4 Tips for Making Your Resume A Perfect Match for Any Opening

Posted by in Career Advice


When a hiring manager reviews your resume you want them to say, “Wow! That person sounds like the perfect fit for the job!” And then, of course, they call you for the interview! So how do you create a resume that communicates that you’re exactly what they’re looking for in a new employee? Below are four tips for creating a perfect-match resume.

 

Customization is critical

 

Remember, you always want to tweak your resume when you apply for a job. No two positions are exactly alike, and each employer is going to have different standards and requirements that are very important to them. Key in on those requirements, and be sure to incorporate them into your resume. You’ll know what these requirements are by reviewing the job advertisement and noting special keywords throughout; or, in most cases, the employer will state required skills or preferred qualifications. You’re a perfect match when you meet all of the required and preferred qualifications. Which leads me to my next point.

 

Required and preferred skills are essential

 

When reviewing the description for a job opening, be careful to note exactly what the employer lists as required and preferred. This is critical information. You want to make sure your resume communicates very clearly that you possess all of the required skills. This means you’re capable of doing the job and performing the essential functions. Preferred qualifications are the employer’s wish list of things they’d like to have in a new employee. They can live without them, but if you can prove you possess them, you just upped the ante for the other candidates being considered and are one step closer to positioning yourself as the ideal candidate.

 

Keywords are a must

 

Scan the opening for important keywords listed throughout. Chances are any recruiter or HR person is going to use these keywords when searching job boards for your resume. You want to make sure these keywords are listed throughout your resume or the applicant-tracking software the organization is using won’t pull your resume in the search results.

 

Don’t forget about branding

 

Branding your resume is important to your job search, but it is also vital to proving you’re the perfect fit for an opening. You need to think about what makes you unique as a candidate. What can you offer that others can’t? Show the employer you can offer them value and benefit that others cannot. Do this through a branding statement, branded career summary, and metrics-driven accomplishment statements.

 

Creating a resume that communicates your perfect fit for an open position can be challenging, but following these simple tips can make the process easier and less painstaking.

 

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  • Evelyn McGriff
    Evelyn McGriff
    This is the best advice ever! This is exactly what I have been needing. After reading this article, I think I know why I have not received the response I have been wanting. Thank you so much!---EM
  • Donna W
    Donna W
    Excellent suggestions--This was a very helpful article.
  • DEVON E
    DEVON E
    what is a good or bad resume
  • Annette V
    Annette V
    Love it. Great  advice
  • Darlene B
    Darlene B
    What do you mean by "metrics-driven accomplishment statements???
  • Marian K. A
    Marian K. A
    This is very helpful information to remember while building a customized resume. It is greatly appreciated.
  • DeniseB
    DeniseB
    What do you mean by branding statement? I am not familiar with this term.
  • Kareda R
    Kareda R
    Some great tips
  • Keshia R
    Keshia R
    Keywords are words that employers use to search through tons of resumes. Words that describe what they are looking for. It narrows down the search. So if they are looking for someone with accounting degree then they we put in accounting degree.
  • Norm M
    Norm M
    I guess, but I just read another "resume how to" on a +100K careers job site and they said very specifically to NOT have multiple versions of your resume (targeted to different positions) out there.  I've always customized my resume to the position, which is a huge amount of work, and that has led to mixed messages if the resume is cross-referenced later.  I wrote a solid functional resume, and try to highlight all my experience with keywords, and save the creative customization for the targeted cover letters. Thanks for a thought-provoking article.
  • Crystal D G
    Crystal D G
    Thank you very much, I will make sure to enter all of the "keywords" that I can that relate to the job description and qualifications. Have a great life!
  • Cyndi B
    Cyndi B
    Great info except the closing paragraph where recruiter internal verbiage is used. What is branded career summary & mainly, what the heck is "metrics-driven accomplishment statements." Where do we put that, at the top where objective used to go?
  • Agnes L
    Agnes L
    It all sounds good and I have been doing it, yet no results. Seems like working in a small startup company for 5 years and in academia for over 5 does not count at all. I have been a 100% fit for a few jobs around but did not get even a call back, let lone an interview. So there has to be something else that they are looking for that maybe is not even in the ad for the job.
  • Leslie H
    Leslie H
    perfect match except for age
  • Dorothy D
    Dorothy D
    I enjoyed reading the tips you have.  It really does help when looking for a job.  I have not found a job yet, but I get more call backs after I follow your tips.Regards, Dot
  • Diane D
    Diane D
    what is branding?
  • Willette M
    Willette M
    Thank you for tips. Just what I needed to make my resume stand out from the rest.
  • Shirley R
    Shirley R
    I think this is valuable information and it does make sense.  It is important that you at least appear to be a good fit for any position that may be available to you.  
  • Kalisha D
    Kalisha D
    Thanks for the advise, will definitely keep them in mind when preparing my resume.
  • Michael D
    Michael D
    It was very informative and helpful. Now I know what I need to do, to tailor my resume, to the position requirements.
  • Stacey P
    Stacey P
    What are key words
  •  Carolyn S
    Carolyn S
    These are great tips. However, I haven't searched for a job in 20 years so I am not familiar with the term "Branding" in relation to a resume. Guess I need to catch up.  Thanks!
  • David C
    David C
    Miss Holbrook: This is one of the more organized explanations I have seen. I also wondered about branding as did Suzzane M. Your use of  "value and benefit"  suggest self attributes. Thank you. David C.
  • Mwamba N
    Mwamba N
    I am a new graduate, I do not have experience. Everywhere, they want one or more years experience. Who is going to hire me? What can I do to get hired?
  • Lori B
    Lori B
    good advice...customize, include all required/preferred skills that you can, use keywords they used and brand your resume.

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