Tailoring your resume for every job you apply to may feel time-consuming, but it is essential. When hiring managers look through applications, they want to see details that match the position and company culture.
Employers also use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to analyze resumes and scan them for specific keywords that align with the position. Learn how to tailor your resume for ATS and maximize its impact.
Focus on Relevance
Few candidates have every skill and meet all qualifications for a particular position, but recruiters and hiring managers must see your best-fit skills. Tailoring your resume to fit a specific job is one way.
Start by reviewing the job description to identify the qualifications the employer wants in a candidate. Those keywords should be included in your professional summary, core competencies, and work experience sections.
Next, examine your work history to highlight the most relevant experiences to the new role. Make sure to include business position titles, names of companies, and dates of employment. Use actions such as supported, maintained, communicated, and cooperated to describe your responsibilities in each role. If possible, include quantified accomplishments.
Finally, you can include a “Skills” section at the top of your resume to showcase your most relevant qualifications. Be sure to change the keywords in this section for each job application.
Don’t Overcomplicate It
A resume template should be a concise and precise snapshot of your professional experience highlighting your most relevant skills and helping you stand out to hiring managers. It’s important not to overcomplicate your resume or go into too much detail about the responsibilities of each job.
A reverse chronological format is the most traditional option and emphasizes your work history. For each job, include your position title, the company’s name, and your employment dates.
A functional format is a good choice for career change candidates as it can help mask gaps in work experience. It can also highlight your most valuable skills by placing them at the top of the resume. This is a great way to get past an applicant tracking system’s algorithms while still showing hiring teams what you have to offer in their company.
Highlight Relevant Skills
When tailoring your resume, highlight all the skills and experience listed in the job description. This can help you get past applicant tracking systems and stand out. This is also the best way to show that you are an excellent fit for the company’s culture and brand.
Hiring managers often receive a lot of applications, so they may not read each one in detail. Instead, they use software to scan for keywords that match their criteria for the perfect candidate. Cookie-cutter resumes that don’t focus on relevant skills are unlikely to cut.
When writing your work history section, remove any positions that don’t align with the new role. You can also include any remaining experience in a separate skills section. For example, if the job description calls for “customer service” experience, use specific keywords in your skills section. Ensure these keywords are also included in your summary and work experience sections.
Don’t Forget About Your Education
When applying to jobs, remember that what you leave out is just as important as what you include. For example, it is a good idea only to put your education on the resume if it relates to the job. If you have a lot of educational accomplishments, consider moving them to the bottom and putting more relevant information at the top.
Another area that often gets overlooked when tailoring is the resume title. This is one of the first things hiring managers see and can have a significant impact on whether or not they read your entire resume.
Also, if you are a veteran applying for civilian positions, translate any military jargon into civilian language. A few words can go a long way, and many hiring managers may not be familiar with military terms anyway. It will make you seem more relatable to them and increase your chances of getting the interview.
