How to tailor your resume to the job description

1. Analyze the Job Description

• Highlight Keywords: Identify keywords and phrases that describe the skills, qualifications, and responsibilities in the job posting. Common examples include "project management," "data analysis," or "customer service."
• Understand the Priorities: Focus on the qualifications and experiences that are emphasized, often mentioned early or repeatedly.

2. Match Your Skills and Experience

• Emphasize Relevant Skills: Incorporate the skills and qualifications from the job description into your resume where applicable.
• Use Action Verbs: Align your accomplishments with the job’s required actions, e.g., “managed,” “developed,” or “analyzed.”
• Quantify Results: Highlight your achievements using metrics, percentages, or tangible outcomes. For example, "Increased sales by 25% in six months."

3. Tailor Your Professional Summary

• Craft a professional summary or objective that reflects the specific job and how your experience aligns. For example: “Results-oriented marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in digital advertising, specializing in social media strategies that drive measurable ROI.”

4. Prioritize Relevant Experience

• Rearrange Bullets: For each job listed in your experience section, adjust the bullet points to highlight achievements most relevant to the target role.
• Omit Irrelevant Details: Remove unrelated tasks or experiences that don’t align with the job description.

5. Adjust Job Titles (If Appropriate)

• If your past job title doesn’t fully align with the role you're applying for but your responsibilities match, consider tweaking the title slightly (e.g., "Administrative Assistant" to "Office Coordinator") as long as it's truthful.

6. Include Industry-Specific Keywords

• Use terminology familiar to the industry or role. For example, if the job description mentions "Agile methodology," and you have experience with it, ensure it appears on your resume.

7. Customize Your Skills Section

• Highlight technical and soft skills listed in the job description. Ensure they're organized in an easy-to-read format.

8. Incorporate Certifications and Education

• If the job requires specific certifications or training, prominently feature them near the top of your resume.

9. Use a Similar Tone

• Reflect the tone of the job description in your resume. For instance, if the description uses dynamic and enthusiastic language, use an energetic tone to present your accomplishments.

10. Proofread and Get Feedback

• Review your resume to ensure it’s free of errors and aligns with the job description. Having a trusted colleague or professional review it can provide valuable insights.

Conclusion

Canyon provides an easy and quick way to tailor your resume to the job description. Sign up for Canyon today to tailor the best resume to your job applications!