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How should I create my resume?
Do I have to edit the resume for every application?
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5 answers
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Short answer: yes.
Long answer: Absolutely
What you need to know:
Too many people make the mistake of assuming their skills are limited to the definition of that skill. They rightfully understand that your proficiency at that skill may make you the best candidate for a role or position and so they approach every opening requiring that skill as if all jobs are the exact same.
Yeah, no. No, they are not...not even close.
While a single skill has certain limitations, almost no one possesses a single skill. On top of this, your experiences (life, classroom, work, activities, etc) shape your skills AND are shaped by them in a way that is unique to you. Similarly, each open position in an organization has been shaped by the industry the company operates in, the leadership of the company and former employees who have been in the role. The saying "no two jobs are the same" is spot-on accurate. Same goes for your resume.
One of the most common pieces of strategy for an interview is "do your research". This same strategy applies to crafting a resume. Find out what makes the company different from its competitors (every successful company does something the others do not). A resume is a 1-2 page promotional "slick" that sells the product you offer (your skills, experiences and abilities) so it must contain the keywords in the posting. This gets you past the initial weeding-out phase. Then do a self-assessment of what you bring to the table and look at how the skills you possess (ALL of them) can be used to draw the eye of the recruiter or hiring manager to make you stand out. You can tie these into what the recruiter is looking for by incorporating these skills into your job responsibilities and accomplishments.
As an example, I took my experiences in restaurant management, sales administration of an ice and beverage dispenser maker (which my restaurant mgt helped me land) and contract rate set-up in telecommunications to land a job as a contract manager in a medical devices company. This job required the ability to manage expectations and ensure procedures were followed (restaurant mgt, check), manage multiple requests for different customers (sales administration, check), and ensure approved pricing made it into the contract AND was successfully set up upon execution (telecom rate mgt, check). The company really just wanted someone who would draft contracts and assist to get pricing approved.
I also applied for a different set of jobs for contract management (this is the field I really wanted to work in), but the resumes I submitted were different from the one I used for the job I eventually accepted. I did get interviews but I didn't do enough research to know that they worked exclusively with government contracts, which is a different beast entirely. However, the skill set I presented was enough to get me an interview, which is the whole point of the resume.
Also, it's a smart idea to have a basic resume that targets the basic industry you are targeting or a job family you want to do. If you have several areas of interest, have a template that focuses on that industry or job family (a job family could be things related to accounting, advertising, hospitality, etc). As you find positions you want to apply for, modify your template to add/remove skills and experiences and alter how you present them. Save the custom resume denoting the specific job/company to which you are going to submit.
Long answer: Absolutely
What you need to know:
Too many people make the mistake of assuming their skills are limited to the definition of that skill. They rightfully understand that your proficiency at that skill may make you the best candidate for a role or position and so they approach every opening requiring that skill as if all jobs are the exact same.
Yeah, no. No, they are not...not even close.
While a single skill has certain limitations, almost no one possesses a single skill. On top of this, your experiences (life, classroom, work, activities, etc) shape your skills AND are shaped by them in a way that is unique to you. Similarly, each open position in an organization has been shaped by the industry the company operates in, the leadership of the company and former employees who have been in the role. The saying "no two jobs are the same" is spot-on accurate. Same goes for your resume.
One of the most common pieces of strategy for an interview is "do your research". This same strategy applies to crafting a resume. Find out what makes the company different from its competitors (every successful company does something the others do not). A resume is a 1-2 page promotional "slick" that sells the product you offer (your skills, experiences and abilities) so it must contain the keywords in the posting. This gets you past the initial weeding-out phase. Then do a self-assessment of what you bring to the table and look at how the skills you possess (ALL of them) can be used to draw the eye of the recruiter or hiring manager to make you stand out. You can tie these into what the recruiter is looking for by incorporating these skills into your job responsibilities and accomplishments.
