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Let’s cut to the chase: If you want to maximize your chances of landing the job, avoid using the exact same resume for every position you apply to. There’s no “one candidate to rule them all” approach, unless you use a foundational template and tailor it to the specific requirements of each job, such as professional experience, skill sets, and other criteria.
To alleviate the pressure of customizing your applications and enhance your success prospects, we have some helpful suggestions for you.
Should I Modify or No?
For each job application, you need a profile that aligns with the requirements mentioned in the job description, as we mentioned earlier. Having a base profile where you can add or modify details specific to each job is immensely useful, as the CV structure remains consistent even if you change the section order. This way, you can easily remove any irrelevant information and make minor adjustments to the content or appearance before sending it out.
However, when a company requests a unique resume or when you come across a position similar to one you’ve applied for before, complications arise. In such cases, it’s best to start from scratch, considering the specific requirements of the desired job. The same principle applies to cover letters; you should aim to write fresh letters for each position and only reuse relevant content from previous documents or your master file.
Considering the above, it’s advisable to create customized resumes and cover letters for each job you apply for and maintain a comprehensive master document on LinkedIn. Since your LinkedIn profile is likely to be checked, sometimes without your knowledge, it serves as an ideal place to include all relevant information – especially since it can accommodate details that may not fit within the length constraints of a traditional resume.
Customizing with Resume Builders
If you use online resume builders, customizing existing documents becomes even easier. You can upload your main application in formats like PDF, DOC, TXT, or others, using it as a foundation for future CVs. Many resume builders allow you to save multiple versions of your documents. You can modify the new versions in various ways, such as rearranging sections and information, using pre-written phrases or keywords, and even altering the CV template, fonts, margins, spacing, and other elements.
Other modifications include UploadCopy and PastePre-Written Phrases.
You can also create various cover letters with an online application builder. The software provides pre-written phrases that can serve as a base, but it’s recommended to add your own words to make the cover letter more unique and appealing to employers.
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