While submitting just one version of a resume to all possible employers is the most convenient thing to do, it won’t be as effective as customizing your resume to each position you’re applying for. What works for one position or company may not work for another. Your resume and cover letter must be tailored to each job application. It takes more time and effort to write different resumes and cover letters for different job openings, but all will be worth it when you get selected for interviews. There are several ways to write a targeted resume and cover letter without rewriting the entire document. a. Choose details that are directly relevant to the role. The work experience and skills you include in your resume should closely match the requirements in the job ad. You don’t have to list your entire work history. Exclude information that’s not related to the position you’re applying for. b. Write a custom resume intro. You can rewrite your resume’s overview according to the company’s challenges (and how you can help solve them), the top skills each employer seeks, and the level of experience required for the job. c. Re-arrange your lists. If you specialize in two or more fields, highlight the one required for the specific role. For example, if you have both a writing and SEO background, focus on your writing skills for your writing job applications and your SEO expertise for SEO-related jobs. d. Use keywords. An effective customization strategy is finding the most important keywords from the job posting and mentioning them in your resume and cover letter. These job-specific keywords are what employers look for when scanning resumes and cover letters.