How to Write a Targeted Resume And Land Your Dream Job
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A targeted resume is the only thing between you and your dream job… or at least one of them, we’re not responsible if you purposely mess up your interview, or even worse, you don’t have the necessary skills and qualifications, but more on that later.
Generic applications are not enough. Employers want to see why you’re the best fit for their role. Landing your dream job starts with presenting yourself in a way that checks all the boxes for recruiters.
Which is why you need to tailor your resume. By aligning your skills, experiences, and qualifications with the job description, you can create a document that passes the initial ATS screening and shows employers you’ve done your homework.
Ready to learn how to craft an application that stands out and earns you more interview opportunities? Let’s dive in.
What Is a Resume
A resume is a formal document listing everything about a professional individual, including skills and education. It aims to showcase an individual’s accomplishments and qualifications to an employer.
What Is a Targeted Resume
It is a tailored version of your work history designed to cover skills, experiences, and qualifications listed in the job description to help recruiters see that you meet the job criteria.
Having the correct information on your resume lets recruiters see that you have researched the job application, increasing your chances of securing an interview.
When to Use a Targeted Resume
Here are some scenarios where having a targeted resume can help:
Applying for Specialized Roles: If the position has a detailed job description, include keywords and achievements that match the required job description. For example, highlight “Leadership” if you’re applying for a team lead position.
Shifting Career Paths: When transitioning to a new field requires demonstrating transferable skills. For instance, a teacher moving into an HR position emphasizes “communication”
What Is the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
Applicant Tracking Systems are software programs recruiters and companies use to filter and rank job applications. The ATS scans the resumes for relevant keywords, and the resumes that match the job description move forward in the hiring process.
Benefits of Using a Targeted Resume
There are multiple benefits of having a targeted resume.
The Applicant Tracking System: You can pass the ATS, as the ATS is the first hurdle your resume has to cross to get to the recruiter. Having the right keywords in your resume is crucial to get through the ATS and not get filtered out.
Less competition: You can stand out. According to studies, over 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS systems before they reach a recruiter. Tailoring your resume shows that you have put effort when applying for a job application.
Express interest: It can show that you are interested in getting this job as you go the extra mile and revise your resume to include significant information, such as the role's responsibilities. It lets the employer know you are the right fit for the job, as you have included the relevant skills or certificates.
How to Target Your Resume
Here are some general steps for tailoring your resume according to the job description:
1. Read the Job Description
You can only tailor a resume if you understand what the employer needs from you, so you need to read and analyze the job description and make notes of pieces important to the job.
2. Research the Employer
To take things to the next level. Learn about the company, its values, and its mission. Incorporating these elements into your resume will demonstrate that you’re aligned with their goals.
3. Highlight Transferable Skills
If you’re transitioning to a new role or industry, identify transferable skills that match the job description. For instance, problem-solving, leadership, or technical skills.
4. Customize for Each Role
Don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. Each job application deserves a unique version of your resume tailored to the specific role and industry.
5. Structure Your Resume Strategically
Arrange your resume in a way that showcases the most relevant information first. For example, for recent graduates, education might come before work experience. Using the JobQuests AI Customize tool, you can quickly add, remove or replace sections in your resume.
6. Revise and Proofread
Lastly, proofread and revise your resume before finally applying for that job for which you’ve been tailoring your resume.
How to Quickly Write a Targeted Resume Using JobQuest
With JobQuest’s AI Resume Builder, you can quickly create a targeted resume.
Simply start by uploading your resume and copy-pasting a job description, and letting the AI do its magic, by adding keywords from the job description to your resume.
You will have a tailored resume for that job description in the blink of an eye.
Use a Professional ATS Friendly Template
To improve your resume further, consider using an ATS-friendly resume template.
Having a clean ATS-friendly resume structure is crucial when applying for a job, as having a confusing and complex resume gets filtered out by the ATS, invalidating any chances of getting an interview.
If choosing an ATS-friendly template seems daunting, you can always rely on JobQuest.AI and use templates based on Jake’s resume, providing you with the support and guidance you need.
Conclusion
A targeted resume is your key to standing out in a competitive job market. By aligning your skills with the job description and using ATS-friendly templates, you improve your chances of making it past the initial screening and impressing recruiters.
With JobQuest’s AI tools, tailoring your resume becomes quick and effective, helping you get one step closer to landing your dream job.
