7 tips to tailor your resumé for the job
Looking for a job in Canada? Here’s how to customize your resumé to a specific job posting
You’re new to Canada, and every day, you send out multiple resumés. The recruiters, at the receiving end, are also wading through hundreds of applications each day to locate a few good, eligible resumés.
So, what should you do for the recruiter to see your application and say, “This is it!”? Among other things, it starts with how well you tailor your resumé to fit the particular job description.
If your generic resumé is not working as well as you’d like it to, you must invest the time to tailor it to each posting to strengthen your chances. Emailing the same resumé for every position just doesn’t cut it anymore. In fact, it can even lead to you being passed over for jobs for which you may have been perfectly suited.
Here are seven easy tips on how to tailor your resumé to a specific job application, which can significantly increase the chances of getting invited to an interview.
Include a good title
Have you included a good title that repeats the very job title the position demands? For example, you could use a title like “Accomplished Project Manager – 5+ Years’ Specialized Expertise and Proven Results.”
Also, repeat the job title in the resumé file name. For instance, “John Smith Project Manager Resume.doc” is a good start.
Highlight skills in bullet points
Immediately below, include a summary section that accurately reflects your most relevant experience and qualifications. Make sure that the experience bullets, as well as the skills and accomplishments sections, highlight your most relevant information.
Mirror keywords from the job description
Mirror keywords and phrases from the job description. This is vital as the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) will look for these keywords in your resumé. Extract the most relevant terms and phrases from the job description, and make sure to include them in your resumé. Start with the job title and include them in the highlights, the qualifications as well as listed skills and qualities.
Quantify everything
By adding numbers in front of years of experience or a particular result, you can draw extra attention to your skills. Numbers always stand out and the details make it easier for the recruiter to imagine you achieving similar results in the future. Why just state “Account Executive” when you could say “Increased Productivity by 20% as Account Executive.”
Tailor each section of your employment history
Many employers go directly to your employment history section to assess your qualifications. Review your job descriptions and modify your duties and accomplishments to pertain to the job opening. While you should present an honest account of your employment history, make sure you highlight your experiences with the right keywords that relate to the job you’re applying for.
Highlight soft skills
Along with the technical skills, also look out for the soft skills mentioned in the job description. Skills like excellent communication, leadership, ability to work in a team, and other soft skills are often listed in most job descriptions. So, while your managerial experience might not be directly related to the technical sales lead position you’re interested in, you can definitely still highlight some of the soft skills that both positions require.
Match qualifications to the job
Lastly, proofread and double check your resumé to make sure it explains how your qualifications match the job. Tailoring your resumé to each job you apply for might involve a bit more work and seem tedious, but it is worth the effort. When you land the job of your dreams, it will be well worth the time invested.