Tom Gerencer, CPRW

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Tom Gerencer is a career advice writer and a resume expert. He is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches member. Forbes, HuffPost, Fortune, BBC News, ABC, NBC, The Economist, Business Insider, and dozens of other outlets have featured his insights and commentary.

Tom has written over 200 in-depth guides, all strictly following Zety’s editorial code of conduct. His articles reach over a million readers every month.

Thanks to his deep research and outreach to insider industry communities, Tom shares job-seeking advice for candidates across all professions and career stages.

Tom holds a degree in English from Colby College.

See all his work:

How to Quit a Job & Tell Your Boss You're Leaving (Examples)

Peace out, I quit. It’s time to move on. Whether you hate your boss or not, you need to know how to quit a job gracefully. Stop the burning bridge with this fast guide to quitting.

How to Decline a Job Offer Politely (Email Examples)

Thanks, but no thanks. You’ve got a better offer. How to tell the hiring team without stepping on toes? Use this guide for how to professionally decline a job offer.

What Is a CV? Meaning & Definition of Curriculum Vitae

What is the definition of a CV? What are the differences for CVs in the US and across the globe? Read on to learn about the meaning, use, and purpose of a CV.

Cover Letter Spacing & Margins (Double Space or Not?)

You’ve written a great cover letter. But will the hiring team disqualify you if you flub your cover letter spacing? No, but use our guide to make sure you don’t look sloppy.

How to Ask for a Raise at Work in 5 Steps (+ Examples)

You know you’re worth more. You know you need more. But can you get more? You can and you should, but there’s a key way to do it. Learn how to ask for a raise so you get one.

How to List Publications on Resume or CV (+ Template)

Your publications show your mettle, but how do you show them to the powers that be? Use this guide to see how to list publications on a resume, plus CV publications and research.

How to Write a Targeted Resume (Template & Examples)

You’re up against 200 other applicants. You look as generic as a no-name can of soup. Stand out in 3 billion colors with this guide for how to write a targeted resume to every job.

Burnout Symptoms, Definition, and What You Can Do About It

210 million people worldwide and 11 million Americans suffer from burnout. The syndrome occurs across all industries. What causes it? How can you fight it? Read on to find out.

How to Get Enough Sleep? Here’s How Many Hours You Need

How important is sleep, why should you care, and how will improper sleep hygiene mess with your health and wellness? Learn how to sleep better from this expert-driven guide.

Nursing Student Cover Letter Sample (Also for an Internship)

You’re no mere nursing student—you’re an RN who’s passionate about patient care. Make sure the hiring team knows it with your professional nursing student cover letter.

Physician Cover Letter Examples [For All Medical Field Jobs]

You save lives, help people live better, and solve medical problems like Georges Mathé. Show that to recruiters, managers, and employers with this physician cover letter sample.

Account Manager Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Why would you need a perfect account manager cover letter? To prove you work miracles with internal teams and vendors to make clients as happy as possible.

Chemistry Resume Examples (Guide for Chemists)

Chemists discovered penicillin, fertilizers, plastics, and radiation. You’ll make your mark too, but first you’ll prove your skills with your professional chemist resume.

Retail Sales Associate Resume: Samples and Guide

You’re a retail warrior, selling stuff and enriching lives one credit-card swipe at a time. Now prove it to your next store manager with your retail sales associate resume.

Sorority Resume Template & Free Examples (and a Builder!)

Your future is blindingly bright, and you’re about to make the best friends and professional connections of your life. Get accepted with this convincing sorority resume sample.

Administrative Cover Letter: Example & Complete Guide

You grease the wheels that make the office world go round. Prove your Kaiser-Permanente-worthy admin skills to the office manager with a professional administrative cover letter.

Public Relations (PR) Cover Letter: Sample & Writing Guide

You work to understand your clients’ messages deep down, then spread the good word like Dena Cook. Prove your PR skills to employers with your public relations cover letter.

Electrical Engineering Cover Letter: Sample & Guide

You power up the dreams and strategies that make the world go round. Show employers your John-Bardeen-level skills with your energized electrical engineering cover letter.

