Great Resumes Fast » Resume Writing Tips » 4 Tips for Making Your Resume A Perfect Match for Any Opening

When a hiring manager reviews your resume you want them to say, “Wow! That person sounds like the perfect fit for the job!” And then, of course, they call you for the interview! So how do you create a resume that communicates that you’re exactly what they’re looking for in a new employee? Below are four tips for creating a perfect-match resume.

Customization is critical

Remember, you always want to tweak your resume when you apply for a job. No two positions are exactly alike, and each employer is going to have different standards and requirements that are very important to them. Key in on those requirements, and be sure to incorporate them into your resume. You’ll know what these requirements are by reviewing the job advertisement and noting special keywords throughout; or, in most cases, the employer will state required skills or preferred qualifications. You’re a perfect match when you meet all of the required and preferred qualifications. Which leads me to my next point.

Required and preferred skills are essential

When reviewing the description for a job opening, be careful to note exactly what the employer lists as required and preferred. This is critical information. You want to make sure your resume communicates very clearly that you possess all of the required skills. This means you’re capable of doing the job and performing the essential functions. Preferred qualifications are the employer’s wish list of things they’d like to have in a new employee. They can live without them, but if you can prove you possess them, you just upped the ante for the other candidates being considered and are one step closer to positioning yourself as the ideal candidate.

Keywords are a must

Scan the opening for important keywords listed throughout. Chances are any recruiter or HR person is going to use these keywords when searching job boards for your resume. You want to make sure these keywords are listed throughout your resume or the applicant-tracking software the organization is using won’t pull your resume in the search results.

Don’t forget about branding

Branding your resume is important to your job search, but it is also vital to proving you’re the perfect fit for an opening. You need to think about what makes you unique as a candidate. What can you offer that others can’t? Show the employer you can offer them value and benefit that others cannot. Do this through a branding statement, branded career summary, and metrics-driven accomplishment statements.

Creating a resume that communicates you’re a perfect fit for an open position can be challenging, but following these simple tips can make the process easier and less painstaking.

It’s important to remember to brand your resume before applying to each new position for more information on branding check out my recent article 5 Key Areas to Target When Branding Your Resume. You can also get additional job search and career related advice by checking out our blog or following us on Twitter @GreatResume.

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About the author

Jessica Hernandez, President, CEO & Founder of Great Resumes Fast

Hi, I’m Jessica. I started this company back in 2008 after more than a decade directing hiring practices at Fortune 500 companies.

What started as a side hustle (before that was even a word!) helping friends of friends with their resumes has now grown into a company that serves hundreds of happy clients a year. But the personal touch? I’ve kept that.

You might have seen me featured as a resume expert in publications like Forbes, Fast Company, and Fortune. And in 2020, I was honored to be named as a LinkedIn Top Voice of the year!

I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to help you find your next perfect-fit position!

8 Comments

  1. […] your resume each time you apply for jobs you’re qualified for? (If you’re not, see my article: “4 Tips for Making Your Resume a Perfect Match”.) If you are tailoring your resume to the position (using the tips mentioned in the above article) […]



  2. […] your resume each time you apply for jobs you’re qualified for? If you’re not, see my article: “4 Tips for Making Your Resume a Perfect Match”. If you are tailoring your resume to the position (using the tips mentioned in the above article) […]



  3. […] other candidates. For more information on how to customize your resume check out my recent article 4 Tips for Making Your Resume A Perfect Match for Any Opening. If you would like assistance creating a customized resume for your job search contact us […]



  4. […] the Author: A nationally recognized resume expert, Jessica Hernandez is President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast and a former human resources manager and recruiter. With more than ten years’ experience […]



  5. […] As always, customize your resume before sending it out or applying online. For more information about that, check out my recent article: 4 tips for making your resume a perfect match for any opening. […]



  6. […] your resume each time you apply for jobs you’re qualified for? If you’re not, see my article: “4 Tips for Making Your Resume a Perfect Match”. If you are tailoring your resume to the position (using the tips mentioned in the above article) […]



  7. […] For more information on how to customize your resume, check out my recent article 4 Tips for Making Your Resume a Perfect Match for Any Opening. […]



  8. Eve Mitchell on June 28, 2023 at 2:18 pm

    It’s good to know that adding keywords to your resume is crucial. I’d like to update my resume since I’m trying to find a job after having my baby. Now that he’s a year old, I’d like to go back to work, so I need a better resume.



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