job-application-optimizer — Claude Code skill: tailor a resume

---
name: job-application-optimizer
description: Optimize job applications by tailoring resumes to job postings, generating customized cover letters, and preparing role-specific interview questions. Analyzes job descriptions to highlight relevant skills and experience. Use when users need to apply for jobs, customize resumes, or prepare for interviews.
---

# Job Application Optimizer

Tailor job application materials and prepare for interviews with AI-powered optimization.

## Contents

- references/resume-optimization.md - Full resume optimization report template and ATS checklist
- references/cover-letter.md - Cover letter template and breakdown
- references/interview-prep.md - Interview preparation guide template

## Workflow

1. Identify the task type: resume tailoring, cover letter generation, interview preparation, skills gap analysis, or application strategy.

2. Gather inputs from the user: current resume, target job posting, optional LinkedIn profile, career goals, and any constraints.

3. Analyze the job posting. Extract:
   - Required skills, preferred skills, years of experience, technical and soft skills, education, certifications, and tools.
   - Keywords: industry terms, technical jargon, action verbs, company values, role-specific language, and ATS keywords.
   - Culture signals: work style, values, environment (startup/enterprise/remote), leadership style, and team dynamics.

4. Score the candidate against requirements. Mark each requirement as met, partial, or a gap. List keywords missing from the resume.

5. Produce the requested deliverable using the matching template:
   - Resume optimization: rewrite summary, experience bullets, and skills section; quantify achievements; address gaps; run the ATS checklist. See references/resume-optimization.md.
   - Cover letter: open with hook and position, match 2-3 key requirements with metrics, show company research, close with a call to action. See references/cover-letter.md.
   - Interview prep: generate likely technical and behavioral questions, deep-dive topics, questions to ask, and a pre-interview checklist. See references/interview-prep.md.

6. Verify output quality before delivering. Confirm it matches requirements closely, uses exact keywords naturally, quantifies achievements, shows cultural fit, stays ATS-friendly, tells compelling stories, and is error-free.

## Example Triggers

- "Optimize my resume for this job posting"
- "Write a cover letter for this position"
- "Prepare interview questions for this role"
- "Analyze this job description"
- "What skills am I missing for this job?"
- "Tailor my resume to match these requirements"

## Best Practices

- Resume: use exact keywords from the posting, quantify achievements, lead with relevant experience, keep to 1-2 pages, format for ATS, match language and tone.
- Cover letter: personalize to company and role, show genuine research, match 2-3 requirements with metrics, keep to 3-4 paragraphs, open and close strong.
- Interview prep: prepare STAR stories, practice out loud, research the company thoroughly, prepare thoughtful questions, review technical concepts.