As an example, I took my experiences in restaurant management, sales administration of an ice and beverage dispenser maker (which my restaurant mgt helped me land) and contract rate set-up in telecommunications to land a job as a contract manager in a medical devices company. This job required the ability to manage expectations and ensure procedures were followed (restaurant mgt, check), manage multiple requests for different customers (sales administration, check), and ensure approved pricing made it into the contract AND was successfully set up upon execution (telecom rate mgt, check). The company really just wanted someone who would draft contracts and assist to get pricing approved.
I also applied for a different set of jobs for contract management (this is the field I really wanted to work in), but the resumes I submitted were different from the one I used for the job I eventually accepted. I did get interviews but I didn't do enough research to know that they worked exclusively with government contracts, which is a different beast entirely. However, the skill set I presented was enough to get me an interview, which is the whole point of the resume.
Also, it's a smart idea to have a basic resume that targets the basic industry you are targeting or a job family you want to do. If you have several areas of interest, have a template that focuses on that industry or job family (a job family could be things related to accounting, advertising, hospitality, etc). As you find positions you want to apply for, modify your template to add/remove skills and experiences and alter how you present them. Save the custom resume denoting the specific job/company to which you are going to submit.
Daniela Silva
Freelance Writer in Mental Health and Education
922
Answers
Updated
Daniela’s Answer
Hi Vicente!
This is a good question! Let´s see what I found about it:
Why is it important to change your resume for each job?
It is important to change your resume for each job you apply to because a customized resume tailored to the specific job and employer can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers and, ultimately, getting hired. Here are some reasons why:
Stand out from the competition: In today's competitive job market, many employers receive hundreds or even thousands of resumes for a single job posting. A custom resume that directly addresses the employer's needs and requirements can help you stand out from the competition and catch the employer's attention.
Highlight your relevant skills and experiences: Every job is unique, and every employer has different requirements and preferences for the ideal candidate. By customizing your resume, you can emphasize the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job you're applying for, and demonstrate that you are a good fit for the position.
Show your interest in the job: A customized resume shows the employer that you've taken the time to research the company and the job requirements, and that you're genuinely interested in the position. This can make a positive impression and increase your chances of getting an interview.
See more valuable tips at:
https://www.tealhq.com/post/should-you-change-your-resume-for-every-job
Hope this helps. Success!
This is a good question! Let´s see what I found about it:
Why is it important to change your resume for each job?
It is important to change your resume for each job you apply to because a customized resume tailored to the specific job and employer can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers and, ultimately, getting hired. Here are some reasons why:
Stand out from the competition: In today's competitive job market, many employers receive hundreds or even thousands of resumes for a single job posting. A custom resume that directly addresses the employer's needs and requirements can help you stand out from the competition and catch the employer's attention.
Highlight your relevant skills and experiences: Every job is unique, and every employer has different requirements and preferences for the ideal candidate. By customizing your resume, you can emphasize the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job you're applying for, and demonstrate that you are a good fit for the position.
Show your interest in the job: A customized resume shows the employer that you've taken the time to research the company and the job requirements, and that you're genuinely interested in the position. This can make a positive impression and increase your chances of getting an interview.
See more valuable tips at:
https://www.tealhq.com/post/should-you-change-your-resume-for-every-job
Hope this helps. Success!
Updated
Sushant’s Answer
Definitely take the time to tailor your resume (and potential cover letter, if applicable) to each job. Review the listed job's description, see where and how your skills and experience match up, and then modify your resume language to reflect matching parts of the job description. There is a summary section at the top of the resume that I recommend using, and this part can be a great section to help tailor toward your desired job.
Try starting with an outline, including the following key categories for your resume:
1) Summary - this could be 3 bullets about what you think represents your resume best - i.e. top skills, key experiences, how you're focused on results, etc
2) Experience and Work history - a timeline of your work experience, if you have any, or maybe projects or volunteer work you've done. Then, within each work summary, include 2-5 key bullets; these bullets can be how you feel you impacted that job or project - i.e. any results you were able to deliver by your involvement (use numbers like % improvement, $ gained, $ saved, user growth, etc)
3) Education - include any key projects and accomplishments, anything unique or volunteer activity. Also, include certifications you've achieved, as these show your interest beyond traditional education, and also show your willingness to continue learning.
