Published on
February 26, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
November 18, 2025
A functional resume is an alternative to a traditional resume for students, recent graduates, or job seekers who are new to a profession. Unlike the standard, chronological resume, which focuses on your employment history, functional resumes focus on your skills. That’s why they’re sometimes called “skills-based resumes.”
The functional resume format is sometimes useful for internships, entry-level positions, or career fairs. Even in these situations, though, the functional resume is increasingly rare. When at all possible, the safest choice is a traditional, reverse-chronological format like this resume template.
When the functional resume format is your best option, the tips and examples below will help your functional resume make the best possible impression. For proofreading and polishing resumes, cover letters, and other application materials, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker has got you covered!
Published on
February 20, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
November 18, 2025
In most cases, the ideal resume length is 1–2 pages. The most common resume format includes four main sections—a professional summary, technical skills, work history, and education.
The purpose of a resume is to help recruiters quickly see your most relevant skills and achievements, so only include jobs and skills on your resume that directly relate to the job posting. A concise resume length improves your chances of receiving an interview because it shows your ability to focus on relevant details.
To learn more about how long a resume should be, follow the tips and examples below. QuillBot’s free Paraphraser Android App or Paraphraser iOS App can also help you summarize your skills and experiences in a concise and effective manner.
How long should a resume be exampleYou recently earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, and you’re applying for a teaching job at a Montessori preschool.
For the last 10 years, you’ve worked as a childcare provider and assistant preschool teacher in addition to a retail sales associate and customer service representative.
Your resume is one page and only includes jobs where you worked with children. The education section includes your bachelor’s degree but not your high school diploma. In the education section, you also list courses or school projects related to early childhood and Montessori education.
Published on
February 20, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
November 18, 2025
A resume is a 1–2 page formal document that summarizes your skills, experience, and achievements when you’re applying for a job, internship, or other career opportunity.
Resumes are divided into sections that categorize different aspects of your professional background (e.g., work history, technical skills, and education). Each resume section includes a bold heading and lists of concise phrases.
The purpose of a resume and the concise resume format is to quickly inform job recruiters or other decision makers about your qualifications.
Learning more about what a resume is will help you submit applications that make a positive and memorable impression. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can also make your resume shine!
Published on
February 18, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
November 18, 2025
When you end a cover letter, the goal is to motivate your reader to consider your application and contact you for an interview. To effectively close a cover letter, follow these two steps:
Write a cover letter conclusion that restates the claim, shows your enthusiasm, and offers a call to action (e.g., “I look forward to learning more about the role”).
Sign your cover letter with a complimentary close (e.g., “Sincerely”) and your full name.
How to end a cover letter example If you’re looking for an experienced home health provider with detailed expertise in nutrition and wellness, I’m available for an interview at your earliest convenience. I would be honored to further the success of your program and ensure that Wentzville’s older adults receive the care and compassion they deserve. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Evelyn Dubois
TipBecause the ideal cover letter length is one single-spaced page, strive for a total of 50–75 words in each conclusion.
Published on
February 18, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
November 18, 2025
Starting a cover letter involves two main steps:
A professional greeting to the hiring manager or recruiting team
An introduction paragraph that says what you’re applying for, why the company appeals to you, what your overall background is, and why you’re the best fit
The beginning of a cover letter is often the most important part of a job application. When a cover letter is necessary, it might be the recruiter’s first impression of your personality and background.
No matter what type of job you’re seeking, the following tips and examples will help you write a cover letter introduction that makes a stellar first impression. To craft all the pieces of your cover letter quickly and easily, try out QuillBot’s free cover letter generator.
How to start a cover letter example Dear Annabelle Jones,
I was thrilled to see the Assistant Property Manager position advertised on Indeed. Maxell Rental Properties’ reputation for exceptional service and innovative multi-family housing strongly aligns with my values and professional goals. For over 7 years, I’ve efficiently managed luxury and affordable rental properties throughout the Springfield community. With my knack for tenant relations and expertise in leasing strategies, I’m confident that I will enhance Maxwell’s ongoing success.
Published on
February 7, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
November 18, 2025
A cover letter should usually be a single page with three or four short paragraphs. It should include an introduction, one or two body paragraphs, and a brief conclusion. Most recruiting experts also say that 300–400 words is the ideal cover letter length.
