Customizing your resume – do I need one for each posting?

One of the most common questions I’m asked is whether you really need a new resume for each job posting. The short answer is – sort of. While I’m not advocating for a from scratch rewrite for each job you apply for, I do agree that you should focus/target your resume towards the job you’re applying for. 

Many of my clients have a similar story – they see tons of jobs they feel they are qualified for (I call it the “I can do that” syndrome). They may very well be qualified for all of these positions, but a one-size-fits-all resume is not an answer. 99% of the time, the bulk of the resume will not change dramatically. What might need to be tweaked are a summary statement in your profile, some skills in your Core Competencies section and maybe the highlights you pull out for an accomplishments section.

Spending a few extra minutes reviewing the job posting to pick up targeted words or phrases will benefit you in the long run. You want a hiring manager to have an “a ha” moment when they see your resume. Plus, all too often it’s the ATS that needs to have an “a ha” moment…so stocking your resume with keywords appropriately in correct context is a must.

Read the job description, then read your resume. Ask yourself, if I were the manager that wrote this posting and came across my resume – would I read beyond the initial 30 second scan? If the answer is no, some editing is in order. It’s a tough job market and you only have one chance to make a first impression. Make it a good one!