In a job market where hundreds (or thousands) of applicants can apply for the same role, simply having a solid resume isn’t enough.
You need a targeted resume—one that speaks directly to the needs of the company, reflects the job description, and positions you as the perfect fit. Yet most job seekers still make the same mistake: they submit a generic resume to every employer, hoping it sticks.
Entrepreneur Ralph Caruso, who has built and sold multiple businesses and reviewed thousands of resumes in the process, has a clear message: “If your resume looks like it could be sent to five different industries with no changes, it’s not doing its job.”
In this post, we’ll break down Ralph Caruso’s approach to tailoring your resume for every job application—and why doing so can dramatically increase your chances of landing interviews.
Why Tailoring Your Resume Matters
Most companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes before a human ever sees them. These systems look for specific keywords and phrases pulled directly from the job description. If your resume doesn’t match what the ATS is looking for, it might be discarded—even if you’re fully qualified.
But it’s not just about beating the software.
“The best resumes are written for one person: the hiring manager,” says Ralph Caruso. “You need to show them that you understand their problems and that you’re the person who can solve them.”
Step 1: Understand the Job Description Inside and Out
Before you even touch your resume, take a deep dive into the job posting.
Highlight:
Keywords and skills that are repeated
Job responsibilities
Preferred qualifications
The tone and style of the writing (formal, casual, industry-specific)
Ralph Caruso recommends reading each job description three times: first to understand it, second to mark important keywords, and third to note specific phrases that describe the ideal candidate.
“You’re not just looking for duties—you’re looking for clues,” Caruso explains. “The job post tells you what the company values. Your resume should reflect that.”
Step 2: Customize Your Professional Summary
The summary section at the top of your resume is prime real estate. It should be customized to reflect the specific job title and most relevant skills for the position.
Before:
“Motivated professional with experience in multiple industries, strong communication skills, and leadership ability.”
After (tailored for a digital marketing manager role):
“Results-driven digital marketing professional with 5+ years of experience leading SEO, email, and paid media campaigns. Proven success increasing web traffic and conversion rates by 30%+. Passionate about data-driven strategy and cross-functional collaboration.”
“Think of your summary as your headline,” says Ralph Caruso. “It should be so relevant that the hiring manager feels like you wrote it just for them—because you did.”
Step 3: Match Your Experience to Their Needs
Each bullet under your work experience should clearly show how your past responsibilities and accomplishments align with the job you’re applying for.
Ask yourself:
What skills did I use that match this role?
What achievements reflect the same goals this employer has?
Can I quantify my impact in a way that makes me stand out?
Example (Generic):
Managed social media accounts across various platforms.
Example (Tailored for a social media strategist role):
Led content strategy for Instagram and LinkedIn, increasing follower growth by 60% and engagement by 45% in six months.
“Quantifiable results are your proof,” Ralph Caruso says. “Don’t just tell them what you did—show them the outcome.”
Step 4: Include the Right Keywords
This step isn’t about “tricking” the ATS—it’s about aligning your skills with what the company is actually asking for.
Use the job description as a guide:
If they want someone skilled in “project management,” make sure those words appear.
If the listing asks for “cross-functional collaboration,” include a real example using that exact phrase.
Don’t overstuff keywords—use them naturally.
“The goal is to reflect their language, not repeat it like a robot,” Caruso advises. “Speak their dialect, not just their vocabulary.”
Step 5: Trim What Doesn’t Matter
You only have so much space. If something on your resume doesn’t speak directly to the job you’re applying for, consider removing it or moving it down.
“A tailored resume isn’t just about adding—it’s also about subtracting,” Ralph Caruso says. “If your resume is cluttered, the most relevant details get lost.”
This is especially important for career changers or recent grads. You may have past roles that aren’t directly related, but try to highlight transferable skills instead of unrelated tasks.
Step 6: Customize Skills and Certifications
Your Skills section is another place where tailoring pays off. If the job listing asks for:
“Google Analytics”
“Salesforce”
“Customer success platforms”
…and you have those skills, make sure they’re listed—exactly as written.
Also, include any relevant certifications that support the role. If you’re applying for a marketing role and have a HubSpot or Google Ads certification, list it proudly.
“Skills are the keywords of your resume,” says Caruso. “They’re fast signals that help hiring managers qualify you quickly.”
Step 7: Save a Master Resume for Easy Editing
To make the process faster, Ralph Caruso recommends maintaining a master resume—a document that includes everything you’ve done, from part-time jobs to certifications to volunteer work.
Then, create a tailored version from your master each time you apply.
“Your master resume is your toolbox. You don’t bring every tool to every job—just the ones you need,” Caruso explains.
Bonus Tip: Save Your Resume With a Purposeful File Name
When uploading your resume, don’t just call it Resume.pdf.
“Even small touches like this show you’re intentional and detail-oriented,” says Ralph Caruso.
Final Thoughts: Tailoring Is Worth the Effort
Yes, tailoring your resume for every job takes more time than blasting out a generic one. But the payoff is worth it—more interviews, better conversations, and stronger first impressions.
As Ralph Caruso puts it:
“Every resume you send is a pitch. The question is—are you pitching you, or are you pitching the right version of you for the job at hand?”
Don’t just aim to get noticed—aim to get remembered.