Education Cover Letter: Example & Full Writing Guide

Changing young lives is one of the most important jobs in the world. Prove your Erin-Gruwell-level skills to school administrators with this education cover letter sample.

Editor Resume Samples, Templates & Guide for 2024

You’re a great editor. But what about editing a resume for yourself? Can you ace it? Let’s get right to work with some help from our guide on how to create a perfect editor resume!

Actuary Resume: Samples and Actuarial Job Description

Mortality tables? Reserves? Annuities? You’ve got this. Without you, the company would go bankrupt. Prove you’ll fight to keep them solvent with this actuary resume sample.

Academic Advisor Resume: Samples and Writing Guide

Your job is every bit as important as life-saving surgery, because you raise quality of life for decades. Show your skills with your professional academic advisor resume.

Manufacturing Engineer Resume: Examples for 2024

You’ve got the skills to design products, processes, and equipment that makes the world go round. Prove that to the operations manager with your manufacturing engineer resume.

Accounting Clerk Resume Example, Job Description, & Skills

Need to write a resume for an accounting clerk? You can count on us. Check our professional accounting clerk resume example and use expert advice to support your job search.

Radiologic Technologist Resume [X Ray Tech Resume Example]

Your radiologic resume must stand out like a perfect lateral knee x-ray in a pile of bad exposures. Here’s how to nail an X-ray tech resume!

Cover Letter for Graduate Assistantship: Sample & Guide

You’re J.A.R.V.I.S. to the tenured pros, doing every dirty job that comes your way to pay your dues. Prove it with this professional cover letter for graduate assistantships.

Machine Learning Resume: Samples and Writing Guide

It’s time to take the next step up from SWE and get that fat machine learning job with even fatter pay. But you can’t do it without a good machine learning engineer resume.

Supply Chain Manager Resume Examples and Writing Guide

Negotiation, vendor management, and inventory management are just a few places you shine. Prove it to the operations manager with your supply chain manager resume.

System Analyst Resume: Samples and Writing Guide

You’re the bridge between the development and IT team and the business stakeholders. Lock in your perfect future state with your professional systems analyst resume.

Correctional Officer Resume with Job Description & Duties

You’re not Conan or Rambo. You’re a respectful, disciplined officer with excellent communication skills and a calm demeanor. Prove it with a Fed-ready correctional officer resume.

Visual Merchandising Resume: Samples and Guide

You can coordinate an outfit or create a home decor that makes products fly off the shelves. Prove it to store managers with your job-ready visual merchandising resume.

Collector Resume: Samples for Bill and Debt Collectors

You get called every name in the book. But you take it in stride and pull down big numbers. Show your skills are in the black with your professional collector resume.

Automotive Technician Resume: Samples and Writing Guide

Your hands look like they’ve been through a war and your body is torn up. But you can overhaul an engine like a pro. Prove it with this in-tune automotive technician resume sample.

Tableau Developer Resume: Samples and Guide

Management depends on you to pull the message from the data. But there’s no dashboard to get you hired. Prove your skills with this professional Tableau developer resume sample.

Data Scientist Cover Letter Example & Template for 2024

You pull insights from data that help companies make smart decisions. Prove your Oracle skills and get them to read your resume with a wow-getting data scientist cover letter.

Interior Designer Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide

You’re passionate, love working with clients, and you have an eye like Marcel Wanders. It’s a perfect foundation for writing an interior design cover letter that convinces.

Marketing Director Resume Examples and Guide

You get the message out on multiple platforms to send ROI over the moon. Now fill your career’s funnel and show your branding skills with a churn-busting marketing director resume.

Attorney Cover Letter Samples & Writing Guide

Your procedure and preparation skills are courtroom-ready, and you’re a billing dynamo. But your client management is legendary. Prove it with a job-getting attorney cover letter.

Police Officer Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide

You take police work seriously, and you’ve got the right mix of enforcement and community relations skills. Write a police officer cover letter that proves it to the Chief.

Medical Cover Letter: Examples & Writing Tips for 2024

You’re on the front lines of the healthcare world, and your medical cover letter needs to show you’re up to the task. See job-getting cover letter samples and tips for 10+ careers.

