How to quit rewriting your resume for each job

How to quit rewriting your resume for each job Several executives have  recently sent me their resumes in anticipation of our working together, and one thing struck me from viewing the files: these candidates  were  already working on versions 10 (and up) of their resumes! If you find yourself writing and rewriting your resume just  to get it to fit a particular  job description or employer, stop and read this instead. When  you continually rework your presentation to fit someone elses needs,  youre stepping into reactive  mode on your job search, and  this  doesnt bode well. For one,  tailoring your resume to a particular job opening means that youre putting yourself at the mercy of employers  reworking, rewriting, and waiting, over and over again. For another,  I DONT recommend tailoring your resume to each job  description. There,  Ive said it.  I dont believe that the rule  that gets passed around as gospel, where you must have a different resume for each job. Heres why: Your value proposition doesnt change, no matter what job youre seeking.  If your  resume eloquently and  consisely describes your  core brand value and achievements, theres very little reason to tune it over and over. The other issue with  resume customization is that youre obviously answering job ads  as a search methodand  its one that I dont recommend. Try this instead: build your resume around a  specific JOB TYPE, rather than a JOB AD.  Say youre pursuing an Operations Manager role, but youd also be interested in a Sales Operations job. Create just 2 resumes for these  goals, incorporating different resume presentation (because different audiences will hire for each of these jobs), a unique set of keywords that match each job type, and a value proposition that clearly states qualifications for each target. Next, create a list of 10 companies where you feel your skills could make a difference in each of these roles. Create a custom letter, find out who the COO is (because thats the likely hiring manager), and send him or her your focused resume and  cover letter  for the job you want. Repeat THIS process over and over youll see a dramatic increase in response and the number of interviews youll win. There isnt that simpler than tracking which version of 12 that youre issuing to a nameless, faceless job ad? Declaring your independence from continual resume reworkis much easier and a much more high-ROI activity  than the change-apply-wait cycle youre already using.