When you ask a resume writer to produce a cover letter for a specific job in Adelaide, most will use generic blocks of text they have used thousands of times before.

That’s why 90 per cent of non-directed, non-specific cover letters fail. If you want a cover letter, you also need to send the writer the job ad. Successful cover letters are SPECIFIC to the job you are applying for. Dump generic cover letters.

The key to a great resume

People ask me what’s the secret of a good resume. Here it is ….. (drum roll)…State what you did in the job point by point and against each point, state what you achieved.

Achievements are measured as statistics, in dollars, ratios – all sorts of metrics. They can also be measured in qualities, such as building relationships, trust and solving problems.

Prepare to wait a week or more

It’s incorrect to think that good resume writers are just waiting by the phone or email (more likely), for your contact. If they’re any good, they’ll be booked up for at least a week.

We knock people back if they ask us to produce resumes and cover letters 48 hours out from a deadline. They are setting themselves up to fail.

Most resume writers work on a first come, first served basis. There is no queue jumping. They will want timely information from you. Expect to be hit by emails wanting information and for professionalism’s sake, don’t break deadlines.