Entices the employer to read your resume.Shows your personal traits.Better explains what you contribute to the company as a candidate for the specific position.Provides additional information that's not mentioned in your resume.If it is an optional requirement, it shows that you're willing to take extra time to prepare a document that's not required.Cons:If not well-written, it would reflect poorly on your application.Some employers may not read cover letters if it's not a requirement for the application.Need to conduct a time-consuming research of the company and position in order to write a tailored cover letter.Need extra time and effort to prepare.Risk of repeating information already mentioned in the CV.Pros Cons of an Application LetterPros:Doesn’t consume much time and effort to design and format it.When well-written, it tells a compelling story about yourself.Works well when you want to describe in-depth academic experience.Makes you stand out from the crowd as many candidates don't submit an application letter if not required.No strict requirement for the length.Cons:Lacks personal touch and room for creativity compared to a well-designed resume.Some hiring managers prefer a resume or CV.May be out of date for some jobs or industries.Can only be used in very limited circumstances in a job search.Not suitable for those with limited work experience or educational achievements.Tips for Writing a Strong Application Letter✅ Rephrase your resume content in your application letter.As mentioned earlier, you shouldn't repeat what is already written in the resume. If you want to highlight any important details such as your previous job tasks and significant contribution, keep in mind to rephrase them.✅ Highlight notable achievements.You should not only show your accomplishments but also quantify them. That way, you can better prove yourself to the hiring manager and show that you can add more value to the company.✅ Start each paragraph by highlighting the content.This allows the employer to have a clear picture of what you're going to say within each paragraph. Just follow the guide on how to write a cover letter vs. job application mentioned above and you'll be able to give a clear, well-thought-out self-description.✅ Be brief and use descriptive words.Descriptive words allow you to provide specific information without writing a lot. Hence, consider using this kind of words will make your application letter more concise and impressive.📚 Further reading:300+ Resume Adjectives How to Use Them (Guide Examples)✅ Stuff facts and details in the application letter.Honesty is especially important when it comes to job and academic applications. Any false or ambiguous information may make you look bad and break your chances of landing the job interview. Including details about your experience will increase credibility and also help the readers gain a better understanding of your qualifications.Get recruiter-ready in minutes. Our AI resume checker reviews your resume for common pitfalls and suggests targeted improvements.Get Recruiter-Ready --- Originally written by May Luong ---
Resume & CV
Oct 15th 2024

Finance Resume Examples & Writing Guideline

Financial Resume Examples Writing Guideline 2024Finding a good job in finance isn’t as easy as it looks. For finance positions, there's an estimated 900,000 openings every year this coming decade. So with the playing field so wide open, how do you get yourself noticed for that ideal finance position? A solid finance resume is the first step, guaranteeing you an excellent first impression and a good chance of getting that interview. There‘s a ton of different professions in the field, and they mostly involve similar responsibilities, such as financial planning, predicting economic scenarios and untangling financial issues. Learning how to tailor your finance resume to the right job will be the key to success. This guide will help you go over all the tools you'll need to produce that winning finance resume.Table of Contents:What Hiring Managers Look for in a Finance ResumeHow to Write a Finance Specialist Resume8 Tips for Crafting a Good Finance ResumeFinancial Resume ExamplesConclusion What Hiring Managers Look for in a Finance ResumeA finance specialist manages and analyzes financial data to guide an organization's decision-making. They are responsible for budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, as well as ensuring compliance with financial regulations. When HR reviews a resume for a finance job, they are looking for a candidate with financial expertise and successful money management for clients or organizations. Highlighting your strengths as a finance professional, such as effective communication and experience with financial data, is definitely a good idea. Quantified achievements, like increasing revenue or reducing costs, can also help make your profile stand out by demonstrating the direct impact of your work.How to Write a Finance Specialist ResumeFinancial Resume Examples Writing Guideline 2024 Begin with a Clean Resume Header Everyone should have their full details at the beginning of their resume, as specified below. Make sure that this information is accurate, up-to-date, and easily accessible: Full name. If you have a hard-to-pronounce name, consider including your English name or a phonetic spelling in brackets.Professional title. Make sure to align this title with the one you're applying for.Email address. While using an email address you have since college is okay, make sure that it looks (or sounds) professional.Phone number. If you cannot be reached via phone number, remember to mention your preferred contact method in your cover letter.Location information. This information can opt-out if you're applying for remote work, or you can mention the country instead of the city you're in.