What is the Difference Between Resume and Cover Letter

The main difference between resume and cover letter is that a resume is objective while a cover letter is subjective.

Job seekers usually send resumes and cover letters when they are applying for a particular job. A resume lists information about a job applicant’s education, qualifications, and experience, while a cover letter explains how the applicant can contribute to the company and why he is applying for a particular job opening.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Resume
– Definition, Features
2. What is a Cover Letter
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Resume and Cover Letter
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Cover Letter, Resume, CV

What is a Resume

A resume (also spelled as a résumé) is a document a job applicant uses to summarize his or her educational background, work experience, and special skills. Resumes are also known as CVs. Most modern resumes consist of only one or two pages.

Sections in a Resume

The information an applicant should include in a resume depends on the job they are applying. But generally, a resume has the following sections.

Contact Details – This section should include the job applicant’s first and last name, email address, mailing address, and phone number. It can also include details like LinkedIn account and portfolio links.
Introduction – This section should include a brief overview of the main qualifications and professional background of the applicant. Introduction can be in the form of a professional summary, resume objective, or resume summary.
Education – This section includes the basic details about education – names of the colleges, degrees earned, etc.
Experience – This section should include the title, the company, years worked, and a brief list of key responsibilities and notable achievements.
Skills – This section should include skills and other qualifications the applicant possesses relevant to the job position.

What is a Cover Letter

A cover letter or a covering letter is a letter of introduction accompanying another document like a resume or a curriculum vitae. When a job seeker sends a cover letter along with a resume, the employer can learn more about the job seeker, his personality, what he wants from the job, and gain an insight into why he is applying. Generally, employers look for thoughtfully written and individualized cover letters as a method of screening out applicants. We can categorize cover letters into two main types according to their purpose: letters applying for a specific job opening and letters expressing an interest in a company when the applicant is uncertain whether there is a current opening.

A cover letter should typically include the job applicant’s personal details, including name, address, phone number, and email address. In addition, a cover letter typically also explains how the applicant found the vacancy, why he is suitable for the job, and what he can do for the company. At the end of the letter, the applicant should always thank the reader for their time and consideration. Furthermore, a good cover letter should be free of errors, up-to-date, and specific (specific to a particular job and company).

Difference Between Resume and Cover Letter

Definition

A resume is a document a job applicant uses to summarize his or her educational background, work experience, and special skills. A cover letter, on the other hand, is a letter of introduction accompanying a resume.

Purpose

The main purpose of a resume is to summarize the educational background, work experience, and special skills, while the main purpose of a cover letter is to give details about the applicant and how he can contribute to the company.

Type of Information

A resume contains objective information, while a cover letter contains subjective information.

Format

A resume has several specific sections, containing information in bullet form, while a cover letter consists of a few paragraphs of text, organized into an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Conclusion

A resume lists information about a job applicant’s education, qualifications, and experience, while a cover letter explains how the applicant can contribute to the company and why he is applying for a particular job opening. Therefore, a resume contains objective information while a cover letter contains subjective information. This is the main difference between resume and cover letter.