Do you apply for jobs and never hear back? 

Even when you’re highly qualified?

You may be submitting an ineffective résumé.

In today’s world, your résumé is typically pre-screened by an automated ATS (Applicant Tracking System) before a person even sees it. Even if a human does see it, they spend 5-7 seconds glancing at it to spot relevant keywords, job titles, and skill sets that fit the job description.

If the ATS or the human screener doesn’t see a good match between your résumé and the job description, then you hear nothing from them. Your résumé is rejected without comment.

A strategy to increase your odds of having your résumé accepted exists. You have an excellent chance to get that interview you want.

This strategy is to tailor your résumé to each and every job description you apply for. 

To do this, you must analyze both the job description and your current résumé. If you can make them match up, you’re in. Repeat this strategy for every application you submit.

Yes, it can be time-consuming. Yes, it requires a lot of editing and writing. 

Yes, it can be automated with AI. I’ll come back to this later.

But without a tailored résumé, you have little chance of getting that interview.

Let’s go through the whole process together. Then, we’ll talk about automation.

What Do You Mean by “Tailoring” My Résumé?

Tailoring your résumé means making your résumé read as though it was custom-made for a particular job description. In fact, that’s exactly what we’re going to do. 

Whether an automated ATS screening system analyzes your résumé, or a human skims it for pertinent information, you must appear like the one person who uniquely and perfectly fits the position.

Really, the only tool you have to get noticed is your résumé. Cover letters are often ignored, but not always. Either way, you still need a cover letter, but the hiring decision depends on your résumé.

Why Tailor My Résumé to Every Job?

Every job description is different. 

Different positions, different departments,  different companies, different industries, different hiring managers and recruiters. Not to mention the different skills required.

How much sense does it make that one résumé can be relevant to all these different job descriptions? It doesn’t make any sense. 

Suppose you can find an efficient way to tailor your résumé to each job description. In that case, you dramatically increase the relevancy of your skills and experience in the eyes of the screener—even an ATS. 

You have a fighting chance to get an interview.

How Do I Tailor My Résumé to a Specific Job Description?

Let’s look at this strategy in depth. 

Your goal is to customize your résumé to highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments. These must align with the job description’s requirements for the position. 

How you write and optimize your résumé is how you will be judged.

Here’s how to do it:

Analyze the Job Description

Identify Keywords: Both ATS and human screeners rely on the language of the job description to judge the résumé they’re reading. If the words don’t match, the résumé is not considered a good fit. 

Pick and highlight specific words and phrases in the job description to include in your résumé at strategic positions. If the job title is “Technical Writer,” then make sure “Technical Writer” is mentioned in your résumé (as long as it’s the truth.)

Understand the Role: Use the job description to clearly understand what the role entails, including the day-to-day responsibilities and long-term goals. Envision what it would be like to work in that role. For your own sake, make sure the job is a good fit.

Match Your Skills and Experiences

Align Your Professional Summary: Your professional summary is usually the first thing a screener reads. Use the top of your résumé for this section. Tailor your professional summary to reflect your most important qualifications for the job. 

Highlight Relevant Work Experience: Bullet-point each position listed in your work experience, and highlight duties, accomplishments, and skills that align with the job you're applying for.

Use Their Language: As I said, mimic the language and terminology in the job description. This doesn’t mean copying it verbatim but using similar phrases and keywords. Make your descriptions compelling and matching in language and tone.

Quantify Achievements

Use Numbers and Metrics: If possible, quantify your achievements with numbers, percentages, and other metrics. For example, "increased sales by 20%" or "managed a team of 10." Specific numbers are far more persuasive than vague, generalized statements.

Include Relevant Keywords Throughout

Sprinkle Keywords: You’ve already identified the main keywords of the job description. Don’t stuff them in indiscriminately. Mix them in throughout the résumé, particularly in the skills, work experience, and professional summary sections.

Customize the Skills Section

Prioritize Listed Skills: Rearrange your skills section so the most relevant skills for the job are listed first. Include both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal qualities). Locating them higher on the page makes them appear more relevant. Don’t hide your best qualifications down the page somewhere.

Address the Cover Letter Appropriately

Customize Your Cover Letter: I already mentioned that you need a cover letter. Always pair your tailored résumé with a customized cover letter. Address how your background makes you an excellent fit for this specific role and company, citing examples from your career. Keep it direct but professional, based on the kind of company you’re applying to.

Proofread and Format Appropriately

Error-free Submission: This is important. Spelling counts. Ensure your résumé and cover letter are free from typos and grammatical errors. Use a clean, professional format that makes your résumé easy to read. Most ATS scanners don’t understand misspelled words. Humans are put off by them. Grammar matters, too. It highlights your attention to detail, communication abilities, and level of education.

Automating the Résumé Tailoring Process

Our platform, AIApply.co, supports your entire job search with state-of-the-art AI tools. AI writing is perfect for tailoring your résumé, cover letter, and your follow-up email. 

AIApply.co offers these services and more. You submit your current résumé or CV, and we take over from there.

And you can start for free.

Our AI Application Kit has the following features:

  • AI Résumé builder—tailor it to a specific job description.
  • Automatic cover letter writer—same customizations as your résumé 
  • Vetted job board—good jobs with high-quality companies
  • Job interview experience — AI Mock interviews
  • AI headshot creator—upload your photos and generate a pro image
  • Résumé translator and hosting

Looking Forward

Visit AIApply.co to see all our tools and all-access pricing.

And don’t forget, you can start for free today.

You probably have questions. Contact us by email, and we’ll respond with the answers you need. 

Elevate your job search with AIApply.

And get that interview.