Why target resumes & cover letters
When you apply for a job, you want to carefully target your resume and cover letter to EACH and every job. Why is that so important? Because a targeted resume is a lot like an a direct advertisement that calls YOUR name and knows what you really want.
Well, your resume is a marketing tool and your direct target is the employer. And so you want to give it the best chance of catching the employer’s eye. And that means speaking their language … well speaking directly to their requirements and what they’re looking for.
Won’t they read resume anyway?
Easy answer. No. Whether human eyes screen your application or it goes through an automated system, you need to catch their attention quickly and easily.
Many resumes get less than 10 seconds of eyeball time. And if they don’t see enough that matches what they want (see key words), your resume may never be seen again by anyone there.
Power of a targeted resume
But when you use enough words and phrases that connect to what they say they want, you have a far better chance of being selected for an interview. And, as you hopefully continue in the hiring process, your resume and cover letter get to keep reaffirming your match.
When I first started job hunting, I had that one-version resume I sent to everyone. But what I got back had many versions — of rejection letters. Employers don’t have the time or ability to think through how this wonderful person (who they don’t know) might be right for them.
So you need to help them see how well you match — quickly! Once I learned the powerful targeting trick and started customizing my resume (and cover) to each job I applied for, I started getting interviews. And offers.
Even just the process of thinking this through — how well you match the job / company and why — helps you interview more strongly. And that’s what targeting a resume and cover letter can also do for you.
Some more posts to help
10 Resume Writing Tips for Stronger Resumes!
10 Things I Look for When I Screen Resumes and Cover Letters
How Is a Job Application Different from a Resume?
What Exactly Is Branding for Job Search or Career?
10 Steps To Match Your Resume to the Job
What Is a Resume Screener?
What are Automated Resume Screeners?
Using Keywords and Keyword Phrases on Resumes
Why a Resume Gets Rejected — Even Good Ones!
Looking for more job search help?
JOB SEARCH & INTERVIEW RESOURCE CENTER