How to Tailor Applications for Specific Positions

There is no one-size-fits-all when applying for a job. Personalizing your application for a specific job makes you stand out more compared to other applicants and to the employer that you are interested in taking the role. When applying through a cover letter, resume, or online application, make sure that you personalize your approach to draw the attention of the hiring manager. We’ll talk about why tailoring your application is important along with how to get it right in this article.

Why Tailoring Your Application Matters

Usually, for a solitary posting, hundreds of applications are received. The vast majority of the applications are general-that is, not tailored to any one position. By tailoring your application you prove that you will put out extra effort, and you’re taking an honest interest in the position offered. That will make you stand out from the rest and increase your chances of getting a call for an interview.

Customizing your application will also make it easier to really let them see those skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job, which really makes it a lot clearer why you’re the good fit for the job. In other words, rather than shoveling through your whole resume trying to find the important stuff, you’re serving it right up front to them.

Now, let’s go step by step through how you can tailor your job application to specific positions.

Step 1: Research the Company and Job

• Do your homework before you start to write your resume or cover letter: Research the company and the specific job you are applying for-including what the company stands for. Knowing its values will help you tailor your application to fit in with their culture.

• Job Description: Read their job description very carefully and highlight relevant keywords regarding the experience and qualifications they look for. This will also help you customize your application.

• Company Culture: Check a little on the work culture by visiting their website or social media platforms. If that is team-oriented or creative, show them how you feel about it.

Example

If the target job is marketing in an organization that sells green products, then such experiences that relate to green marketing or the environment must feature your emotions about nature.

Step 2: Tailor Your Resume

Your resume should reflect the position you are applying for, not just a recitation of past jobs. Here’s how you can tailor it for the job:

• Keywords from the Job Description: Most of the companies currently use ATS, and they only scan resumes to detect words which conform to the description of a job. In case your resume does not contain these words, your resume might never reach a human eye. Hence, take keywords from the job description and insert them in your resume: “project management,” “SEO,” or “customer service.”

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Be cautious not to try to include all that you have done in your life but instead focus on the most relevant ones for the job you are applying for. If it is a project management job, you have to make sure that it hits on managing projects. You could have another job, but make sure the particular jobs highlight or could have prepared you for the role you’re applying for.

• Summary or Objective Statement Update: If you have a summary or objective atop your resume, these should be job-specific. In this section describe how your background and skills go directly to the position for which you are applying. For example, if you’re a teaching candidate your summary may include: Experienced educator with 5+ years of classroom experience and a proven passion for innovative teaching methods.

• Quantify Your Accomplishments: If you can quantify what you’ve done, do that. For example, instead of “boosted sales,” you write “boosted sales by 20% in six months.” That really puts a face on the experience and makes it much more impressive.

For example

Applying as a customer service representative with job requirements including problem-solving: Put in specifics of times you solved problems for customers in previous jobs.

Step 3: Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out

In your cover letter, you get to speak directly to the hiring manager, so don’t blow it by using the same letter for every job. This is how you can make your cover letter really stand out:

• Salutation to the Hiring Manager’s Name: While you should know who to send your application to, it is always best to find out the name of the person reading it. This will always show that you have done your homework and the letter will add that personal touch. In fact, if you can’t find a name, don’t worry and use “Hiring Manager” as fine.

• State Company and Position: In your first paragraph, tell the reader precisely which job you are applying for and why you are excited about this opportunity. This will immediately make clear to the employer that your letter isn’t a scattershot copy paste.

• Connect Your Experience to the Job: While your resume only reprints itself, your cover letter will explain why your experience will make you the ideal candidate for this specific job. For instance, if teamwork is emphasized in the job description as one of the essential qualities, then give an example of a situation that reflects how you worked well as part of a team.

• Expressed Interest for the Organization: Why do you want to work for this company? Do you like the mission? Have you ever used one of their products before? Let your passion show-in it all makes a difference.

Example: I’m particularly excited to apply for this position because I admire the commitment your company has toward an eco-friendly practice. In my previous role, I developed a social media campaign that was set up fairly successfully on sustainability issues that are in line with brand values.”

Step 4: Follow the Instructions

Sigh. Obvious, but no one seems to follow application instructions verbatim sometimes. And if it specifically says that you must send it as a PDF, then you must attach it as a PDF. But if it instructs that you should attach the cover letter inside the email body, then don’t attach it as an attachment. Simple ways hiring managers can crush your application when you don’t follow things to the letter.

Step 5: Proofread and Edit

Check everything before you send in your application. Typos or grammatical errors can give your supposed rushed look at your application. Have somebody else proofread your resume and cover letter; maybe a friend or member of the family, just to give you a different perspective on it.

Conclusion

Of course, preparing will add extra time and effort when making a tailored job application, but that is the best use of it. This way, a resume and a cover letter customized for this purpose open more opportunities for standing above other applicants and getting noticed by the employer. One has the opportunity to make clear and undeniable that he or she is not another application; the right person for the job is right there.

FAQ’s