Create a Master Resume and Tailor it as Needed

Tips on Finding a Job >> Master Resume

If you want to be competitive in an overcrowded job market (which, unfortunately is what we'll have for a while), you must create a resume that's tailored for each specific job. In other words, don't send the same exact resume for every job posting. Why? Because each job is different from the next, so you should highlight the parts of your resume that best match a particular job description.

This is why it's also a good idea to create a master list of skills, which we covered in a previous lesson. It allows you to dip into your "skills and credentials pot" and pull out the most relevant items to put onto a particular resume (for a particular job).

You'll notice I'm using the words "particular" and "specific" a lot in this lesson. This is a key concept you should apply to your job hunting. In order to find a job in a market that's flooded with out-of-work applicants, you need to get ultra-specific with every aspect of your process.

So when you create a resume for a certain job, you need to ask yourself: "What skills and credentials does this company need the most, based on the description they've provided? Which part of my background best fits the job requirements they have?"

Here are the simple steps involved in this process:

• First, create a master resume that includes everything from your master list of skills.
• Don't worry if this resume seems too long. You'll create a tailored version for each job posting, which will be shorter (and more relevant).
• Save this master resume on your computer, and label it accordingly so you can easily find it in the future. This will be helpful when you have several versions of your resume.
• When you find a job that matches your background, open up your master resume and then ask the questions in green font above.
• Tailor your master resume to create one that is ultra-specific for the particular job you are targeting. Front-load it so the most relevant items are at the top of the list.
• Reword your skills and credentials as needed to match the job description as closely as possible. Notice I said "reword" and not "fabricate." Don't ever lie on a resume.
  

Let me give you an example of what I mean, when I tell you to reword your skills and credentials to match a job description:

Let's say I'm looking for a job in the technology field. I've got a lot of experience managing computers, installing software, etc. I've even got a little supervisory experience in my past. So I stumble across a job posting that seeks an I.T. manager, and they mention a certain set of skills, something about maintaining office workstations.

Now, my master resume might include this kind of information, but it might also be buried in the list or otherwise de-prioritized. If I'm smart, I will create a resume for this particular job, and I'll reword and rearrange all of my credentials until they closely match the requirements of this new job.

Don't ever send a "catch-all" resume to a hiring manager. Remember, it's a tough job market out there, and you need to go above and beyond to get hired. So before you send a resume in response to a particular job posting, spend at least fifteen minutes adjusting it to match the posted requirements. And don't forget to a do a solid round of proofreading whenever you tweak your resume.

Learn More: This blog post is part of an ongoing series of lessons. Visit the table of contents page to get more tips on finding a job.