💡 Pro Tips: Unnecessary personal details such as home address, gender, date of birth, etc. can be omitted. Introduce Yourself with a Resume Headline A resume headline, often referred to as a resume title, is a basic summary of you and your career. Typically placed at the very top of your resume, the resume headline gives hiring managers an introduction to you as a candidate. The key here is to keep it short and to the point. Aim to have the resume title in one line or a maximum of two lines and highlight the required skills or experience for the job to which you are applying. An engaging resume title can be the deciding factor for recruiters whether to read further. Here are 3 finance resume headline examples: Finance Resume Headline Example #1Recent Finance Graduate with Banking Internship Experience | Strong in Excel, QuickBooks, Budgeting, and Financial ReportingFinance Resume Headline Example #2Junior Financial Analyst at [ABC] Investment Firm | CFA - Level I | Proficient in Bloomberg and Python | Specialize in Financial Modeling and Portfolio AnalysisFinance Resume Headline Example #3Senior Risk Manager with Multi-Industry Experience | Certified FRM | Risk Assessment, Compliance, and Mitigation Strategies | Proficient in SAS, SQL, and Risk Management Frameworks Indicate Your Ambitions with a Resume Objective A strong finance resume objective indicates your long-term career aspirations. This section helps HR understand your career objectives and determine whether you’re a good match for the job. Typically 2 to 3 sentences long, the resume objective includes info about your years of finance experience as well as indicating your personality traits (detail-oriented, problem-solving). It is recommended to tailor your career goals here to match the opening job. And above all, make it clear and concise—one to two sentences should do the trick. The career objective can replace the resume headline or resume summary section if warranted. If so, just make sure to highlight your experience and skills in this section. Here are some examples of finance resume objectives: Finance Resume Objective Example #1I’m a detail-oriented Finance Assistant with two years of experience at a credit union looking to demonstrate my financial support skills for a cohesive finance team. I’m adept in QuickBooks, Excel, and financial data entry, with hands-on experience in processing transactions, account reconciliation, and customer service.Finance Resume Objective Example #2Junior Finance Analyst with experience at a leading investment firm, seeking to transition into a senior financial role. CFA Level II candidate with a specialty in financial modelling and risk management. Excellent knowledge of Excel, Bloomberg, and Python. I am eager to put my advanced analytical skills and industry knowledge to to the test in a more senior capacity.Finance Resume Objective Example #3Financial Analyst with 8 years of expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, and internal controls, seeking to advance to a Controller position at a global company. CPA with a strong background in managing financial statements, ensuring compliance and overseeing audit processes. Proficient in ERP systems, including SAP and Oracle, with advanced skills in financial analysis. I am looking to contribute extensive experience and strategic insight to a dynamic team environment. Create an Exceptional Work Experience Section The work experience section is an integral part of a finance resume because it directly lays out your hands-on experience and accomplishments in the real world. This section must detail your abilities in finance to analyze data, perform effective budgeting, produce financial forecasting and reports, as well as show regulatory compliance. Employers will be looking for specific examples of projects you worked on, systems used, and the impact you made. Moreover, your work experience demonstrates your familiarity with industry best practices and problem-solving. A well-written work experience section for finance jobs should make sure to use strong, action words and indicate how you possess the skills and experience related to the applying job. Here are some examples of well-composed work experience sections for finance resumes:Finance Resume - Work Experience - Example #1Finance Assistant Intern, XYZ Global Finance
May 2024 to September 2024Assisted in the preparation of financial reports and analysis and supported account reconciliation and transaction processingUtilized Excel to track and analyze financial data, generating reports and summaries for senior finance staffCoordinated with various departments to gather necessary financial information and address inquiriesParticipated in the review and improvement of internal controls, identifying areas for process enhancementFinance Resume - Work Experience - Example #2Staff Accountant, ABC Investments
October 2022 to presentManaged the preparation and analysis of monthly financial statements and conducted account reconciliations, resolving discrepancies and ensuring financial integrityPrepared detailed financial reports for senior management, including variance analysis and budgeting forecastsAssisted with financial audits by preparing documentation and addressing auditor queriesMonitored cash flow and assisted in managing banking relationshipsFinance Resume - Work Experience - Example #3Treasury Manager, Global Energy Innovations Inc. January 2018 to PresentOversaw the company's treasury operations, including cash management, investment strategies, and debt financingDeveloped and executed risk management strategies to mitigate exposure to interest rate and foreign exchange fluctuationsCoordinated with banks and financial institutions to secure financing, negotiate favorable terms, and manage credit lines and banking relationshipsMonitored and managed corporate debt, including loan agreements and bond issuances, ensuring compliance with covenants Key skills to highlight in your finance resume template The skills section of a finance resume is critical. Employers want to know the specific software and analytic skills you possess, or you won’t be a good fit. When listing many skills, consider grouping them for more clarity (e.g., software skills, financial analysis skills). For more experienced candidates, it’s okay to leave off certain skills if they are expected at all levels (e.g., Excel). Consider listing the ones required for the job you are applying for or ones that would really impress future employers. Here are different sets of skills you can list on your finance resume.Financial Analysis and Management Skills:Budgeting - Developing and managing budgetsFinancial Reporting - Preparing accurate and comprehensive financial statements and reportsCost