5 Key Areas to Target When Branding Your Resume
Customizing your resume for each position you apply to can be critical in today’s job search. It’s vitally important that your resume conveys that you are a perfect match for the job. When tailoring your resume to each specific position there are five key areas you want to remember to change:
1. Job Target/Title at the Top of Your Resume
Always change your target job title so that it reflects the specific position for which you are applying. This way, there is no confusion about the position you want to apply for and your experience.
2. Branded Career Summary
Make adjustments to your career summary by shifting information around and placing the most relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments FIRST.
3. Key Skills/Core Strengths
While keywords play an important role in ATS (applicant tracking software) the keywords on your resume also draw the hiring manager’s attention. Place the most relevant keywords and core strengths at the top of your core strengths/key skills section so that the hiring manager sees these first. This way, if they’re simply scanning the resume they’ll see them right away and won’t miss them.
4. Accomplishment Statements
Reword your accomplishment statements so that the most critical and relevant information is at the beginning of the bullet. This helps the initial eye scan by the lower-level HR rep who will be giving your resume the first review. It also helps those who are scanning through the document without a thorough read to spot the important info they need in order to make a decision about whether to invest more time.
5. Bullet Points
Finally, reorder your bullet points for each position so the most relevant for the position come first. For example, if you have experience in customer service and sales and you’re applying for a sales associate position put your sales-related bullet points first in each position description on your resume. Put them in order of significance from most relevant first to least relevant last. Again, this will ensure the most pertinent information gets read first in case the hiring manager doesn’t read your entire resume word for word.
Does your resume need a kick start? Check out our resume samples, consider partnering with one of our certified resume writers, or for additional job search-related advice, follow us on Twitter @GreatResume or read more articles on our blog.
I always say, “Tailor your Cover Letter and Resume to suit each job application”. Read the Position Description of the job you are applying for and match the needs of the employer with your own. It will take a little time and effort, but in the end, it will be well worth it.
Rewording your accomplishment statements is critical when submitting your resume.
very good information. you target accuracy. good job
Does anybody have any job leads for Case Management or Human services?
Valuable information. My cover letters have taken on a new perspective. Thank you
Great tips you are sending! These info is very helpful to know when looking for a new position! THANKS SO MUCH!
I live in Saginaw Michigan and have 25 years experience in Medical coding, billing, compliance, collections and I am a certified Insurance Coding and Billing Specialist. I have been out of work for 19 months now, I apply for jobs I am very qualified for and some I am over qualified. I get interviews but nothing comes of them. I have used this information about networking etc. I also have a Bachelors degree in Business Management. I am getting very discouraged and would like to relocate but I have a house that I need to sell as well as taking care of my elderly mother, so that is out of the question right now.
Likewise, I live in Hawaii and have 20+ years as an administrative assistant. I’ve been out of work for over 2 years and also disappointed at the lack of results for which I’m either qualified or over qualified. Although, I understand an employer cannot discriminate age, it has crossed my mind that they may not wish to invest in a 57 year old.