Tailoring Your Resume
A well-crafted resume that matches the job description and clearly states your qualifications for the role is an absolute must. I’ll show you how to customize your resume effectively for each position, greatly increasing your likelihood of securing an interview.
Why customizing your resume matters
Because relevance is key
Hiring managers look for candidates whose experience and skills align with their openings. A generic resume can make it difficult for them to see how you’re the right person for the role. Tailoring your resume highlights your most relevant qualifications, helping you stand out from the crowd.
Don’t
Don’t use the same generic resume for every job. Instead, customize each resume to address the specific qualifications and duties mentioned in the job description. Yes, you’ve already seen this mentioned a few times, which isn’t an oversight on my part. I want you to separate yourself from other candidates, and this is a great way to do it.
It boosts ATS compatibility
As we’ve already discussed, many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for specific keywords before they ever reach a human recruiter. If your resume doesn’t include the right keywords, it might not get past this automated filter.
To demonstrate genuine interest
Customizing your resume indicates to employers that you’ve taken the time to understand the role and the company. It shows you’re not just blasting out applications but are genuinely interested in the position and have considered how your skills fit the company’s needs.
Insider Tip
Apply only to jobs where you meet the minimum requirements. This will save you time and effort while increasing your rate of success.
6 steps to tailor your resume
Step 1: Analyze the job description
Start by thoroughly reviewing the job description. Pay attention to the key skills, qualifications, and experiences the employer wants, as well as any specific language or terminology they use.
Insider Tip
Make a list of the skills and experiences that seem most important based on the job description. This will help you prioritize what to emphasize on your resume.
Step 2: Customize your objective statement
To make it clear you’re approaching the opening with purpose, reference the company name and specific job title you’re applying for. As covered earlier here, in Components of a Great Resume, the goal is to grab the employer’s attention by clearly stating your intentions and why you’re an attractive candidate for their opening.
Keep it short and sweet. Use no more than three sentences to state who you are (professionally), the job you’re applying for (naming the role and the company whenever possible), and highlight your strengths as a candidate. Here are a couple of examples:
Don’t
Don’t use a vague or general objective statement. It will leave the recruiter or hiring manager with more questions than answers about your candidacy.
Step 3: Align your experience with the job
Adjust your experience section to highlight the parts of your work history that align most closely with the job you’re applying for. This may involve rearranging bullet points or elaborating on certain tasks to emphasize their relevance. Be sure to include school projects that can boost your candidacy.
Insider Tip
Place the most relevant experience at the top of each job entry, even if it wasn’t your primary responsibility.
Step 4: Incorporate relevant keywords
Include keywords from the job description throughout your resume. Keywords are important for ranking high in an applicant tracking system or a recruiter’s job board database search and for quickly catching a hiring manager’s attention.
Don’t
Don’t force keywords into your resume. Doing so can make it hard to read. Instead, integrate keywords naturally.
Step 5: Highlight achievements and quantify results
Numbers speak louder than words. Employers love to see measurable results because they provide clear evidence of your contributions. Tailor your resume to emphasize achievements most applicable to the job you’re applying for, and quantify your successes wherever possible.
Insider Tip
Even if your role wasn’t heavily metrics-based, you can still quantify things like the number of clients served, the size of the team you worked with, or the scale of the projects you handled.
Step 6: Adjust the skills section
Tailor your skills section to mirror the qualifications most important to the role. If the job description emphasizes technical skills, make sure those are front and center. If soft skills are emphasized, find ways to show you excel in those areas.
Don’t
Don’t list too many unrelated skills – it can make you look unfocused or unqualified. Instead, only list the skills applicable to the role you’re applying for and remove anything that doesn’t align with the job description.
Insider Tip
Many online applications will auto-populate information from your resume, but don’t assume it’s accurate. Always double-check your application before submitting it!
Key Takeaways
- Customize every section: From your objective statement to your skills, each part of your resume should reflect the job you’re applying for.
- Use keywords thoughtfully: Include key terms from the job posting, but make sure they fit naturally within the context of your achievements.
- Show results, not just tasks: Quantify your accomplishments to give employers a clear sense of your impact.
- Proofread: Adjusting your resume can introduce new errors, so always double-check for any mistakes before submitting.