Analysis - Assessing the costs associated with business operationsData Interpretation - Analyzing financial data to provide insights and recommendationsRatio Analysis - Evaluating financial ratios to assess the company's financial healthRisk Assessment - Identifying financial risks and recommending mitigation strategiesCash Flow Management - Monitoring and managing the inflow and outflow of cashDebt Management - Overseeing and managing corporate debtFinancial Modeling - Representations of a company's financial performance Variance Analysis - Comparing actual financial performance to budgeted or forecasted performance to identify discrepanciesTreasury Management - Managing a company's financial assets, liabilities, and liquidityStrategic Planning - Developing long-term financial strategiesFinancial Controls - Implementing and monitoring internal finance controls Compliance Management - Ensuring adherence to financial regulationsPerformance Measurement - Evaluating financial performance metrics Investor Relations - Managing communications and relationships with investors and stakeholdersFinancial Strategy Development - Formulating and executing financial strategies to achieve organizational objectives and drive growth.Technical Software Skills:Microsoft ExcelQuickbooksPythonTableauSAPOracle, Oracle Financial Services,Bloomberg, Bloomberg TerminalPower BIMATLABHyperionAdaptive InsightsSASCostpointFactSetIBM Planning AnalyticsRiskWatchMoody’s AnalyticsSharePointKyribaQuantumRevalBusiness Intelligence ToolsTreasury Management Systems Compliance Management SoftwareInvestor Relations Platforms Leadership and Communication Skills:Strategic Leadership - Guiding teams and making long-term financial decisions Team Management - Overseeing and motivating team membersEffective Communication - Clearly conveying financial information to various audiencesConflict Resolution - Addressing and resolving disagreements or issuesNegotiation Skills - Successfully negotiating financial terms, contracts, and agreements Presentation Skills - Delivering compelling presentations and financial reportsStakeholder Engagement - Building positive relationships with investors, clients, and stakeholders Listing Your Finance Education A formal education, such as a degree in Finance or related fields is a strong foundation for a finance resume. While employers will usually focus on practical experience, it is still important to present your educational background in a clear and organized manner—-especially if you are a recent graduate. In addition, having relevant educational credentials can signal to recruiters that you have a solid base of knowledge and will be able to ease in to the company work life. Here’s an example of how to write an education section on your resume:Finance Resume - Education Example #1Bachelor of Science in FinanceHoward University, 2020-2024Relevant Coursework: Financial Analysis and Valuation, Investment Management, Corporate Finance, Financial Modeling, Advanced Econometrics, Risk Management and DerivativesDean’s List 2023-2024 If you haven't graduated yet but are still pursuing a degree, you can adapt the education section on your resume to reflect your current academic status. Here's a guide on how to do that:Finance Resume - Education Example #2Master of Science in EconomicsUniversity of Wisconsin, Anticipated Graduation May 2025Minor: StatisticsRelevant Coursework: Macroeconomic Theory, Econometrics, Financial Economics, International Finance, Investment Analysis, Game Theory, Public FinanceProjected GPA: 3.7 Certifications that make a difference in finance resumes, including financial analysis Having a financial certification is good currency in the finance sector. Certifications show your ambition and tenacity and will make you a more competitive candidate. Many finance positions require certifications, so be sure to check before applying. If you have multiple certifications then create a separate section and list them together. Otherwise, if you only have one or two, then you can include them with your education. Here are several certifications that may be worth listing on your finance resume: Certified Public Accountant (CPA)Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)Certified Management Accountant (CMA)Certified Financial Planner (CFP)Financial Risk Manager (FRM)Certified Treasury Professional (CTP)Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA)Certified Fund Specialist (CFS)Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA)FINRA Series 7FINRA Series 63FINRA Series 65FINRA Series 668 Tips for Crafting a Good Finance Resume 1) Start with the Right Format Be aware of the three different resume formats and choose the one that suits your needs: Chronological Resumes: The chronological resume is the most commonly used resume type where you list your work experience in reverse chronological order, from the most recent to the least recent. If your past several work experiences align with the position for which you are applying, then go with this format. Functional Resume: A functional resume highlights your skills rather than your chronological experience in your resume. This resume format is highly suitable for recent graduates with limited work experience or people changing careers. It's important in a functional resume to provide examples of how you have applied these skills in your previous experiences.Combination Resume: A combination resume also focuses on skills but uses work experience as a supplement to support skills. This is great for people who are switching careers, and much of their work experience might not be relevant.📚 Further reading: What Is a Resume: Resume Formats, Resume Elements, Resume Writing Tips 2) Use keywords from the job description It’s important to use keywords from the job description, as many large companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) for hiring. An ATS is a software used by employers to scan, rate, and organize resumes submitted for their positions. It scans applications looking for keywords, specific skills, and experience that are important to the job. Those keywords are usually mentioned in the job listing, sometimes more than once, so applicants should take note of which ones to include on their resumes for a high-rated ATS.
