> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rxresu.me/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Tailoring a resume for a job

> Copy your resume for one job, write a matching cover letter, and use Prepare for next step to get help with fit, follow-ups and interviews.

A resume written for one job usually does better than a general one. From any application you can make a copy of your resume that's linked to that job, write a cover letter for it, and later ask the assistant to help you prepare for the next step. Because the copy is linked to the application, [Check](/guides/checking-your-resume) and [the assistant](/guides/using-the-assistant) can compare it with the saved job posting.

## Before you start

* Add the job to **Applications**, ideally with its posting. See [Adding an application](/guides/adding-an-application).
* Have a resume to copy, or import or create one during preparation. See [Creating your first resume](/guides/creating-your-first-resume).
* Copying and manual editing work without AI. If you already have a usable [AI connection](/guides/using-ai), the assistant can also suggest changes.

## Make a copy of your resume for the job

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the application">In **Applications**, select the application to open its details.</Step>

  <Step title="Select Prepare resume">
    It's at the bottom of a saved job's details. **Prepare a resume** appears under **Documents for this job** when no
    resume is linked. **Save and prepare resume** when saving a job opens the same preparation flow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the resume to start from">
    Under **Start from**, pick the resume to copy. Usually that's your main, general resume.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the job and the name">
    Under **For which job?**, the application is already picked. **Name** is suggested from the resume and the company,
    such as "Game Developer Resume — Maple & Moss". Change it if you like.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the copy">Select **Create and open**.</Step>
</Steps>

<Frame caption="Copy a resume for a job">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/reactiveresume/rtb73NdrPCUreUAd/images/guides/tailoring-a-resume-for-a-job/copy-a-resume-for-a-job-dialog.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=rtb73NdrPCUreUAd&q=85&s=35b6f5b61d0112b26781c5ca6a407d91" alt="Copy a resume for a job dialog with Game Developer Resume selected under Start from, Maple & Moss selected under For which job?, and the suggested name Game Developer Resume — Maple & Moss, with a Create and open button" width="1280" height="1106" data-path="images/guides/tailoring-a-resume-for-a-job/copy-a-resume-for-a-job-dialog.webp" />
</Frame>

Reactive Resume makes the copy, links it to the job, and opens it in the editor. For a saved job, the copy becomes its prepared resume. Your original resume stays unchanged. The assistant opens automatically only when you already have a usable AI connection.

If you have no resume yet, select **Import or create a resume**, then import a file or select **Start blank**. The imported or blank resume stays linked to this saved job, so you can continue editing it without re-entering the posting.

To tailor the copy:

* Edit the resume manually to emphasize experience relevant to the saved posting, then review and download it.
* With a usable AI connection, pick **Tailor to the *company* posting** in the assistant. It reads the resume and posting, and suggests edits you accept or reject one at a time. See [Using the assistant](/guides/using-the-assistant).
* Switch to **Check** mode to see how well the resume matches the posting. See [Checking your resume](/guides/checking-your-resume).

<Tip>
  You can also start a copy from **Documents**: open a resume's **⋯** menu and select **Copy for a job…**, or select
  **New** and then **Copy a resume for a job**. Pick the application under **For which job?**, or **No job yet** for a
  plain copy.
</Tip>

<Frame caption="Tailor a resume and Write a letter, shown when nothing is linked yet">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/reactiveresume/rtb73NdrPCUreUAd/images/guides/tailoring-a-resume-for-a-job/what-you-sent-tailor-and-write-buttons.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=rtb73NdrPCUreUAd&q=85&s=fbb47c7e39fdaa016de7caf31fb9613f" alt="What you sent section with a Tailor a resume button, a Write a letter button and an Attach a file instead link" width="960" height="190" data-path="images/guides/tailoring-a-resume-for-a-job/what-you-sent-tailor-and-write-buttons.webp" />
</Frame>

## Write a cover letter for the job

In the application's details, under **Documents for this job** (or **What you sent** after submission), select **Write a letter**. Reactive Resume creates a cover letter named "Cover letter — *company*", fills in the recipient from the application, links it to the application and to the application's resume (if it has one), and opens it in the letter editor.

To link a letter you already have, go to **Documents**, open the letter's **⋯** menu and select **Link to application…**. See [Writing a cover letter](/guides/writing-a-cover-letter).

Use **Open application** to visit the original link and submit. Preparing documents or opening the link leaves the job **Saved**. After submitting, select **Mark as applied**, confirm the date and the documents or attached PDFs you actually sent. The selected document versions are kept for later. See [Managing an application](/guides/managing-an-application#seeing-what-you-sent).

## Prepare for the next step

After submission, **Prepare for next step** at the bottom of the details opens the linked resume or letter. With a usable AI connection, it also opens the assistant with suggestions for this job:

* **How well do I fit this role?** compares your resume with the posting.
* **Draft a follow-up email** writes a short, polite note for the recruiter.
* **Prepare me for the interview** lists likely questions, based on the posting and your resume.
* **Tailor to the *company* posting** suggests edits to fit the posting.

<Frame caption="The assistant after Prepare for next step">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/reactiveresume/rtb73NdrPCUreUAd/images/guides/tailoring-a-resume-for-a-job/prepare-for-next-step-suggestions.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=rtb73NdrPCUreUAd&q=85&s=fb95369d1b665834633fbdf4ff6d705c" alt="Assistant panel reading What should we work on? I can see this resume and the Northwind Games posting, with suggestions How well do I fit this role?, Draft a follow-up email, Prepare me for the interview and Tailor to the Northwind Games posting" width="808" height="820" data-path="images/guides/tailoring-a-resume-for-a-job/prepare-for-next-step-suggestions.webp" />
</Frame>

Pick a suggestion, or type your own request. If the application has both a resume and a letter, the resume opens. Without AI, the document opens for manual editing. If no document is linked, the button opens resume preparation instead.

<Note>
  Preparing from an application's details gives the assistant that application's posting. When you open a general resume
  directly, it may use the most recently updated linked application. A copy made for one job keeps that job's context
  clear.
</Note>

## Related guides

* [Using the assistant](/guides/using-the-assistant): how suggestions, accepting and rejecting work.
* [Checking your resume](/guides/checking-your-resume): see how your resume matches a job.
* [Viewing application insights](/guides/viewing-application-insights): compare replies for tailored and general resumes.


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