How to tailor your resume to a job description

1. Read the job description twice

First read it for the big picture: what problem is this person hired to solve? Then read it again and underline the skills, tools, certifications and responsibilities. Requirements listed first or repeated are usually the ones the employer cares about most.

2. Make a keyword list

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) and recruiters scan for specific terms. Copy the exact wording — "stakeholder management", "React", "GST filing" — rather than a synonym. Split it into must-haves and nice-to-haves.

3. Match each keyword to real experience

For every keyword, find something you actually did that proves it. If you have it, use the employer's wording in your bullet. If you don't, leave it out — never claim skills you don't have. Interviewers will ask about them.

4. Rewrite your summary for this role

Your top two or three lines should read like an answer to the job description: your role, years of experience, and the two or three strengths this job asks for most.

5. Reorder and trim your bullets

Move the most relevant achievements to the top of each job. Cut bullets that don't support this role. Add numbers where you honestly can — time saved, revenue, team size, users served.

6. Keep the format ATS-friendly

Use standard headings (Summary, Experience, Education, Skills), a single column, plain fonts, and no text inside images or tables. Save as a text-based PDF, not a scan.

7. Prepare for the interview it gets you

A tailored resume gets you asked about exactly the points you highlighted. Practise answering questions on each one, using real examples.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Pasting the job description into your resume or hiding keywords in white text — recruiters notice, and it reads badly.
• Adding tools or skills you've never used just because they're listed.
• Changing job titles or dates to match the role.
• Tailoring only the summary and leaving the experience section generic.