The cover letter is used to introduce you when you can’t hand your resume directly to a hiring manager. Image: FAMILY STOCK/Shutterstock.com
By: Nancy SegalIf the last resume you prepared was typed on a typewriter—or prepared more than 10 years ago—it’s time to update your thinking about what you may need. Here are the most important documents you’ll need as you embark on your search. Note that you won’t necessarily need all of these documents, depending on your level and industry, but it’s good to be prepared, nonetheless.
• Addendum. The addendum is “in addition to” the resume. It’s a separate document that includes information that is useful or relevant but would take up too much space on the main resume document. Information typically included on an addendum: publications, public speaking engagements, trainings, volunteer activities, etc. Including this information in an addendum provides more room on the resume for experience and accomplishments. The addendum can be submitted with the resume or shared during the interview.
• Career Portfolio. The career portfolio is a curated collection of documents and work samples that provides tangible evidence of your work experience, education, and skills. It can include other career documents, such as a resume and/or bio, references, and transcripts. It can include copies of awards, certificates, and proof of completing continuing education or professional development courses.
• Cover Letter. The cover letter is used to introduce you when you can’t hand your resume directly to a hiring manager. In a modern job private sector search, the cover letter may not be a separate document; instead, it may be the text in an introductory email message to the hiring manager or recruiter. If your target is the federal government, you should review the posting carefully to see whether a cover letter is required.
• LinkedIn Profile. Your LinkedIn profile is a web page that describes your career history, education, affiliations, and skills in an online format. Your LinkedIn profile should be consistent with your resume (check dates, job titles, etc.); but not identical. In some cases, you can use your LinkedIn profile to apply for positions, leverage connections, and facilitate a passive job search (being found by recruiters and hiring managers, even if not actively seeking a new job).
• Networking Cover Letter. Also called the “networking letter,” this document is used when reaching out to contacts for assistance in the job search — for example, helping arrange informational interviews, referrals to recruiters and hiring managers, or job leads.
• Networking Resume. This is usually a one-page document that is provided to friends, colleagues, former co-workers, and peers to highlight qualifications for a job or career transition. It’s often used when providing a resume to a networking contact, as opposed to applying for a specific position. The networking resume can also be used when applying for an award or a speaking engagement.
• References. References are people who can provide information to a prospective employer about your skills, abilities, and qualifications for the role you’re seeking. Hiring managers and recruiters can call or email your references to confirm previous job titles, dates of employment, key responsibilities, strengths and weaknesses, and salary. Prepare the references document in advance, but only provide it when asked. Do not mention references on your resume.
• Resume. The central document in the job search is the resume, which summarizes work experience, education, skills, and accomplishments to demonstrate the qualifications for an employment opportunity. Your resume should generally be chronological (work history is listed with the most recent position first). Federal resumes are typically 4-6 pages while private sector resumes are 1-2 pages.
• Thank You Letter. Customized thank you letters should be sent after a networking meeting, informational interview, and employment interview. Thank you letters can be handwritten and sent by mail; however, in a modern job search, most thank you letters are sent by email. Thank you notes to federal hiring officials should be sent via email.
• Writing Samples. For jobs requiring written communication skills, a writing sample may be required. Sometimes the prospective employer will provide specific details about the types of samples to submit; other times the applicant will simply be directed to provide samples and will need to decide which examples of their work to send.
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