How do you tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills for different job applications?

As every company and role is unique, your resume strategy should be as well. 3+ tips to do this well: 1. Thoroughly review the job description. What are the key aspects of the role + which are mentioned again and again? What skills do they prefer/require? Jot these down. 2. Make a copy of your resume + compare it to your notes from step #1. What's similar? Make these clear + obvious throughout the resume. Exact keywords and concepts matter, as do bullets that showcase/'prove' the impact you've driven in those areas. 3. Coffee chat with someone in a similar role to learn the 'nuances' of the skills required for that role. 4. (BONUS): Feeling stuck on how to do #1, 2 or 3? Hit up an experienced career coach or mentor for guidance.

To tailor your resume effectively, start by analyzing job postings thoroughly. Identify keywords and phrases that describe required skills and qualifications. By understanding the employer's language and priorities, you can mirror these in your resume. Highlight the most mentioned requirements and compare them with your own skills to pinpoint areas of alignment. This initial step provides a clear blueprint for adjusting your resume to fit each job opportunity precisely, enhancing your chances of standing out to prospective employers.

It's critical to understand there's a giant difference between the criteria included in published job descriptions, vs the real criteria given to recruiters by hiring managers. Proof: Ever been told you didn't get an interview, advance or get an offer due to lack of a specific criteria/skill/experience ... that was never included in the published job description?

There are some universal skills that you can add to your resume, no matter what job you're applying for. These are:- ✅ Problem solving ✅ Strategic thinking ✅ Being a Team Player These are true for corporate, small business, sports teams, anywhere. Give examples for each to add to your credibility 💻

Once you've identified key skills from the job description, prioritize them on your resume. Highlight these skills prominently in your summary, skills section, or within relevant work experience descriptions. Use bullet points for clarity and ensure these skills directly align with the job requirements to capture the hiring manager's attention effectively. This focused approach demonstrates your suitability for the role and enhances your resume's relevance to each specific job application.

Skills, qualifications, responsibilities and experience portray you as being an average candidate, trying to show you meet the minimum criteria. If you have significant (or less expensive) competition, this strategy of trying to appear isn't only enough to be perceived as an average candidate (who loses the job), rather than the best candidate (who gets the offer).

Customizing your work experience section is crucial for each job application. Select roles and projects that highlight your qualifications for the new position. Use action verbs to describe responsibilities and achievements, aligning them with the job posting's language. This approach demonstrates a track record of success in areas critical to the role. Quantify accomplishments to add credibility and showcase the impact of your work effectively. This tailored approach ensures your resume resonates with employers, illustrating your suitability and value for the specific job opportunity.

Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description naturally into your resume. This not only helps your resume get noticed by applicant tracking systems (ATS) but also shows you're speaking their language. Focus on showcasing your skills and experiences that directly align with what the employer is looking for. Highlight specific achievements and projects that demonstrate your ability to deliver results in the areas they care about most. This way, your resume stands out as a perfect match for the job.

In almost all companies who have an HR person, job descriptions are written by HR/recruiting (to protect the employer against lawsuits, by publishing general broad job descriptions, covings numerous positions, in different departments, locations, products, business units, subsidiaries ... and with different hiring managers). Published job descriptions are not written to help you apply for jobs, get interviews, nor land jobs. When hiring managers see published job descriptions don't meet their individual current needs, they send a checklist of their exact needs to internal recruiters - that list is usually 50% different than the published job description.

Update your resume's summary or objective statement to align with the job posting's tone and requirements. This section serves as your elevator pitch, quickly highlighting why you're a strong candidate. Summarize relevant skills, experiences, and career goals that match the employer's needs. Craft this section thoughtfully to capture the employer's interest immediately, setting a compelling tone for the rest of your resume. A well-crafted summary can significantly enhance your chances of standing out in the application process.

Summary sections give employers a weak (and confusing) first impression of "I have a lot of stuff ... do you need any of it". Objective statements tell employers "This is what I want" - Employers don't care about what they can do for you, but instead want to know what you can do for them. You'll create a much stronger first impression when you learn how to communicate "I have what you need", customized to the individual hiring manager's current needs, in a way that can be internalized in just a few seconds.

Keywords play a crucial role in your resume, particularly with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in use. These systems scan resumes for specific keywords aligned with the job description. Integrate relevant terms and phrases naturally throughout your resume to increase the likelihood of passing ATS filters. By mirroring the language used in the job posting, you enhance your resume's visibility and ensure it reaches human reviewers, highlighting your suitability for the role effectively. This strategic approach optimizes your chances of advancing in the application process.

Since 50% of the real search criteria are different than the published job description, you'll need to do more than guess, use word cloud tools, or AI to determine keywords. You'll be far more successful if you uncover the individual hiring manager's current needs, and customize your resume to prove that you can help solve that hiring manager's current key/priority problems.