The purpose of any resume (Pastoral, Ministry, or Secular) is to get the job seeker interviews. If your resume isn’t getting you noticed, it is time to polish it and make it POP! When writing your document, do not use the mindset that your resume is about your past, but rather, breakthrough and write toward your future. Focus on your qualifications that match the employer’s needs and enhance your document with words, phrases and verses that show your passion. (For the non-ministry worker, use past accomplishments and always quantify results to set yourself apart.)

 Here are 5 ways you can improve your resume:

1.  POP that Resume – Put your Passion On Paper. Use words and phrases that convey your dedication, commitment, and love for serving the Lord.  Keep your action-oriented statements brief and demonstrate to the reader the value you offer and the impact you have made within your congregation and community. Don’t get bogged down with extreme details Example: Pastoral Candidate with 10+ years’ experience preaching and teaching the Gospel of Christ, leading small groups’ ministries, and spearheading diverse outreach events. Possess servant’s heart and focused on providing pastoral care and reaching others with the life-changing message of salvation.

2. Write Toward Your Future – Emphasize your qualities and experiences that match the needs of the employer. What is the employer looking for in a candidate and what experience do you have that allows you to fulfill their needs? Example ad: able to guide the congregation and outreach to the community. Example Response: Collaborated with staff members and community leaders to spearhead age-appropriate activities and events that cultivate faith in Christ.

3.  Add a Proclamation / Vision Statement – What key verse is your ministry based upon? Briefly explain your ministry focus and your core beliefs. (If you are a non-ministry job seeker, use a profile section to highlight your key skills / attributes and add recommendations throughout your document to further demonstrate the value you offer an employer!)

4.  Make Your Resume Uniquely Yours – Microsoft offers great products but make your resume uniquely yours by not using one of their templates. After you have created a visually appealing layout, add adjectives that describe your personality and breathe life into your document. Sample resumes and the examples above are just that. Samples and examples. Try to use them as a guide and not as a wording template.

5.  Give a Personal Portrait and List References – Allow the committee to get to know you as an individual by giving them a glimpse of your personal life. Are you single or married? Do you have children? Are you in good health? What are your hobbies?  Selection committees also want to see the names of three to five individuals who can attest to your abilities within a ministry setting. (If you are a non-ministry job seeker, you can use recommendations throughout your resume but do not include references.)

When an employer is seeking candidates, multiple applicants apply. The Pastoral Candidate and Ministry Worker need to be armed with an honest, fact-filled document that gives a basic portrait but yet shows their passion for serving the Lord. These 5 strategies will help express your passion (on paper) and give you the right edge to stand out from the competition.

 Remember to place your plans before the Lord, stay faithful in prayer, and trust in Him.

“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” 1 Chronicles 28:21 (NLT)

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,

Tammy

Tammy Shoup, CPRW is a Christian Resume Writer dedicated to helping Pastoral Candidates, Ministry Workers, and Christian Job Seekers launch a successful job search campaign. She is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), Member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and National Résumé Writer’s Association. She is also a past member of the Christian Writer’s Guild.

The purpose of a pastor cover letter is to personally convey your interest in an organization or a specific job opening and to briefly introduce your key qualifications to the search committee. Think of your cover letter as you would the opening statement of your sermon. The goal is to capture attention and draw others into wanting to hear more! To make a great first impression, you will want to make sure your letter is straightforward (not too wordy) and that it encourages the reader to contact you for more information. Use the following 5 rules to tackle your cover letter with confidence:

1. Present a professional appearance through use of business letter format. Your letterhead should match or complement the style of your resume (using the same paper and font style), begin with date, organization name and address, and the salutation should always be to the appropriate person (listed in the advertisement.) If a specific name is not listed, you may consider using “Dear Friends in Christ”.

2. Use a straightforward three paragraph style. Your opening paragraph should highlight the position you are seeking (As an experienced senior pastor exploring current job postings, I was encouraged when I found your listing …) and your reason for responding (I offer several of the qualities you are looking for including leadership, program administration, and community outreach.) The next paragraph should summarize your experience relative to their needs (I bring hands-on experience in pastoral care, preaching, and teaching the Gospel of Christ, along with church administration and a strong desire to impact the community for Christ …) and the final paragraph should thank the committee for its time and consideration in reviewing your application and give invitation to further discussions.

3. Customize every letter. Take the time to tweak every letter to the specific instructions of the selection committee and don’t simply restate information shared in your resume. You have a lot to offer. Share it with warmth, humility, and focus while expressing your desire to serve as the Lord leads.

4. Proofread and Delete. Print your document then proofread! The printed copy looks different than the onscreen version and allows for easier editing. Read slowly and focus on one sentence at a time. Correct any misspelled words and delete confusing text. Return to the computer version to make any necessary adjustments.

5. Mail flat rather than folded. Make a great first impression by using 8.5” x 11” envelopes rather than the standard business size #10s. This small attention to detail will go a long way in communicating your professionalism.

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2: 3-4 (NKJV)

Use this guide to break your cover letter into manageable parts. Start with the advertisement to create an outline and then match your qualifications to the needs listed in the ad. Now prayerfully start writing your way toward a cover letter and resume that paves the way for interviews!

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,

Tammy

Tammy Shoup, CPRW is a Christian Resume Writer dedicated to helping Pastoral Candidates, Ministry Workers, and Christian Job Seekers launch a successful job search campaign. She is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), Member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and National Résumé Writer’s Association. She is also a past member of the Christian Writer’s Guild.