How to Master Resumes, Cover letters, Cold Emails, and Coffee Chats

Hey, it’s Arya!

For this post, I’m teaming up with my friends Luke Bunn and Roshan Boorada to tackle four essential skills that can completely transform your job search: resumes, cover letters, cold emails/messages, and coffee chats. Whether you’re landing your first internship or aiming for your dream role, mastering these skills is crucial.

We’ve combined our best insights and experiences to give you precise, actionable advice that actually works. Let’s dive in!

Resume 

Purpose: To create a strong first impression and quickly show employers why you are the best candidate for the job.

Your resume needs to tell a clear, powerful story. Focus on results, not responsibilities. Add numbers wherever you can (for example, increased sales by 20 percent or led a team of five) and tailor your resume to match the keywords and qualifications listed in the job posting.

Picture your resume like a stock chart. It shows where you have been and where you are heading. Employers are not just reviewing your history. They are searching for signs of future growth. A great resume makes it easy for them to bet on you and believe in your potential.

For business and engineering roles, keep your resume to one page. For science-related roles, it is okay if your resume runs longer, especially when highlighting research, publications, and technical skills that show depth.

Here is a Resume template you can use: Resume Template

Remember, this is just a starting point. Adjust your resume based on your experiences and the job you are targeting. Keep it clean, consistent, and easy to read.

Cover Letter

Purpose: To express your personality, motivation, and personal fit for the job beyond what your resume suggests.

Your cover letter is not an overview of your resume. It is your opportunity to be yourself, show enthusiasm, and be passionate about the job. Start with a hook that will get their attention, explain why you are excited about the job, and highlight particular skills or experiences that make you the perfect candidate.

Treat the cover letter as a chance to tell a concise but interesting story about your past in relation to the mission or purpose of the organization.

Here is a Cover Letter Template you can use: Cover Letter Template

Remember that this template is a guideline, and you can make it more professional or casual to fit the company and job you are applying to.

Cold Emails/Messages

Purpose: To establish new business contacts and open doors to hidden opportunities.

Cold emails have the power to open doors you never even dreamed of. The secret is to make them short and targeted. Begin with a quick introduction, a plain explanation of why you are contacting them, and politely asking for a quick conversation (around 10-15 minutes) or some guidance. Always close by thanking them sincerely for their time.

When reaching out to professionals, the most important thing is to be yourself. Copying someone else will only make the process look artificial. Be yourself; they will appreciate your genuineness much more.

Here is a template you can use: Cold Email/Message Template

Remember, this is just an outline; you can be more casual or formal in your tone, depending on who you're texting. Whatever tone you choose, be sure to maintain it throughout your messages and your actual coffee chat, if one is planned.

Coffee Chats

Purpose: To make genuine professional connections and learn about industries, career paths, and potential future opportunities.

In the hustle and bustle of the corporate world, coffee chats have evolved into a purposeful means of connecting, sharing, and learning. They are not merely about exchanging greetings or getting a speedy referral. If done with passion, coffee chats provide a glimpse into a growing industry, a view into your potential future, and, most importantly, an opportunity to build a genuine relationship.

The value of a coffee chat is its humanity. As much as you may want to treat these meetings as transactional, people are much more likely to remember you and advocate on your behalf when you show actual interest in who they are. A coffee chat should feel like a relaxed conversation, not a business pitch.

To prep for a coffee chat, watch out for these basics:

Your (Short) Story: Use 1 or 2 captivating sentences to explain your professional and personal story, similar to your initial cold email opening.

Industry/Technical Knowledge: Learn a bit about their industry. Don't need to be an authority, but have some knowledge there and it reflects respect and advance preparation.

Why You Want to Work There: Be ready to say why you would like to work for their firm or industry, and rehearse answers to common questions or issues.

Person/Firm Research: Take time to learn about them on LinkedIn, look at the company's website, and find 1 to 2 recent news articles or deals they have worked on.

Tip: Practice first with a friend. In my own experience, it really feels harder to talk to someone you know, but that is the magic. Once you push through that awkwardness, it will be much easier, more natural, and more relaxed when it comes to the actual chat.

Good questions to ask in a coffee chat include:

• What most excites you about what you currently do?

• What trends do you envision characterizing the future of this profession?

• What were some of the skills or traits that assisted you in prospering?

• If you could turn back time, what tips would you provide to your younger self entering the profession?

Final Thoughts

We are all in this together. Luke, Roshan, and I are not perfect. We are simply sharing what has helped us along the way. No one masters these skills overnight. The more you work on building these fundamentals, the stronger and more confident you will become. Every email you send, every resume you improve, and every coffee chat you have is a step forward. Keep showing up for yourself. Your growth will come faster than you think.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn: Arya Dirisina

Enjoy your summer!

Good luck,

Arya. D
I help find opportunities as soon as they open! Connect with me to stay updated!
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