Job Search Toolkit - Chapter 5 - Do I Need a Resume and a Cover Letter?

Sep 11, 2026

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Chapter 5 explains when a resume and cover letter are needed for job applications and how to handle common application scenarios. It covers choosing whether you must provide a resume based on the employer’s request and the use of online hourly, non-management systems. The chapter emphasizes building practical job-search infrastructure, including obtaining a professional email address, using clear file naming, and securely knowing email credentials, plus maintaining and editing a resume, sending it digitally, and printing when needed.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResumes

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time6 min

AccessFree to download

Do I Need a Resume and a Cover Letter?

Checklist for Success: Have a Professional Email Address for Job Search

Take the Extra Step: Know Your Email Address and Password

What does a resume look like?

Someone is helping me with my resume. Shouldn’t I just let them write it?

Checklist for Success: Know How to Edit, Save and Send Your Resume

Take the Extra Step: Stick to Digital if the Process is All Digital

5 Do I Need a Resume and a Cover Letter? Do I Need a Resume anda Cover Letter? Do you need a resume? Maybe. If you apply for a job and an employer asks for a resume, you should have one. You don’t need one to apply for an hourly, non-management position that uses an online application system, particularly if it is part-time or seasonal. Is your email address up to the job? It is essential to have an email address. You can get a free email address, and you don’t have to own a computer to get one. Free email accounts can be set up at the library where you can then send email or check for email messages. Many libraries have classes to introduce you to the internet or someone who can help you set up your email account. [FirstFind.org](FirstFind.org) has plain language guidance in its Web Skills section. | | Checklist for Success: Have a Professional Email Address for Job Search | | --- | --- | | If your email is something like curlygurl@yahoo.com or [cooldude@hotmail.com](cooldude@hotmail.com), set up anew email just for job search.
Use your first and last name in your email address whenever possible, it makes it easier for an employer to identify you.
If your name is taken, someone with the same name already has the email address. Try your first and last name with a period between the two, or first initial and last name.
Your telephone area code is a good option. [billsmith914@gmail.com](billsmith914@gmail.com) is an example of a good email address for someone with a common name. Don’t use the year you were born or graduated from school in your email address.
Ask for help setting up your email address. You will find that email is much easier than you thought. | | The full text of the Job Search Toolkit is available at: [FirstFind.org/Jobs-and-Careers](FirstFind.org/Jobs-and-Careers) 45 | | Take the Extra Step: Know Your Email Address and Password | | --- | --- | | When you get a smartphone the person helping you will likely set up your email. Make sure you know the email account address, username, and password. Write them down. It will be hard to apply to some jobs using only your smartphone, so make sure you know how to log in to your email on a computer, too. | | What does a resume look like? Most resumes are written in a few basic formats because most people create the document using resume templates. In Microsoft Word: • choose NEW and you will see RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS as one of the selections below the search box. Using Google Docs: • click on FILE then NEW, then FROM TEMPLATE to find options. Google’s Applied Digital Skills series offers helpful video tutorials on creating a resume in Google Docs. You can also search online for Word resume templates. Make certain that you are choosing a free template and not signing up for a resume writing service. We have created a sample resume for a fictional job applicant named Bill Smith. It was built from oneof the Word formats. You can find this sample resume at the end of this chapter. In your resume do not: • Use multiple fonts (print style) and multiple sizes of type, with the exception of your name, which can be a bit larger. • Include a photo or personal identifying details including your name marital status and nationality. • Use fancy formats or colored paper, unless you are a designer. The Personal Data form in Chapter 7 will be valuable for organizing information making certain it is correct. 46 Chapter 5: Do I Need a Resume and a Cover Letter? Someone is helping me with my resume. Shouldn’t I just let them write it? When you are working with a training program or referral organization, it is very likely someone will help write your resume. You may also have a friend or relative who offers to help with resume writing. That’s fine, but remember it is your resume. You need to be able to talk about or explain all the factson the resume. The person who helped you will not be with you during an interview.

FAQs

When do you need a resume and a cover letter for a job application?

You should have a resume if an employer asks for one. You typically don’t need a resume for an hourly, non-management position that uses an online application system, especially if it is part-time or seasonal.

How can you set up a professional email address for job searching?

Use a free email account and set it up just for job search. Prefer your first and last name in the email address, avoid personal or identifying details, and don’t include the year you were born or graduated.

What should you do if someone helps you with your resume?

Treat it as your resume and be able to explain the facts during an interview. Learn how to prepare or change the resume, attach it to an email, convert to PDF if needed, and send it digitally or print a copy when required.

Sep 11, 2026

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