When it comes to boosting your chances of landing a dream role at a job or company you have been eyeing for a very long time the best cover letter templates can come in very handy. Remember that great roles are hard to come by because of the level of competition so it is very important that you put your best foot forward to increase your visibility and chances.
Drafting eye-catching cover letters and resumes is very important and the good news is that there are free and free cover letter templates you can use. However, you have to make the right choice depending on what you are looking to achieve. Two documents you want to create in advance are resumes and cover letters but are they the same? If not, which one is best for you? If you are able to decide on the ideal option you will then be in a better position to choose the right template. Cover letters are more than just formal documents.
Many confuse cover letters with resumes but they are just as different as they are similar because they contain similar information. Cover letters work alongside resumes since employers pay close attention to what yours says. They bring your resume to life so a good cover letter template will provide blank spaces where you can fill in personal information and provide extra context that your resume may be lacking. Suffice it to say that cover letters set you apart from the competition.
Resumes on the other hand provide the recruiter with information about your qualifications. While the cover letter puts forward a "Why" argument, the resume puts forward the "What" argument. Both work in tandem to provide the recruiter with a full picture of your candidacy. In this guide, we will address the difference between a free or premium resume template and a cover letter template and take you through their in-depth functions and features so you can make the right choice on which one is right for you. Before we delve deeper, it is important to address what both documents really are.
Resume
A Resume is a brief introduction or overview of an applicant's professional background. It is essentially designed to provide employers with an idea of their career highlights, experience levels, and qualifications. This document serves to provide employers with details as to why the applicant is suitable for the role they are applying for.
Resumes include sections that draw attention to skills, experience, and qualifications. Additionally, they include the following themes.
- Contact: There is a section for the applicant's full name and contact details like their house address, email, phone number, and even an online platform like a LinkedIn profile.
- Summary: A resume template will also contain a summary section for personal statement and career goals or just a qualification summary.
- Work Experience: Here is where the candidate will list their work experience. The ideal method is to list it in reverse chronological order including the list of jobs as roles held, names of company, employment dates, and other bullet points and achievements.
- Education: This section is for academic qualifications, institutions attended, graduation dates, and other honors achieved.
- Skills: The skills section is for the applicant to highlight their hard and soft skills in relevant roles such as languages, communication, and tech skills.
- Awards & Certifications: Some resume templates provide a section for awards and certifications attained such as licenses, honors, etc. This is used to demonstrate expertise.
Some templates also provide modifications for other sections which may include completed projects and portfolios, volunteer or internships, languages, hobbies and interests, etc. The applicant also has the option to add references especially if it is required or they can simply note that references are available on request. Ideally, very good resume templates provide different sections for a well-rounded profile.
Cover Letter
A cover letter is a personalized and short document that should go with your resume when submitting a job application. This document is simply used to advertise one’s self to an employer and explain why you are excited about working for them. It should highlight the reasons why you think you are best for the role you are applying for.
Cover letters provide more context which is why they are very important as resumes may only provide a brief introduction. Suffice it to say that a cover letter allows you to distinguish yourself in a crowded application pool. Resumes provide formal details but cover letters provide insights into your personality and what makes you tick.
A good cover letter template should have the following sections -
- Header: This section should include your contact details as well as the recipient’s information and the date.
- Greetings: This section should address the administration or hiring manager by their name with the use of “Dear” as a starter if the name is unavailable.
- Introduction: The intro should start with a clear and direct statement about the role and briefly mention why we are ideal for it.
- Body: This is the section that should throw more light on your skills, experience, achievement, and job requirements. Essentially, it should demonstrate what you will contribute to the company.
- Closing: Conclude strongly by reiterating your interest in the job and invite the manager to contact you if they have any further questions or want to discuss with you further.
- Signature: This section should boldly show your signature and name.
These are the purposes of resumes and cover letters.
Differences Between Resumes And Cover Letters
In this section, we want to describe the differences between the two in great detail.
