Getting the most out of your resume

By Lars B. Jensen on August 24th, 2009

Submitting the same resume to every position you are interested in does not meet hiring managers’ individual requirements.  To grab their attention and get your foot in the door, you need to give them what they want.

Take the time and effort to tailor not only your cover letter but also your resume to each individual employer and their goals.  Instead of just randomly hitting the “apply” button and hoping for the best, review the job description carefully to see what credentials are important.  Research their website, find out what the company is all about as well as the kind of people who work there.

The most efficient way to create customized resumes is to develop one general resume and use it as a template for each particular opportunity you apply for.

Make a copy of your resume

In your “Resume Manager” on JobDragon, start by making a copy of your general resume to tailor specifically for the job you are applying for.

The title of your resume should state your career goal along with top credentials tailored to the employer’ needs. A good example would be “Network Administrator, CCNA and MSCE, 10 years experience”.

Adjust your resume details

The purpose of the Career Objective is to create a concise, targeted statement to show how and why you are suited for the open position.  By showing the hiring manager you made the effort of personalizing this section in a unique and meaningful way, you are actually much closer to being called in for the interview.

Once you have completed your research for the employer’s requirements, use the Resume Summary section to match your qualifications with these requirements, thereby proving you are the perfect candidate for the position.  Leave out statements not relevant for the position you are applying for and add only credentials uniquely applicable to the position and employer.

Most employers will go directly to the Working Experience section to assess your qualifications.  Don’t just copy the job description.  Focus on highlighting your accomplishments, success stories, and how you made a difference for the company.  Quantify your experiences showing the number of people and/ or budget you managed, how successfully you improved processes and how you have acquired your level of knowledge in each situation.

By following these steps, you are already ahead of your competition; you look more professional and have a much higher chance of taking the next step toward your future career.

Lars B. Jensen

Lars has an unique background as an entrepreneur and a technology specialist with a strong passion for supporting small businesses.

He has years of experience in implementing HRM systems and developing Skill Assessment tools, eLearning and advertisement solutions. He was the technical force behind getting CareerCross running in their early days, and today he is the man behind JobDragon.

Originally from Denmark, Lars has lived in Japan since 2001. When he is not working, you often times find him riding his Harley on a remote mountain road or with a camera in his hand conducting workshops for photographers and aspiring models.