Resumes and cover letters are essential to your application for a new position. Each document has its unique purpose, but the two should complement each other and work together to show why you’re a standout candidate. Learn the differences between a resume vs. cover letter and how to ensure both highlight your skills and qualifications.
Understanding the Basics: Cover Letter vs. Resume
A resume is a one- to two-page document that outlines your work history, hard and soft skills, academic background, and professional accomplishments. And a cover letter accompanies the resume in only two to three paragraphs, providing more context on why you’re a good fit for the position. Key differences between a cover letter and a resume include length, tone, and the amount of personality included.
Cover Letter vs Resume: Key Differences Explained
Purpose
While both documents help you get a job, they have slightly different purposes. The resume is a structured list of specific qualifications, skills, and achievements. At the same time, the cover letter provides room to explain your motivations for applying for the role.
Content
Another prominent difference between a cover letter and a resume is the content and how much detail the candidate presents it in. In a traditional resume, the content focuses on your work history and professional experience. A functional or combination resume may place more emphasis on transferable skills. On the other hand, a cover letter provides a narrative account of how your background and values align with the role and company.
Length
A cover letter is generally much shorter than a resume. The typical cover letter is two to three paragraphs long and less than one full page, while a resume is up to two pages long.
Tone
The tone for a resume is objective and factual. It focuses on presenting metrics concisely so the hiring manager can skim and understand the candidate’s background. A more conversational cover letter may include how the candidate’s passion and values match the company’s mission.
When To Use a Resume vs. Cover Letter
Job applications
Most job applications include a cover letter and resume. If the job description doesn’t indicate a preference for including a cover letter, it’s generally best to provide more information rather than less.
Networking
The difference between a cover letter and a resume is that a resume is also used in networking. It’s expected to bring a resume for networking events to provide others with your background and experience. However, face-to-face conversations replace the cover letter because you can directly express any additional details or context to the other person.
Cover Letter vs. Resume Structure
Review these examples to see the differences between cover letters and resumes.
Mary Compton
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Des Moines, IA 53958
Recent college graduate with a degree in human resources (HR) and related internship experience. Hardworking, organized, and adaptable to new work challenges and conditions. Experienced and confident public speaker. Fluent in Spanish and currently learning Japanese.
Work ExperienceIntern
Casey’s General Store Corporate Office, Des Moines, IA | January 2022 to May 2022
[Company headquarters with over 250 employees]
- Helped organize a virtual hiring fair and conducted remote interviews with over 30 potential hires
- Worked with a payroll specialist to ensure each employee’s hours were correctly reconciled, leading to a payroll accuracy rate of over 95%
- Gained strong experience in Microsoft Excel, team collaboration, and reporting and documentation
Key Swing Manager
Casey’s General Store, Des Moines, IA | March 2020 to May 2022
[Retail store with more than 50 employees]
- Trained over 10 new employees
- Made weekly schedules and reminded employees of shift changes, improving attendance rates by 45%
- Completed daily closing paperwork
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Human Resources, Iowa State University, Des Moines, IA | May 2022
3.91 GPA | Gamma Phi Beta Sorority | Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society
Kate Miller
Human Resource Officer | [email protected] | (134) 634-9789 | 234 Job St., Houston, TX 77022
February 9, 2024
Sally Peters
Senior Hiring Manager
The Big Company
(934) 304-8264
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Sally Peters,
I am an HR management graduate with seven years of experience at The Medium Company. During my time there, I implemented a highly successful incentive program, which resulted in a 28% improvement in employee satisfaction. This is a great example of my initiative and the benefits I could bring to the Big Company team.
The key factor that attracted me to the HR officer role at The Big Company is the firm’s approach to employee well-being, which aims to improve staff retention. I could thrive in such a dedicated and high-performing environment.
If offered a role at The Big Company, I will help take your team’s success rate to even greater heights. My previous accomplishments within the sector include:
- 45% reduction in company turnover rate due to the introduction of employee wellness and incentive programs
- 30% speed increase in applicant processing time
I look forward to discussing further how my unique skills and dedication to HR can help your team, and I am available for an interview at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Kate Miller
Common Mistakes To Avoid With a Resume and Cover Letter
- Repetition: The difference between a resume and a cover letter should be evident in the documents. Don’t repeat any content verbatim between the two. Instead, focus on expanding your resume’s key points and most relevant qualifications in the cover letter.
- Ignoring job requirements: Always ensure the resume and the cover letter are specific to the job. The cover letter, in particular, should note what drew you to the company and what values and goals you have in common.
- Too much detail in the resume: One difference between a resume and a cover letter is that resumes should be data-driven and concise. There are better places for complete sentences or long paragraphs. Leave detailed explanations for the cover letter, where you have more room and can speak more conversationally.
FAQs About Resume vs. Cover Letter
What is the difference between a cover letter vs. a resume?-
A resume provides a detailed summary of your professional achievements, work history, skills, and education. Hiring managers use the primary document to decide whether a candidate moves forward. A cover letter is a short business letter that provides a personalized introduction of the candidate and details why they're interested in the role and would be a good fit for the company.
What's the difference between a resume vs. a cover letter in tone?+
Resumes are dry and factual. They use fragment sentences and bullet points rather than prose-style text. A cover letter is still professional but more conversational, allowing the candidate to share personal details.
Do I always need a cover letter with a resume?+
Some jobs don't require a cover letter, and 70% of HR personnel and potential job candidates believe cover letters are no longer integral to the hiring process. However, including a cover letter is always a good idea, as long as you tailor it to the job and proofread carefully for errors. A cover letter can provide more context to your resume and indicate your enthusiasm for the job.
Can I use the same information in both documents?+
Your cover letter can include some of the same information as your resume but should provide more context. For example, say you call out an achievement on your resume, such as increasing net promoter scores (NPS) by 20% quarter-over-quarter. The cover letter should explain how you did this — how you could do the same at the new organization.
How long should a cover letter be compared to a resume?+
One of the differences between a resume and a cover letter is length. Resumes can generally be up to two pages long, but a cover letter should be less than one page. In most cases, it's just two to three short paragraphs.
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