7 Expert Tips on Targeted Resume Writing

You’ve been applying for jobs but you’re not getting interview calls even though you’re a qualified candidate. You’re left to wonder what’s wrong.

You’re not the problem—your resume is. Generic job applications rarely make the cut these days. In fact, chances are your document isn’t even getting past the initial screening of applicant tracking systems (ATS).

In order to impress employers, you must present your experience and qualifications in a clear and concise manner that matches their specific requirements. This is where a targeted resume comes in.

In this guide, we’ll share with you insider tips and give you plenty of examples so you can write a targeted resume that easily gets past ATS filters and has hiring managers intrigued.

What is a targeted resume?

A targeted resume is a customized version that aligns directly with a job description, employer’s needs, and industry standards. It emphasizes your most relevant qualifications, experience, achievements, and skills.

Unlike a generic resume that presents a complete overview of your work history and competencies, a customized resume makes it instantly clear why you’re a good fit for a role.

When should you use a targeted resume?

You should always use a targeted resume, especially for the roles you really want to land. A tailored resume isn’t just some recent trend in job searching. Nowadays, it’s the norm—83% of recruiters say they favor customized applications.

This means you’re pretty much sabotaging yourself if you’re not customizing your content.

The benefits of using a targeted resume

Here’s why you should always use a targeted approach:

• Gets you past ATS: A resume tailored to the job description is more likely to pass AI screening.
• Sets you apart from the competition: Companies get hundreds of applications for a single role. A tailored resume immediately puts the focus on you.
• Shows attention to detail: Hiring managers will know you’re a remarkable professional who thinks strategically and grasps matters in depth.
• Conveys genuine interest: Having a customized resume means that you understand the role well. You know exactly what’s important for the employer and are able to meet their needs.

If you already have a resume and would like to rework it, then a good starting point is our AI-powered ATS resume checker. Compare your content to the job description and start applying changes right away.

How to write a targeted resume

Creating a tailored resume doesn’t require rewriting your existing one entirely. However, some strategic modifications are necessary to achieve the desired effect.

Let’s go over the main steps to write a customized resume.

1. Analyze the job description and understand the employer’s needs

First, you need to read the job posting carefully. Pay attention to the required skills, specific qualifications, key responsibilities, and necessary experience.

Be mindful of repeated phrases and industry terminology—these are clues to what’s important for the hiring company.

You can also go one step further and visit their website and social media profiles to better understand their culture, values, products, and services.

2. Identify relevant keywords

Based on your analysis of the job description, you’ll be able to formulate a list of resume keywords. Using them will help you pass the ATS screening.

In fact, you can use exact phrases from the job description when listing your experience and core competencies.

To better understand this step, let’s take a look at a job posting example:

As you can see, we’ve highlighted certain parts of the job posting. These are the keywords we want to use in our targeted resume. How? Check the next step.

3. Customize your resume sections and incorporate keywords

Now that you have a list of keywords you want to target, modify the most important sections of your resume to make your professional profile more relevant to the role.

To demonstrate this, we created an example tailored resume using Enhancv’s AI-powered resume builder. Let’s go over the main sections.

Targeted work experience example

We used reverse-chronological order to present the experience, starting with the most recent role of the applicant.

However, this isn’t a strict rule that you have to follow. In fact, you can place your most relevant role at the top of your experience section as part of your targeting strategy and list other roles after that.

What makes this work experience section great?

• Lists the most relevant roles
• Includes measurable accomplishments instead of responsibilities
• Uses numbers and metrics to quantify achievements
• Each bullet starts with a strong action verb for greater impact
• The keywords are naturally positioned as part of the content

Targeted skills section example

Here’s how you can target keywords with an expanded skills section as shown in the example above. Instead of simply listing abilities, we paired each one with a specific accomplishment which gives us extra opportunities to include relevant terms and industry jargon.

Targeted summary example

Once you’re done writing your targeted experience and skills sections, you can write your resume summary.

It’s best to leave this section for last because you’ll have all your relevant information neatly outlined in your document and you’ll be able to pick the most impressive details for your summary.

The summary above packs a punch—it’s filled with industry jargon and target keywords, making it appealing to both AI and hiring managers.

4. Ensure readability and ATS compatibility

Keep in mind that even a well-targeted resume can get overlooked if it’s difficult to read. That’s why it’s important to keep your formatting clean, structured, and ATS-friendly:

• Have traditional section headings (e.g., “Work Experience,” “Skills,” “Education”).
• Resort to a spell-checker to make sure your content is written correctly.
• Stick to simple easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Rubik, or Calibri.
• Use subtle accent colors (especially if they match the company branding).

5. Choose the right resume format

Another aspect of creating a targeted resume is figuring out what format will work best for the role you’re applying for.

In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the three primary resume formats— reverse-chronological, functional, and hybrid—and how you can use each one to create a highly job-relevant resume.

