Cheeky Logo
Ready To Get Hired?
Apply To Book A Free Call With Our Transition Specialist Team

Top 3 Cover Letter & Resume Combinations For Getting Hired

By the time I received my PhD, I had never held an industry job. I had never been trained in how to create a resume or cover letter. 

After college, I watched those going into industry struggle to get jobs, but I was at ease with my PhD lab already picked out, my future was set. I followed these friends on social media as they got jobs…found spouses…started to have children. Meanwhile, I was still glued to my bench trying to squeeze my stipend into a survivable income.

I was no longer at ease. I was stuck and uncertain about my future.

As I neared the end of graduate school I realized it was time to retire my academic career and with it my Curriculum vitae in pursuit for something I hoped would be more fulfilling; an industry job.  

I have written many publications, several grant proposals and countless conference abstracts. I had a lengthy and well developed academic CV. So, I thought it wouldn’t be too hard to write a resume. After all, it’s only 2 pages. It’s rigid in formatting like my thesis, short and direct like an abstract, and requires a level of detail and research on par with grant applications.

Surely my decades of academic experience had prepared me for entering the workforce.

I was so wrong. I was so unprepared. 

In some ways there are similarities. Both grant applications and resumes are designed to be selling points in hopes to further your career but very few are ever read or funded. 

A big difference between them is a perfect grant application may fund your research or a piece of your salary for a few years but the perfect resume/cover letter combination are the first steps to getting you hired and changing your life.

I didn’t think I had any experience. I had only been a student. And unlike academic papers or grant applications, I was never trained on how to create a resume or cover letter. 

I didn’t know what would give me an advantage or what would help me get noticed. And so, I did what I was trained to do; research. I must have read hundreds of posts on resume and cover letter templates. 

Did you know there are dozens of different kinds of resumes and cover letters, each with different format and function? In all the research I did, I never knew which was best for me.

I poured hours and days into creating this 1-2 page document all in hopes to get a stranger to even just glance at it. It was painstakingly frustrating. 

Even worse, so much of the information I found was pandering to new undergraduates or entry level job applicants, not to PhDs, not to me.

I was confused and disappointed. Was my PhD even useful in industry? Did I make a mistake? Should I just try and find a postdoc? 

I had spent half a decade behind a bench, writing hundreds of pages on scientific research only a few people in the world could understand just to be completely clotheslined by a 1-2 page document everyone else seems to know how to write.

Then, I watched my first Cheeky Scientist resume webinar. At last, there is a formula! Cheeky Scientist works with thousands of PhDs accumulating, digesting, and packaging information on how PhDs can break into industry.

So, if you’re done dumpster diving into the internet void of misplaced and subpar cover letter/ resume information let me help you. 

Why Your Resume And Cover Letter Are Crucial To Job Success

A study at JobVite estimated for every one job posting there are 525 applications, a number which has probably increased in the pandemic era.  

That’s 524 people you need to compete against and stand out from during each time you apply to a job.

After you submit the application, your resume will likely be scanned by a talent-management software, which weeds out nearly 50% of the applicants. From here, only about 20% will get an interview. How do you stand out among the competition? 

You need a well formatted resume and cover letter curated to your target job. 

If your resume gets passed the computer software, it might get in the hands of a hiring manager. 

So, your resume must be smart and rigid enough to be valued by a computer algorithm but also needs that human touch, that will wow the hiring manager. 

This connection can be hard, especially with a document like a resume. 

Having a well written accompanying cover letter can make all the difference in connecting and standing out to a hiring manager.

A survey by CareerBuilder stated that 29% of hiring managers prefer to have a cover letter. But the cover letter has to be catered to the company. Forbes stated that 48% of non-customized cover letters are rejected. Your cover letter must not only include a direct greeting but should highlight a specific task and your value

Your Cover Letter Should Complement Your Resume Without Rehashing It.

When I was first writing cover letters and resumes I just didn’t get it. I felt my cover letter was a regurgitation of my resume. It was rigid, it was not productive and it did not add any value.

My cover letters read very much like an academic paper, based in facts, very neutral and without much enthusiasm. 

This was all wrong.

Think of a cover letter like an introduction to your resume or a book jacket synopsis of how and why you are the perfect candidate for this position.

It should highlight how your specific experience and skill sets fit with the company’s needs and job requirements. 

2 Types Of Cover Letters 

There are two main kinds of cover letters, the Business format and the T format. 

In both cases you MUST address your cover letter to a specific person, and should state your interest (and enthusiasm for) the position you are applying for in the first sentence.

The rest of the cover letter should focus on demonstrating in a concrete way how your experience translates into transferable and technical skills relevant for the position.

In the business format this is done in paragraphs where one paragraph highlights a specific example of your transferable skill that perfectly aligns with the job description. 

