How to Write a Professional Resume and Cover Letter in English (With Grammar Tips That Make You Shine)?

So you’re job hunting. Again? Maybe it’s your first time. Or maybe you’ve done this dance a dozen times already. Either way — writing a resume and cover letter in English? It’s tricky.  

Not just because of the grammar (although it works in many cases). In this case, you have to factor in that you’re trying to sound professional and human. Basically, you have to sound confident and clear. Meanwhile, you do not end up being boring. 

Therefore, read on to get a better idea of how to write a professional resume and cover letter in English. Moreover, you will also get grammar tips that will make you shine better. 

Wait! Why Bother About a Resume Anyway? 

At the outset, your resume is more like a movie trailer. Although it is not the whole story, it merely includes the highlights. Essentially, you want the recruiter to think, “Hmm, interesting! Let’s see more.” 

So don’t try to cram your entire life into it. Focus on: 

• What you did 
• How well you did it 
• Why it mattered 

And format? Keep it clean – no Comic Sans or rainbow colors. Rather, start including bullet points and action verbs. Apart from that, use white space. Your resume should breathe. 

Cover Letter: Is It Really Necessary? 

Of course, a cover letter is necessary. Basically, a cover letter is your chance to talk like a human. While resumes are robotic, cover letters are personal.  

In fact, with the help of a cover letter, you are saying, “Hey, I do not have a mere list of skills. Rather, I’m a person who actually wants this job.” 

However, that does not mean you should write a novel. Keep it to 3–4 short paragraphs. Start strong. Say why you’re applying. Mention something specific about the company. End with a confident “Let’s talk.” 

Importance of Grammar in Your Resume and Cover Letter 

Here’s where things get spicy. Grammar matters. Typos and weird phrasing can make you look careless — even if you’re brilliant. 

This is where English AI tools come in. Basically, they’re like your grammar buddy. Also, they catch the little stuff — missing articles, awkward tenses, weird prepositions. Moreover, they help you sound polished without sounding fake. 

Some quick grammar wins: 

• Write in Active Voice: “I led the project…” rather than “The project was led by me…” 
• Do Not Include Filler Words: make sure there are no words like “Basically,” “very,” “really” – these sound like you are dragging. 
• Watch tense consistency: When you are writing about past jobs, write in past tense. Meanwhile, if you are writing about your current job, write in present tense. 
• Do Not Capitalize Unnecessarily: Write “marketing manager,” instead of “Marketing Manager.” However, this rule does not work for titles. 

How to Stand Out with Your Resume? – Essential Tips 

It’s not just grammar. It’s storytelling. 

Let’s say you worked in customer service. Hence, don’t just say “Handled customer queries.” Rather say: “Resolved 50+ customer issues weekly with a 95% satisfaction rate — by listening, empathizing, and solving fast.” 

See the difference?  

Numbers + impact + action. That’s the magic combo. 

In fact, the same goes for cover letters. Hence, don’t say “I’m passionate about marketing.”  

Rather, say: “I’ve spent the last 3 years experimenting with social media campaigns that doubled engagement — and I’m itching to do more.” 

Common mistakes? Oh yeah, we’ve all made ’em. 

Here’s a hit list of resume sins: 

• Too long: Keep it to 1 page (2 max if you’ve got years of experience). 
• Weird fonts: Stick to Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. 
• No keywords: If the job says “project management,” your resume better say it too. 
• Generic phrases: “Hardworking team player” — these do not work. Rather, be specific. 

The following are some of the major sins you must avoid with cover letters: 

• Copy-paste jobs: Recruiters can smell a template from a mile away 
• No personalization: Mention the company. Mention the role. Mention why you care. 
• Too formal: “To whom it may concern” does not work any longer. Instead, use names if you can. Or just “Hi [Team/Company Name]” 

Essential Grammar Tips for Resumes and Cover Letters 

The following are some of the essential grammar tips you must follow if you want to stand out with your resumes and cover letters: 

1. Articles (a, an, the) 

In general, these tiny words are complicated for even fluent speakers. Hence, follow this rule of thumb:  

• Always use “a” before consonant sounds, like “A resume.” 
• Make sure to use“an” before vowel sounds, like “An interview.” 

2. Prepositions  

Prepositions are tricky when it comes to English grammar. For instance, write “Interested in,” rather than “interested for.” Also, write “Good at,” not “good in.” 

3. Subject-Verb Agreement 

Write  

• “He writes,” and not “He write.” 
• “They are,” and not “They is.” 

Although they sound basic, they are easy to mess up when you are nervous. 

4. Punctuation 

Make sure to include commas to break up long sentences. Apart from that, use periods (full stops) to end sentences. Moreover, don’t overuse exclamation marks. 

5. Capitalization 

Make sure there are only proper nouns at the start of sentences. In general, you do not have to capitalize every word in your resume. 

Tools that Make Life Easier 

Of course, you don’t have to do this alone. The following are some tools that help: 

1. Grammarly — Checks grammar, tone, and clarity. 
2. Huru.ai — (It helps with resumes/interviews and understanding job roles). 
3. ChatGPT — Ask it to rewrite your bullet points or check your grammar. 
4. Canva Resume Builder — For clean and modern templates. 

Hence, ensure that you utilize them when creating your resume and cover letter. In fact, most of them are free (or freemium). This way, you will be able to save both time and face. 

Start Building Your Career Now! 

Writing a resume and cover letter in English isn’t merely about language. Rather, it’s about confidence and clarity. Also, it is about showing up and saying, “Here’s what I bring to the table.” 

Hence, don’t overthink it. Moreover, don’t try to sound like someone else. Just be you — the best version of you. 

Of course, it is okay to make mistakes – everyone does. In those cases, what matters is that you tried and learned from them. It also shows that you are ready to grow. Now, go get that job!