 Consider the following steps when incorporating keywords: Read the job description Example: “Seeking a Junior Analyst to support investment decision-making through data analysis and market research; proficiency in Python required, with strong analytical and communication skills.”Analyze the keywords mentioned. Keywords: investment decision-making, data analysis, market research, Python, analytical and communication skills.Craft your sentences using the keywords.After analyzing, here's how you should craft your resume:Finance Resume - Work experience exampleConducted comprehensive data analysis using Python to provide insights for portfolio management and strategy developmentPerformed in-depth market research and financial modelling to assess investment opportunities, utilizing strong analytical and communication skills to present findings to senior analystsAssisted in preparing detailed reports and presentations to contribute to investment decision-making made by the entire analyst team By incorporating these specific keywords into your resume, you increase the likelihood of your application successfully navigating through ATS filters. 3) Create a profile by summarizing your finance qualifications and experience Present a concise yet compelling overview of your professional background, skills, and achievements. This text can be used as a summary at the top of a resume, as a header on LinkedIn, or as an introduction for a company’s hiring website. Highlight key qualifications such as relevant degrees, certifications, and technical skills, along with your experience in financial analysis, budgeting, or investment management. Emphasize any accomplishments or projects that demonstrate your unique abilities. 4) Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results and impact A good finance professional should be good with numbers. So finding places in your resume to show off these abilities will set you apart from the field. Using numbers in a finance resume is crucial for demonstrating the tangible impact of your work and quantifying your contributions. For instance, instead of simply stating that you handled financial forecasting, you could note that you improved forecasting accuracy by 15%. Here’s a list of places where you can potentially quantify results and show off your financial chops to impress your future employers: Revenue GrowthCost ReductionsFinancial Forecasting AccuracyProfit MarginsInvestment ReturnsBudget ManagementCash Flow OptimizationComplianceDebt ManagementProject Success Rate 5) Use action verbs to begin each bullet point Using action words in a finance resume is essential for making your accomplishments stand out. Words like "analyzed," "optimized," and "generated" emphasize the proactive role you played. Action verbs help demonstrate your ability to drive results, whether through improving profitability, reducing costs, or enhancing processes. Try out some of these action words: managed, analyzed, created, developed, improved, increased, reduced, streamlined and optimized. 6) Highlight your promotions, leadership, and financial analysis skills It’s important to demonstrate your growth, influence, and expertise within the field. Promotions show that your contributions have been recognized and your career is advancing. Leadership experience emphasizes your ability to manage teams and guide financial strategy. Additionally, strong financial analysis skills showcase your abilities in making data-driven decisions for the company's overall financial success. These elements combined make your resume more compelling to potential employers — so consider including to your work experience or to your resume summary. 7) Keep your resume concise and easy to read Hiring Managers often review tons of applications, and a clear, well-organized resume allows them to quickly identify your key qualifications. A to-the-point resume emphasizes your most impactful skills without overwhelming the reader, making it more likely that your accomplishments will stand out and resonate with potential employers. 8) Avoid clichés and overused phrases Overused phrases on a finance resume can shut the door to an interview. These generic terms can make your resume blend in with others, failing to showcase your unique skills and accomplishments. Instead of phrases like "results-driven" or "detail-oriented," use specific examples and quantifiable achievements, such as "improved forecasting accuracy by 15%" or "managed a $5 million portfolio.” Or instead of using the term “team player,” try “led a cross-functional team to integrate a new ERP system.” Eliminating these phrases can really differentiate your resume from others and show off your uniqueness.📚 Further reading: 39 Best Resume Tips to Catch Recruiter's Attention and Land an Interview | 2024 Financial Resume ExamplesEntry-Level Finance Resume Example #1 Financial Analyst Resume Example #2 CFO Resume Example #3 Investment Banking Analyst Resume Example #4 Risk Management Resume Example #5 ConclusionThe perfect finance resume is easy to put together using the above tips. For each part of your resume and follow the examples provided and write down what makes you unique to the finance world. By using clear language and organizing your finance skills and experience, your resume will go to the top of the pile and land that dream finance job you always wanted. If you're looking for more career advice, follow Cake Blog for more insightful tips.Cake is the best free resume builder that allows users to create professional online resumes and portfolios with ease. With a vast library of more than 60+ resume templates and snippets, you can effectively showcase your skills and accomplishments. Give it a try today!Create Resume— Originally written by Michael Reid —
Cover Letter
May 23rd 2022

Cover Letter for English Teacher w/ Examples [Cover Letter Writing Guideline]

