# Tailoring a resume for a job (https://docs.hireway.dev/docs/applications/tailoring-a-resume-for-a-job) 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](/docs/checking/checking-your-resume) and [the assistant](/docs/ai/using-the-assistant) can compare it with the saved job posting. ## Before you start [#before-you-start] - Add the job to **Applications**, ideally with its posting. See [Adding an application](/docs/applications/adding-an-application). - Have a resume to copy, or import or create one during preparation. See [Creating your first resume](/docs/documents/creating-your-first-resume). - Copying and manual editing work without AI. If you already have a usable [AI connection](/docs/ai/using-ai), the assistant can also suggest changes. ## Make a copy of your resume for the job [#make-a-copy-of-your-resume-for-the-job] In **Applications**, select the application to open its details. 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. Under **Start from**, pick the resume to copy. Usually that's your main, general resume. 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. Select **Create and open**. 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 Hireway 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](/docs/ai/using-the-assistant). - Switch to **Check** mode to see how well the resume matches the posting. See [Checking your resume](/docs/checking/checking-your-resume). 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. What you sent section with a Tailor a resume button, a Write a letter button and an Attach a file instead link ## Write a cover letter for the job [#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**. Hireway 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](/docs/cover-letters/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](/docs/applications/managing-an-application#seeing-what-you-sent). ## Prepare for the next step [#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. 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 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. 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. ## Related guides [#related-guides] - [Using the assistant](/docs/ai/using-the-assistant): how suggestions, accepting and rejecting work. - [Checking your resume](/docs/checking/checking-your-resume): see how your resume matches a job. - [Viewing application insights](/docs/applications/viewing-application-insights): compare replies for tailored and general resumes.