How to Tailor Your Resume for Different Job Roles

In today’s competitive job market, sending out a one size fits all resume won’t cut it. If you want to increase your chances of landing interviews, you need to customise your resume for each job application. Tailoring your resume ensures that it aligns with the job description, highlights the most relevant skills, and stands out to hiring managers.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best ways to tailor your resume for different job roles, helping you get noticed and move one step closer to your dream job.

Why Tailoring Your Resume Matters

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes for specific keywords before they even reach a hiring manager. A generic resume may not include the right keywords, causing it to be overlooked. Customising your resume increases your chances of passing ATS filters and making a strong impression on employers.

For mums re-entering the workforce or job seekers looking for flexible roles, tailoring your resume can also help showcase transferable skills and make your experience more relevant to different industries.

Step by Step Guide to Tailoring Your Resume

1. Analyse the Job Description

Carefully read the job posting and highlight key skills, qualifications, and experience requirements. Look for repeated words or phrases. These are the employer’s priorities and should be reflected in your resume.

Example: If a job description for an administrative role emphasises "organisation," "attention to detail," and "time management," make sure these skills are clearly demonstrated in your experience.

2. Use the Right Keywords

Hiring managers and ATS systems scan for industry specific keywords. Include these naturally throughout your resume, particularly in your skills section and job descriptions.

Example: Instead of listing "Managed office tasks," a stronger, keyword optimised version would be: "Managed office operations, scheduling, and document processing to improve efficiency."

3. Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience

Adjust your resume to emphasise experience that aligns with the job requirements. If you’re applying for a customer service role, highlight your communication skills and problem solving abilities. If you’re transitioning careers, focus on transferable skills.

Example: If you’re a mum returning to work and applying for an office manager role, highlight skills such as multitasking, budgeting, and scheduling; even if they came from managing a household or volunteering.

4. Tailor Your Professional Summary

Your professional summary should be adjusted for each role, focusing on the most relevant skills and achievements. Keep it concise and engaging.

Example:

• Marketing role: "Results driven marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in digital campaigns, SEO, and social media management. Passionate about creating engaging content to drive brand awareness."

• Customer service role: "Friendly and customer focused professional with strong problem solving skills and a passion for delivering excellent service. Proven ability to handle inquiries efficiently and improve customer satisfaction."

5. Modify Your Job Descriptions

Don’t just copy and paste past job descriptions into every application. Adjust them to highlight achievements and skills that are most relevant to the new role.

Example: If applying for a sales position, focus on metrics like revenue growth or customer conversion rates from a previous role instead of unrelated tasks.

6. Keep It Concise and Easy to Read

A well structured resume is easier to scan and makes a stronger impact. Use bullet points, clear headings, and consistent formatting to ensure readability.

7. Proofread and Optimise for ATS

Before submitting, double check your resume for typos and grammatical errors. Save your file as a Word document or PDF, and avoid using excessive graphics or fancy fonts that could confuse ATS systems.

Final Thoughts

Tailoring your resume for different job roles is a simple yet powerful way to increase your chances of landing interviews. By customising your content, using the right keywords, and aligning your experience with job descriptions, you’ll stand out to employers and make a lasting impression.

Need help creating a customised resume that gets results? At Karen’s Job Services, I specialise in crafting resumes that highlight your unique strengths and help you land your ideal job. Book a session today!