This is the reason why you should tailor your CV for each application and how to do it

Creating a CV is not only boring, but we also feel we are wasting our time.

This happens, in part, because we send multiple applications and we usually don't receive responses. So, we spend as little time crafting our CV as possible. Whenever we see an offer, we just take our PDF document and send it, hoping to be hired.

I have some bad news to share. The less time you spend on your CV, the more time you are unemployed.

Copying and pasting the same document always is not an option anymore. Competence is high, and we need to stand out. I didn't know about that when I first started to seek a job, and this is how I discovered it.

My realization happened by chance

After my first week at my first job, I visited my boss's office to share how I was doing. When we were finishing, he told me: "I know you don't have any experience. But your high grades in Statistics will help us a lot".

I was studying at university, and it was my first application. What would you include in your resume if you don't have any experience?

In my case, it was more or less the list of the subjects I had completed and their grades. "Statistics" popped up in front of my boss's eyes for 2 reasons:

1. I got the highest grade (10 out of 10)
2. The company manufactured machines for the Casinos.

Of course, my knowledge of the subject didn't mean anything for the job. But that was enough for him. That was different from other candidates. That single grade made my resume stand out and gave me the position.

We usually learn from our defeats. However, that first triumph taught me a valuable lesson:

You should always highlight the skills that are more relevant to the company.

That's why you must tweak your resume when applying for a position.

• If you have experience in that industry, highlight it.
• If it's an international project and you speak languages, highlight it.
• If they use a particular tool you are good at, highlight it.

Hiring managers read plenty of resumes each day. Yours needs to stand out in a few seconds. If it doesn't, it goes to the "read" pile, and you will never be contacted.

This is how to do it

You may be thinking that it sounds good, but doing it is hard.

Well, you are partially right. It is challenging. However, this is not just about creating a document but understanding what value you can bring to the company.

So, first, you need to research the company. Learn about them, check the tools they use, and figure out why they need you.

Then, open your toolbox and identify the achievements and skills you have that can be more beneficial for that company/industry. What do you have that is different from your coworkers that you can use as an advantage at that company?

The last step is to put everything together in your CV. Tie your skills and experience to their potential needs. You may be inaccurate in many of them, but the job will be yours if you nail a few.

During this assessment, you will become curious about the company and how it works. That's great information for your interview. You will have some questions to ask, you will show interest in the company (they will love it), and the meeting will look more like a conversation than an interview.

Again, some work is required, but I guarantee it pays off.

Good luck.