What’s the Difference Between a Cover Letter and a Resume?

Cover letters and resumes are essential to introduce yourself to prospective employers, but there are some critical differences between them. Learn more about what those differences are, the function of each document, and how they can work in tandem to help you market yourself for potential roles.

Understanding the Basics

What is a resume?

A resume is a document that outlines a job candidate’s qualifications, shares highlights from their job history, and lists skills and accomplishments. It’s meant to be an easily digestible snapshot that job recruiters and hiring managers can quickly scan.

The critical components of a resume include contact information, summary, work experience, education, and skills. There are also different resume formats, including chronological, functional, and combination. Chronological resumes, which focus on your professional history, starting with your recent job and working backward, are the most common.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is written to accompany your resume and/or other job application materials. It lets you directly address the job recruiter and quickly summarize why you’d be a good fit for their organization.

Cover letters are narratives with three main sections: an introduction, a body, and a closing.

These letters vary depending on which documents you include, such as an application, referral, or prospecting letter.

Key Differences Between a Cover Letter and a Resume

To break down a cover letter vs. a resume, here’s a look at the various components of each.

Purpose and function

• Resume: Provide a summary of qualifications, skills, and experience
• Cover Letter: Offer a personal introduction, express interest in the role, and explain why you’re a good fit

Content and tone

• Resume: Should be concise and factual, offering quick facts and data points
• Cover Letter: A more personalized approach, speaking directly to the reader

Structure and format

• Resume: Structured format with section headings and bullet point lists
• Cover letter: Formal letter format with paragraphs and a salutation

Length

• Resume: Typically one to two pages, depending on level of experience
• Cover Letter: Usually one page

When To Use a Cover Letter vs. a Resume

In some situations, you can use either a cover letter or a resume without the other. Here are some suggestions for various job-seeking scenarios.

Applying for jobs

In most cases, applying for a job with a cover letter and a resume is beneficial. The letter lets you include your personality, while the resume lists facts (such as skills and accomplishments).

That said, there could be scenarios in which only a resume is needed. For example, if you have a contact at an organization, you may not need the cover letter since the person already knows you. Another time you might not send a cover letter is if you’re filling out an online application that already includes questions about your job history, goals, and qualifications. In those situations, you can use similar content to your cover letter.

Networking and referrals

If someone for a job referred you, that’s an example of when a cover letter can be effective. It lets you “name drop” the person referring to you and hopefully catches the reader’s attention.

You can also use a cover letter to mention an affiliation you have in common with the recruiter, such as being an alum of the same college or fraternity or perhaps meeting at an industry event.

Follow-up and thank-you letters

Cover letters should be distinct from others you may send during your job search, as each type has a specific purpose.

For example, the follow-up letter is a brief note for when you have not heard back after sending your original letter and resume. The tone should be friendly and straightforward.

Thank-you letters are usually sent after you’ve been interviewed by or received feedback from a hiring team member. Again, keep the tone upbeat and thank the person for their time. You can also include some follow-up information regarding something you spoke about.

How To Complement Your Resume With a Cover Letter

Resumes and cover letters work best when used in tandem. A good analogy might be to think of the cover letter as the opening act of your show, and then your resume is the headliner. There should be a natural flow from the cover letter to the resume.

Customizing content for each application

Explain why you are perfect for a particular role to improve your odds of getting called for an interview. To do this, personalize your cover letter and customize your resume to correspond to what the hiring company is seeking.

Take clues from the job description and research the organization’s values. Address a couple of those points in your letter and resume.

Highlighting key skills and experience

Since a resume consists of quick bullet points, your cover letter (and your interview) are opportunities to elaborate on those points.

Addressing potential resume gaps

A cover letter can also be helpful for someone with employment gaps or career changes. Employers will be curious to know what you did during a two-year period when no jobs were listed, for example.

Here’s an example of how to address such concerns proactively in your cover letter:

In 2022, I took some time off from human resources (HR) work to pursue an entrepreneurial endeavor, which provides a passive source of income. During that period, I also had time to become a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). I attended several conferences and webinars to better position myself to transition back into the HR field.

Common Mistakes To Avoid With Cover Letters and Resumes

When creating your cover letter and resume, these are the most common missteps that job seekers make.

Overlapping content

These documents will be read together, so it’s best to avoid repetition. You can preview what will be on your resume in your cover letter, but don’t simply copy and paste. Remember the primary purpose of each document, and stay on point.

Focusing too much on the resume

Your resume is likely the more important document of the two, but still invest time into crafting a solid cover letter. Remember that a recruiter might look at 100 resumes with similar formats and talking points daily. 

Conversely, the cover letter lets you make your “elevator pitch” and engage the reader so they want to see your resume.

Ignoring formatting and presentation

Think of the cover letter and resume as a package that has consistency in design and formatting. 

You must also proofread your cover letter and check for errors. One big mistake to avoid is addressing the wrong person or company or misspelling the person’s name.

Tips for Writing Effective Cover Letters and Resumes

Researching the company and role

You must learn something about the company and the position you’re applying for so you can tailor your cover letter accordingly. Look at the job posting, the career section of the company’s website, and the company’s social media pages for some insight. 

Then, use this intel to write the profile section and some bullet points on your resume.

Using keywords from the job description

Including relevant keywords on your resume is crucial if it might be going through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) before it gets to a human recruiter. ATS is programmed to look for specific keywords and phrases to flag possible matches.

Cover letters could be scanned by these systems as well, so try to mention the most important keywords there as well.

Showcasing your unique value proposition

Incorporating personalized examples in your letter and resume can help you stand out from the competition. Other applicants may have similar career backgrounds and education credentials. Still, you’ll differentiate yourself if you can focus on your impact, the results you’ve driven, and the value you’ve brought to organizations.

Final Thoughts on Using Cover Letters and Resumes Together

When in doubt, including a cover letter is always a good idea. It can effectively establish that you fit the role in a best-case scenario.

Before sending your cover letter and resume, ask a trusted peer or career advisor for feedback and make any necessary updates and improvements.

Once you send out your cover letter and resume, please follow up with the recipients after one to two weeks if you are still waiting to hear back.

Additional Resources

Links to cover letter and resume templates

• Are Resume Templates a Good Idea?
• Basic Resume Templates and Examples for 2024
• How To Build A Professional Resume (Plus Examples and Templates)

Online tools for resume and cover letter writing

• How to Write an Effective Cover Letter
• How To Write a Resume Summary (With Examples)
• Resumes, Cover Letters, and Job Applications

Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.