Writing a Tailored Resume

Writing a Tailored ResumeWriting a tailored resume for an employer who knows that you are applying for a job can be a difficult undertaking. While it is normal to create a resume with which to outline your work history, it is also important to understand the difference between a resume and a cover letter.Both kinds of documents will help you tell the employer why you want the position and what you can bring to the company, but there are subtle differences that make one a better fit than the other. A tailored resume focuses on each individual and highlights accomplishments and skills that would be valuable in a particular position. It is similar to an objective or job description.There are two kinds of resumes: chronological and functional. Chronological resumes represent the jobs you have already held, while functional resumes show what position you are applying for. Many applicants are left in the dark when it comes to writing a functional resume; they don't understand what it actua lly does or how to write it.Functional resumes are much more concise than their chronological counterparts, because they are focused on career objectives. Functional resumes focus on jobs that you held, the skills and knowledge you have acquired in those positions, and the most recent position you held. A functional resume also includes areas where you may be deficient, such as any gaps in employment that may indicate that you lack necessary skills. For instance, if you worked for a company as a service representative for many years, but recently did not provide services for another customer, a functional resume focuses on the most recent position you held in the same company.It is far easier to write a functional resume than a chronological one, because it focuses on the areas you know about or the work you have already done. You should use bullet points to help you highlight specific skills you have in your relevant area. The goal of a functional resume is to make the hiring manag er aware of skills and abilities that might not otherwise be apparent on a chronological resume.One reason why a functional resume may be viewed as a 'dormant' document for many people is that the purpose of a chronological resume is to give the hiring manager an opportunity to see what you can do for them. Whereas, a functional resume tells the hiring manager exactly what you are looking for, so that they can find the most appropriate position for you. It is important to understand that most potential employers get job descriptions from other employers, not resumes.By using functional resume examples, some of the information listed on a chronological resume will be omitted. An example of a functional resume will focus on the skills and knowledge you possess in each area of employment you have held. It will list specific skills you have gained and teach you how to demonstrate those skills in a job opening.In order to write a tailored resume that will sell your resume, be sure to fol low these guidelines. Make sure that you target the details that will help you be the best person for the job you are seeking, not the details that only appeal to you or that you think would make you look good.