Planner
Resume targeting planner
This is for anyone applying to a specific job who wants to tailor the resume without rewriting everything or stuffing in keywords. Work through the steps in order. A full pass takes about 30 to 45 minutes the first time, and less once you have a strong base resume. Your ticks stay in this browser only.
Your ticks are saved only in this browser, on this device. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Why target at all
University career centers consistently advise tailoring a resume to each position and taking key wording from the posting. Employers often screen quickly, and a resume that mirrors the role's main needs is easier to read. Whether software or a person reads it first varies by employer, so the aim is clarity for both.
What to change and what not to
The top third of the page and the first bullet or two under each recent role do most of the work, so start there. Rewriting every bullet for every job costs time and tends to flatten the writing. Keep a strong base version and adjust a few places for each application.
Where this comes from
The steps summarize resume and applicant tracking system guidance from several university career centers. The timings are rough estimates. This is general information, not personal career advice.