Cover Letter vs Resume: What Goes Where

They should complement, not duplicate, each other.

1. Resume: facts, structure, quantified accomplishments, scannable in seconds.
2. Cover letter: narrative, motivation, context the resume can't hold — why this role, why now, why you specifically.
3. If a sentence in your cover letter just restates a resume bullet in paragraph form, cut it.
4. The cover letter is the only place to explain a career change, an unusual gap, or genuine enthusiasm — use that space deliberately.

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