Job Tip: Tailoring a Resume to Fit the Job

Once you’ve got a basic resume template you can use for any job search, you might start wondering whether or not to change it for the job you’re looking at right now. Even if you apply online, this is important. Many employers will ask you to upload a resume or have
you bring one in once you’ve landed an interview. Depending on the type of job you’re applying for and how polished your template is, you may or may not need to resume updates.

When should you update it, though? Honestly, this is a tough call. If your resume looks good and hits on all the key points from personal information and career objective to awards and references, you may not need any changes. On the other hand, if you’re putting an
application in for a job while attending college, you might not want to mention your ultimate goal of teaching. Prospective employers like ambition, but only if they can use it to their advantage.

• The Objective Section: Your objective section is one of the most important sections of your resume to change. Check to see that it is honest, ambitious, and in-line with what an interviewer might want to see. Remember, you never want to lie on your resume, but
  you don’t have to share everything either. If you plan to be the CEO, don’t say it. Talk about how you want to work hard and earn your way to the top instead.

• Design: Design can be extremely important in a specialized resume. If you want to work as a copywriter, you can be more utilitarian and information-heavy than if you were applying for a graphic designer position. The way you format your resume should be clean and
  concise but also visually appealing. Try to decide whether a given template is appropriate for the type of job you desire.

• Specialized Content: Since most interviewers will only look at the first page or two of a CV or resume, you want to make sure all of the important information ends up there; unfortunately, this also means you’ll probably end up cutting a lot from your template.
  This is the time where you can insert more specific information about the job you want. IT Professionals might mention programming languages when filling out an application to work at a bank as a coder, but leave out their knowledge of hardware or telecommunications
  skills. Similarly, a registered nurse might mention CPR training and knowledge of medication when getting an interview at a nursing home, but leave out experience with children’s cancer treatment. Ensure your resume highlights the skills you have specific to the job
  you’re applying for. Excess knowledge is merely icing on the cake for potential employers. First and foremost, they want to know you can handle this job’s duties. This is your chance to sell yourself to your next employer at the very beginning of the hiring process.
  Find a way to set yourself apart from other applicants by highlighting what you already know potential employers want to hear.

• Prioritized Content: Along the same lines, you might need to cut and tweak the resume to your target audience. Just because you have twelve qualifications for this job doesn’t mean you need to list all of them. Accentuate the most important accomplishments and
  leave the others for later. This ties in to having a concise resume. The cleaner and shorter a resume is, the more likely an employer is to read all of it thoroughly.

• Cover Letters: Finally, if you are applying for a job requiring a cover letter, don’t use a stock letter. There is too much room for error or the inclusion of an accidental phrase written for another employer. Additionally, it can really help you to prepare for
  an interview by writing a cover letter specific to the place you’re applying. It makes the interviewer notice your specific care about this employer and helps you get more comfortable with the idea of working at the company. Interviews always go more smoothly when
  you’re comfortable. Don’t miss a chance to help out your future self.

• Proof Read, Proof Read, Proof Read: When you’re completely done tailoring your resume, save it as a separate file, print out a sample copy, and go through it with a red pen. Hopefully, you edited your resume for content, grammar, and style the first time around
  when you made a basic template. Check all your contact information and ensure there aren’t any missing numbers or letters. Also, if you tailored this resume to a specific employer, then you’ve made changes. Changes mean mistakes, and you don’t want to notice them
  twenty minutes before your interview starts when you don’t have time to fix it. Do it once and do it right to make your life easier and the application process less stressful.

• Other Tips: Check out our section on other tips that can help make any resume better. Power words and analyzing the job posting for specific language and word usage are incredibly helpful when used correctly. Industry-specific terms for auto repair might be out
  of place when you apply as a cashier at Target, but Sears Auto Centers will definitely want to see them.

By now you should be able to tailor your resume for that Mom and Pop store on the corner or a Fortune 500 company. As long as you follow these little tricks to make your existing resume better, you’re in great shape. Good luck out there!