Targeted Resume Writing Tips

A targeted resume is one that is written in a way that highlights skills and accomplishments that relate directly to the job you are applying for. It is a bit more time-consuming to write than a general resume, and may seem a little daunting at first. If you want to make a favorable impression on an employer and catch their attention, this is an effective way to do it. The information below offers some useful tips and suggestions for writing a targeted resume.

Research the position for which you are applying

Before you ever write the first word, do some research on the position you are applying for. Read the job advertisement so that you know exactly what they are looking for in a job candidate. If they have a website, browse that as well. Do certain things come across to you that it seems the company places added value on? Also, jot down all of your qualifications, skills and talents. As you begin to create your targeted resume, you can choose those qualifications that best suit what the company is looking for. When you can match your skill set to the requirements of the position, you have an increased chance of securing the job.

Create this Resume

How to write a targeted resume

Once you have determined what information to include that will make the most favorable impact, how do you actually write a targeted resume? Here are a few tips.

Begin with your name and contact information including physical address, telephone number and email address. This information should be placed at the top of the page.

Next, create a career objective. This should be brief, snappy and targeted toward the position. Use action verbs to prevent your information from sounding dull.

Your professional skills come next, and again these should be written in a way that related directly to the position. List any technical or interpersonal skills that apply. For example, if you are applying for a customer service management job, include information about your leadership skills. If the position entails data input, be sure to include specifics relating to your computer skills.

Now comes your professional experience section. Here, you will list past employment history. For each employer, you should list the name of the company, position held and years worked. Then proceed to list 3 to 5 bullet points that explain the most important duties and what you were responsible for in the position. Again, write this information in a way that relates to the position you are hoping to secure. For example, if you formerly worked in an office where you did a great deal of data input, those skills are still essential if you are applying for an online customer service representative job.

Finally, list information related to education and training. You will want to include any degrees, honors, awards or special achievements, including dates you attended college or training and the name of the institution. Special training courses that do not relate to the position should be left off.

These suggestions will hopefully assist you in creating an impressive targeted resume.