As an Executive Resume Writer, I’m an advocate of customizing each resume based on the role being targeted. Does this mean you need to have 20+ versions of your resume floating around??
Absolutely, and THANKFULLY, not!
In my experience as an Executive Resume Writer, with minor tweaks, you can best show the reader that you are ideally suited for the role.
Below are the 4 areas where I recommend focusing your attention – allowing for quick customization rather than a complete overhaul:
#1 Headline
There’s no easier way to set the stage for the reader than to ensure your headline aligns with the job target. The best part is that it takes just a few seconds to make the tweak!
Note the difference in the messaging based on these minor tweaks:
- IT Program Manager
- IT Program Manager Specializing in Cloud Transformation
- Banking IT Program Manager
As you can see, 3 different headlines set the stage for 3 slightly different job targets.
#2 Summary or Branding Paragraph
By adding or omitting a word or 2 or even a sentence, you can connect the dots for the reader as to why you are ideally suited for a particular role.
Pulling from the above-referenced Program Manager example, if you are targeting an IT program manager role in a different industry, you’ll want to showcase industry diversity.
Your branding paragraph might include a sentence that reads:
“Directed several end-to-end technology projects supporting financial services, healthcare and nonprofits.”
If you are targeting a role in Cloud transformation IT program management, you should call out that your experience centers around this. You could include a sentence that reads:
“Directed several end-to-end technology projects that supported company’s transition from legacy to cloud-based systems.”
If you are targeting an IT Program Manager role within a bank, if you’ve worked at banks, your sentence could read:
“Directed several end-to-end technology projects for Wells Fargo, BB&T and Bank of America.”
By making tweaks to this same sentence, you are
1) Sharing a bit about your unique career history that will differentiate your resumes from those of so many others that never take this step.
2) Showing the reader how your experience aligns quite well with the role you are targeting.
#3 Skills
When I work with a client to craft their resume, I always ask them to send me a handful of job postings of interest from anywhere in the country.
What I’ve found is that when job seekers are clear on their target, the postings turn out to be largely similar at their core – with one exception – the list of required skills.
This is because each industry and company has its own unique lingo and terminology.
As an example, I recently reviewed 3 different job postings for HR Business Partner and discovered one skill referenced 3 different ways:
- “Business Planning”
- “Business Strategy”
- “Organization Strategy & Planning”
In essence, these companies require a candidate with the same skillset but have referenced it using 3 slightly different terms.
I recommend appealing to the company by speaking their language – which means reviewing the skills listed on your resume and tweaking them to match.
#4 Strategic Bullet Ordering
When readers are in a rush (and they almost always are), there’s no guarantee they will read every bullet or paragraph in a resume. In fact, I only count on them getting to the first one during that first pass!
For that reason, I advise job seekers to make sure the first bullet associated with each role is impactful – and aligns mostly strongly with the targeted role.
Example #1: Let’s say the role you are targeting is one where you need to lead a brand-new team. In this case, you’d want to move this bullet to the very top:
“Built and led ground-up team that grew revenues to $1.5M in 18 months – well surpassing 2020 forecasted goals.”
Example #2: Through your research, you’ve discovered the company you are targeting recently merged with another company and has plans to continue growing through acquisition.
You might want to move this bullet to the top so it’s the first thing the reader sees:
“Led company’s post-acquisition culture, process and systems integration that earned accolades from Executive Leadership as one of its most seamless.”
In need of some career advice, guidance about how to write an executive resume or a rebranded LinkedIn?
As the founder and chief (sole!) executive resume writer at Virginia Franco Resumes, offering customized executive resume and LinkedIn profile writing services for the 21st-century job seeker, I’d be happy to chat!BOOK NOWfor your free resume consult.
VAFrancoResumes@gmail.com | VirginiaFrancoResumes.com | Call/text 704-771-8572