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

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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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  • Lamon C
    Lamon C
    Useful
  • Sharon M
    Sharon M
    Very good but, I would have like to seen some examples.
  • Abigail R
    Abigail R
    I think this is valuable  information for anyone to receive.This offers helpful tips to improve and add on more information.
  • James D
    James D
    Very good information. Thanks!
  • Fred V
    Fred V
    Very applicable I liked it and will implement suggestions.
  • Sean S
    Sean S
    Please give some examples of the following:  "branding statement, branding career summary, and metrics-driven accomplishment statements."  Give one of the metrics-driven accomplishments statements that have some sizzle or pop.  While I believe I understand what you mean, it is good to get a clear idea through an example of one with punch so we can see how it is written in terms of language used and the style it is presented in.  Then we can take that and apply it to our situation for that customized selling approach.  
  • BRENDA G
    BRENDA G
    very helpful information to know.
  • MFON U
    MFON U
    its a very useful hint. thank you so much. i will put it in action.
  • jesus G
    jesus G
    very interesting suggestion very helpful for all of us job seeker like me to enhance my resume profile
  • Koman Y
    Koman Y
    This is very informational and helpful.
  • Linda
    Linda
    Would like to see an example of the following:Do this through a branding statement, branded career summary, and metrics-driven accomplishment statements.Could you do an article with these types of references.
  • William G
    William G
    Great article.  Can you please provide a sample of branding and metrics-driven accomplishment statement?Thank you
  • Charlie G
    Charlie G
    Good points to consider.  No resume is ever perfect and can always be improved.
  • Joan J
    Joan J
    What are the important keywords?  Need more generic information that is specific...not just general information to be helpful.  
  • Nichole H
    Nichole H
    I greatly appreciate these tips!
  • Mitch W
    Mitch W
    I'm not quite in complete agreement to mirroring a resume to the asked for requirements as it makes it look a little suspicious.  
  • Alma M
    Alma M
        I found this information to be very helpful. I will utilize it when submitting resume's. Thank you very much.
  • Shawanna H
    Shawanna H
    very helpful tips. i will be sure to use them when applying for my next job.
  • Dave C
    Dave C
    very helpful, indeed! I have been "tweaking" the cover letter, &, I kept my detailed engineering and/or accounting resumes the same. of course, i update my resumes as time goes on and I gain more experience for the different engineering or accounting firms.
  • Sandy H
    Sandy H
    Wow!  Thank you for this information, as a new graduate, struggling single mom, I like the advice.  No matter what I do, I can't seem to get the interviews.  I've gone back to professors and I have tried changing up my resume, but wonder if I am saying too much.  I know that certain employers want to read a resume in different forms, some a story line, some by bullets.  I am so tired of searching and, redoing my resume,  filling out endless applications that don't get me the job.  I have experience, education, and being older the maturity level to take a job seriously enough to get things done the right way.  If I can handle 5 classes, 3 virtual teenagers, and still have my sanity I'm doing really well.  Haha  Thanks for the information.  Sandy~
  • Gary S
    Gary S
    Good information, nicely presented.
  • Diane W
    Diane W
    Very concise and practical tips!  Thank you.  The Personal Branding part I feel is hard, and yet easy at the same time. Your recommendations have made it more understandable to me.Thank you!
  • Jameelah S
    Jameelah S
    Well I worked many jobs in the medical field and has many qualifications how would I show that without looking over qualified ?
  • Francisco A
    Francisco A
    Good advise.Thank you.
  • Carolyn G. W
    Carolyn G. W
    I am glad that I found this information regarding resumes and the important tidbits of information that are crucial for either creating or updating a resume. This has given me some insight because a resume tells not only about the work history past and current but the quality and diversity of the potential employee.
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