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Ways to Personalize a Resume

Personalizing your resume for each role improves your chance of getting an interview. Here are practical ways to do it.

Summary

Write a summary that reflects the target role. Mention the job title or type of role and 2–3 relevant strengths. Avoid a one-size-fits-all objective.

Keywords

Use terms from the job description in your summary, skills section, and experience bullets. Include required and preferred skills where they honestly fit. Mirror their language (e.g., "project management," "stakeholder communication").

Bullets

Reorder bullets so the most relevant achievements appear first. Add or expand bullets that match the role. Shorten or remove bullets that are less relevant so the targeted content stands out.

Order of Sections

If the job emphasizes certain areas (e.g., technical skills, leadership), put those sections higher or make them more prominent. Match the structure to the role.

What to Avoid

Do not lie or exaggerate. Only use keywords and content that accurately describe your experience. Personalizing should make your fit clearer, not invent a fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I personalize my resume?
    Tailor the summary to the role, use keywords from the job description, reorder and adjust bullets, and emphasize relevant sections.
  • Should I personalize my resume for each job?
    Yes. Personalizing improves ATS and recruiter response. At least update the summary and reorder or adjust bullets for each application.
  • What does personalizing a resume mean?
    Making the resume specific to the role: tailored summary, relevant keywords, and bullets that highlight fit for that job.
  • How much should I change my resume for each job?
    At minimum: tailor summary, reorder or adjust bullets, and add relevant keywords. More change is better when the roles differ a lot.