The Targeted Format
A targeted résumé addresses the employer’s need for a specific skill or skills. To consider this format, you must first know what skill(s) the company needs, which necessitates some research on your part. When your sleuthing is done, you then focus the résumé content to include experience and accomplishments that are relevant to the targeted skill or skills.
A Targeted Format Helped Jillian
Jillian, a talented project manager in the telecommunications industry, effectively used a targeted format to catalog her project-management skills (see Résumé below). She also avoided the major pitfall of this format: appearing single-dimensional. She did it by listing a broad range of projects she had managed (database design, application development, computer operations). If you use this format, look for angles in your experience that will give the reader clues to broader skills. Then be prepared to elaborate on them in an interview.
Point
Quickly demonstrates to the employer that you are a perfect match for the position you have targeted.
Pitfalls
- Beware the snare of appearing single-dimensional. Many companies appreciate generalist skills (as opposed to specialist skills), especially small- to medium-sized companies where you’re often expected to wear many hats.
- By eliminating broad-based, value-added skills, you may appear less qualified in comparison with other candidates.
