Customizing your resume to fit a job description
Dear JobsBlog: I recently found a position I'm interested in at microsoft.com/careers. I could rewrite my resume pretty much word-for-word as listed in the "main responsibilities" section. Would doing so be helpful, or would it seem like I'm trying too hard?
Answer: I don't think rewriting your resume to match the job description word for word is a good idea. I do think reviewing your resume to make sure that it addresses the responsibilities of a job description is a good idea.
A resume is something very personal. First and foremost it is important that your resume reflects accurate information about your experience. We see some resumes that have every technical skill and acronym known to mankind listed! This is frustrating for recruiters and managers to see, because it's hard for us to figure out your focus.
We don’t necessarily expect that a candidate will be a completely perfect fit for a specific job. Most hiring managers and recruiters I have worked with like to see the following:
- A Summary / Skills section listing things you have done
- An Experience section that speaks in detail how you might have gained the skills listed in your summary. For example, if you have C++ experience it is important to show in the body of your resume where you used this skill or gained this experience. Just listing something like this and not backing it up in your experience is not helpful to us in matching your skills to the job being filled.
- Telling a story with your resume – what did you do personally, what were you responsible for on an overall project, how many products / services have you shipped, etc…
That type of resume is much more likely to get attention than a resume that's just a rewrite of the job description!
- Angela
9 Comments
Mike F said:
I am not sure if its a regional thing, but I am a bit shocked your advice did not speak towards the cover letter. As an unofficial rule, both in a hiring copacity and as a jobseeker, a resume should be rather general and as brief as possible, while a cover letter should be customized towards each position.
AngelaMc said:
There are many different opinions about resumes and how they should be 'built'.
Some companies require cover letters while others don't.
I would also worry that, in the era of electronic applications / job boards, if your resume is kept extremely brief you could risk not being 'found' when someone conducts a keyword search...
Historically I have seen the professional recommendations for resume length and content change every couple of years. The recommendations I make here are only my suggestions according to what I have seen as a recruiter in the tech industry for the last 10+ years. Could the differences be regional? Most certainly! I have found that hiring practices vary widely just in the US from the east coast to west coast.
Zorica said:
Hi Angela,
Three weeks ago, I applied for several administrative positions through Microsofts' career website and haven't got a response. The positions I applied for matched well with the job descriptions posted online, but I can't seem to get my resume noticed. With over 5 years of solid administrative work experience, I would welcome the opportunity to be considered and could offer a great deal if given the chance. Could you offer any advice?
Thank you,
Zorica
Steve said:
I get the distinct feeling that MOST of the job opportunities listed on Microsoft's careers site are solely resume harvesting gimmicks.
Also, if you apply to Microsoft and it does not work out for ANY reason, you will be ineligible for any other Microsoft job for at least 12 months.
You may, of course, apply... but they won't even consider your application if you've applied in the past 12 months.
Anita said:
I am just responding to above comments:
"Also, if you apply to Microsoft and it does not work out for ANY reason, you will be ineligible for any other Microsoft job for at least 12 months" - there is no such rule that you can not be considered for other positions if you have applied within last 12 months. In fact, I have seen people applying to several positions throughout the year and the resume is considered if it matches the requirements. You do not get response either because recruiters have not found you among several other people who have applied, or your skills do not match the requirements, or they have found their hire. Candidates who have interviewed recently can be considered again with other teams/groups as long as candidates’ skills are matching the requirements.
Thanks, Anita
Akiva said:
Microsoft Recruiters,
My question seeks direction on how viable attaining a sales position is with limited technology sales experience. While I have over 10 years of business to business sales and consulting experience with C++ level clients and decision-makers, my experience has not been in the technology field. This noted, I have extensive success in new business development, existing client management, and exceeding sales goals. And no doubt, I will interview very well when given the opportunity.
Plainly stated, will my lack of technology sales experience continue to keep me on the outside of the sales positions I am interested in?
Thanks for your candor!
Respectfully,
Akiva
said:
Steve,
As Anita mentioned - we definitely don't have a 12 month restriction on application / consideration. Microsoft is a big company and what doesn't work for some groups, might be the perfect fit for others.
The positions we post are most definitely real and active. I can understand how it might seem that we are 'harvesting' resumes since some of the positions stay open for an extended period of time. But we are not.
So please keep applying to all positions that interest you!
Akiva,
I don't recruit specifically for Sales positions so I can't give you a concrete answer about having a technical sales background. I would imagine that for some of the more Senior Sales positions, a technical sales background would be critical.
The positions and groups I recruit for have multiple levels of experience needed. I assume that Sales would be similar.
Can anyone focused on Sales Recruiting chime in?
Thanks!
Angela
said:
Zorica - It sounds like you are doing the right things. It is hard for me to explain why you may not have been contacted yet. There are so many factors to be considered (other offers pending, managers out of office). If you have clearly detailed the requirements within your resume, my suggestion would be to keep checking the career site and keep applying to the positions that interest you.
Do you know people who work at Microsoft? Using your network for situations like this is also a GREAT way to get noticed.
Microsoft's JobsBlog said:
Dear JobsBlog: I frequently see phrases like "ask your recruiter" or "talk to your recruiter.” I've signed