Created by CakeA strong English teacher cover letter serves as both an introduction to prospective recruiters and a showcase of your English teaching abilities. Hence, it's essential to put effort into crafting a well-written letter.The cover letter can reveal a lot about your skills, personality, and how you deal with students too, so make sure to utilize it and impress that recruiters. TABLEOFCONTENTSWhat to Write in an English Teacher Cover LetterEnglish Teacher Cover Letter ExamplesTips on How to Write a Cover Letter for English TeacherWhat to Write in an English Teacher Cover LetterWhen submitting an English Teacher resume, it's recommended to add a cover letter along to better convince the recruiters and hiring managers. Let us share with you what should be included in the cover letter. 💡 Previous relevant experience Strong relevant experiences will be needed in your English teacher cover letter. Therefore, including every relevant experience in teaching or tutoring will be one of the stepping stones for you to join an institution as an English teacher. Here are the experiences that you can include if you have them: Teaching experienceTutoring experienceTeaching assistant (TA) experienceVolunteer experienceCamp leading experienceStudying or teaching abroad experience 💡 Educational history Different countries have different regulations on the qualifications for becoming an English teacher. However, one thing’s for sure, having a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and even Ph.D. for a certain domain related to English, English teaching or linguistics will distinguish you from other candidates who don’t due to your educational background. 💡 Certifications Some countries like Turkey and South Korea require an English teacher to possess a TEFL certificate before you can teach English professionally. If the country where you are applying to teach requires you to possess one, make sure that you mention that in your English teacher cover letter. If you are teaching English for specific purposes (ESP), certifications from the specific field would also be worth mentioning, as it adds to your credibility and expertise in the field. 💡 Your motivation in teaching Other than showcasing your amazing background where you gained from universities and experiences from teaching, writing about your motivation in teaching is also very important. Everyone has different intentions when it comes to teaching. Some love to teach, and some love English so much that they want to share the knowledge with everybody. Including your motivation for teaching will set you apart from other candidates and show your sincerity, so why not include it to allow the recruiters to understand more about you? 💡 Your soft and hard skills related to teaching Since you have included your experiences in the cover letter for the English teacher, you should elaborate more on how you utilized the soft and hard skills when teaching. Soft skills can be your: organizational skills, patience, and time management skills. On the other hand, your hard skills can be some curriculum knowledge, lesson planning skills, and computer software skills.📖 Further reading:Job Application Letter: Examples, What to Include Writing Tips English Teacher Cover Letter ExamplesHere are 6 cover letter examples for each English teaching position:Application letter for English teacher fresh graduateESL teacher cover letter no experienceTEFL cover letter exampleCover letter for an online English teacherCover letter for English teacher with experienceCover letter for teaching English abroad Cover Letter Example for Fresh Graduate English TeacherIf you are a fresher looking to write an English teacher cover letter for your first job, you may include the experiences and skills that you have gained from university courses and internships. Leslie Zuckerberg95 Big Rock Cove Road,Greenwood, SC [email protected] Miley DicksonSunny Preliminary School9507 N. Mayfield Drive,Braintree, MA 02184 Dear Ms. Dickson, My name is Leslie and I am writing for the job application as a teacher at Sunny Preliminary School. My qualifications and teaching license gained from my Bachelor’s degree have made up for the requirements of the job listing on LinkedIn. I am currently a fresh graduate from Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Language. With my experience of teaching in a preliminary school for half a year as my internship, I am assured that my passion for teaching is still the path that I would want to take. I am drawn to Sunny’s teaching philosophy of creating a better environment for students to learn by allowing them to join practical activities while learning. I would be thrilled to be part of Sunny and teach the students in the future using the skills and expertise that I possess. I also believe that this opportunity will allow me to grow as an educator. I would be glad to have a chance to have an interview where I can further elaborate my skills aspirations for this position. I hope to hear from you soon and thank you in advance. Regards,Leslie Zuckerberg Cover LetterExample for ESL Teacher with No ExperienceWhen writing an ESL teacher cover letter without much formal teaching experience, you can include your experiences with helping people who know any language but English. It does not matter if you have taught in classes of 10 or more, it is still a valuable teaching experience and shows your passion for teaching. Jose Caloway95 Big Rock Cove Road,Greenwood, SC [email protected] Camie LeePro English Cram School9507 N. Mayfield Drive,Braintree, MA 02184 Dear Ms. Lee, As 3+ years of experience freelance translator, I have been helping people who have difficulties using English in their daily life. After seeing your hiring requirements on Cake, I believe my capabilities in language usage will make me the best candidate for the English Tutor position at Pro English cram school. Although I have yet to possess much experience in teaching formally as a teacher, my experience in helping non-English native speakers allowed me to get familiar with the reason why many non-native speakers cannot learn the target language well. Most people forget the main purpose of a language is to allow communication by having conversations with people, and they are too afraid of using the language because of the grammar mistakes that may appear when using the language. My goal is to help more non-native speakers to get comfortable with English usage just like Pro English does. I believe every non-native speaker needs a little help to turn on their English language switch and I am the best candidate for that. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely,Jose Caloway Cover LetterExample for English Teacher with TEFL CertificateEnglish teaching is not limited to only preliminary schools, some adults need it too. Therefore, before writing the cover letter, you should know who you hope to teach. Mika Patrickson95 Big Rock Cove Road,Greenwood, SC [email protected] Allen JamesJoyful Learning English Learning Center9507 N. Mayfield Drive,Braintree, MA 02184 Dear Mr. James, I saw your hiring notice on LinkedIn looking for an English teacher and I believe with my 6 years of experience in teaching will make me the best candidate for the position. I am currently a teacher at Saint Teresa High School teaching high schoolers English and History as the main subject. Other than teaching classes as my main task, I also spend time with some students who need help with certain issues they face when learning. I always give simple advice to my students to let them figure out the way that suits them best because the learning process for everyone is different. Joyful Learning English Learning Center is a place that aims to create a happy learning place. I believe my teaching methods and experience will bring more laughter to the students when learning English, which makes me the ideal candidate for this position. Do feel free to contact me for further details. I would also appreciate the chance to have an interview in person. