Writing an Effective Australian Resume: Tips and Best Practices
In the competitive Australian job market, a well-crafted resume is your first impression. It's crucial to present your skills and experience in a way that resonates with local employers. This guide provides practical tips and best practices to help you create a compelling resume that stands out.
1. Resume Structure and Formatting
The structure and formatting of your resume are just as important as the content. A clear, easy-to-read resume demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail.
Chronological, Functional, or Combination?
Chronological: Lists your work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Best for those with a consistent work history and clear career progression.
Functional: Focuses on your skills and abilities, with less emphasis on work history. Suitable for those with gaps in their employment or who are changing careers. However, be aware that some employers are wary of functional resumes as they can obscure employment history.
Combination: Combines elements of both chronological and functional formats. This allows you to highlight your skills while still providing a clear overview of your work experience. This is often a good middle ground.
Consider your individual circumstances and the requirements of the job you're applying for when choosing a format.
Essential Sections
Contact Information: Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile URL (if applicable). Ensure your email address is professional (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com).
Summary/Objective: A brief overview of your skills and career goals. A summary is generally preferred for experienced professionals, while an objective might be suitable for entry-level candidates or those changing careers. Keep it concise – no more than 3-4 sentences.
Work Experience: List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order. Include the job title, company name, dates of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements. Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments (see section 4).
Education: Include your degrees, diplomas, and certifications. List the institution name, degree/diploma name, and graduation date. If you have limited work experience, you can include relevant coursework or academic achievements.
Skills: List both hard skills (e.g., programming languages, software proficiency) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork). Tailor this section to the specific requirements of the job.
Optional Sections: Depending on your background and the job requirements, you can include sections such as volunteer experience, awards and recognition, professional affiliations, or languages.
Formatting Tips
Font: Choose a professional and easy-to-read font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Use a font size of 11 or 12 points.
Margins: Use standard margins (around 2.5 cm or 1 inch) to ensure your resume doesn't look cramped.
White Space: Use white space effectively to break up text and make your resume easier to scan.
File Format: Save your resume as a PDF to ensure it looks the same on any device. Unless specifically requested, avoid sending it as a Word document.
Length: Aim for a maximum of two pages. For recent graduates or those with limited experience, one page is often sufficient.
2. Highlighting Key Skills and Achievements
Your resume should showcase your most relevant skills and achievements. Don't just list your responsibilities; highlight how you made a positive impact in your previous roles.
Quantify Your Achievements
Whenever possible, quantify your achievements using numbers and data. This makes your accomplishments more tangible and impressive.
Instead of: "Managed social media accounts"
Try: "Managed social media accounts, increasing follower engagement by 30% and driving a 15% increase in website traffic."
Use the STAR Method
The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a useful framework for describing your accomplishments. Describe the situation you were in, the task you were assigned, the actions you took, and the results you achieved.
Situation: Describe the context of the situation.
Task: Explain the task or challenge you faced.
Action: Detail the specific actions you took to address the task.
Result: Highlight the positive outcomes of your actions.
Focus on Relevant Skills
Carefully review the job description and identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Highlight these skills prominently in your resume.
3. Tailoring Your Resume to Specific Roles
One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is using a generic resume for every application. Tailoring your resume to each specific role is essential for demonstrating your suitability and interest.
Read the Job Description Carefully
Pay close attention to the job description and identify the key skills, experience, and qualifications the employer is seeking. Use this information to tailor your resume accordingly.
Customise Your Summary/Objective
Adjust your summary or objective to reflect the specific requirements of the job. Highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the role.
Emphasise Relevant Experience
Prioritise the work experience that is most relevant to the job. You can reorder your work experience section or add more detail to the descriptions of relevant roles.
Use Keywords from the Job Description
Incorporate keywords from the job description throughout your resume. This will help your resume get past applicant tracking systems (ATS) and demonstrate that you have the skills and experience the employer is looking for. Learn more about Applicants and how we can help you optimise your resume for ATS.
4. Using Action Verbs and Keywords
Using strong action verbs and relevant keywords is crucial for making your resume stand out and getting past applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Action Verbs
Use strong action verbs to describe your responsibilities and achievements. Avoid passive verbs and phrases like "responsible for" or "assisted with." Here are some examples of effective action verbs:
Achieved
Developed
Managed
Implemented
Led
Improved
Increased
Created
Designed
Trained
Keywords
Keywords are words or phrases that are commonly used in job descriptions and applicant tracking systems (ATS). Identify the relevant keywords from the job description and incorporate them throughout your resume. This will help your resume get past the ATS and demonstrate that you have the skills and experience the employer is looking for. Consider our services to help you identify the right keywords.
5. Proofreading and Editing for Accuracy
Typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies can make your resume look unprofessional and detract from your qualifications. Proofread your resume carefully before submitting it.
Check for Spelling and Grammar Errors
Use a spell checker and grammar checker to identify and correct any errors. However, don't rely solely on these tools. Read your resume carefully to catch any errors that the tools may have missed. Remember to use Australian English spelling (e.g., organise, colour).
Ask Someone Else to Proofread Your Resume
It's always a good idea to have someone else proofread your resume. A fresh pair of eyes can often catch errors that you may have missed. Applicants can also provide professional resume review services.
Ensure Consistency
Check for consistency in formatting, font, and language. Make sure that your resume is easy to read and visually appealing. If you have frequently asked questions, we can help.
By following these tips and best practices, you can create a compelling Australian resume that highlights your skills and experience and helps you land your dream job. Remember to tailor your resume to each specific role and proofread it carefully before submitting it. Good luck!