Web Job Applications and Tailored Resumes

Why is filling out web job applications with tailored resumes important?

Being in the field of reviewing resumes and applications and selecting the top three, I find it very easy to bypass many resumes.

You may think filling out online applications via online job boards (e.g. Careerbuilder.com, Monster.com, etc.) should be an easy and fast task because all you have to do is upload your resume, answer a few questions, and then hit the submit button.  However, that should be far from what you ought to do.  

"Luck is always the last refuge of laziness and incompetence" (James Cash Penney).  

A good interpretation of this quote could be the definition of incompetence:

Inability to do something successfully

Another quote - from the book of Proverbs 10:4 (King James Bible):

"He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand:  but the hand of the diligent maketh rich."

If you have not caught on, I'm trying to gradually but firmly establish a mind set to submit a application that will give you the best opportunity to be called for a job interview.  The best practice in applying for a job via online application is to Submit a Tailored Resume!

If you are not carefully reading the job description in the online job posting, you are wrong.  If you submit a resume that has not been updated for that particular job, you are wrong.  The difference between someone getting a call for a interview and someone NOT getting a call is directly related to what is on the resume.  There have been many times I have reviewed resumes of applicants and say to myself, "Did this person even read the job description?  Did they even look at the requirements?  They don't even have one requirement!" These type of applications I quickly skip over and move onto the next application.

If a resume has many similar key words or key phrases to that of the job description, a staffing agent or hiring manager will not hesitate to pick up the phone and try to set up a interview.  Often times (if not all the time) a staffing agent or hiring manager will use staffing software tools that will highlight key words or phrases that come from the job description.  For example, if I am looking for an administration assistant who has experience in QuickBooks and accounting I could use a staffing tool that will highlight the words:  "Administration, Admin, QuickBooks, Accounting, Account, Bookkeeping, and Book Keeping."  

For example, search results would highlight a resume like this: 

Jon Doe Resume

888-888-8888

Resume Parkway, Seattle, WA 84321

Objective

Seeking administration assistant position requiring accounting / finance skill set.

Professional Experience
Administration Assistant
Seattle, WA

• Performed month-end account payable / account receivable
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Expert level in QuickBooks.  Certified in QuickBooks User and provided training to Jr co-workers.
• Answer phones and directed visitors as a front desk Administration Assistant. 

If the resume is plastered with highlights, a staffing agent or hiring manager will not hesitate to call the candidate.  If a resume does not have many highlights, the staffing agent will most likely skip over the resume.  The lesson is to make sure your resume has many key words and phrases so you can be identified as a qualified candidate.

**Extra gold nugget - if you are not actively seeking new employment, but want to entertain new opportunities, put your resume online (e.g. Careerbuilder.com, Monster.com, etc.).  Before you post your resume online, customize your resume with key words, skill sets and expertise you have.  When staffing agents and hiring managers do custom searches for your particular skills, your resume will pop up in their searches.

Actions to take to submit a tailored resume:
1) Carefully read the Job Description.  Identify the key skills that are required for the job.  Identify key words, phrases, responsibilities, and attributes.
2) Review the company's website that has the job opening.  Learn what kind of product or service the company provides, learn the mission statement, and then try to understand or visualize how the position you are applying for will aid in what the company is accomplish.  Spending 15 to 20 minutes on this task, could pay off.
3)  Have your resume and the job description side by side and begin tailoring your resume.  Pull key words and phrases off the job description and add them to your resume.  **This does not mean to fabricate your resume with words and phrases that do not match your expertise.  This means to customize your resume so it represents you and fits the needs of the job opening.  If you do not a have skill listed in the description, do not add it to your resume.

I hope this has been helpful.  There is much more that can be done to improve your resume, but tailoring your resume is one of the most important practices to do.  After all, it is your resume that is seen first and gives you the first and most of the time the only chance to be offered a job.