There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all resume nowadays. To stand out from the crowd, you need to customize your resume to the position and even the job field you are applying for.

Here are 4 easy steps to tailor your résumé to a particular job:

1. Analyze the job description

Really read that job description carefully and list down the requirements of the job and some information about the company. Be sure to read through these requirements and tailor your resume using the keywords in each job description.

◦ What is the company looking for?

◦ What skills, qualifications and experience are required?

◦ What duties and responsibilities are expected?

Pulling from these descriptions, create a list of keywords and phrases to use when customizing your generic resume. By integrating these words into the resume you submit for that specific job, it increases the probability that your resume will be found in that recruiter’s applicant tracking system (ATS) search.

2. Target your title

For each resume sent, change your job target or title to, as closely as possible, match the title in the job posting. For example, rather than “Sales Representative,” you might use “A Ten Year Veteran in the Pharmaceutical Sales Industry.” This way, the employer quickly identifies both your experience and that you are focused on exactly that job.

3. Edit your work experience 

Review the job description listed under your work experience and modify or reorder your bulleted duties and accomplishments according to relevancy to the job opening. Describe your experience to highlight your work tasks and achievements that relate to the job you’re applying for.

4. Focus on skills and qualifications that are relevant to the job

Make adjustments to your skills and qualifications by shifting information around and placing the most relevant.

If you’re applying for a project manager position, make sure your management skills are highlighted, but if the next application is for a business analyst role, emphasize your analytical skills in that resume. Is this a job that requires computer-related skills? Itemize the applications and software you are familiar with and state how knowledgeable you are with them.

This way, the language used in your resume will match with the language used in the description, and should help your resume pass the keyword-matching requirements.

Finish up with a quick review of what you’ve written. Targeting your resume proves you are the best fit for the position and making these kind of customizations can be the difference between getting an interview and not.

Good luck … and if you need step-by-step help in writing a targeted resume, contact us today.