Firefighter Cover Letter Examples for 2024

A perfect firefighter cover letter can get you straight to the station you want to work at. But how to convince the reader you’re the perfect fit? Read on and find out!

Case Manager Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

You have a heart as big as social work and the skills to help families and children with their burdens. Show your LCSW skills with a job-winning case manager cover letter.

Operations Manager Cover Letter Samples & Writing Guide

You see the big picture and drive cross-functional team members to grow revenue. Show the BoD your skills are Bezos-level with a value-added operations manager cover letter.

Production Assistant Cover Letter Examples & Templates

You rule the green room, get coffee, and soothe big egos. You’re the silent hero of the studio. Get producers to read your resume with an A-list production assistant cover letter.

Occupational Therapy Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Your goal: improve your patient's ability to perform different activities and live happily daily. Our goal: help you land that job with a great occupational therapy cover letter.

Library Assistant Cover Letter Samples & Writing Guide

Patience is your best friend and boredom is your enemy. Show the librarian you’re a saint with computer and people skills. Do it with a standout library assistant cover letter.

Program Manager Cover Letter Examples + Template [2024]

You drive growth and lead complex programs and projects. Here’s how to show your Stryker-worthy skills in a program manager cover letter.

Paraprofessional Cover Letter: Sample & Writing Guide

You do everything a teacher does without the pressure. It’s low pay, but the most fun you’ve ever had. Show your skills with an eye-catching paraprofessional cover letter.

Judicial Clerkship Cover Letter: Sample and Writing Guide

A legal clerkship is a prestigious way to jump start a law career. But your resume alone won’t get you hired. Write a Sotomayor-level legal clerkship cover letter to get appointed.

Hospitality Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

You make people comfortable in their home away from home, and you take pride in your hotel. Prove your guest service skills with a Waldorf-level hospitality cover letter.

Tutor Cover Letter Examples & Templates for 2024

You communicate concepts, so students get those precious “aha” moments. Prove your teaching and test-preparation skills are first-rate with a head-of-the-class tutor cover letter.

Law Firm Cover Letter: Sample and Writing Guide

Your skills in legal research and writing are Skadden-worthy. But you’ll need an affirmed law firm cover letter to convince the partners of your skills and get the job.

How to Write a Formal Cover Letter: Examples, Format & Guide

Your cover letter needs to look professional so hiring managers don’t dismiss you. Use this formal cover letter guide and sample to show your skills in a business-friendly way.

Fashion Cover Letter: Sample & Writing Guide

In-vogue ensembles are your playground, and you know the right silhouette for every body type. Strut your stuff with a fashion cover letter that gets your resume rave reviews.

Recruiter Cover Letter: Sample and Guide for Recruiting Jobs

You can spot a good job candidate through a mile of spam, but how do you cut through the spam yourself? Do it with a targeted recruiter cover letter that makes employers notice.

Federal Cover Letter Samples & Guide for Government Jobs

Government jobs are the most secure. But they’re also the most fought for. To give your resume a fighting chance, write an FTC-worthy federal cover letter with this guide.

CIA Cover Letter Samples & Guide Plus Address and Format

It’s just another government job. Most of it’s boring. Except when it isn’t. Show you’re ready for intelligence and analyst work with a professional CIA cover letter that works.

Bookkeeper Cover Letter: Sample, Format, & Writing Guide

You keep the money in control so things stay in the black. Show employers you won’t let a penny get away, with a professional bookkeeper cover letter that makes your resume shine.

Restaurant Cover Letter: Examples & Writing Guide

You’ve seen everything—from busloads 5 minutes before closing to orders for well-done filet mignon. Prove your food service skills with a critic-pleasing restaurant cover letter.

Law Enforcement Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

You spend 90% of your day waiting for something to happen, and 10% dealing with crazies. Prove your policing skills to the Chief with a professional law enforcement cover letter.

Digital Marketing Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

Content marketing, social media, websites, and emails, are your forté. Your resume proves it. Now get the manager to read it with an engaging digital marketing cover letter.

Warehouse Cover Letter Examples for Workers and Associates

You can pick it, pack it, ship it, receive it, kit it, and get it out to the floor. Now you need to write a warehouse cover letter that makes employers read your resume with care.

