How to Match Your Resume to the Job Description
Have you ever applied for a job you’re qualified for and didn’t get invited for an interview? Have you wondered why such an invitation didn’t come? How do you react to a failed application? What can make hiring managers turn down your job application? What makes a resume outstanding, great, and a perfect fit for an advertised position in a particular organization? Well, you may have the best resume, cover letter, and application and still not get an invite for an interview. This reason might be because your resume didn’t match the job description.
Most experts and analysts recommend that job seekers and candidates should always ensure that their resumes match the job description. You may probably wonder why it is necessary. Also, you may be tempted to skip and ignore the advice. Admittedly, it takes time to match your resume to a particular job description especially if it is lengthy and demanding. However, nothing good comes easy; moreover, matching the content of your resume to the job description will surely make a huge difference in the number of organizations, companies, and firms that call you back and book you for an interview. Remember, these organizations and employers use software or technology like the applicant tracking system to screen resumes. The ATS grade resumes that match the job description are higher than those that do not match.
Additionally, resume preparation and arrangement shouldn’t be a one-time experience; instead, it should be a continuous process. This will make your job search to be more effective and efficient. Hence, you should take the time to customize and arrange your resume to match the job description for every new application you make. You will get or receive more feedback from interested organizations and companies. Relatively, a resume that matches the job description help to connect the dots for hiring managers and organizations who are often flooded and overwhelmed by numerous applications from a pool of generic job seekers. Employers do not need you to prove that you are an experienced professional in general. Instead, they want you to show that you are a perfect fit for a specific position or role. A well-prepared resume that matches the description of such a position can help do that.
Meaning of a Job Description
A job description is a written narrative that describes the general tasks or other duties and responsibilities of a position. It may specify the functionary to whom the position reports, specifications such as the qualifications or skills needed by the person in the job, information about the equipment, tools, and work maids used, working conditions, physical demands, and a salary range. Job descriptions are usually narrative, but some may comprise a simple list of competencies.
What does it mean to Match Your Resume to the Job Description?
For most job openings, a particular skill set is desired to perform specific tasks. Matching your resume involves recognizing and highlighting those skills and responsibilities in the job description and making it obvious that you are up to the task. Your goal is to draw the shortest line possible between your experience and what is stated in the job description.
Tips to Consider on How to Match Your Resume to the Job Description
You should consider the following tips below to match your resume to the job description;
- Read through the job posting thoroughly.
- Compare your resume to the job description
- Match the skills and keywords from the job description.
- Find out what the organization is most interested in.
- Proofread and review everything to ensure that all the information is added.
Read through the job posting: The first step to ensuring that your resume matches the job description is by reading through the job opening. Applicants make the mistake of skipping details and focusing only on closing dates for the submission of applications when they discover that they qualify for the advertised role. However, you should pay attention to the job description. You can even write down each requirement, responsibility, or skill highlighted in the job posting. Also, make sure that you take note of all the keywords used in the job posting; it will come in handy.
Compare your resume to the job posting: Next, you should open your resume and compare it to the job description. While comparing, go through the job description line by line and take note of each point in the description. Ideally, you should ask yourself the following questions when comparing your resume to the job description;
- Does the information on my resume state or depicts what I can do clearly?
- How can I point to this skill from the job description on my resume quickly?
- Is the language in my resume the same as the job description?
- Am I using the same format as the job description?
There is a chance that you will find several keywords and skills missing in your generic resume when making this comparison.
Match the skills and keywords from the job description: Mirroring the language, keywords, and buzzwords found within the job description is the easiest way to prove that you are a better candidate. Make a list of the keywords and skills included especially any that were used repeatedly. Start with the job title; a hiring manager’s first search will be for people who have done the job before. Therefore, make sure you list your job title clearly on your resume under your Work Experience section. If you haven’t held the job before, you can list it under your name at the top or as part of a summary section.
The next most important keywords are hard skills. These are often technical skills learned through experiences like project management, knowledge of software or tools, reception, certifications, writing, or payroll. Whether a recruiter is skimming your resume or an ATS is analyzing it, these are the words that will help catch their attention. Match them verbatim to the job description when possible.
Find out what the organization is most interested in: You should pay attention to the skills and expertise mentioned first or multiple times. If the job description asks for something that you forgot or deemphasized, add it prominently. Also, start each new job entry in your work experience section with skills and qualifications that are found in the job description, even if they weren’t the most important part of your day-to-day responsibilities when in the roles.
In addition, emphasizing and deemphasizing your resume skills is not the same as lying on your resume. Few applicants have every skill and meet every qualification. Matching your resume to the job description is aimed at making sure the hiring manager or employer notices the ones you do have.
Proofread and review everything to ensure that all the information is added: Once you are comfortable that you’ve covered everything possible on your resume in terms of what the job description asks for, do what the hiring manager would do. Lay your resume side by side with the job description and glance through it. Does everything fit and make sense? Is anything missing? Will the organization or company be able to see why you chose to apply for the position and why you are interested? If the answer to these questions is yes, you can go ahead and save everything.