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you. Respectfully,Mika Patrickson Cover Letter Example for an Online English Teacher Online teaching has been a trend especially in this digital era, because it is very convenient as the teacher and student can still talk to each other through a webcam without needing to spend time traveling to on-site classes. The demand for online English teachers has also risen, so if you are looking to apply as one, here’s a sample online English teacher cover letter for you. Daisy Lowe95 Big Rock Cove Road,Greenwood, SC [email protected] Katrina SmithBrilliant Talker9507 N. Mayfield Drive,Braintree, MA 02184 Dear Ms. Smith, I am a teacher with 3 years of experience, teaching English to students from junior high to senior high who came across your Remote English Tutor job listing on the institution website. I believe my professional teaching skills and way of communication will make me the best candidate for the teaching position. Other than being a teacher for schools, I also gave extra classes to some students who seek help from me. However, many of them prefer not to stay out late after school. This is where I started to learn more about online teaching and using applications such as Microsoft Teams and Google meet to allow my students to learn more efficiently. My strong teaching and organizing skills made my students always happy about their classes. Their appreciation is always the best motivation for me to move on forward and keep on teaching. I am also hoping to provide more to society by teaching and helping people improve their language skills. I believe I am a great fit for this role and I would appreciate the opportunity for an interview or a teaching demo. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you. Best regards,Daisy Lowe Cover Letter for English Teacher with Experience If you are a teacher who has been teaching for years, having a very strong teaching background is a promise that you will perform well if hired. Therefore, emphasizing how you teach and how you manage a good relationship between a teacher and a student may help showcase your professionalism. Derrick Miller95 Big Rock Cove Road,Greenwood, SC [email protected] Chris HemsworthJames International High School9507 N. Mayfield Drive,Braintree, MA 02184. Dear Mr. Hemsworth, I am writing to you after seeing a job posting on James International’s teaching recruiting site that is looking for experienced teachers to fill the full time Senior English Tutor position. I am a tutor with 10 years of experience teaching privately as well as for a number of cram schools. I believe the teaching experience I have will make me the best candidate that you are looking for. After teaching for 10+ years, I have been sharpening my senses to every detail related to education because I know that many factors will affect a student’s motivation to learn. I realized the importance of knowing how to motivate students to learn, and my experiences have brought tricks that help me accomplish just that. I would highly appreciate the chance to have an interview or even to show you how I teach in person. Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you soon. Kind regards,Derrick Miller Cover Letter Example for Teaching English Abroad When writing a cover letter for an overseas English teacher job, you can include some certificates that you might have gained from studying abroad, and your passion and understanding of the culture of the country that you plan to go to. Naomi Millton95 Big Rock Cove Road,Greenwood, SC [email protected] Bill SmithSMK Laichi9507 N. Mayfield Drive,Braintree, MA 02184. Dear Mr. Bill, I write with regards to the job opportunity that I had on your website as a teacher in English teaching. I got my Master’s degree in English Literature 3 years ago at the University of Newcastle in the UK. Since then, I have been giving courses to international students who are studying in the UK and need help in improving their English skills for academic purposes. This gave me the idea to teach abroad because I want to share the knowledge of English Language to students outside of the UK. I have traveled to Malaysia a few times as a tourist because I love the diverse culture that Malaysia has to offer. Now, I hope to stay there and have an opportunity to teach English to the students because it has a big part in the UEC and SPM exams. I want to help non-native English learners to excel in using the language while nailing their examinations. It would be my pleasure to be able to teach in SMK Laichi. Thank you for your time and your consideration. Looking forward to hearing from you. Regards,Naomi Millton Tips on How to Write a Cover Letter for English TeacherUse the Correct Format As an English teacher, you would be expected to have great attention to detail. A way recruiters will assess you for this skill is by looking at how you write your cover letter. So, make sure that you always use the correct format for your English Teacher cover letter. These elements below are essential in your cover letter in order.Sender receiver information / Clear subject line (for emails)SalutationBody paragraph(s)ClosingSign offs / Contact information (for emails) Tailor the Letter to Each Job Description Every school may have different goals in providing a place for students, and it is best if you can personalize your cover letter by addressing the school’s goals. You can base the information of the job listing and tailor it by emphasizing certain experiences or passions. Provide Details on Your Expertise as an English Teacher If you have experience in English teaching, you will realize that every teacher has their own way of teaching. Including your specialties and expertise when teaching can help you stand out amongst others if your information is outstanding. Be Concise and Straightforward There might be many things that you want to share when writing an application letter for an English teacher position; however, you should always keep things short and concise. This means that you’ll have to edit and keep relevant and valuable information instead of telling a long story about your experience. Allow No Grammar Mistakes orSpelling Errors Since you are writing to be an English teacher, there are no chances for you to have grammar and spelling errors in the English teacher cover letter. Always double-check your cover letter before handing it to the school.🔑 Key Takeaways:Your cover letter for an English teacher not only showcases your English ability but is also a short introduction that gives a stunning first impression before you can meet the recruiter.Include as much relevant information as you can in the cover letter while keeping it short and informative.Always showcase your qualifications, and specific soft and hard skills if needed.Customize every letter if you are applying to more than one school and language center.With Cake — the free resume builder, you can easily create a resume online, free download your resume’s PDF formats, and utilize ATS-compliant templates to create a resume. Land your dream job, create your resume online (free download) now!Create Resume--- Originally written by Ryan Goh ---
