TAILORING YOUR
RESUME AND
COVER LETTER
many open positions receive over 250 applications
Here’s how to do it: keywords.
Tailoring your resume and cover letter is all
about including the right keywords. How do
you do that? It’s a simple two-step process.
Take a look at the job description. The
keywords that relate to you will be pretty
obvious. They will relate to things like:
∙
Wording used to describe
the business and position
∙
Skills required
∙
Types of experience the employer
is looking for
Step 1
Identify how your background and
skills align with the role.
250+
Why tailor?
Hiring managers often rely on software to
select the best candidates by scanning for
keywords in resumes, cover letters and
even LinkedIn profiles. Other employers
look for keywords manually. If your
materials lack the keywords they’re looking
for, you may get overlooked.
In today’s highly competitive job market,
customizing both your resume and cover letter
to each individual position will differentiate you
from other applicants and demonstrate that you
are the ideal fit for the opportunity. This is often
the difference between getting an interview and
being passed over.
Job Ad
Cover Letter
Highlight and write down the likely keywords. Pay close attention to the specific
wording used. Once you’ve compiled a list, you should be able to draft a brand
statement that follows this format:
Think about what might make you different from any other
qualified candidate (sometimes this is a specific passion
you have, or something compelling about your background,
that seems relevant to the position). Be sure to make this
claim clearly in the cover letter and audit the resume to
make sure it supports this claim.
Here are two examples:
It’s time to tailor. Look for any opportunity to use
the keywords—the specific words, as much as
possible—throughout your resume.
Do the same in your cover letter—look for
opportunities to use keyword language in
how you articulate your experience, skills,
personal strengths, goals and passions.
Don’t be afraid to use the same keyword
more than once.
∙
In your summary statement
∙
In your experience section
∙
In your skills section
Step 2
Incorporate the keywords into your resume and cover letter.
Differentiate
Yourself!
“ My academic background in marketing, my
skills in social media and data analysis, as
well as my interest in pursuing a career in food
branding make me an excellent candidate for
this opportunity.”
“ My three years of experience in sales and customer
service, my skills in fundraising and development,
and my passion for helping diverse communities
access health-focused education make me an
excellent candidate for this position.”
LINCOLN PARK: (773) 325-7431 | LOOP: (312) 362-8437
careercenter.depaul.edu | depaul.joinhandshake.com
, ,
MY
and
MAKE ME AN EXCELLENT CANDIDATE FOR THIS
OPPORTUNITY.
