A resume is a short (1-2 pages) document summarising your work experience and qualifications. It is an important marketing tool for job seekers and allows you to demonstrate how your skills and experience directly relate to the role you are applying for.
- The Partner Employment Assistance Program provides assistance with preparing your resume.
- The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has useful resume templates on its Jumpstart page as well as advice and tools to help you tailor and quality-check your resume.
- YourCareer is another Australian Government website that offers tips and checklists to improve your resume.
What to include in a resume
Personal details
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number (with voicemail)
- Level of security clearance
An introduction
Start with a short paragraph giving a high-level overview of your key skills and experience as they relate to the job you are applying for.
Work history overview
- List your most recent position first and work backwards.
- Include the dates you were in each role, and a brief description of the responsibilities.
- Consolidate information wherever possible to prevent your resume becoming too long.
- If you have relevant experience in volunteer roles, include these as well.
Education and Training
- List any formal qualifications, starting with your highest level of achievement. This can include educational qualifications, professional accreditation, licences or certificates.
- Include the full name of the qualification, the institution that awarded it and the date finished.
Referees
You need at least two referees for most job applications. Ideally referees should be people you reported to in your most recent positions.
Always ask permission before including anyone as your referee. It is acceptable to protect the privacy of your referees by writing ‘Referees: available on request’.
Additional tips
- Tailor your resume for each job: take into account the needs of the prospective employer. Make sure you have addressed the job criteria and that your resume showcases your achievements and doesn't simply list duties.
- Check your online presence: recruiters will often research your social media presence so make sure the information on your resume and social media are consistent. Consider how you represent yourself on sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
- Ask for help: is there someone who can act as a mentor and provide useful tips on how to present yourself positively? Consider asking a trusted peer to read and comment on your resume.
- Carefully check your resume: check for any typing or formatting errors and ask someone you trust to proofread the document before sending it to a recruiter or employer.