Tailoring Your Resume
Don't underestimate the importance of demonstrating to an employer how YOU meet their qualifications for the job! Employers expect that you have the ability to communicate what you have to offer to their organization utilizing specific, concrete examples of past and present behavior. The information provided here is designed to see if YOU have what the organization is looking for in a candidate!
This exercise will allow you to focus on how you match the job qualifications being sought by the organization, which will allow you to better articulate that to the employer. Be sure to use this information not only in your resume but also in your cover letter and especially in the interview! Instructions on how to use this exercise are below:
Column 1
List the qualifications the organization is seeking in a candidate by reviewing the job advertisement/posting. If you do not have this information, research the job utilizing our website's Career Exploration Resources page, which includes SIGI 3, O*Net, OOH, and What Can I Do With This Major?
Column 2
List specific examples from your background showing that you have the qualifications sought. Examples can be from your work experiences, involvement in student organizations, working on team projects in courses, volunteer work, etc.
Sample Job Tailoring Exercise
Job Title: Management Trainee | |
Qualifications organization is seeking in job candidate: |
My qualifications: |
Bachelor's degree in business-related field |
Bachelor of Arts, Management |
Customer service experience |
Acquired over five years of customer service |
Marketing-related experience |
Designed several promotional fliers marketing |
Strong work ethic and highly |
Worked two jobs simultaneously while also |
Excellent organizational skills and |
Maintain a day planner - and check frequently |
Leadership experience |
As Sales Associate, supervised and trained new |
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills with strong focus on teamwork |
All jobs and educational experiences via class |
Why I Want This Job
Write a concise paragraph on WHY you want this job to clarify and organize your thoughts! It is very important for the employer to hear why you want to work for them - both in written correspondence and on the interview!
Sample Paragraph
In researching XYZ Corporation, I discovered that you pride yourself on quality, commitment, trust, and respect in both sales and service. Additionally, I am impressed with your strong commitment and dedication to quality customer service and ensuring the return visit of each customer. The annual report illustrates that the growth of your company will increase by 35% over the next three years - I want to be a positive part of that growth by applying my education, experience, and enthusiasm.