Resume tailoring checklist

learn checklist tailoring resume

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1) Understand the role in 5 minutes
2) Update the top third
3) Rewrite the first 1–2 roles
4) Cut noise
5) ATS and readability check
6) Final pass (human check)

Use this checklist every time you tailor a resume. It keeps you fast *and* accurate.

1) Understand the role in 5 minutes

[ ] What is the role title and level?
[ ] What are the 5–8 core requirements?
[ ] What are the 2–3 “signals” (scale, leadership, domain)?

2) Update the top third

[ ] Rewrite your summary to match the role focus
[ ] Reorder skills to put role-relevant skills first
[ ] Remove unrelated skills from the top (keep them later or remove)

3) Rewrite the first 1–2 roles

For each key requirement:

[ ] Add at least one bullet that proves it (truthfully)
[ ] Use Action + Method + Result
[ ] Add scope (users, volume, stakeholder type) when possible

4) Cut noise

[ ] Remove repeated bullets that say the same thing
[ ] Compress older roles
[ ] Keep total length realistic (1–2 pages depending on seniority)

5) ATS and readability check

[ ] Standard headings: Experience / Skills / Education
[ ] Dates consistent
[ ] No important info inside images
[ ] No keyword dumping (keywords appear inside proof bullets)

6) Final pass (human check)

[ ] Does it sound like *you*?
[ ] Is every claim defensible in an interview?
[ ] Would a recruiter see the fit in 10 seconds?

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