Writing a Compelling Cover Letter and Resume

While there  are numerous examples and templates available online, the most important aspect of any resume is making sure it represents you  well.

Regardless of the style you choose, here are a list of Dos and Don’ts:

Do:

• Attempt to articulate your passion and calling to family ministry . While this is difficult to do in written format, do your best to go deep and demonstrate your heart for family ministries work. Your cover letter provides prime real estate to share a story that shows your passion.
• Double-check your spelling and grammar . This is an instant deal breaker for many interviewing churches. Make sure yours is edited well.
• List references .  Churches are going to ask for — and contact — your references. List them.

Pro Tip : If you graduate from a Seminary and/or Bible College and do not list your family ministry professor, that can be viewed as a red flag for interviewing churches.

Don’t:

• Oversell your experience . If you are new to family ministry and have little experience, that’s OK. But what’s not OK is being dishonest or embellishing.
• Undersell your experience.   Be confident that you have a lot to offer. Every work experience (no matter how small) has the ability to illustrate your ability to work with students and family ministries.

No matter what, your goal is always the next step.

Networking serves to open doors. Your resume serves to get you noticed and invited into an interview process for consideration. Each interview and conversation leads to the next. Ultimately, your goal is a formal offer to join a church staff in family ministries. By following these tips and steps, you are heading in the right direction.

Bottom line

Be professional. Be presentable. Be prayerful. Be passionate.

And, most of all, b e yourself. Your family ministry job search is not for the faint of heart. But then again, you can be confident you are not going it alone with Youth Specialties  here to help.