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Rising Star
I change the role that is referenced at the top, otherwise the rest is the same, and I have interviewed with Microsoft, Google, Oracle, SAP, HP and a handful of others in the last 7 months of looking. I don't know if it stands out or that ai might have even more interviews by tailoring, but my resume is getting me noticed where I want to be noticed.
FWIW I have been turned down for when a recruiter screenings at most of those same companies when applying for other roles, so only God knows what the right path is.
That's reassuring to hear. Sounds like you're getting noticed where it counts without over customizing every time.
Trying to find the right balance as well. As someone hiring, it’s completely off-putting when I get all these magical unicorns who’ve done exactly what I’m looking for word-for-word. I’ve literally stopped bringing them in on principle bc I don’t trust what they are telling me.
So, for me, not changing my resume. I’ve gotten some bites. It’s slow but that’s okay for now. I’d much rather explain how what I’ve done translates into what they need or triangulates opportunities to deliver as well as grow than I would trying to pretend that my 20-year career aligns perfectly with today’s positioning of my skills.
I really respect that approach. Trying to be a perfect match word for word can come across as forced. Explaining how your experience translates feels more honest and shows real understanding.
I'm in IT for 25+ years for Global and small companies in Tier 2/3 positions. For the right role, I will modify more now. I was using AI to match up exactly for each application knowing that I have seen much of the technology and can speak on it but the time and paperwork is beyond frustrating. I have no clue the nummber of applications, over 120 rejection emails, countless rounds of interviews. Some of it is where I live, some is where I'm willing to go, and the rest is those hiring are taking FOREVER to respond and when they do, its with so much fluff. "What excites you about working here?" NOTHING I want to pay mortgage with earned money again instead of retirement funds. I forgot about this application when I applied 6 weeks ago. Now, I just have a generalized 2 pager that hopefully has most technologies and I add in the extra items to cover letter.
That's where I'm at too, using AI to help match but making sure I can actually speak to everything I include. It's a helpful tool, but I don't want to end up listing things I can't back up in an interview.
I used to focus on 3 areas to customize my resume: the professional profile/summary with the position title from the job description, and the most recent roles with best bullets for the job description.
I’ve since realized that customizing the recent roles is like the Great Molasses Flood: it all comes together anyway.
So now, I only update the professional summary to feed the ATS and keep the resume as is. I keep my focus on job descriptions that match the resume.
Much less of a headache. Submit and move on.
I read it as ‘don’t include that you worked as a waitress after college and in between the proper jobs you had, that we really want to read about’.
Chief
I feel like I used to understand… But lately I have no clue. It feels like no way that I’ve approached it has had a positive effect on the outcome. I do recommend tiering the approach you take, like if it’s a job you really badly want you put more effort into customizing the résumé.
Yes and most of the time the one you customized for still rejects you. It’s too much going on behind the scenes to know why. Sometimes it’s experience or someone has more elite companies on their resume. Most of the time it’s salary. Near offer stage someone is cheaper. I know a few recruiters. Who usually say it’s the latter.
If “tailor your resume” comes from a recruiter or person on LinkedIn who actually charges for this. I would be leery. We all tailor and customize our resumes based on title & job description as well as CV. This is the outdated foolishness we heard in the pandemic.
That's an interesting take. I've definitely seen a lot of paid advice pushing the "tailor everything" narrative