How Many Resumes Do I Need to Create?

You’ve probably heard that you must create more than on resume for your job search.

But just how many do you need?

As one of the leading employment agencies in South Florida, Future Force can tell you that you really only need one master resume, then several variations of that resume for each position you’re applying for.

That means you don’t need to re-invent the wheel every time you’re applying for a job (unless it’s wildly different from the other positions you’ve submitted your resume to in the past). You simply need to take your master resume, do a “save as” of it and create a new version that aligns with a particular position and its demands.

You may, in fact, send out the same exact resume for several positions, if they’re extremely similar. However, if one particular job requires intimate knowledge of Excel, for example, then you’re going to want to put that experience front and center on your resume.

Your master resume, on the other hand, should offer a comprehensive view of your background, including past jobs, title, skills, duties, accomplishments, awards, volunteer work, professional affiliations, and other important career details. You should always be adding to it when you achieve anything new or your work title changes.

When you find a position you’re interested in, take that master resume and re-work it so it’s as appealing as possible to the potential employer. To do so, make sure you read the job description clearly. Make a list of the required and preferred skills and qualifications. Then write out specifically what skills and accomplishments make you a good match for the position. Once you’ve done that, creating the new version of the resume will be much easier.

Also, don’t forget to proofread. Even if you’re master document has been proofread numerous times and is in perfect condition, make sure you review your new version several times. It can be hard to catch mistakes on screen, so print out your resume and review a hard copy of it.

Even better, ask someone else with a fresh eye to review your resume for any errors or inconsistencies. That way, you can be sure you’re submitting the highest quality resume to a hiring manager.

If you’d like more resume tips or help finding a new job, contact Future Force. As one of the leading employment agencies in South Florida, we partner with some of the top employers throughout the region and can match you with job opportunities that are a great fit for you.

Contact us today to get started or search our South Florida jobs now.