Resume & CV
Aug 25th 2025

A Comprehensive Guide to Writing a CV [CV vs. Resume, Full Form of CV Definition]

Created by CakeResumeMany people often mistake the full meaning of a CV for a resume since they are both commonly defined as documents required for an application. While a resume is used for general job applications and is more common in the US, Australia, and Canada, a CV (Curriculum Vitae), on the other hand, is used for job application in academic, education, scientific, medical, or research fields. Hence, a CV is usually longer and includes more detailed information compared to a resume. There are more remarkable distinctions between these two documents - which will be explained further in this article. We'll walk you through everything CV in this article, from the full form of CV explanation to how to write aCVfor general and academic job applications.Without further ado, let's jump right in! TABLEOFCONTENTWhat Is a CV? – Full Form, Definition, Types, ExamplesWhat Is a Resume? – Definition, ExamplesCV vs. Resume – The Key Differences When to UseHow to Write an Academic CVHow to Write a CV for Job ApplicationsWhat Is a CV? – Full Form, Definition, Types, ExamplesThe full form of a CV is "Curriculum Vitae," a Latin term meaning "course of life." A CV is used to showcase a candidate's qualifications, experience, and accomplishments throughout their academic and professional career. By reading a CV, a hiring manager can determine whether or not an individual is qualified for the vacancy. In general, the term "CV" is used everywhere in the world, including the UK, New Zealand, the European Union, and Asia. A CV can also go under different names in different countries, such as biography, employment record, or "biodata" in India. There are two major types of CVs that you need to know: academic CV and job application CV. They are categorized based on the purpose of use. Let's have a quick look! Academic CV Anacademic CVis explicitly written for academic purposes and emphasizes your contributions to a particular field of study or practice. These contributions include publications, projects, achievements, awards, honors, etc.If you are applying for a position in education, science, medicine, or research, you must provide a comprehensive academic CV. And if you aspire to be a researcher or pursue higher degree programs such as a Master's or Ph.D., using this CV type is also advisable. Job Application CV A job application CV can be used for a job search and application in nearly all industries.It emphasizes the job seeker's work experience, skills, accomplishments, and educational background. This type of CV is particularly useful for executives and high-level professionals. What Is a Resume?The term resume is French for "summary," referring to a document used for summarizing one's experience that is relevant to the job they're applying for. A resume is usually paired with a cover letter to express motivation for the job and explain why the applicant is a good fit for the company. The purpose of resumes is to give your potential employer a brief overview of your competencies, work experience, and achievements in the field. In most cases, recruiters and employers prefer a concise resume without a lot of extraneous information. As they only spend approximately six seconds reading a resume, you should keep it short but still cover all necessary information.Read this article to learn more about resume. CV vs. Resume – The Key Differences When to UseNow that you understand the fundamental distinctions between a CV and a Resume, let's examine them in greater detail. Pay attention to the differences in content, length, and when they should be used.CVPurpose:Applying for academic positions.Content:Personal details, academic background, work experience, extracurricular activities, and accomplishments.Length:No limit, depending on the amount of information included in the CV.Design Layout: Minimal and simpleCountry Region:Globally, Asia, the EU, and New Zealand.ResumePurpose: Applying for jobs.Content: Information relevant to the specific position, such as areas of expertise, skills, and work experience.Length:1 to 2 pages.Design Layout: Vary from field to field with different resume formatsCountry Region:US, Australia, and Canada How to Write an Academic CV1. Contact Information The first thing you must include in a CV is your personal information and contact information. This includes your full name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. Additionally, you may want to include your LinkedIn profile or other professional social media accounts if they are relevant to your field. 2. Personal Statement A well-written personal statement is indispensable when pursuing higher education or applying for an academic position. It can help highlight the educational background and qualifications, personal traits, and other academic achievements in the first place. Personal Statement Example in a Master Program Application “Final-year law student at Florida State University with strong organizational skills and the ability to speak good English, Spanish, and French. Placed second in the Wayne Law 2020 Spring Moot Court In-House Competition. Eager to earn an LL. M. at Vermont Law School.” 3. Education This section is a crucial part of an academic CV, as school advisors and recruiters want to see whether you have obtained fundamental knowledge of the field or required courses. When writing this section, you should follow the standard format of anyeducation section on a resume. Another side note is that you should also include your relevant coursework or thesis title if related to the position you’re applying for. 4. Publications Here is the list of types of publications that you can include in an academic CV Research papersPeer-reviewed publicationsBooks/Book chaptersBook reviewsArticles For each type, provide all details, including the title, journal title, publication date, and page numbers (if relevant). 5. Awards Besides publications, you can also highlight your academic accomplishments from school to strengthen your position. A high GPADean’s ListScholarshipsHonor RollAwards won for a specific activity or course 6. Grants Fellowships It is important to includeresearch grants and fellowshipsin an academic CV since they are awards that graduate students and postgraduate scholars compete for. These awards are given based on their potential to make a positive and lasting impact in their academic field and can support graduate study, scholarly research, or professional development. Fellowships are available in all fields and for individuals at any career stage, from undergraduate study to executive leadership development programs. For these reasons, you can strengthen your CV with this section. Here's what to write in the grants and fellowships section in an academic CV: Program titleStart and end dateWhat you have done and accomplished 7. Conferences Presentations You can include a list of the presentations and talks you've given, includingposter presentations. Additionally, any conferences or panels you've organized can give you an advantage over others. 8. Experiences In your academic CV, you can include any relevant experience you have in teaching or research/lab work. When describing your teaching experience, highlight your skills and explain how they relate to the job you are applying for. If you are a science student or research scientist, showcase your knowledge and skills related to research or lab work in this section of your CV.You can refer to this teacher resume writing guideline to know what and how to write. 9. Non-Academic Activities In addition to academic experiences, sharing non-academic information can also showcase your capabilities. Here are some examples: InternshipVolunteer workPersonal projectsExtracurricular clubs/teams 10. Languages Other Skills In addition to providing a detailed CV, showcasing your language abilities is also helpful. Consider adding your proficiency level when mentioning your other language skills (intermediate, advanced, professional working, or native/bilingual).You can refer to this article for more details aboutlanguage skills and proficiency levels on your resumeand CV. When crafting a CV, it's crucial to highlight your computer skills and other transferable skills that you've gained through education, internships, volunteering, and previous work experiences. These highly valuable skills can be utilized in various job roles and industries.For more details on how to write an academic CV, we have a separate article to walk you through a writing guidelines onhow to write an academic CV.Now that you know everything about academic CV, let's move on to how to write a CVwhen applying for a job How to Write a CV for Job Applications 1. Contact InformationSame as the academic CV, you must include your contact information in a job application CV so that recruiters know how to contact you. Contact information must include: Full nameProfessional titleEmailPhone numberComplete address (optional)Social media page or personal website (optional) Make sure to provide accurate details and a professional email address to ensure a successful recruitment process. 2. Career Objective This can go by the name of a personal statement, career objective, or summary of qualifications. This part is placed at the top of your CV and provides a summary of your skills and qualifications relevant to the job opening. Think about it as a self-introduction to hiring managers in order that they want to read on to know more about you. 3. Work Experiences 4 basic elements to include in the work experience section are:Organization/company name and its locationJob titleYour employment periodJob responsibilities and accomplishments 💡 Tip: You could also include part-time, contract, and freelance work as long as you can illustrate your skills.Read this article to learn more abouthow to write a work experience section on your resume/CV. 4. Education If you're a fresh graduate, it's essential to include detailed information about your educational background, highlighting the key learning and skills you acquired during your education. Remember to put this part before the employment/work experience section. In this section, you should cover the following elements: School name (with location)Degree levelMajor minorGraduation yearGPA (recommended if it’s high)Relevant coursework (recommended if it’s beneficial for your application)Academic honors (award, scholarship, publication) And if you're an experienced professional, consider going brief on this section, especially if you have three to five years of experience.💡 Tip: Avoid listing your GPA unless you have 3.5 and above. 5. Awards Honors Awards and honors which you have earned for going beyond average either in your studies or on the job should also be mentioned. Here are some examples of career-related prizes that can make your CV stand out from the crowd:Employee of the Month/YearTop PerformerEmployees' Choice AwardStudent honors To make your CV even more specific and convincing, including measurable achievements/responsibilities that led to receiving the award or honor would be beneficial. 6. Publications When applying for academic, research, or science jobs, it is crucial to showcase your published papers and contributions. This will showcase your expertise and exceptional research and writing abilities.Learn how to list publications on resume with recommended formats and example. 💡 Tip: When listing publications in a CV, consistent formatting is key 7. Conferences Presentations As long as the presentations you've made or conferences you've attended are relevant to the job requirements, adding them to your CV is always a good idea. Here are some great examples of conferences and presentations listed on a CV:Constitutional Law Colloquium, Houston, TX, October 2021Business Analytics and Decision Sciences Conference, Chang Gung University, Taiwan, August 2020 8. Skills As a job seeker, it's important to showcase your skills on CV/resume to hiring managers. To increase your chances of being considered for a position, it's recommended to list both soft and hard skills. Aim for five bullet points for each category. There are also 3 ways to structure the skills section: Expanded bullet listIntegrated with work experienceCategorized skills sectionA job application CV is somewhat similar to a resume, if you want to know more, learn how to write a resume with our ultimate writing guide and tips! We also recommend you to look at this resume format to know which one to choose when creating a job application CV.So, we hope that this article has been helpful to you. Let's have a quick recap: 🔑Key Takeaways:A CV full form is "Curriculum Vitae";It focuses mainly on the academic aspect, but can also be use to summarize your whole career in detail;A CV and a resume differ in terms of length, content, and intended use.A CV is one of the most important application documents across the globe, including Asia, the UK, the European Union, and New Zealand.Don't let resume mistakes hold you back. Scan your resume with our AI checker and get personalized recommendations to land more interviews. Scan Resume Now--- Originally written by May Luong ---

Resume Builder

Build your resume only in minutes!