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Don't Change That Channel! - The Cover Letter and Resume

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DON'T CHANGE THAT CHANNEL!
 
So many people focus all their energies on the resume that they neglect to put the same time and effort into their cover letters...BIG MISTAKE!  The cover letter is just as important as the resume.  It can make the difference between two close candidates.  Since we are talking about TV here, let's make the analogy that the cover letter/resume are one of those TV promos for a new show.  If the cover letter and resume aren't interesting, unique, or if they don't catch your interest or attention, chances are you are going to flip the channel and not tune in.  That is a television (and in this case, TV internship) disaster. 
 
The Cover Letter
 
The cover letter should be thought as a supplement to the resume...that is, it is one part of a two part attack.  While the resume's purpose is to list one's past work experiences and skills, the cover letter can help you say what the resume won't.  The problem with the resume is that it is limiting and impersonal - it is basically just a list of past experiences and jobs.  The cover letter is your chance for a bit more explanation and description.  It's a chance to let people get an idea of who you are as a person.

The Resume
 
The resume is of course one of the most important pieces of the whole television internship hunt.  It, along with the cover letter is going to represent all your achievements and qualities to the intern coordinator.  Think about it...your whole life summarized on one piece of paper.  The word resume has origins from the French, meaning "to summarize."  So at the risk of sounding French...resume, resume, resume...keep it short and sweet. 
 
There are generally two resumes which are used - the chronological and the functional.

THE CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME

The chronological resume is the more frequently used resume. However, that is not to say that it is the best format to use. Generally, the chronological resume lists one's past work experiences starting from most recent to least recent. 
 
THE FUNCTIONAL RESUME

The functional resume highlights not so much one's employment dates and job titles but emphasizes transerable skills and accomplishments.
 
 
 
 

Tip:  Although, the cover letter can help you "flesh out" some of your accomplishments and skills, that is not to say that the cover letter should be lengthy.  The cover letter for the most part ought to be limited to one page...you don't want to overwhelm the reader with text and exposition.
 
Tip:  Proofread your resume and utilize underlinking, boldface, bulletpoints, and italics to make your resume stand out. 
 
 
For more pointers about how to create eye catching cover letters and resumes, and more information on which resume best suits you check out our "Insider's Guide" page.