1. Content: A resume provides a factual summary of your qualifications, education, work experience and other career specialties in bullet points while a cover letter is more detailed and offers greater context as to why you are the right fit.
2. Format: Cover Letters are more loosely structured with different informal sections including greetings, body, introduction, and conclusion. Resumes on the other hand are organized into formal structures using bullet points.
3. Length: Cover letters are very short and will mostly not exceed one page but Resumes may be up to two pages depending on your work experience.
4. Tone: Cover letters are conversational because they must show personality while resumes carry a formal tone when conveying information.
5. Specificity: Cover letters are designed for individual applications because they address the company in question directly while resumes serve the same purpose but have more of a professional overview.
Should You Use A Cover Letter Or A Resume?
Since they both contain similar information it can be quite tricky when deciding which one to use especially as job postings vary. The key to deciding which one to use is to first understand how they complement each other. When Both Are Required: In many job postings, employers will request both, especially in industries like finance, law, education, etc. This communication allows candidates to showcase their formal qualifications through their resumes while underscoring their personality with their cover letters.
If the job requires both then you should go ahead and submit both.
When A Cover Letter Is Optional: In the case where the cover letter is optional you may still choose to submit one. Adding a cover letter allows you to make a lasting impression especially if you feel that the position is highly competitive. Submitting a cover letter shows interest and effort on your part which the employer may admire. It also provides gaps that the resume may leave open.
When A Resume Is Insufficient: In certain situations, a resume may be insufficient if it provides little context, especially for roles and industries that require significant experience. This is especially true for technical positions like warehousing, software development, entry-level jobs, etc.
Free Vs Premium Resume Template vs Best Cover Letter Templates; Which Is Best For You?
So now that you know the difference between resumes and cover letters and how they complement each other, you will then have to decide how to create one. Do you create one from scratch or do you use an already designed template? The internet is awash with free and paid templates so making a choice should not be a problem but why should you use a template in the first place?
The answer is clear as day. Templates make the job of drawing up your unique document easier. You can fill in the blanks with your personal information and your professional resume and cover letter will be ready in less than 30 minutes.
Making A Choice Between A Free And Premium Template
Should you use a free cover letter template download or a premium template? The choice is yours depending on the sections in the free template and the role you are applying for. There are quite a few free templates online that can give you what you are looking for but most free versions offer limited scope. Some sections might be missing or locked up until you pay for the premium version.
Premium templates are far more professional, boast professional designs, and more. Most premium cover letters and resume templates allow for future modifications and constant reviews. This allows you to mix and match them at will, depending on the job you are applying for and its unique requirements.
Furthermore, the designers of the best cover letter templates constantly update them and premium members will have access to the newly updated versions which may be unavailable in the free cover letter download.
For the best templates for resumes, we recommend PDF Agile templates for their professional look, comprehensive sections, and extra features to give your profile the boost it deserves. Their website contains a series of template designs you can choose from and they all come with unique features and sections that will broaden your professional appeal and reach.
FAQs
Q: How many times can I edit my details using a premium template?
A: You can edit your profile as many times as you wish. This is one of the benefits of using a premium template. Besides you enjoy full access to the template library where you can choose as many templates as you want.
Q: Are cover letters still useful for job applications?
A: Yes, they are. They are not always required but help applicants prove their personality and qualifications for a better competitive edge.
Q: How many times will I pay for a premium version?
A: You only pay once to get lifetime access to the best cover letter templates. This includes new updates that will come to light in the future.
Q: Why is using a free cover letter template download, not a good idea?
A: A free cover letter template download may not give you the professional outlook you need or may block access to a broad selection of templates and sections.
Conclusion
So we recommend a premium template for your cover letters and resumes because the best cover letter templates come with a fee. You only pay a single fee to enjoy full access to amazing template designs and new updates as they come along. For a fraction of a fee you increase your chances of landing that big role you’ve always wanted and reap the benefits for many years to come.
