Episode 38: Writing the Perfect Resume and Cover Letter with HR Expert, Meg Martin (Part 1)

Today, I'm joined by Meg Martin, an expert in the field of human resources who has dedicated her career to helping job seekers navigate the intricate world of career development. For the past three years, she's been sharing her wealth of knowledge as an outside consultant helping craft resumes that get applicants noticed.

In this two-part series, we're delving into the art and science of crafting the perfect resume. We'll discuss topics ranging from the importance of keywords to make your resume stand out in the sea of applicants, the challenge of quantifying your experiences as a student, and the age-old question: should you include a cover letter with your job application? 

Meg also shares her insight into how to highlight your "secret sauce" in the professional summary to differentiate yourself along with her most important piece of advice for those embarking on their professional journey fresh out of school.

Thanks again for listening to "Leaving The Nest." I hope you enjoy my conversation with Meg!

Please leave us a review wherever you are listening and share this episode with others you know who are just "Leaving The Nest." 

 

In This Episode

[00:34] - Kathleen introduces Meg Martin who has over 30 years of HR experience, here to discuss resume and cover letter writing for beginners.

[03:34] - Meg shares her passion for helping college students and recent graduates launch their careers.

[06:20] - Tips for formatting contact information, including using a city and state for address and creating a professional email address.

[08:43] - The importance of checking and maintaining your voicemail for job-related calls.

[09:32] - What job seekers can do if they either want a fully remote job or hybrid or can travel.

[10:35] - The importance of the professional headline

[12:23] - How to highlight your "secret sauce" in the professional summary to differentiate yourself.

[13:04] - The importance of aligning your headline and summary with the job you're applying for.

[14:17] - The significance of tailoring your resume to demonstrate a deliberate career pivot when necessary.

[14:51] - The worst thing a job applicant can do when applying for jobs.
[15:33] - Why keywords matter: Meg and Kathleen share some tips to be sure you are including the right ones for your skills and job search. 

[18:35] - The importance of aligning skills mentioned in the skills section and the value of illustrating skills through specific examples in the experience section.

[19:54] - Outcomes over responsibilities to make a resume more impressive and relatable to hiring managers.

[22:01] - How entry-level candidates can quantify their experience from jobs like lifeguarding or restaurant work. 

[24:10] - The top request from employers, especially in entry-level positions.

[25:08] - What to list in the education section to make your resume stand out (and what to leave out)
[26:58] - Exploring non-professional details to include on a resume, such as participation in Greek organizations, unique hobbies (e.g., playing the accordion), and the value of sparking interesting conversations during interviews.

[28:56] - Potential resume red flags.

[30:52] - The importance of being prepared to discuss everything listed on the resume during an interview—it’s okay to bring notes!
[31:53] - The true purpose of a cover letter (hint: it's not meant to restate your resume).

[34:12] - When including a cover letter can be the difference between a YES or a NO. 

[36:03] - Writi