I have watched too many qualified classmates get auto-rejected from jobs they could actually do. The problem? They treat their curricula vitae as if they are static and not living documents that adapt to each opportunity.

Here’s the reality: Customizing application materials can display genuine enthusiasm since extra time and effort was put into showing your qualifications. Yet most job seekers still blast the same generic CV to dozens of openings and then wonder why nobody responds. Here are six tips to help you create a strong, tailored CV.

Keyword optimization: When a posting lists “Python,” “AWS” and “Kubernetes,” those exact terms must appear in your CV, if applicable. Applicant tracking systems automatically reject documents lacking required keywords — meaning no human even sees your application.

Reorganize bullet points to prioritize what matters for that specific job: A marketing coordinator applying for a data analyst position should lead with “Analyzed campaign metrics using SGL to optimize $200,000 advertising budget,” not “Coordinated team meetings and managed email campaigns.” Same experience, different emphasis.

Rewrite your professional summary each time: Replace generic statements like “Experienced professional seeking new opportunities” with targeted openings that reference the company by name and mirror their posting’s language.

Eliminate positions that do not demonstrate relevant experience: A 2019 retail job weakens a 2025 pharmaceutical scientist application by diluting specialized qualifications. Most experts recommend including only the last 10-15 years of employment, particularly for experienced professionals.

Industry and experience matters, too: The appropriate length for a CV can depend on the candidate’s desired industry and time in the workforce. Pharmaceutical CVs for more experienced candidates, for example, can run two pages rather than one to accommodate regulatory compliance experience, clinical trial participation and specialized accreditations like Good Manufacturing Practice training.

Adopt the company’s vocabulary: If they write “client relations,” use that phrase rather than “customer service.”

Is this system perfect? No. But tailoring one CV thoroughly beats submitting 10 generic applications every time.