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How to Create a Job-Specific Resume

Each resume you submit should be targeted for a specific project you want to land. Recruiters scan resumes quickly to see if they contain the experience required for a position. If your relevant experience is not clear on your resume, you may not be contacted for the position you want.

Tailor your resume to showcase how your experience meets the job requirements. Every project differs in terms duties and required skills. To increase your chances to be considered for an opportunity, be sure to submit a targeted resume.

Think Like a Recruiter
When constructing your resume, think like a recruiter. Recruiters search for keywords. With that in mind, provide as much information as possible to ensure that your resume shows up in a recruiter’s search.

Keywords and Job Titles
Keywords play a big role in whether your resume is viewed. It is better to be specific, rather than general, in describing your areas of expertise. Recruiters search on keywords, terms and acronyms so be sure to include the pertinent keywords or phrases that relate to the position. Also, be sure to include your zip code because recruiters often search by location, too.

Job titles often vary for the same job — even in the same industry. Therefore, if you have performed duties similar to those listed in an opportunity, be sure to list in your resume the job title you held, as well as the job title of the position you seek.

For example, if your job title was "Instructional Designer," but the position is for "Curriculum Developer": in your resume, in the description for Instructional Designer, you could state: "As a curriculum developer, I performed xyz." That way, you include your actual title in your career history, as well as the title being advertised in the desired position.

Summary of Skills
When developing your resume, avoid stating the kind of job you seek or listing an “Objective.” Instead, provide a summary of your career experience at the top of your resume.

The summary is the first section that a recruiter will read and you want that section to stand out. The purpose of the summary is to sound versatile.

In your summary:

Discuss the number of years of experience you have in a professional area (e.g., Instructional Design, Project Management, LMS Implementation, Technical Writing, etc.)
Include your general areas of expertise (e.g., e-learning development, project management, industry focus and experience) and any pertinent information that summarizes professional accomplishments.

Avoid writing in the third person or including anything “fluffy” about yourself. To describe your experience, use action words such as developed, designed, delivered, managed, led, etc.

Target Your Experience to the Project or Technology
On your resume, be sure to highlight projects and technologies that are relevant to the position you seek. If you have completed a similar project in the past, showcase that experience in the summary because it is usually the first place a recruiter looks for related experience.

Include all development tools you have experience using, including software programs, applications and specialized systems or platforms. Also describe skills using current nomenclature. A section that indicates industries you have worked in (e.g., retail, pharmaceuticals, finance or manufacturing) is helpful, too.

Job-Specific Resume Template

Regardless of how you organize your resume (chronologically or functionally), the following tips are designed to help you land an opportunity.

When replying to a job posting:

Before drafting your resume, research the industry and the position
Tailor your resume to highlight your skills that are the same as those required for the position
Prepare your resume and credentials as a solution to the specific need listed in the job description

Example Resume Template:

Name
City, state and zip code
Phone Number
Email Address

Summary of Qualifications
Summarize your background. Include your years of experience, as well as relevant skills and subject areas. Indicate the industries you have worked in during the course of your career. Add one or two sentences that highlight the projects you have accomplished that relate specifically to the job for which you are applying.

Experience
List your professional experience, including titles, companies, dates of contract or employment, and synopses of work performed. For companies that may not be widely known, include a brief description of what the company does or the industry it is in. Do not include a company description for large, widely known companies; but do list their industry. At the end of each position description, include a list of tools used during the project.

Clients
Always list chronologically the specific companies that you have supported. If you prefer a functional resume, list clients separately.

Education
List degrees, including major subjects studied and the college/university attended. If you had a focus or emphasis, list it if it is relevant. Avoid listing specific classes. You can list relevant certifications in a separate section or under Education. Graduation dates or GPAs do not need to be included.

Software/Technology Skills
List the programs and software applications you have experience using. A table is a great way to present this information. You can also indicate the depth of experience if you wish to do so.

"T" Cover Letter

When developing your cover letter, it is vital to display how you are qualified for the job. An easy way to illustrate to a recruiter that you are qualified for a job is the “T letter.” The “T letter” uses two columns of bullet points to express the requirements of the position, and your corresponding qualifications.

In the left column, list the required skills for the position and in the right column list your relevant experience and skill set that matches the requirements. Include a short introduction and concluding sentence in your cover letter.

"T letter” Sample:

Name
City, state and zip code
Phone Number
Email Address

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am responding to your posting for an Instructional Designer (Reference #). I believe my background is an excellent match. My experience and qualifications related to the skills for the position are listed below.

Requirements		Qualifications

3+ years of ILT Instructional Design experience.		More than 10 years of experience in Instructional Design, with extensive experience developing Instructor Led Training; participant guides and instructor guides.

Bachelor's degree in English, Technical Communications, Instructional design, or related field.		Education includes an M.S. in Instructional Technology and a B.A. in English.

Pharmaceuticals/Biotechnology experience strongly desired		2 years of Instructional Design experience in the Pharmaceutical industry, clients included Wyeth, AstraZeneca and Pfizer.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my qualifications could benefit your organization. Please contact me at [list your email address] or [list your phone #] at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Name
Cell phone
Email address

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