4) More about Me - maybe add anything that might be relevant to your job, nothing too personal, but if you speak other languages, if you have hobbies like coding, journalism/blogging, if you've volunteered, if you've started a business, etc
Good luck and hope this give you some options and guidance!
Try starting with an outline, including the following key categories for your resume:
1) Summary - this could be 3 bullets about what you think represents your resume best - i.e. top skills, key experiences, how you're focused on results, etc
2) Experience and Work history - a timeline of your work experience, if you have any, or maybe projects or volunteer work you've done. Then, within each work summary, include 2-5 key bullets; these bullets can be how you feel you impacted that job or project - i.e. any results you were able to deliver by your involvement (use numbers like % improvement, $ gained, $ saved, user growth, etc)
3) Education - include any key projects and accomplishments, anything unique or volunteer activity. Also, include certifications you've achieved, as these show your interest beyond traditional education, and also show your willingness to continue learning.
4) More about Me - maybe add anything that might be relevant to your job, nothing too personal, but if you speak other languages, if you have hobbies like coding, journalism/blogging, if you've volunteered, if you've started a business, etc
Good luck and hope this give you some options and guidance!
Updated
Andrea’s Answer
Hey Vincent!
You should definitely tailor your resume to the job you are applying for. You don't need to redo the whole thing, but a good place to start is by reading the job description, and see how your skills align with the needs of the job. Leverage the job description as your guide and ask yourself what experience you have in doing the things that the job requires. There are also a lot of great tools online that can help you build your resume and format it. I had trouble formatting my resume myself, so these tools really helped me structure the content nicely.
Wishing you the best of luck!
You should definitely tailor your resume to the job you are applying for. You don't need to redo the whole thing, but a good place to start is by reading the job description, and see how your skills align with the needs of the job. Leverage the job description as your guide and ask yourself what experience you have in doing the things that the job requires. There are also a lot of great tools online that can help you build your resume and format it. I had trouble formatting my resume myself, so these tools really helped me structure the content nicely.
Wishing you the best of luck!
Updated
T’s Answer
Creating a resume can be a great way to showcase your skills, accomplishments, and experiences to potential employers. Here are some tips to help you create a winning resume:
• Keep it concise and well-organized: Try to keep your resume to one page, and make sure it's easy to read and understand. Use bullet points to highlight your achievements and keep your formatting consistent throughout.
• Focus on relevant information: Highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and any work experience you may have. Be sure to tailor your resume to the specific job or internship you're applying for.
• Include a summary or objective statement: This is a brief statement that summarizes your skills and what you hope to achieve in your career. It can be a great way to catch the attention of a potential employer.
• Use action verbs: When describing your experiences and achievements, use action verbs (such as "managed," "organized," or "led") to make your resume more engaging.
• Edit for every application: Yes, it's important to edit your resume for every application. This means making sure that you're highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job or internship you're applying for. Customize your resume to the job description, and make sure you're using the same language and terminology as the employer.
Remember, your resume is your chance to make a great first impression on potential employers. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating a strong, effective resume that can help you land your dream job or internship.
• Keep it concise and well-organized: Try to keep your resume to one page, and make sure it's easy to read and understand. Use bullet points to highlight your achievements and keep your formatting consistent throughout.
• Focus on relevant information: Highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and any work experience you may have. Be sure to tailor your resume to the specific job or internship you're applying for.
• Include a summary or objective statement: This is a brief statement that summarizes your skills and what you hope to achieve in your career. It can be a great way to catch the attention of a potential employer.
• Use action verbs: When describing your experiences and achievements, use action verbs (such as "managed," "organized," or "led") to make your resume more engaging.
• Edit for every application: Yes, it's important to edit your resume for every application. This means making sure that you're highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job or internship you're applying for. Customize your resume to the job description, and make sure you're using the same language and terminology as the employer.
Remember, your resume is your chance to make a great first impression on potential employers. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating a strong, effective resume that can help you land your dream job or internship.