A High Schooler’s Guide to Writing Resumes (Part 3): Tailoring & Delivery

You’ve built a solid structure (Part 1) and filled it with impactful content (Part 2). Now comes the step that often decides whether your resume gets read or passed over — customization and delivery. Even the most polished resume can underperform if it’s too generic or sent without a strategy.

Why Customization Is Crucial

When recruiters or program directors receive hundreds of resumes, they’re scanning for specific matches to the role. Many organizations use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to filter resumes before a human even sees them.

A generic resume is at least roughly 2× less likely to pass an ATS or grab attention in the first few seconds of a scan. Tailoring your resume to each opportunity makes it easier for both the software and the reader to see you as a fit.

Researching Your Target

Before you tweak a single line, research the opportunity:

• Read the job description or program page closely and highlight recurring words or phrases.

• Identify keywords — these could be specific skills (“Java,” “data analysis”), soft skills (“collaboration,” “leadership”), or tools (“MATLAB,” “Photoshop”).

• Mirror the language naturally in your bullet points or summary. Instead of “worked with spreadsheets,” you might say “managed datasets in Microsoft Excel” if the posting lists Excel specifically.

  
  

The goal is to speak their language without keyword-stuffing — ATS algorithms favor matches, but humans can spot overuse immediately.

ATS-Friendly vs. Human-Friendly Tweaks

Here are some tweaks to keep in mind when customizing your resume for particular opportunities:

ATS-Friendly:

• Avoid headers, footers, and text boxes — some ATS software can’t read them

• Stick to simple formatting, with consistent section headings

• Don’t rely solely on graphics or icons to convey information

Human-Friendly:

• Use bold and spacing to make key sections scannable

• Keep bullet points short and impactful

• Make sure your most relevant experience appears within the top third of the page — that’s prime real estate for a quick skim

  
  

The sweet spot is a resume that both parses cleanly for software and looks inviting to a human reader.

Submission Strategies

Once your resume is tailored, how you send it matters. If you are submitting it by email, save it as a PDF unless the instructions say otherwise, and use a clear file name such as FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf. In your subject line, include your name and the position, for example: “Jophy Lin – Application for Summer Research Intern.” Keep the email body short and professional, briefly stating who you are, what you are applying for, and that your resume is attached.

When applying through an online portal, paste your plain-text resume into any required text fields to preserve the content if formatting is stripped out. If the portal allows, still upload the PDF version as an attachment. For in-person submissions, print your resume on standard white or off-white resume paper and always print on one side for easier note-taking.

Following Up and Staying Organized

Submitting your resume is not the end of the process. If you haven’t received a response after about a week, it is perfectly appropriate to send a short, polite follow-up email asking if they need any additional information.

To keep track of your applications, maintain a simple spreadsheet or document that lists the position or program, the date you applied, the contact person, and the current status. This will help you stay organized, avoid missing follow-ups, and give you a clear picture of where you’ve applied.

References and Cover Notes

Unless space allows, there’s no need to add “References available upon request” — most reviewers assume you can provide them if needed. However, if a program or employer asks for a short cover note, keep it brief and focused. In three sentences, state who you are, why you’re a strong fit for the opportunity, and that you’re enthusiastic about contributing.

Wrap-Up

With the strategies in Part 3, you now have the final layer that transforms your resume from a static document into a targeted, persuasive application tool. Customizing your resume ensures it clearly aligns with the opportunity at hand, and delivering it strategically increases the odds that it will be seen and remembered.

This completes my series. If you’ve followed all three parts, you now have a professional layout, compelling content, and a system for tailoring and delivering with confidence. The last step is to keep your resume alive — update it regularly, think about your experiences in terms of impact, and be ready to send it out the moment opportunity knocks.

About the Author: I'm Jophy Lin, a high school junior and researcher. I blog about a variety of topics, such as STEM research, competitions, shows, and my experiences in the scientific community. If you’re interested in research tips, competition insights, drama reviews, personal reflections on STEM opportunities, and other related topics, subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated!