{"id":9992,"date":"2025-02-05T12:23:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T23:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/?p=9992"},"modified":"2025-02-05T12:23:02","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T23:23:02","slug":"write-cover-letter-and-resume","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/write-cover-letter-and-resume\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Complete Guide to Cover Letters and Resumes"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 6<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

Crafting your first job application can feel a bit scary, but trust us when we tell you not to stress too much; with just a little bit of research and effort, you\u2019re bound to make a great impression! And what\u2019s more, you don\u2019t have to do it alone. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to craft a standout <\/span>cover letter<\/span> and <\/span>resume<\/span> for NZ<\/span> job applications<\/span> so that you can land the job you <\/span>really <\/span><\/i>want<\/span>!<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you’re applying for a part-time job at a local caf\u00e9 or looking to dive into an internship, nailing your application documents is the first step to success. So, what are you waiting for? Let\u2019s get into it!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why are <\/span>Cover Letter<\/span>s and <\/span>Resume<\/span>s so Important?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

When employers get hundreds of applications for the same role, your application documents (A.K.A. your <\/span>cover letter<\/span> and <\/span>resume<\/span>) are what will either set you apart from other candidates or result in you fading into the background. No pressure though! <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Essentially, your <\/span>resume<\/span> gives employers an at-a-glance overview of your experience, skills, and achievements. Meanwhile, your <\/span>cover letter<\/span> is your chance to explain why you\u2019re the perfect fit for the role. Together, they\u2019re your ticket to making that killer first impression you\u2019ve been dreaming of. And if you\u2019re ever tempted to submit a less-than-polished <\/span>resume<\/span> and <\/span>cover letter <\/span>(or create one without checking out some <\/span>resume examples<\/span> and <\/span>cover letter examples<\/span> first) <\/span>remember that a little extra effort can be the difference between landing an interview and being ghosted by that hiring manager you desperately want to impress!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Going Back to Basics: <\/span>What is a<\/span> Resume<\/span>?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

At its core, a <\/span>resume<\/span> is simply a\u00a0document that lists your <\/span>work experience<\/span><\/a>, education, skills, and achievements. Think of it as a snapshot of everything awesome about you that\u2019s relevant to the job you\u2019re applying for. However, when you haven\u2019t written your first one yet, it\u2019s normal to be a little confused about what to include, so we <\/span>highly <\/span><\/i>recommend checking out some <\/span>resume examples<\/span> and <\/span>resume templates<\/span> before starting on your own!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

P.S. If you aren\u2019t quite sure <\/span>what counts as \u2018experience,\u2019<\/span><\/a> find out here. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

CV vs Resume<\/span>: What\u2019s the Difference?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

In New Zealand, people often use “CV” and “<\/span>resume<\/span>” interchangeably. Technically, <\/span>a <\/span>CV<\/span><\/b> is a longer document<\/span><\/a> (used more commonly abroad and in academic or research fields), while a <\/span>resume<\/span><\/b> is shorter and tailored to specific jobs. However, if you didn\u2019t know the difference between a <\/span>CV vs resume<\/span> until now, don\u2019t beat yourself up about it; it\u2019s a good question that still stumps a few industry professionals!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why ATS (Applicant Tracking System) Optimised <\/span>Resume<\/span>s are So Important<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

With this in mind, it\u2019s crucial to optimise your <\/span>resume format<\/span> with job-specific keywords. Don\u2019t overcomplicate things; just focus on using language directly from the job ad and keeping your formatting simple (pro tip: fancy fonts and graphics can mess with ATS software, so less is always more).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Where to Find Free <\/span>Resume<\/span> Templates<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Staring at a blank page can be terrifying, but you don\u2019t have to start from scratch! There are tonnes of free <\/span>resume<\/span> templates online to make your life easier.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few places to find them:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ever submitted a tonne of applications and didn\u2019t receive a single response? Unfortunately, your <\/span>resume<\/span> and <\/span>cover letter<\/span>\u00a0might\u2019ve been rejected before a human even saw it! This is because so many companies now use an <\/span>Applicant Tracking System (ATS)<\/span><\/a> to scan <\/span>resume<\/span>s for keywords before passing them on to a hiring manager.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n