One of the most frustrating parts of the job search is trying to make your resume stand out. A good way to draw attention to your resume is to tailor it to the job you’re applying for. But how do you do this?

We recommend a small test: when your resume is drafted for a specific job opening, hand it to a friend and ask them, “Can you tell what job I’m applying for?”

What would your friend say about your resume? (Photo credit: anikarenina, Creative Commons/Flickr)

Upon glancing at your resume for a minute or less, your friend should be able to tell you what the new job entails. This is because the job description should be reflected throughout your resume in the following ways:

• in the language you use (adopt the language used in the position description),
• in the tasks you choose to describe (share your experiences doing similar tasks required by the new job), and
• in the accomplishments you share (demonstrate your ability to successfully complete the work put forth in the description)

Have you tried this? How else do you make sure your resume reflects the job you’re applying for?