• Taking the employer’s perspective in your resume and cover letter, not yours (as in, ‘I think this position is great for me because I can learn…’)
• Jumping out of the gate in the first paragraph of a cover letter with your value, not ‘I’m excited to apply for this position…’
• Adopting a solutions focus, not just what you did or what research questions you asked
• Take your cues from the market and address what the job postings ask for, not including everything you have done in detail
• Tell your story, summarizing the qualities that are uniquely yours that make you qualified for the job, using examples from your experience

And a few cosmetic/minor points:

• Presenting yourself as a matched set in resume and cover letter by using the same header and font
• Quantifying accomplishments where possible
• Cutting the apron strings from your mentors/PIs to establish yourself as independent (your advisor/thesis title not listed under experience but rather under education)
• A note on file naming conventions: the files should start with your last name, not the name of the company