Veronica Hislop
September 29, 2022
Career Guide ArticleYour resume. The dreaded step between you and the interview. If you could just get through this step, then you know that job can be yours! However, think about the purpose of a resume from the perspective of a hiring manager or company. They don’t have the resources (or time) to interview hundreds of applicants. Hiring managers rely on resumes to provide a snapshot of someone to determine if they would be well-suited for the job.
A well-crafted resume can not only help you get that interview but can also help you stand out amongst the competition. Your resume serves as a quick summary of your experience and demonstrates your writing skills. It shows that you can condense information and have the employer in mind. It also shows that you understood the assignment.
Overall, a well-crafted resume is one that summarizes who you are professionally, but a tailored resume is one that shows an employer how you would be well-suited for their position. Although tailoring your resume might seem like a waste of time, it will help you in the long run. So, before you submit your resume, tweak it to ensure you’re giving the hiring manager what they are looking for.
Here are some tips on how you can successfully tailor your resume to any job posting:
Read the job description and take notes
Take a few minutes to print out the job description of the job you are applying for. Slow down and read the description deeply. Not just the title of the job, but actually what the job is about and what the company is looking for. Highlight the points that seem important and stand out.
Differentiate between the specific skills that they are looking for and the more general needs. The key is identifying the points you can speak to with your experience and skills. Be specific and look for things that will be beneficial to include in your resume. For example, if you are applying as an agricultural dealership intern and they are looking for an individual who can assist with minor repairs of equipment and you have done a shop class in school, then make sure to include that in your resume.
Another benefit of reading deeply into a job description is it allows you the opportunity to think about if this role is something you want to do and are well suited for.
The first is often the most important
Employers typically format job descriptions in a hierarchy where the more important and relevant duties are closer to the top. When tailoring your resume focus on these requirements and responsibilities to show your aptitude. However, as a student or recent graduate, this isn’t always easy to do as you lack work experience. Instead, draw from your course work or any time that you have volunteered. It is likely that during school you have performed skills related to the job.
For example, if you are applying for a research and development assistant position and during school you took a course on data science and analysis, include the specific software that you used. Bonus points if it was one directly mentioned in the job description. Remember, be truthful and only put on your resume what you feel comfortable talking about and competent at using.
Figure out what a company values and incorporate it into your resume
After thoroughly reading the job description of the job you are applying for, dig a little deeper and research the actual company. This phase can serve as double duty, acting not only as a way to tailor your resume but also preparing you for the interview. Explore both a companies’ website and social media platforms to see what they value and causes that might be important to them. If a company puts a high emphasis on customer service, try to weave this your resume as something that is also important to you, as well as specific skills and experiences that show you work well with others.
Use other job postings to supplement information
It’s likely that the job you are applying for is similar (or even identical) to the one offered at a different company. Unfortunately, some job descriptions are incomplete and don’t include every responsibility which the actual job would entail. Therefore, when tailoring your resume, it is beneficial to take it a step further and search other simiar job postings, like those on AgCareers.com. Find five relevant job listings and look for common qualifications among them. Using this information, you can tailor your resume even further by inserting the keywords used in their job ads.
Mimic the language in the job posting and use keywords
Hiring managers can receive hundreds of applications for a single job posting. That’s why many of them turn to automated tracking systems which search over resumes for keywords. Keywords or phrases are easily identifiable phrases/words which relate to a job such as tools used or skills. If a resume doesn’t include these phrases, it might not even make its way to the hiring manager. Examples of agricultural related keywords might include dairy, irrigation, cattle, horticulture. Always keep keywords in mind as they can help you get past the software that analyzes resumes. Use job descriptions to identify keywords and mimic that language in your resume.
Don’t forget to emphasize your soft skills
Soft skills are just as important as technical skills. As a student, lean heavily on your soft skills as they are transferable between positions. On the surface, a tutoring job might not seem like it has anything related to a customer service job, but there are connections if you think about it. Being able to take care of children is a big responsibility and you can highlight that ability. After all, customer service is about taking on responsibility and taking care of a customer. Check out of AgCareers.com Career Success Library for more ideas on how you can spin your bullets to emphasize a certain soft skill.
Use numbers and metrics
Measurable achievements are those you can include that involve a metric or number. For example, the number of people you supervised on a soccer team or how many events you helped to organize during your time in student council. Adding metrics to your resume allows you to create a more compelling story about yourself and background. Look through your resume and make a list of all your measurable accomplishments for each role. You could even include that you came in first place during a college competition.
Correctly save your resume in an easyto-follow format Tailoring your resume also includes tailoring the name of the file you submit online. If you are applying for multiple positions, then keep a consistent job file system that is easy to find and professional. Did you know that hiring managers can see what you saved your resume document as? Make it clear and simple by always having your first and last name included in the filename. Always start editing on a new file because that can add to the confusion. Writing multiple resumes also gives you the benefit of taking the best parts of different tailored resumes. Work smarter, not harder!
Tailor your cover-letter
Although not covered in-depth here, a well-tailored cover letter can be just as important as a resume. For many students lacking experience, a cover letter acts as an opportunity to add personality to your application and demonstrate why, even with your lack of experience, you are well-suited for a position. A cover-letter should compliment your resume and further prove to employers that you read the job description.
Proofread, proofread, proofread
Although it doesn’t explicitly apply to tailoring your resume, it is always a good idea to proofread, and triple check your resume. Ask a friend or a family member to help and get their opinion on how well you tailored resume to the job description. A fresh pair of eyes is a great way to combat missing mistakes which might have arisen from fatigue.
