You’ve probably heard the advice: “Tailor your resume for each job application.” But what does that really mean, and how can you do it effectively?
Customizing your resume means aligning it with the job description to honestly showcase your most relevant qualifications.
While this may sound time-consuming, it doesn’t have to be, and the results can be well worth the extra effort. Here’s how to do it:
1. Add a Targeted Headline
Start by including a bold headline near the top of your resume that matches the job description as closely as possible.
For instance, if the job is for a communications director in the healthcare industry and you have that background, write:
Award-Winning Communications Director with MA in Communication and Extensive Healthcare Experience
This headline should replace outdated objective statements or generic summaries, directly conveying that you fit the role.
2. Include a Tailored Summary of Qualifications
Instead of a generic summary, list the main job requirements in order and align them with your qualifications.
This allows resume reviewers to quickly verify that you meet the necessary criteria without combing through the entire document. For example:
Key Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri (Top 5 U.S. Journalism school)
- 8+ years of corporate communications management in the healthcare industry
- Proven record of strong writing and editing skills, awarded 5 national accolades
- Detail-oriented with strong multitasking skills
- Creative thinker skilled in change management and relationship building with key stakeholders
3. Add an Alphabetized Keyword List
Create an alphabetical list of strengths and skills that align with the job requirements. For example, for an accounting role, you might include:
Strengths (Alphabetical): Account Reconciliation, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Cost Accounting, CPA, Financial Analysis, General Ledger, Microsoft Excel, P&L, Payroll Accounting, Spreadsheets, Tax Accounting, Year-End Close.
By noting that the list is alphabetical, you ensure that reviewers won’t make assumptions about which skills are strongest or weakest.
4. Adjust Job Titles to Match the Role
If your previous job titles don’t perfectly align with the job you’re applying for but are equivalent, tweak them to match the desired role.
For example, if your previous role was “Employee Communications Director” and the job description calls for an “Internal Communications Director,” you can write it as:
- Employee Communications Director (Internal Communications Director)
Similarly, use parenthetical clarifications for past job titles that may not fully describe your responsibilities.
If you held a role like “Mission Coordinator” at a nonprofit but the work involved creative and marketing duties, adjust it to read:
Mission Coordinator (Creative Director | Marketing Coordinator)
5. Highlight Duties and Key Achievements
Expand on your job entries to include relevant duties and key accomplishments that align with the job you’re applying for.
Err on the side of adding more details rather than fewer; the extra information could be what sets you apart from other candidates.
Customizing your resume for each job opening takes extra effort, but it can be the difference between getting noticed and being overlooked.
By targeting your headline, summarizing key qualifications, adding relevant keywords, tweaking job titles, and elaborating on duties, you enhance your chances of landing that interview.
Take the time to customize, and watch your efforts pay off with more opportunities to land your next job.
