Each résumé you send needs to target a specific employer and/or position. In most cases, if you have a base résumé, you will only need to make a few edits to apply for jobs in your field. However, before you can target your résumé, you need to research each specific employer and/or position.
Research tips:
- Review the job posting or job description, if there is one available
- Make an in-person visit to the company
- Ask people in your network if they have any information about the company
- Review the company’s website, including their social media links (e.g. Facebook, Blog, LinkedIn, Twitter and Forum posts)
This research will give you the information you need to create a clear link between what the employer needs and what you have to offer.
For example, you can:
- rework your bullet points to include keywords and action words the company has used
- e.g. if the word “estimates” is used in the job posting, include the word “estimates” on your résumé, if you can
- add bullet points that target the company or position
- reorder your bullet points so the most important points for the position are listed first
- reorder your sections and subsections
- if a posting states “experience supervising a team”, you will want your management skills on the first page of your résumé
A targeted résumé makes it easy for the employer to see that you are the right match for the position.