What Goes in Your Resume Packet?
Less is more. A focused packet gets read. An overstuffed one gets skimmed or ignored.
The Lean Packet
Every Ballista packet contains exactly two documents. This is intentional. Research shows that adding more materials diminishes impact, not increases it.
Cover Letter (1 page)
Introduces you, explains your interest in the role, and gives context to your resume. Personalized to the company and hiring manager.
Resume (1-2 pages)
Your professional history, skills, and achievements. Keep it focused and relevant to the role.
What NOT to Include
These additions seem helpful but often backfire. We leave them out for good reason.
Portfolio samples
Adds bulk and cost. Include a portfolio URL in your cover letter instead. Let them browse at their convenience.
Reference letters
Premature. References come later in the process. Including them unsolicited can seem presumptuous.
Certifications/transcripts
Unless specifically requested, these add clutter. Mention credentials on your resume, provide documents if asked.
Business cards
Your contact info is already on the cover letter and resume. A business card is redundant.
Gifts or gimmicks
Can come across as desperate or unprofessional. Let your qualifications speak for themselves.
Why Less Is More
Attention is limited. Hiring managers have 30 seconds to form an impression. A thick packet signals "this will take time" and often gets set aside.
Cost scales with pages. More pages means higher printing and postage costs. A lean packet is more economical and more effective.
Focus shows confidence. Including everything suggests you don't know what matters. A focused packet shows you understand what's relevant.
Links work better. Include your portfolio URL, LinkedIn, and GitHub in the cover letter header. They can explore when interested, without the bulk.
Paper Quality
What you send on matters as much as what you send. Ballista prints on premium materials that signal professionalism.
- Professional header with your contact info
- Customizable brand colors and fonts
- Clean, scannable layout
- Auto-generated or custom written content
Sample Packet Structure
Cover Letter
- Header: Your name, email, phone, LinkedIn
- Date and recipient address
- 3-4 paragraphs: Hook, fit, close
- Professional signature
Resume
- Your existing PDF resume
- Uploaded once, reused for all packets
- Printed as-is (we don't modify your resume)