In the T format, this is done by inserting a two column table. Where the column on the left is the job requirements and the column on the right is how your qualifications fit that requirement.  

This document is your opportunity to demonstrate to the employer your experience, communication skills, personality and excitement for the position.

5 Types Of Resumes

A resume on the other hand is your sales pitch.

A hiring manager should be convinced after a quick scan of the document that you are a valuable candidate.

Now, there are dozens of ways to format your resume, each with their own function. 

We have curated all that information into 5 formats ideal for PhD-level positions: functional, combination, sidebar, recruiter, and the Cheeky Scientist gold standard resume template.

Each one highlights functional experience over education.

What you did and learned to get the PhD is more valuable than the PhD title. 

In a functional and combination resume, your experience is organized by what you did instead of by when you did it. Combination resumes combine functional with chronological (which is the generic resume), highlighting both function and time.  

Recruiter resumes are obviously for recruiters so they need to highlight your techniques and skill set allowing the recruiter to easily see how you fit into different jobs. Sidebar resumes are the most creative, using a two column format to display your achievements. 

Which Resume / Cover Letter Flavor Combination Is Most Palatable?

What was highlighted here is by no means every type of resume and cover letter you can use. 

But these documents are a package, they do not stand alone. Knowing how to combine a resume and a cover letter can be daunting.  So which do you choose? 

The cover letter / resume combination is important, they must match in tone and voice. 

They must be cohesive and flow, connect but not rehash.

The answer to ‘which do you choose?’ is, it depends. 

Applying with a combination resume and a T-format cover letter demonstrates you are focused on a specific role. It also shows you are up-to-date with current job search trends as you are straying away from the traditional chronological and business format while still providing a very well curated document. 

However, some jobs require a more traditional and formal touch. For these jobs, the gold standard resume and business format are ideal. This combination is sophisticated, exemplifying your dependability and knowledge of best practices. 

Other jobs are less focused on the position or title and are more goal oriented. For these jobs, I’d suggest a functional resume accompanied by a T-format cover letter. This pairing is extremely result focused and to the point. It puts aside duties, titles, prestige, and seniority and signifies your ability to execute tasks at the highest level. 

The cover letter / resume flavors must compliment each other to create something appetizing.  

Usually, you can get a sense of the flavor you should use by the tone of the job application.

Read it carefully, not only to identify which keywords to include but for the tone of the company. Do your research. This should give you an idea of the formality of the work environment and allow you to focus your application to suit the company’s standards. 

The best way to know is to ask. Tap into your network. Talk to people that work at the company.

Reach out through LinkedIn or email. Set up an informational interview. 

These are great and simple ways to get a better understanding of the company’s expectations and culture, which will help you to better curate your resume and cover letter for the desired job application. 

Cover letter and Resume Gold Nugget

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

Book a Transition Call
Get Free Job Search Content Weekly

ABOUT SARAH SMITH, PHD

Sarah Smith, PhD, holds a degree in Biochemistry. A tireless science consultant at large, her rigorous pursuit of pristine labwork is unflinching. Yet Sarah’s keenest passion--guiding emergent academics into the business world--stems from personal experience with the transitional struggles she would have no PhD face alone.

Sarah Smith, PhD

Similar Articles

How PhDs Can Avoid The Overqualified Label To Get Hired

How PhDs Can Avoid The Overqualified Label To Get Hired

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“We regret to inform you that we will not be moving forward with your application due to concerns that your qualifications exceed those required for the role.  We feel it would not be a good fit. Thank you for applying.”  Oof, that’s part of a rejection email a PhD sent me. An employer had sent it to them after the first interview.  Another PhD told me this recently… “I feel like I’m both overqualified and underqualified for the jobs I apply to Isaiah.”  Which do you feel is more of a problem for you? I asked.  “At first I thought…

How To Answer “Why Are You Leaving Academia?” (& 4 Scientific Ways To Convince Employers To Hire You) 

How To Answer “Why Are You Leaving Academia?” (& 4 Scientific Ways To Convince Employers To Hire You) 

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“‘Why do you want to work here more than anywhere else? And why are you leaving academia?’ Those are the questions I got stuck on, Isaiah.  I told them why I liked their company, mainly because it was aligned with my values, but I also wanted to be fair and ethical so I told them that I was considering other companies. Then I explained that academia was no longer a good fit because I wanted to do more than write grants all day.”  “Okay, I replied, anything else? What did you say after that?” “I asked them a few clarifying…

Should You Apply To More Than One Job At A Company? (& 3 Other Tough Job Search Questions Answered)

Should You Apply To More Than One Job At A Company? (& 3 Other Tough Job Search Questions Answered)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Isaiah, I applied to ThermoFisher two weeks ago and a hiring manager got in touch with me and I had my first interview…. But then a second hiring manager reached out to me about another job I applied to there.  I started talking to this second manager and they asked if I applied to any other positions there.  I couldn’t lie so I told them about the other job and the other hiring manager.  Now, neither of the hiring managers will get back to me.  What should I do?”  This is what a PhD told me over the phone last…