Reverse-chronological resume format

Reverse-chronological formatemphasizes clear career progression and is ideal for traditional industries where experience takes priority. More importantly, it’s recruiters’ favorite and the most ATS-friendly choice due to its straightforward, linear structure.

Functional resume format

A functional resume focuses on skills and technical abilities rather than work history. It’s often used by recent graduates, career changers, and candidates with gaps in their employment.

Hybrid resume format

Also known as combination resume, it draws from the strengths of the previous formats. For example, if you’re applying for a tech position where specific skills matter a lot, then this is a great way to present your competencies.

Key considerations when choosing a resume format

Each resume format has unique strengths and weaknesses. Let’s take a look at the factors that dictate which would be the best option in your specific situation.

6. Targeting for a start-up vs. a traditional company

The core principles of good resume writing apply in both cases but there are some nuances you might want to consider when tailoring your content for a start-up versus a traditional company.

Both groups value skills and expertise but they prioritize different qualities in candidates.

To create a resume that truly connects with employers, it's important to understand the priorities and cultures of the two different types of organizations.

Start-up focus

Start-up companies are known for their dynamic, fast-paced vibe. They value employees who boast a “can-do” attitude. Also, start-ups are more likely to give early-career professionals a chance to prove themselves.

Here’s what qualities your start-up resume should reflect:

Traditional company focus

Traditional companies are usually well-structured, with a clear hierarchy. They value applicants with solid experience and a proven track record of success.

To get hired at a traditional company, your resume should demonstrate:

7. Save and submit in the right file format

Most employers prefer PDF format because it preserves formatting across different platforms and devices. However, some old-timey ATS systems require Microsoft Word documents so always check the job posting for specific instructions.

Also, give your resume file a professional and easily searchable name for recruiters in case they want to search for your application later on.

Example:

By following these steps, you’ll create a resume that directly speaks to hiring managers, improving your chances of getting interviews and landing the job.

Common mistakes when writing a targeted resume

There are many mistakes you can make on your resume but some specifically undermine the targeting process. This dilutes your message and weakens your application.

Here’s what you should watch out for:

• Over-reliance on the job description: Don’t just copy-paste content from the job description. Targeting is more than that. You should show your understanding of the role by using thoughtful, varied language that’s both keyword-rich and uniquely yours.
• Ignoring company culture: If you want to make an employer feel like you’re the perfect fit for the role, then your resume should subtly reflect the company’s mission and values.
• Misuse of transferable skills: It’s a targeting failure to simply list general skills (teamwork, communication, etc.) without specifically connecting them to the role and how you've applied them in real life.
• Keyword stuffing: Superficial keyword matching without showing actual skills and/or putting them in proper context is a big red flag for employers. It’s a sure way to appear incompetent and unprofessional.
• “Spray and Pray” targeting: If you think you can just make minor changes to your resume and send it out to hundreds of companies, then you’re mistakenly thinking that volume is more important than quality.
• Inconsistent branding: If you’re including a cover letter and links to your portfolio or LinkedIn profile, then make sure everything aligns perfectly with the roles you want to land.
• False information: One of the harsh realities of job hunting is that sometimes applicants lie on their resume. This is a huge waste of everyone’s time and it’ll only backfire on you.

Frequently asked questions about targeted resumes

We covered the topic of tailored resumes quite extensively but applicants usually have all sorts of questions. Here are some answers from our certified resume experts.

Is it okay to use a slightly less targeted resume when applying for a large number of similar jobs?

Understandably, you want to streamline your job hunt. Resume targeting can be time-consuming. However, you shouldn’t sacrifice genuine targeting, especially when it comes to the roles you really want to land.

My desired jobs require skills I’m still developing. How do I address this in my resume?

Never claim expertise you don’t yet possess—lying on your resume backfires hard. Instead, address your skill gap by mentioning that you’re still learning. Leverage your motivation to learn as an advantage to make up for your lack of skill and experience.

How much time should I expect to spend when writing a targeted resume for each job?

There’s no specific timeframe to this but expect to be busy. Sometimes, it can take up to a few hours to refine a single application. Rushing through the process undermines the whole concept. But look at the bright side, the better you target a role, the closer you are to getting hired.

How do I handle tailoring a resume when the job description is kind of vague?

This can be expected with larger companies that post a lot of job ads on a daily basis. What you can do is visit the hiring company’s website and social media channels. This will allow you to peek into their culture, values, and general vibe. In addition, you can mention your enthusiasm for the company and industry in your cover letter.

Conclusion

Crafting a targeted resume takes time, but it’s a worthwhile investment—your career success depends on it. This strategic approach gives you a significant edge in the hiring process. Many candidates won’t take the extra step to tailor their resumes, so the effort you put in now can set you apart and pay off in the long run.