Writing an effective resume is contingent upon several different factors. One of which is customizing it according to the specific job you’re applying for. This is important for ensuring that it doesn’t appear as generic and for highlighting how your skills and experience qualify you for the opportunity. Here are some strategies to tailor your resume for a specific position.
Thoroughly Read the Job Description
The first order of business is to familiarize yourself with the exact skills and qualifications an employer is looking for. Doing so is fairly straightforward, but it’s necessary you pore over the job description in detail rather than merely scanning through it. Try to pinpoint three or four specific skills and qualifications you feel are of the most importance.
Check Out a Company’s Website
You can really learn a lot about a company by simply spending a few minutes browsing through their website. This can lend insight into their philosophy, values, goals and overall culture, which can be immensely beneficial when applying. For example, maybe they place an emphasis on being socially responsible and eco-conscious. This information can come in handy later on when tweaking your resume.
Make Your Resume Match the Position
Once you understand what an employer is looking for in terms of skills and qualifications, and what their culture is like, match your resume accordingly. Often this won’t require a lot of effort. You can take your existing resume template and alter it to fit.
For instance, you may want to change the sequence of your skills to place an emphasis on the top three or four that a recruiter is looking for. You may also want to throw in some additional information about your values that fall in line with an employer’s.
If you have any other work or life experience that would be of interest, include this as well. For example, if your employer is socially responsible, you might mention that you spent several months volunteering for a worthy cause.
Grab the Recruiter’s Attention Right Away
Remember to start with the most important points toward the top of your resume. You may also want to put these in bold font to get their attention. Because there are no guarantees they’ll make it all the way through, this should ensure you make the case for yourself. The other points of lesser importance you can place toward the bottom.
Tailoring your resume for each exact job can increase your odds of making a positive impression and getting through to the next round of hiring. With any luck, you’ll land an interview and will prove why you’d be the perfect candidate for a position.
Looking to jumpstart your career? Contact Encadria Staffing Solutions today to learn about job opportunities in your area.