{"id":30750,"date":"2017-04-18T07:00:21","date_gmt":"2017-04-18T11:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.virtualvocations.com\/blog\/?p=30750"},"modified":"2023-11-13T12:41:06","modified_gmt":"2023-11-13T17:41:06","slug":"how-to-tailor-your-resume","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.virtualvocations.com\/blog\/telecommuting-job-search-help\/how-to-tailor-your-resume\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Tailor Your Resume to a Job Description and Land Your Dream Job"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Updated October 2023<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natalie Severt, a resume advice writer for Assignment Bro\u00a0and<\/a> Uptowork \u2013 Your Resume Builder<\/a><\/span>, shares her\u00a0tips on\u00a0how to tailor your resume to a job description\u00a0each time you apply for a new job.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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If there’s one thing all recruiters are after, it\u2019s skills. An IT recruiter wants someone who can develop software; a marketing recruiter is on the lookout for people who know how to build strong brands. But how do you showcase your skills and qualifications so that hiring managers know you’re the best candidate? By tailoring your resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve learned how to tailor your resume, you\u2019ll also know how to write a resume<\/a> that instantly grabs recruiters’ attention every time you apply for a job. Here are 5 tips to help you tailor your resume to every job description and land more job interviews than ever:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Make a Master List of Keyword Skills<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tailoring your resume is about choosing skills from the job offer and sprinkling them throughout your resume and cover letter. Sounds simple, right? In reality, it\u2019s a bit tricky, but so effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. To start, you\u2019re going to make a master list of skills. Keep in mind that you might not have all the skills on the list, and that\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Go to your job description. Highlight all required skills and experience, and put them on your master list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Next, look for a few job posts for similar positions. Again, highlight the required skills and experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Do you notice any that match the skills on your list?<\/em> If so, these skills are in high demand. Circle the skills on your list that match skills from other offers. Any extra job skills that didn\u2019t show up in your offer can still be added to your resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Your final step is to visit LinkedIn<\/a> \u2014 where you can check out the people who already have the job you want. Browse member profiles and look at the skills they\u2019ve chosen to highlight. Again, do any of these skills match the skills from your job offer?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any time you see overlapping skills, there\u2019s a good chance they are important and valuable. If you possess any of these overlapping skills, you\u2019ll want to place those skills at the top of your resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Clarity and conciseness can set your application apart from the rest<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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2. Create a Master Resume<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you have your master list of skills, you’re ready to build a master resume. What is a master resume?<\/em> It’s an updated version of your resume that lists all your work experience, skills, qualifications, and accomplishments. When you find an attractive job offer, you’ll cherry-pick skills and experience from your master resume for your tailored resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the key aspect of a tailored resume<\/a><\/span>: you don\u2019t add everything. You select the work experience and skill sets that match the requirements for a particular job. Once you have chosen what will appear on your tailored resume and what won\u2019t, go back to your skills list. If you have any of the skills on your list (and you should), add them to your resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Prioritize Valuable Skills<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You know the skills highlighted in the job offer are most important. You also know that if they show up in other job offers they\u2019re valuable. But how do you know which skills recruiters value most?<\/em> By categorizing your the skills on your master list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are three types of skills:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Job-related Skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Transferable Skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Adaptive Skills<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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