Every job application deserves a customized CV
When you are looking for a new job, you start with creating your CV. As you send out your application to several openings, you start to wonder if you really should update and adapt your CV for each. It takes a lot of time, so is it worth the effort?
The solution is an exercise of balance. You need to invest in your CV, as the competition for each position is high and you need to increase your chances. On the other hand, spending hours on a single application is not going to lead anywhere. This time is better spent on other activities, such as learning a new skill, networking or making sure you do not get depressed.
Customize your resume for each position, but don’t overdo it
Every job you apply for is different. Recruiters appreciate a resume that is tailored for the opening, while highlighting your personal strong points. It is easy to get carried away, so it is important to find the right balance of effort and quality when creating customized resumes.
Each opening is a lot of work for the recruiter
An average open position attracts 200 applications. This is a big pile through which a recruiter has to go in order to make an initial selection. Consequently, the first impression you can give is only a short one: on average 6 seconds. This means that a recruiter will spend 6 seconds looking at your resume (on which you spend quite a bit more time) and make a decision to put you on the “no”, “maybe” or “yes” pile.
Your job is to make those 6 seconds the best for the recruiter.
The competition is tough
Statistically your chances are pretty low of getting to the next step, the job interview. The competition is high and there are very likely to be some (over)qualified candidates you need to trump.
Take into account that at least some people really badly want this job, so they spend hours in analyzing the company and reworking their resume. The good news is that a candidate can only learn so much from an opening and the company history
[…] you are sending them a version of yourself that’s based on your guess as to what they’re looking for. You’d have to be a pretty good guesser to make that worthwhile. — source
It is definitely a good idea to do basic research on the position and the company. Invest your time wisely, so you get the most value out of your time invested.
Customize smartly
Sending out a generic resume to each opening will lower your chances.
From an employer’s perspective, anyone who’s unwilling to invest the time and effort to put their best foot forward in their resume is probably also unwilling to make a contribution to their organization. And giving that impression with your resume will get you rejected, no matter how qualified you may be for a job. — source
Spending hours for each is overkill.
If I spent a couple of hours on each cover letter/resume bundle, I’d be depressed and crabby…and that depressed crabbiness would probably show in the finished product, in my interviews, and in my interactions with my family and friends. That’s bad. — source
The good approach is to customize smartly. If you spend a moderate amount of time for each resume, you will improve your chances and avoid wasting time.
Some elements of your resume, such as your personal brand are solid and do not require any modifications. Other elements, such as vocabulary and content, can be tailored for the opening. You should repeat keywords you found in the position description and uncover the real “pain” behind the job.
Most recruiters are no experts in the field of the job opportunity. Make it easier for them by using the same vocabulary as in the job opening. Avoid copy-pasting though, this is again an exercise in balance. You can always test this by giving the job opening and your resume to someone who is not an expert and ask them if they think you would qualify.
On the other hand, make sure your content matches the job opening. Any information that does not add value to convince the recruiter that you are the best person for the job, should be discarded. Make it easy for the recruiter to understand why you simply are the best.
Go for it!
It is highly recommended to customize your resume for each opening. Competition is high and any advantage can give you the edge. If you take a smart approach, you don’t have to waste hours for each, but can still get great results. This will save you some time for other important matters.
Good luck!
Stay tuned for more blogposts with concrete tips for your resume!
