If you have researched resume writing, you have probably read a tip saying that you must "tailor your resume to each job you apply for.” At its core, this is wonderful advice. You have the highest chance of success when your resume perfectly showcases the knowledge, skills, and abilities an employer is looking for in a candidate. The end goal should be to highlight your experience in a way that best matches a job description and includes relevant accomplishments and skills. However, it is also easier said than done. If you already have a well-written resume, you should need only a few tweaks to accomplish this.   Here are a few things to focus on:

1.      Highlight the type of skills, abilities, and experience that the job posting calls for. Take 10 minutes to scan the job description and jot down keywords and phrases that you find throughout. Make special note of anything mentioned more than once, and try to identify the top 5-10 things the employer has focused on. These keywords and phrases should be incorporated into your resume, word for word.  For example, one organization may be looking for a "detail-oriented" candidate while another employer may be searching for a candidate with great "attention to detail".  While they mean the same thing, the wording may make a big difference.

2.      Consider the placement of these keywords and phrases within your resume. When working with clients, I repeatedly get the same question when given this advice - “Where do I include these things?”. The answer is simple - anywhere! However, for most clients, the “skills” section within their resume tends to be the easiest and quickest section to revise and edit.

3.      Don’t copy and paste. You may have heard a “trick” that has recently gone viral that says to copy and paste the job description you are applying for into your current resume. While this may help you “pass” through ATS filters, every recruiter that I have talked to has stated that they will automatically toss any resume that does this.

Consider the following scenario:

Job Seeker: A 35-year-old candidate with 15 years of experience in retail environments who has just recently graduated with a degree in Human Resources and wants to pursue entry-level HR positions.

Job Description: Below is a redacted portion of a job posting for a Human Resource Assistant position. We have underlined and bolded some important keywords and phrases to consider when writing your resume.

COMPANY is excited to be hiring for a Human Resources Assistant.  This position supports the daily operations of the Talent Strategy team within the Human Resources Services department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.      Coordinate with the Talent Strategy team on talent acquisition activities, including, but not limited to, posting vacancies, arranging advertisements, attending job fairs, interview scheduling, and preparing interview materials.  Review and respond to employment verification requests.

2.      Coordinate with the team on compensation and benefits activities, including, but not limited to, collecting benefits documentation, enrolling or removing individuals from various benefit plans or programs, and entering information into the company’s HRIS system. Collaborate with payroll on benefit enrollments and changes.

3.      Perform general office support, such as managing calls and emails to the HR email account.  Greet visitors, schedule appointments, and input information into the HRIS system.

4.      Assist with various ongoing Talent Strategy or Human Resource Services projects and events.

5.      Make updates to HR information on the company’s portal and applicant tracking websites.

6.      Generate and review reports, update data, and track changes within the company database.

7.      Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1.      Proficiency with Microsoft Office software, database systems, and HRIS systems.

2.      Attention to detail, completing and maintaining a high level of accuracy.

3.      Ability to compile data, analyze data, and write/prepare reports.

4.      Effective interpersonal communication skills in speaking, writing, and listening

5.      Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external contacts.

6.      Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and/or with minimal supervision.

EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

1.      High School diploma, three (3) years of HR office support experience, or Associate’s/Bachelor’s degree in a related field, and six (6+) or more months of HR office support experience.

2.      Experience with talent acquisition and benefits administration preferred.

This candidate could describe themselves as an “Aspiring Human Resources Assistant” and include key skills like Talent Strategy, Benefits Administration, Talent Acquisition, Confidentiality, and Scheduling. Within their education section, they could highlight relevant areas of study, like Employment Law or Employment Relations. The rest of the points could be sprinkled throughout the resume as they relate to professional accomplishments or skills. This candidate should also focus on their leadership skills and experience within a retail environment, like team training, employee interviewing, new hire onboarding, and staff scheduling.  It is also important to note anything that has been mentioned more than once, as these will be important skills and traits that the employer will be looking for.

It is possible to tailor your resume to a particular role without sounding like a robot by slightly adjusting some verbiage within your resume. The key is to begin with a well-written resume designed to fit your industry so that customizing the verbiage doesn’t take much time.

Are you still unsure how to create a professional resume or need more guidance? We offer a variety of packages and services to meet the needs of every job seeker, from entry-level graduates to C-Suite executives. You can find out more about what we offer here. You can also subscribe to our email list so you don’t miss out on future posts with resume writing and career counseling advice.