Recent studies show most recruiters spend fewer than ten seconds reviewing your resume.  And many businesses use an automated system to review them before they are passed on to a human. How can you build your resume to capture attention and get the jobs you want? Customization works. Consider five steps to help you do it.

1. Analyze the Job Posting

Your resume should be customized for each position you apply for, and the job posting should be the basis for doing it. Carefully analyze the job description and take note of the following.

• Position title – Although you might be applying for similar positions, companies use different job titles for similar work.
• Duties and responsibilities – Ensure you understand them and note your relevant experience that matches them.
• Skill requirements – Some skills are preferred, but others are required. Before submitting a resume, ensure you meet the requirements.

2. Create a Summary

The top of your resume should include a summary of your education, skills, and experience that directly relate to the job you want. Use three to six bullets to highlight key qualifications, including:

• Technical skills
• Licenses and certifications
• Soft skills

Customization at the top of the document makes it easy for the reviewer to see you’re qualified for the position. And maybe more time than usual will be spent on the rest of your resume.

3. Highlight Relevant Skills

If you have all of the required skills for the position, change your resume to include the terms used in the job description. Even if your current document lists the skills in different terms, adjust it and use the terminology found in the job description.

For example: A job description might request proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word. If your resume only references Microsoft Office, add the specifics so an automated system—or a human—will notice your qualifications.

4. Animate Your Work Experience

Summaries of your work experience should be brief. Instead of providing a list of duties, state what you accomplished in each position. Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments that are relevant to the position you want. Some verb examples include:

• Coordinated
• Developed
• Initiated
• Managed
• Organized

5. Expand Your Options

There are many paths to obtaining the jobs you really want. Temporary or temp-to-hire positions are often overlooked. But they can give you experience in a variety of work environments. And they give you and an employer time to determine if the job is a good fit for both of you.

Our Staffing Services Can Help

Priority One Staffing has partnerships with top employers in the Baltimore, MD area. We can help you get your resume noticed and match you with employers that have the jobs you want. Search for opportunities with us.