How to Write a Killer Cover Letter With (+ Examples)

Face it—you need a killer cover letter or your job search is burnt toast. But what elements go into writing a truly exceptional cover letter? Let a career expert show you the plan.

EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) Cover Letter Examples

You can stop a gushing head wound or assess appendicitis, but how do you write an EMT cover letter that gets jobs? This guide will help you show your EMT skills are A&Ox3.

Editor Cover Letter Samples & Writing Guide

You herd literary cats and art-department dogs, cranking out high-quality content that draws a stampede of readers. Prove it with a New York Times-level editor cover letter.

Waiter Resume Examples & Guide (+Skills & Job Description)

You can sling 500 filet mignons a night, plus drinks, and do it all while entertaining customers. Prove your skills with a professional waiter resume that satisfies employers.

New Grad Nurse Resume Template with Examples & Tips

You made it through school, and your license is ready for duty. You’ve even got some brand-new scrubs. Show your skills with a new grad nurse resume that works.

Admissions Counselor Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

You give reality checks to entitled students and guide the serious ones through to acceptance. Prove your guidance skills with a UCLA-worthy admissions counselor cover letter.

Blizzard Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

Overwatch, WoW, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm—working with the king of gaming would be a dream come true. But your Blizzard cover letter needs to show you’re worth their gold.

Sales Manager Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

You drive teams to quota-busting performance and bring down ever-higher revenue. Show upper management your playbook has the right moves to help the company exceed its goals.

Construction Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

You help keep the wheels of progress turning, transforming raw materials into homes, offices, buildings, and installations. Prove your skills with a Bechtel-ready cover letter.

Copywriter Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

Your fingers fly over the keyboard and you churn out fresh, delicious copy employers love. Prove your writing skills are AP-styled with a Hemingway-level copywriter cover letter.

Biology Cover Letter Example & Writing Guide for Biologists

You excel at biological research, molecular biology, sequencing, and sample preparation. Now get the hiring manager to read your resume with a biology cover letter that thrives.

Business Development Cover Letter Examples & Guide

You build client relationships that last, and drive legendary sales & marketing campaigns. Prove it to your next employer with a business development cover letter that turns heads.

Coaching Cover Letter: Examples & Guide for a Coach Position

You do CrossFit or high school sports like Bill Belichick. But you won’t get hired if your resume stays on the bench. A great coaching cover letter can get you on the field.

Dentist Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

Root canals, crowns, bridge work, training oral hygienists—you do it all. But you don’t write cover letters. That won’t matter with this job-getting dentist cover letter sample.

Dear Sir or Madam: Alternatives to Use in 2024

Starting a cover letter with “Dear Sir or Madam” will tell the hiring manager something about you—but nothing good. Learn better alternatives to begin a cover letter with in 2024.

Engineering Student Resume: Examples and Guide [10+ Tips]

You didn’t wash out, and you’ve got that shining engineering degree. But before you can earn the big bucks, you’ll need a job-getting engineering student resume.

Starbucks Resume: Examples and Guide [10+ Tips]

Free coffee, health coverage with dental, 401k, and paid time off—Starbucks is a great place to work. But you won’t get in without a wide-awake Starbucks resume. Use this template.

Production Manager Resume: Examples and Guide [10+ Tips]

It’s stunning how many talents and resources you pull together to make those products flow. Now you need to prove your skills—with a Lockheed-worthy production manager resume.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Resume Examples & Template

Second in command is a misnomer. You’re a change agent, marketer, communications pro, and operations manager. Prove it with a chief operations officer resume that gets interviews.

Computer Science Internship Resume Template [CS Student]

You can’t get experience without experience. But you can get an internship. To make your science internship resume flow like Python, read this quick & easy sample and guide.

Director of Operations Resume Example & Guide for 2024

That high-level job is within your reach. With our tips, you'll get a professional director of operations resume in the blink of an eye. Just follow the instructions like a manual.

Private Equity Resume: Examples and Guide [10+ Tips]

You deliver superior analysis, investment theses, and strategic thinking. Plus, you handle stress like it’s your job. Now you need a private equity resume as smart as you are.

