Give yourself a competitive advantage – tailoring your resume to suit the job

Whether you are between jobs and looking for work or have a job that you are ready to move on from, having a solid resume is essential. Almost all jobs in the market still require a resume or CV as part of the application. As a result, your resume is the first impression an employer will have of you, so it is important to not make it their last impression of you. When you are applying for a job, tailoring your resume to the job description can make all the difference in setting you apart from others.

From a recruiter’s perspective, whilst it is great to read a list of diverse skills and qualities, if these skills don’t pair up with the advertised skill sets, it will do little to help you get your dream job. Generally speaking, employers spend less than 30 secs on each resume! Although a big fancy list of previous experiences and skills may look impressive to you, employers will most likely overlook any unnecessary and irrelevant information regarding the available position. Keeping your CV brief and relevant to the job will not only save time for both parties but is vital to help you stand out amongst your competitors. Always remember quality over quantity!

Here’s an example. You’ve just found an advertisement online for a full-time Lead Physiotherapist and this really sparks your interest. The advertisement stresses the importance of working in a multidisciplinary team and being an effective communicator. You send in a great resume filled with experiences and skills; however you forget to sell yourself as an effective team-player, with excellent communication skills. Instead, you choose to emphasise your abilities in working autonomously and managing your time effectively. Another applicant with the same level of experience as you mentions their teamwork and communication skills. Instantly, they have placed themselves higher on the hierarchy of ‘who is most qualified’ for the available role. And, just like that, you’ve minimised your chances to grab the opportunity!

It is even advisable for you to go one step further and conduct your own research into the company to find relevant information that is not written on the job advertisement which you can include in your resume or cover letter. For example, if the company has a client base in a rural area, you may mention any experience you have in regards to practicing in a rural location. The key is to include any skills or experiences that you think may add additional value to you as a potential candidate for an advertised position. 

Applying for jobs can be a challenging, time-consuming, and at times, almost futile exercise. However, by ensuring that you tailor your resume specifically to suit each job you are applying for, you can ultimately save yourself time and gain a competitive advantage over other applicants. That has to be worth your effort!