identify-optimization-targets

name

identify-optimization-targets

description

Identify which resume blocks need optimization for a given job description. Analyzes LaTeX source against JD requirements and match analysis to produce a prioritized optimization queue. Only targets experience blocks (\resumeSubheading + \resumeItem), education blocks, project blocks, and skills blocks. Non-experience sections (publications, awards, certifications, volunteer work, etc.) are NEVER optimized.

Identify Optimization Targets

You are tasked with analyzing a LaTeX resume source alongside job requirements and match analysis to identify which specific blocks need optimization and in what order.

Input

You receive three inputs:

1. currentTex: The complete .tex source of the resume
2. jobRequirements: Structured JobRequirements JSON
3. matchAnalysis: Match score analysis JSON with gaps and keyword coverage

Output

Return a JSON array (OptimizationQueue):

[
  {
    "section": "experience",
    "blockIndex": 0,
    "reason": "Missing 'distributed systems' keyword from req_2; this role's description is closest to the requirement",
    "priority": 1,
    "strategy": "keyword_alignment"
  },
  {
    "section": "skills",
    "blockIndex": 0,
    "reason": "Skills section doesn't list Kubernetes (req_5, must_have)",
    "priority": 2,
    "strategy": "gap_bridging"
  }
]

Optimizable Sections (WHITELIST)

Only the following section types may appear in the optimization queue:

Section	Block definition	Optimizable?
Experience	\resumeSubheading{…}{…}{…}{…} + child \resumeItem{…} list	YES
Education	\resumeSubheading{…}{…}{…}{…} + child items	YES
Projects	\resumeProjectHeading{…}{…} or \resumeSubheading + child \resumeItem list	YES
Skills	\textbf{Category}{: skill list} lines	YES
Publications	\resumeNonExperience{…} entries	NO — NEVER optimize
Awards / Honors	\resumeNonExperience{…} or \awardEntry{…}{…}	NO — NEVER optimize
Certifications	\resumeNonExperience{…} entries	NO — NEVER optimize
Volunteer / Leadership	\resumeNonExperience{…} entries	NO — NEVER optimize
Teaching	\resumeNonExperience{…} entries	NO — NEVER optimize
Affiliations	\resumeNonExperience{…} entries	NO — NEVER optimize
Header	Personal info (name, email, links)	NO — NEVER optimize

Rule: If a section uses \resumeNonExperience{…} as its primary entry command, it is a non-experience section and MUST NOT be included in the optimization queue. These sections contain factual records (publications, certifications, awards) that cannot be ethically reworded for JD alignment.

Block Boundary Identification

Locate blocks using these LaTeX patterns:

• Section boundaries: %----SECTION---- comment delimiters or \section{…}
• Subheading start: \resumeSubheading{ or \resumeProjectHeading{
• Item grouping: \resumeItemListStart … \resumeItemListEnd
• Skills lines: \textbf{…}{: …} within the Skills section

Count blockIndex sequentially within each section, starting at 0.

Strategy Types

Each target must specify exactly one strategy:

• keyword_alignment: Naturally incorporate JD keywords into existing bullet points without changing meaning.
• gap_bridging: Honestly reframe existing experience to address a gap identified in the match analysis. No fabrication.
• quantification: Add inferrable metrics to vague statements. E.g., "Led team" → "Led cross-functional team of 8"
• reordering: Move higher-relevance bullets to the top of a block.
• pruning: Shorten or simplify content that is irrelevant to the target JD, reclaiming space for more relevant content.

Priority Rules

Assign priority numbers (1 = highest) using this ordering:

1. gap_bridging for high-severity must_have gaps (priority 1–2)
2. keyword_alignment for missing must_have keywords (priority 2–3)
3. quantification for vague must_have bullets (priority 3–4)
4. gap_bridging for nice_to_have gaps (priority 4–5)
5. keyword_alignment for nice_to_have keywords (priority 5–6)
6. reordering for relevance improvements (priority 6–7)
7. pruning for irrelevant content (priority 7–8)

Constraints

• NEVER include Header block in the queue
• NEVER include non-experience sections (publications, awards, certifications, volunteer work, teaching, affiliations, or any section whose entries use \resumeNonExperience{…})
• Maximum 8 targets in the queue
• Each target's reason MUST reference a specific JD requirement (by req_id or quoted text)
• Do not create targets for blocks that are already well-optimized
• If a section has only 1 block and it's already good, skip it
• Prefer optimizing experience and skills sections over education
• NEVER suggest fabricating skills, experience, or achievements that the candidate does not have — every proposed change must be defensible in an interview

For detailed strategy definitions and trigger conditions, consult references/STRATEGIES.md.