Great Resumes Fast » Personal Branding » 5 Key Areas to Target When Branding Your Resume

Customizing your resume for each position you apply to can be critical in today’s job search. It’s vitally important that your resume conveys that you are a perfect match for the job. When tailoring your resume to each specific position there are five key areas you want to remember to change:

1. Job Target/Title at the Top of Your Resume

Always change your target job title so that it reflects the specific position for which you are applying. This way, there is no confusion about the position you want to apply for and your experience.

2. Branded Career Summary

Make adjustments to your career summary by shifting information around and placing the most relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments FIRST.

3. Key Skills/Core Strengths

While keywords play an important role in ATS (applicant tracking software) the keywords on your resume also draw the hiring manager’s attention. Place the most relevant keywords and core strengths at the top of your core strengths/key skills section so that the hiring manager sees these first. This way, if they’re simply scanning the resume they’ll see them right away and won’t miss them.

4. Accomplishment Statements

Reword your accomplishment statements so that the most critical and relevant information is at the beginning of the bullet. This helps the initial eye scan by the lower-level HR rep who will be giving your resume the first review. It also helps those who are scanning through the document without a thorough read to spot the important info they need in order to make a decision about whether to invest more time.

5. Bullet Points

Finally, reorder your bullet points for each position so the most relevant for the position come first. For example, if you have experience in customer service and sales and you’re applying for a sales associate position put your sales-related bullet points first in each position description on your resume. Put them in order of significance from most relevant first to least relevant last. Again, this will ensure the most pertinent information gets read first in case the hiring manager doesn’t read your entire resume word for word.

Does your resume need a kick start? Check out our resume samples, consider partnering with one of our certified resume writers, or for additional job search-related advice, follow us on Twitter @GreatResume or read more articles on our blog.

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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!

62 Comments

  1. Neil on April 4, 2012 at 8:07 am

    I always say, “Tailor your Cover Letter and Resume to suit each job application”. Read the Position Description of the job you are applying for and match the needs of the employer with your own. It will take a little time and effort, but in the end, it will be well worth it.



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  3. Sherry Alvarado on April 25, 2012 at 5:02 pm

    Rewording your accomplishment statements is critical when submitting your resume.



  4. ken bedrosian on May 5, 2012 at 10:53 am

    very good information. you target accuracy. good job



  5. Irene Estrada on May 14, 2012 at 9:17 am

    Does anybody have any job leads for Case Management or Human services?



  6. Dian Sheffield on May 15, 2012 at 7:46 pm

    Valuable information. My cover letters have taken on a new perspective. Thank you



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  26. Mariana Torres-Lastra on June 26, 2012 at 9:27 pm

    Great tips you are sending! These info is very helpful to know when looking for a new position! THANKS SO MUCH!



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  53. Lucy Schultz on August 31, 2012 at 11:37 am

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