The purpose of a cover letter is to help recruiters quickly learn why you’re uniquely qualified, so the right cover letter length is crucial. A cover letter that’s too long can overwhelm busy recruiters, who typically receive hundreds of applications for each opening. If a cover letter is too short, you might be missing details that will help you stand out.
To learn more about how to write an effective one-page cover letter, follow the tips and examples below. QuillBot’s free Paraphraser Mobile App for Android can also help you describe your qualifications in a concise and effective manner.
Cover letter length exampleAn experienced art teacher is applying for a position as the school district’s fine arts curriculum coordinator. The cover letter would include these four paragraphs.
Introduction: A brief overview of the teacher’s experience and interest in the job
Body Paragraph 1: The art teacher’s success with refining and implementing a high-quality art curriculum in a 9–12 classroom
Body Paragraph 2: The art teacher’s leadership experience with training and mentoring other teachers in effective art instruction
Conclusion: A brief recap of the main qualifications and an invitation to discuss the role further in an interview
Published on
February 3, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
November 27, 2025
A modifier is an adjective, adverb, or group of words that describes or limits the meaning of one or more other words in a sentence. The word “modify” means “to change.” When used correctly, modifiers make writing more precise.
For example, by itself, the noun “shirt” isn’t very precise. However, when you add one or more modifiers, like in the examples below, “shirt” can have a variety of slightly different meanings. As the examples illustrate, a word or group of words can have more than one modifier in the same sentence.
Modifiers in sentences examplesErika made Cathy a blue and purple tie-dyed shirt.
The green button-down shirt in the laundry basket needs to be ironed.
My favorite flannel shirt, which belonged to my grandfather, has a hole in the front pocket.
Published on
January 29, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
November 27, 2025
Ordinal numbers—such as “second” and “95th”—provide helpful details about sequences and rankings. You can write ordinal numbers as words or numerals combined with “-st,” “-nd,” “-rd,” or “-th” (e.g., “17th”). Some style guidelines recommend words for “first” through “ninth” and numerals for “10th” and higher.
In a sentence, an ordinal number can play these roles:
A determiner that shows the position of a noun in a numbered sequence (“the fifth season of Stranger Things” or “the 90th percentile”)
An adverb that modifies a verb to show the order of events (e.g., “eat first and then watch TV”)
An adverb that modifies an adjective to show a noun’s ranking (e.g., “the second tallest building”)
When an ordinal number is a determiner, it goes after another determiner (e.g., the definite article “the” or the possessive adjective “your”).
Ordinal numbers examplesWe spent the thirdday of vacation snorkeling in Akumal.
Firstwrite your outline, and then start the first draft.
The thirdlongest river in the world is the Yangtze River.
Published on
January 27, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
November 27, 2025
Qualifiers are a type of adverb that amplifies or weakens the meaning of other words in a sentence (e.g., “barely noticeable”). A qualifier provides information about the intensity, frequency, or likelihood of an action or description. Some of the most common qualifiers include “very,” “really,” and “almost.”
In sentences, qualifiers usually go right before the adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs that they modify.
Qualifiers in sentences examplesThe temperature is slightlycolder today than yesterday.
I mostlyrelaxed all weekend except for mowing the lawn on Sunday.
Published on
January 27, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
November 27, 2025
A cardinal number is a whole number (e.g., “three”) rather than a fraction (e.g., “one third”) or an ordinal number (e.g., “third”). In writing, cardinal numbers are determiners that show the quantities of nouns (e.g., “three cups of coffee”).
Cardinal numbers can go right before the nouns they modify or before other modifiers (e.g., adverbs and adjectives). When a noun has multiple determiners—such as the definite article “the” or the possessive adjective “my”—they always go before a cardinal number.
Depending on the style guidelines you’re using, you can write cardinal numbers as words (e.g., “seven”) or numerals (e.g., “11”). Some style guides recommend words for the cardinal numbers one through nine and numerals for 10 and greater.
Cardinal number examplesThe university awarded full scholarships to 15students.
Mythreeblackcats all have different personalities.
The manager hired fourhighlyqualified software engineers.
