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Tailoring Your Resume

Generic resumes get generic results. Learn how to use ApplyrFlow's insights to create targeted resumes that get noticed.

Why Tailor Your Resume?​

For ATS Systems​

Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems that:

  • Scan for specific keywords
  • Rank candidates by relevance
  • Filter out non-matching resumes

A tailored resume includes the right keywords.

For Hiring Managers​

Recruiters spend ~7 seconds on initial resume review:

  • Tailored resumes show relevant experience first
  • Matching keywords catch their attention
  • Custom summaries show you understand the role

Video Walkthrough​

Watch how to create a tailored resume step-by-step:

Using ApplyrFlow for Tailoring​

Step 1: Analyze the Job​

  1. Save the job you want to apply for
  2. Run an analysis
  3. Review the results carefully

Step 2: Review Missing Keywords​

Look at the Missing Skills section:

Missing from your resume:
- Stakeholder management
- Budget planning
- Cross-functional teams

Step 3: Identify Addressable Gaps​

For each missing keyword, ask:

  • "Do I have this experience?" → Add it to resume
  • "Can I spin existing experience?" → Reframe it
  • "Is this truly missing?" → Address in cover letter

Step 4: Update Your Resume​

Create a targeted version that includes:

  • Relevant keywords naturally incorporated
  • Reordered bullet points (most relevant first)
  • Customized summary/objective

What to Customize​

Summary Section​

Before (generic):

Experienced professional seeking new opportunities in a dynamic environment.

After (tailored):

Product Manager with 5 years of experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver SaaS products. Proven track record in stakeholder management and budget planning.

Skills Section​

Reorder to put matching skills first:

For a Data Analyst role:

Skills: SQL, Python, Tableau, Data Visualization,
        Statistical Analysis, Excel, Presentation

Experience Bullet Points​

Reframe accomplishments using job keywords:

Before:

Led team projects and managed deadlines

After:

Led cross-functional teams of 8+ members, managing project budgets of $500K and stakeholder communications

Creating Multiple Resume Versions​

  1. Keep a master resume with all experience
  2. Create targeted versions for different roles
  3. Name them clearly: "Resume_DataAnalyst" or "Resume_TechPM"

Managing Versions in ApplyrFlow​

  1. Upload each version separately
  2. Give descriptive names
  3. Select the right version when analyzing jobs
  4. Track which version you used for each application

Keywords to Focus On​

High-Impact Keywords​

These matter most:

  • Job title variations
  • Required technical skills
  • Industry-specific terms
  • Action verbs from the listing

Keyword Placement​

Include keywords in:

  • Summary/objective
  • Skills section
  • Experience bullets
  • Even education if relevant
Don't Keyword Stuff

Never add skills you don't have. Incorporate keywords naturally into real accomplishments.

Quick Tailoring Checklist​

Before applying to a job:

  • Ran analysis and reviewed match score
  • Identified missing keywords I can address
  • Updated summary to reflect the role
  • Reordered skills section for relevance
  • Emphasized matching experience in bullets
  • Removed irrelevant information
  • Proofread for consistency

When NOT to Tailor​

Don't over-customize when:

  • Applying to many similar roles: Use a single optimized version
  • Time is limited: A good generic resume beats no application
  • Match score is already high (80%+): Focus on cover letter instead

Measuring Success​

Track your tailoring effectiveness:

  1. Note which resume version you use for each job
  2. Track which versions get interviews
  3. Look for patterns in successful applications
  4. Continuously improve your templates

Use Analytics to see application-to-interview rates by resume version.

Tips from Recruiters​

Focus on Relevance

"I want to see why you're right for THIS job, not every job you've ever wanted." - Tech Recruiter

Quantify Everything

"Numbers catch my eye. '50% increase' is better than 'significant improvement'." - Hiring Manager

Mirror the Language

"If we say 'client' and you say 'customer', that's fine. But if we have a specific term like 'stakeholder', use it." - HR Director