How to Write Multiple Resumes

Having a variety of different resumes available for your job search is an imperative tool when looking for a job. This is true if you are willing to consider a broad range of possible opportunities. This is also a plus if you have an ecclectic experiential portfolio. Tailor your background descriptions to meet the needs of the job you are currently considering before you send a resume. This will not only make you appear to be a better fit for the job, it will likely land you an interview. You can even get an interview even if you are "light" on the experience they are requesting.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Rewrite your resume so that you have a master document with all the dates, duties and accomplishments for each job you have held. Later, you will prepare several others that are written to apply to specific positions within a company, using the master document as your guide. Sending a cover letter--one that ties into the job requirements the company is seeking--is always a good ploy, but it is not enough. The resume must be consistent with the descriptions you use in the cover letter, or your presentation will be disjointed.

2. Set up the appropriate segments of the resume to include the words that describe or match the company advertisement or job description you have available to review. You may not wish to spend the time doing this for all jobs. This is time consuming, but it is worth it for those jobs you desperately want. Never misrepresent yourself or lie about your background. This will always come back to haunt you at some point in the future.

3. Continue to prepare multiple resumes to send as needed for other jobs that are different from your primary job search position. Switch the "Position Seeking" section to be exactly the position that is available (or something close to it if it's very unusual). Be sure to include dates and years of experience in vital skills they are seeking for each job.

4. Prepare a resume that highlights and starts off with the applicable jobs that you are wanting to go back to now. This is necessary if you are returning to a career after a break from it. You need not give an employer a chronological resume, but you will want to account for all your years of experience since college or high school. This can easily be done during the interview or on an application. Note that your resume should mention of these years with a brief description, so you do not leave gaps in your employment history.

5. 

   Use the same words to describe yourself as the company used to describe the job opening. This is an important tactic as you create multiple resumes. Many companies now use computerized recruitment software, and this method will often place you at the top of the computerized list.

6. Make up at least four or five resumes for the major job categories you are likely to pursue. These resumes can be streamlined for the given company's opening once you see the advertisement and job requirements.

7. Continue to create alternate resumes. It is important to create a whole separate resume for jobs that are beneath you. You may be looking for a temporary job, one that you can hold until you find what you are really looking for. In order to qualify (but not overqualify) for this job, you will need a very brief one page resume, a "dumbed down" version of your background. You may wish to avoid mention of supervisory or management level tasks. Focus on the kind of experience that applies to the temporary opening.

Tips & Warnings

• Do show excitement and a positive attitude in resumes, letters, phone conversations, and in person.

• Do be tenacious without rudeness.

• Don't be afraid to over prepare for a job. It seldom happens.