Why You Should Have Multiple Versions of Your Resume

Applying for a job is no joke; it is a commitment. There will be hours of time and energy into getting experience for your resume, creating and customizing, editing, and submitting it. The best way to make it to the hiring manager is to customize your resume to match the job description of every company you apply to. It may seem like a lot of work, but the time and energy you put into crafting your resume will pay off. Here is why you should have multiple versions of your resume and what you need to change/customize.  

Customizing versus the new version

As you are applying for multiple jobs, it’s necessary to understand when you should customize the version of the resume you have or if you need to create a new resume. If your resume is somewhat similar to the job description, it makes more sense to customize your resume.

Customizing your resume can be as simple as changing keywords in the job description, or as complex as customizing your work experience. On the other hand, if the job has a different title and skillset altogether, it would be wise to create an entirely different resume.

You may want to customize your resume instead of creating a new version, but the more it matches what the company is looking for, the more likely they will call you for an interview. Whether they are using AI or recruiters, they look for specific keywords, skillsets, and experience they look for in a candidate.

Keywords

One of the most successful changes you can make to your resume is the words you use to describe your actions/descriptions. Read the job description thoroughly and look for keywords that stand out to you.

Not all companies use AI to sort through resumes, but it is quickly becoming the new norm. If your resume doesn’t have the specific keywords they are looking for, it will never reach the hiring manager.

Even if you use synonyms to the words, AI may not pick up on them. For example, if you have in your experience that you were a graphic designer, but the job description mentions an interactive designer, change the wording accordingly.

Skills

Having the proper skills can make or break your ability to get the job. To get experience, you need experience, and one of the best ways to gain that experience is to do your homework and add tools and programs to your skillset.

Companies are looking for individuals that are fluent in the programs they are using, so it’s necessary to get experience in the skills they specifically require. For example, if you’re a social media manager and use HubSpot, that’s great, but if the company requires you to use Sprinklr, that won’t cut it.

Get whatever certifications are necessary, and most digital certifications are free. Don’t overdo it and add every skillset you have, rather tailor it to the job description. Instead, only add the skillsets they mention in the criteria or skills you think they would be happy to see.

Work Experience

The work experience you put on your resume requires the most work and detail but remains the most valuable aspect of your resume. In your work experience, you can get list out your daily tasks, and how your expertise helped improve the company.

Your experience should always be tailored specifically to the job and only include relevant experience. It’s great that you were a server for summer, but if you are applying to be a designer, it will not seem relevant compared to other industry-related experiences.

Use the relevant keywords in the description of your work experience, and remember to quantify your achievements. Always be truthful about your work experience because they will ask you detailed questions about it in the hiring process, and you will never get the job if you are lying.

Overall, the hiring process is hard work. But at the end of the day, it is worth it when you have a new job. We hope these tips help you during your application process, and we wish you the best of luck!