Jeremy Kaplan
In a word: yes. Or at least this should be the case most of the time. Outside of very few exceptions, you should try to update your resume for every position you try out for. In other words, your resumes should be unique to each job opening.
Here are a few reasons your resumes should be updated for every job.
1.) Even similar openings have specific requirements
Even similar companies, such as those within the fast-food industry for example, oneed very specific skill sets to do seemingly similar jobs. They might be selling the same product, but they may have different systems. They may have different supply chain philosophies or have different guidelines on which people can perform certain jobs. This means that a resume that might impress one employer may get a pass at another one, even if they essentially provide the same product or service.
2.) Employers want to make sure you’re invested in the job
Anyone who’s had to screen stacks of resumes can almost immediately tell whether or not an applicant is all-in and committed to getting the job. A lot of the time, it doesn’t matter for “disposable” entry-level positions. But for any position where the employer would like to see long-term stability, they will always want to make sure that applicants they hire are serious.
Employers can always tell if you created a resume especially for the job they posted. Most generic resumes will fail to address specific requirements (as we explained in reason #1) and a lack of enthusiasm and attention to detail will almost always be clear within the first few seconds of reading. Generic resumes tell employers you don’t care what job you get. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it can severely ruin your chances if you do care about it.
3.) You won’t waste anyone’s time
If you’re still sending out generic resumes, you’re not only wasting your employer’s time, but your own, as well. Why bother to write a resume and tell someone you’re interested in the job if you’re not going to take a few minutes to do it exactly right? By customizing and updating the resumes you send out to be specific to each job opening, you are not only increasing your chances of scoring a job, but you are also making much better use of your own time. In other words, if you’re not going to customize the resume, don’t bother writing it at all.
4.) More employers these days are using automated systems that reject generic resumes
While this isn’t the norm yet in the Philippines, automated applicant tracking systems are now being used to automatically screen resumes before a human recruiter sees them. This is often necessary for large companies that get sent thousands of applications every single day. In some countries and agencies, up to 80% of all resumes are screened automatically, and it’s likely this will become the norm in the Philippines as well. This puts those who just use generic resumes at an extreme disadvantage. By customizing your resume, you are much more likely to get past this crucial first screening stage.
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