Customize Your Resume to Stand Out From the Crowd

Customize Your Resume to Stand Out From the Crowd Customize Your Resume to Stand Out From the Crowd Customize Your Resume to Stand Out From the Crowd Heres how to beat the bots and avoid the resume black hole.In todays job market, it has become increasingly important to customize your resume.Why?Many employers use software called applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter resumes based on the requirements of the role. If you want to pass this initial electronic screen, your professional resume needs to be tailored for a specific position.In addition, several recent studies have indicated that the person who reviews your resume assuming you make it past the bots will spend six seconds looking at your resume before deciding whether or notlage you are qualified for the opportunity.When done correctly, customizing your resume should improve your job applications in two important waysFirst, your resume will pass the ATS filter.As I already mentioned, ATS software is designed to weed out applicants resumes based on keywords, design, and format. Customizing your resume for your industry and the requirements of the position will send a signal to the ATS robots that you are a good fit, helping you pass this initial test and get your application one step closer to the hiring managers inbox.Second, your resume will impress the recruiter.This may be the biggest challenge in the whole job application process. Once your resume passes through the ATS and is reviewed by a menschlich being, it needs to prove in six seconds that you are qualified for the job and deserve further consideration.As you can see, tailoring your resume can only benefit your job search. However, a word of caution Customizing your resume does not and should not mean a complete re-write of your resume for each opportunity. In fact, you will dilute your personal brand if you use wildly different versions of your resume for each job application. But, these small tweaks will require you to take a little more time and effort than simply clicking on the Apply button.So, here is what you need to do, in five stepsStep 1. Analyze the job description.Carefully re-read the job posting. Pay special attention to the job title used in the description, the duties and responsibilities, the job requirements, and location of the position. What keywords and phrases are repeated throughout the job description? Make a list of all these terms and put a checkmark next to all the words that describe a skill you have or a responsibility youve held in the past.Step 2. Match your resumes target job title to the job listing.If the job description uses the same job title as the one already at the top of your resume, then you are all set. However, if it uses a unique version of the job title, match it. I recommend using a target job title, also known as a professional title, at the top of your resume, right below your name and contact information so your job goals are crystal clear.For example, if you are a pplying for a job with a title of Medical Administrative Assistant, then put that exact title at the top of your resume as your target job title so there is no confusion about your current job goals.This customization also demonstrates that youve taken the time and effort to customize your resume for this specific opportunity.Step 3. Tailor your skills to match the key terms in the job description.Its not enough to meet all the job requirements you must incorporate specific keywords associated with those qualifications throughout your resume to safely pass through the ATS. For example, continuing with the Medical Administrative Assistant, you find the following requirement within the job descriptionRequirements for Consideration Advanced knowledge of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Lets assume that your resume currently describes your Microsoft Office skills like thisCurrent Resume Solid background in Microsoft Suite.This version is missing some important keywords O ffice, applications, Word, Excel, PowerPoint that could keep your resume from escaping the ATS, never to be seen by a human being. Instead, adjust your resume to match the descriptionUpdated Resume Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications Word, Excel, and PowerPointThis version matches more closely with the language used in the description and should help your resume rank higher in the ATS.Continue incorporating key terms and phrases from the job description into your resume, as long as they describe skills you currently possess. If you dont have that skill, however, dont lie on your resume and include it.Step 4. Highlight your skills on the top third of the resume.While its important to customize your resume with appropriate keywords to beat the bots, you also need to craft your resume with the recruiter and hiring manager in mind. Focus on the top third of the first page of your resume above the fold, as they say in the newspaper and web development worlds because th is is the small window that needs to grab their attention. Clearly line up your qualifications with the requirements from the job description and place them in a section at the top of your resume, just below your contact information and target job title. Resume writers refer to this section by many names Performance Summary, Summary of Qualifications, Professional Summary, etc. but they all serve the same function on your resume.In only 3-5 lines or bullets, summarize your experiences and achievements that best match the most important requirements in the job description. In other words, show the reader why youre a great fit for the role by highlighting your most impressive and relevant qualifications.Step 5. Confirm your location.This is where things get a little tricky. Employers tend to favor local candidates over out-of-towners because theyre less expensive to hire (think relocations costs, travel expenses during the interview process, etc.) and less likely to get flakey and j ump ship.So, if youre searching for a job nearby, make sure employers know youre a local candidate by including your location in the contact information at the top of your resume. Dont publish your home or work addresses on your resume, but do include the city and state.If you are planning to relocate to a place near a job you are applying for, make sure to let your potential employer know. They will usually be more sensitive to your situation and not quickly dismiss your resume because of location issues.The rest of your resume probably needs little, if any, customization a standard work history format is fine. Its now time to send it off and hit the Apply button proudlyThis guest post was written in partnership with JobFinderUSA, an online job board bi-weekly print publication, featuring open jobs across multiple industries. Head over to JobFinderUSA.com today to search thousands of jobs and put these resume customization tips to use.Click on the following link for more job appl ication advice.Need help customizing your resume? Our TopResume writers can helpRecommended ReadingHow to Tailor Your Cover Letter for Each Job Application10 Things You Should Know Before Starting the Job SearchHow to Follow Up on a Job Application