How LinkedIn Ranks Job Seekers With PhDs, EdDs & Other Degrees

How LinkedIn Ranks Job Seekers With PhDs, EdDs & Other Degrees

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Be real Isaiah, there’s not a government bureau keeping track of how our resumes perform.”  This is what a frustrated job seeker said to me recently.  “What do you mean I have a reputation score?” they asked.  “Of course there’s not a bureau dedicated to this, at least not yet” I said.  “But you absolutely are being scored and ranked” I went on, “and your ranking is used to indicate how reputable you are as a job seeker.”  This is what I’ve explained to countless people looking for a job in today’s job market, most of whom were getting initial…

How The Academic PhD Job Market Was Destroyed

How The Academic PhD Job Market Was Destroyed

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“I spent over a year looking for a job in academia and flew to multiple interviews. I didn’t get one offer.” A PhD told me this recently and many other PhDs have told me similar stories.  Of course, the stories involve more than just looking for a job for a year.  They involve living on a meager academic budget, trying to support themselves and their families, often in very expensive cities where many of the biggest universities are located.  They involve decisions to never go on a vacation, to feed their kids cheaper, less healthy food, and to work all…

Give Yourself The Gift Of Leaving Academia Forever

Give Yourself The Gift Of Leaving Academia Forever

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

My last year in academia, I didn’t have enough money to fly home for Christmas. So I spent it in Iowa City, mostly alone.  I was broke (of course) so I decided to shovel snow out of driveways for $10 per driveway. I remember thinking how ridiculous it was to be a PhD shoveling snow for money. “What I wouldn’t give to have a better job”, I thought.  That was the gift I wanted for Christmas and the holidays.  A better job.  Not to be a student or a postdoc or an academic PhD getting paid less than I was…

The Ideal Keyword Density For Targeting Your PhD Resume To An Industry Job Posting

The Ideal Keyword Density For Targeting Your PhD Resume To An Industry Job Posting

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Writing a resume for an industry job is one of the biggest sticking points I see with PhDs entering the job market.  What worked even a year ago is not working today due to recent and rapidly accelerating advances in Applicant Tracking Systems.  These systems, called ATS or just AI today, are software tools used by companies to filter resumes.  They scan for specific keywords related to the job role, abilities, credentials, and qualities desired in a candidate.  As a PhD seeking very competitive roles, including relevant keywords in your resume is essential to pass through these systems and get…

AI Is Replacing Recruiters. Here’s How PhD Job Seekers Should Adapt

AI Is Replacing Recruiters. Here’s How PhD Job Seekers Should Adapt

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“I had a recruiter reach out to me, Isaiah, and after I gave them my resume and answered their questions, they never got back to me. What should I do?”  I hear this a lot.  I also hear, “Isaiah, I was on the phone with a recruiter and as soon as they heard that I needed a visa, they hung up” …”or as soon as they heard I had no industry experience, they hung up.”  Man, I personally hate this. What a waste of time. The recruitment industry is broken.  The good news is its being devoured by Artificial Intelligence,…

Why PhDs Are Powerhouses Of Productivity (& How It Can Get Your Hired)

Why PhDs Are Powerhouses Of Productivity (& How It Can Get Your Hired)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Nothing makes sense today in the job market”, a PhD expressed to me recently.  “No one is responding to my resumes. I don’t understand why they would ask for a scientist at the company and then not even want to talk to me”, they said. They went on: “I’ve even had some friends refer to me, but still didn’t get an interview. I feel like I made a mistake getting my PhD.”  It’s hard hearing this from PhDs who invested so much in their education and in advancing research for humanity.  Still, I hear it a lot.  My response is…

Top Industry Career eBooks

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD & Arunodoy Sur, PhD

Learn about the best 63 industry careers for PhDs (regardless of your academic background). In this eBook, you will gain insight into the most popular, highest-paying jobs for PhDs – all of which will allow you to do meaningful work AND get paid well for it.

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Learn how to craft the perfect industry resume to attract employers. In this eBook for PhDs, you will get access to proven resume templates, learn how to structure your bullet points, and discover which keywords industry employers want to see most on PhD resumes.

AI & ATS Resume Filters

AI & ATS Resume Filters

Isaiah Hankel

In today's competitive job market, understanding the impact of AI is crucial for career success. This involves ensuring your resume stands out in the digital realm, mastering your online presence, and being aware of how AI assigns reputation scores. Discovering how to leverage AI to your advantage is essential, as it plays a pivotal role in shaping professional opportunities.

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel

The LinkedIn tips & strategies within have helped PhDs from every background get hired into top industry careers.