Does a Tailored Resume Make a Difference

Does a Tailored Resume Make a Difference Instead of just sending out a generic resume,  todays job candidates need to  take the time to tailor  their resume to fit every job  being applied for. While this may make the application process take longer,  it will be well worth the effort in the long run. Here are a few tips to  tailor your resume  and help make the application process go faster: Keep the information on your resume up to date. Just got a new cell phone? Change the contact information right away. It is easy to forget to change such a small thing, but you shouldnt wait until youre applying for a new job.  An out-of-date phone number can have big, negative consequence (such as not being contacted for your dream job). Read the job qualifications and duties carefully. Add the same keywords to your resume so that it will make it through the recruiters software scanner. Use separate resumes for experience in different industries or a functional resume for two or more closely related industries. It makes it easier to add crucial keywords to your resume when tailoring it to a specific position. Learn to be a cut and paste, toggle expert. Not all job application databases will let you upload a resume into different information fields. Become familiar with Control+C and Control+V to copy and paste. PCs use the Alt+Tab keys and Macs use the Apple+Tab keys to toggle between screens. Copy text from your resume first, then toggle to the job application page and paste the text into the information boxes. Name your resumes generically and modify the name each time you upload it to an application database. For example, label your updated resume Edit512 for the industry it addresses and the date you updated it. Do not name your resume with a company name. It is too easy to upload your Xerox resume for an IBM position, and forgetting to change the name will count against you as a job candidate. Following these easy tips will help you to be more prepared for your job search.