A practical application worksheet
Find the evidence.
Then write the resume.
Read the original job posting alongside your resume. Work through one role at a time. You can print this page and write in the spaces below.
1. Identify the requirements that matter
Copy the employer’s actual wording. Mark each requirement as essential, preferred or unclear. Credentials, required specialty experience and explicit minimum years deserve their own rows.
“Two years of direct dermatology experience” is different from two years of general nursing. A related background may be useful, but it does not establish that requirement.
Original posting URL and date checked:
2. Connect each requirement to evidence
| Requirement | Essential or preferred? | My evidence | What needs confirming? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requirement 1 | |||
| Requirement 2 | |||
| Requirement 3 | |||
| Requirement 4 |
Evidence can come from employment, education, projects or volunteering. Record the context, dates, your contribution and a result you can support. A blank cell means unknown or missing evidence—not permission to invent it.
3. Treat transferable skills precisely
If a posting accepts “Django or a similar Python framework,” FastAPI work may demonstrate relevant Python web-development experience. Describe the framework you actually used. React experience alone does not demonstrate Python experience.
For CRM tools, name your actual platform and work: maintaining opportunity stages, building reports or managing workflows. Those tasks may transfer, but a mandatory Salesforce certification still needs that credential.
4. Turn the strongest evidence into a bullet
Use: what you did + context or method + supported outcome. Choose evidence relevant to the role. Keep a number only if you can explain where it came from.
Before: “Helped with customer reports.”
After: “Built weekly HubSpot pipeline reports for account managers, highlighting stalled opportunities for follow-up.”
This is useful when the candidate really did those tasks. Do not add revenue growth, team size or Salesforce experience without evidence.
Fact or result to verify:
5. Decide what belongs in the letter
Pick two strong, relevant examples and explain why this role interests you. Avoid repeating the entire resume or listing every missing preference. Answer explicit employer questions honestly; never claim an essential qualification you do not have.
If an essential requirement is missing, decide whether to seek clarification or pursue another role. A match score is not a hiring probability.
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