Tailoring Your Resume

Santa Monica College
Student Support
Career Services
Highlighting Your Experience on Your Resume

Hiring managers may receive hundreds to thousands of resumes for a single job. On average, they spend about 6 seconds scanning your resume. In the amount of time they are willing to give you, it is your job to provide the employer/program a brief and concise story of who you are as an applicant and how well you are a fit for a position. And the best way to increase your chances of an employer/program spending more time reviewing your resume, make your resume stand out as well as be invited to interview is to tailor your resume to each job/program description. That's right! Every resume you send out should be unique and particular to the job/program you're applying for. Employers/programs have limited time and resources to interpret your skills, knowledge, and experiences. You need to make the connection between your background and the job duties, qualifications and skill set requested by an employer/program.

Employers do not want to see a one-size-fits-all resume. They are looking resumes that are targeted and tailored to what they want. The following are ways you can tailor your resume to the job/program description.

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Analyze the Job Description

It all starts with the job/program description. In order for you to have winning resume, you need to know what the employer wants. What are the requirements, skills, responsibilities, and qualifications for the position? Underline or highlight that information. Pay attention to what is being emphasized. Be on the lookout for repetition. Also, keep in mind that the most important items are likely to be listed toward the top of the job/program description.

Do Your Research

Now that you have analyzed the job description, the next step is to continue your research on the company/program. Dig out as much information through various channels like their website, LinkedIn account and other forms of social media, talking to people as well as searching the internet.

Furthermore, hiring managers care about finding people who align with their company values and mission. While it isn't appropriate to copy a company's values and mission statement on your resume, you can still demonstrate it through your work and interests on your resume as well as in your cover letter.

Review Your Resume

Now that you have an idea of what the employer/program is seeking in their next candidate, read your resume. Have you narrowed down your resume to reflect those requirements listed on the job/program description. Try to get their attention with the important details towards the top half of your resume. Resumes are reviewed on average for 6 seconds, so you want to make sure it is immediately apparent that yo have the skills and experiences an employer/program value most.

Customize Your Work Experience

Now that you have matched your skills and experience to a job/program description, the next step is to extract any of the keywords describing skills, qualities and experiences that are required as well as preferred from the job/program description and place it towards the top of your resume. Hiring managers should immediately be able to tell that you have relevant experience.

Furthermore, if you have clusters of experiences that correspond to key qualifications, reflect it in your work experience title headings. For more information, view Highlighting Your Experience on Your Resume.

Include Measurable Results

To further tailor your resume and show you are a qualified candidate, include quantifiable data (numbers), when describing your relevant experiences. Focus on what you have done versus just repeating the skills you have in your experience section. Numbers build credibility. They also stand out to recruiters and have a higher impact. Make sure to also list your most impressive measurable accomplishment out front.

Customize Your Skills Section

Like other sections of your resume, you will want to list the skills most desired by the employer/program first. Use the exact keywords from the job/program description. Don't forget to include any preferred sills as well. For more information, on what types skills to list, visit From Master Resume to Tailored Resume.

Remember Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Many employers are starting to use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). ATS is software used by companies of all sizes to automize the hiring process. They parse and store resume and application information in ways that make it easier for hiring managers and/or recruiters to easily filter and search for information. There are even programs that will rank how well your resume and application matches the job description. Therefore, make sure to tailor your resume and prioritize your most relevant skills and experience. See The Secret to Applicant Tracking Systems, for more information.

Consider Your Resume Style Based on Your Target Audience

Write Quality Accomplishment Statements

Make sure to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience by providing actual examples or cases. Your resume should list your accomplishments, not just your responsibilities. Showcase the amazing things you have done. For more information on how to construct accomplishment statements, visit Highlighting Your Experience on Your Resume.