Pharmaceutical Sales Resume Samples for Pharma Sales Rep

You sell the medications that keep the world safe and healthy, and your interpersonal skills are through the roof. Now get the job with a pharma sales resume that shows your stuff.

LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) Resume: Samples and Guide

Yes, you are a “real nurse,” thank you very much. You work just as hard but with more pressure and less pay. Now get the job with an LVN resume that shows your skills.

IT Help Desk Resume: Examples and Guide [10+ Tips]

You keep the company running through a thousand tiny problems because you understand how tech works. Prove it to employers with a highly functional IT help desk resume.

Phlebotomist Cover Letter Example & Template for 2024

You can soothe patients, draw samples, label and ship, and all with a smile. But the lab’s HR people don’t know that—until they read your job-getting phlebotomist cover letter.

Photographer Cover Letter: Example & Writing Tips [2024]

You rule the rule of thirds, and your use of lighting is NYU-ready. But the hiring manager doesn’t have a clue—until they read your perfectly-exposed photographer cover letter.

Letter of Intent: Template & Writing Guide (With Examples)

You’d do a better job than all those applicants. But that new employer doesn’t know it—yet. Prove it with a letter of intent that knocks their socks off.

Is It OK Not to Include Dates on Your Resume? Date Format

Do you have to list dates on a resume? What about job-search ageism? Here’s the definitive answer, plus how to align dates on resume, format, and how to head off discrimination.

How to Sell Yourself in a Cover Letter? Guide + Examples

How can you sell yourself in a cover letter? What’s the right way to convince employers you’re the right candidate for the job? This guide has the clear, simple steps to do it.

How to Answer Tell Me Something That’s Not on Your Resume

How do you answer tell me something that is not on your resume? It’s tricky, but once you know why they’re asking, it’s a snap. See our tips, key steps, and example answers below.

Restaurant Server Resume Examples and Writing Guide

You can handle 750 screaming kids, surly kitchen staff, and oh boy, a bus just came through the door. Now you need a restaurant server resume to prove it, with all the trimmings.

Travel Nurse Resume: Examples and Guide [10+ Tips]

Travel nurses are raking in the crazy money now, and your skills are Mayo-Clinic-ready. Now get the job with a travel nurse resume that puts you on the ward.

Letter of Interest vs Cover Letter: What’s the Difference?

What’s the difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest? When should you use each one? Each business letter has a specific use, format, and guidelines to follow.

Illustrator Resume: Examples and Guide [10+ Tips]

Your skill with a tablet is beyond compare, and you’d give Maurice Sendak a run for their money. Now prove it with a clean illustrator resume that beautifies your job search.

QA Tester Resume: Examples for IT & Software Testers

You make sure software works, and regression tests and bug graphs are your playground. But the hiring team can’t see that without a QA tester resume that passes inspection.

Warehouse Associate Resume: Examples & Guide [10+ Tips]

You can pick, pack, and pallet-jack like nobody on Earth. But that company with the 401k and dental plan won’t know without a warehouse associate resume that ships your hirability.

Project Engineer Resume: Examples & Guide [10+ Tips]

You turn designs into installations, herding cats and explaining what the design team meant. But the powers that be don’t know your skills without a great project engineer resume.

RBT Resume: Registered Behavior Tech Examples & Guide

Working with children with autism is tough but rewarding. You have the BCBA assessment and skills, but the hiring team has no idea. This RBT resume guide and sample will help.

Restaurant General Manager Resume Examples for 2024

You herd the cats and make the big bucks roll in. But the restaurant’s owners won’t hire you without skills. Prove yours with this 5-star restaurant general manager resume.

2024 Job Networking Tips You Need to Know For a Job Search

Here's a strategy you can replicate to network your way into any job you want, including six-figure jobs. Network yourself the right way with our tips now.

Have You Just Been Fired? Experts: Here's How WE Handled It

Imagine you just lost your job. If you’re one of the 141,667 U.S. employees facing that this month, you don’t have to imagine. In your near future? Financial troubles, marital stress, a thundering whack to your self-esteem… Wait. It doesn’t have to be like this. Here’s what you need to do in the next few days to make sure you’ll handle this nightmare well.