Perfect Pitch

Good, concise English is key to getting your message quickly across to recruiters.

Using long words and business jargon is the way to impress employers, right? Wrong.

If anything, being simple and direct is the best way to write a resume, cover leter, or even fll in an applicaton form.

It’s absolutely possible to be formal and professional without using fancy fourishes, and someone who has this kind of control over their writng is always going to impress employers with their skill in communicaton rather than those who use fowery jargon for the sake of it.

Simple but clear

Use simple English so that your audience can read, understand and act upon your message with just a single reading. You only get one chance to make your point because yours isn’t the only applicaton in a recruiter’s inbox – so make it count.

The ultimate dos and don’ts

The average graduate recruiter has a limited amount of tme, and there’s only so much you can put in an applicaton form. So cut to the chase and get to the point.

Do

Use headers and bullet points

Format your resume in such a way that it’s more readable and direct.

E.g. Tasks as team leader included (but not limited to): • Leading a team of eight teammates • Overseeing two projects at the same tme • Prioritsing overlapping tasks • Reportng to the fnance department Keep it short

Write short sentences. A way to do so is to check if cutng out a word afects the logic of the sentence. If it doesn’t, cut it.

E.g. I am a team player with leadership capabilites. My experience as team leader allowed me to work alongside my teammates and hone my leadership skills.

Don’t

Write long paragraphs and sentences

Refrain from cramming too much informaton into one long paragraph.

E.g. My tasks as a team leader included leading a team of eight teammates, overseeing two projects at the same tme, prioritsing overlapping tasks, reportng to the fnance department and much more. Be long-winded

Avoid overusing conjunctons such as “and”, “that”, “as”, “so”, etc. Also, take note to exclude unnecessary descriptons and adjectves.

E.g. I am a team player as well as a great leader and this is evident in my role as a team leader that allowed me to work alongside inspiring, hardworking and cooperatve teammates.

Be active

Keep it simple by stcking to the actve clause.

E.g. As a team leader, I managed many tasks. Be direct

Replace unnecessarily long phrases and fancy fourishes with more direct words.

E.g.: • Within the workplace → at work • At this point in tme → now • In additon to the aforementoned → also

Use a passive voice

Avoid writng sentences in passive form – you’ll come out sounding robotc rather than authoritatve.

E.g. As a team leader, I faced many tasks that had to be managed. Pad it out

Take out fancy phrases that can be replaced with single words.

Checklist

Before sending in your resume and cover leter, check the following points. Do they fulfl each and every one of them?

Is the layout clear and easy to follow? Do the headings stand out? Are your sentences concise? Does the content have a straightorward objectve? Are your points clear-cut? Have you used short, concrete and familiar words instead of long, complex words? Is the content free of spelling and grammatcal errors? Are bulleted lists used where appropriate? Is the tone suitable for addressing an employer?