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Let's face it. When searching for a new job, most people feel that time is of the essence and they want to get the best results in the least amount of time possible. Unfortunately, many people employ the strategy of creating ONE resume that they can submit for multiple job postings. Sounds logical right? You'll be able to spend a lot of effort writing one good resume that can be used for many purposes. Well, while this sounds logical it isn't exactly the best practice.

A resume that is BEST for one company is usually not the BEST for another. Even if you are applying to different job postings in the same general field, job postings usually differ. Some companies may be looking for one qualification in that field versus another. For these reasons it is extremely important to make sure that you tailor your resume for each job posting. So yes, this does mean more than one resume and yes this does mean that it will take more time when it comes to resume writing, however, tailoring your resume to each specific job posting will drastically increase your chances of being called for an interview.

Why is tailoring your resume to the job posting or job description so important? The first reason is that it eliminates guesswork for your employer. When an employer receives a resume, he or she is looking for the perfect candidate. The employer has likely invested a lot of time and energy into creating a job description and/or job posting that best describes what they are looking for in a candidate. When they pick up and read resumes, they are looking for information that fits that job description. If you tailor your resume to that job description, immediately after reading your resume, they will say, 'This looks like our perfect candidate, let's call them for an interview!' Another reason that it pays to tailor your resume is that is shows that you took the time to create a resume specifically for that employer. A tailored resume usually will include, in the objective section, the specific job title as it was posted on the job description and the department/company name. This allows your resume to speak to the employer on a more personal level.

Employers are short on time. They usually have a stack of resumes to consider including yours. You want yours to shine and show them that you are the perfect candidate. Avoid 'cookie cutter resumes' and tailor your resume for each employer's job description.