Applying for a job in Australia has changed dramatically over the past few years, thanks to mass electronic résumé/CV distribution services, online recruitment databases and opportunities to email job applications. (Getting a Job in Australia)
CV or Résumé?
While a CV was once the norm, now the Australian jobseeker produces a far more powerful and concise résumé designed to showcase skills, qualifications and problem-solving abilities in an age where the economy is tightening and the competition for all jobs is increasingly fierce. While in more recent times a résumé became the preferred choice of application document, many people still refer to it as a CV and the words are used interchangeably.
Here we’ll show you how to draft a perfect resume when applying for jobs in Australia. So collect all your previous work experience and job descriptions in mind before you start writing. Make sure you put everything in order.
The process of writing an effective resume
Prior to starting your resume you must first decide what type of resume you want to make. The chronological resume is the most widely used one today. Employment and educational achievements are listed in chronological order beginning with the most recent achievements. Functional resumes can be more useful to you however, in situations such as: you have switched your job frequently, you have large gaps in your education or employment history, your skills come from different pursuits, and/or you are returning to the work force after a long period of time.
A Basic resume has eight parts that are necessary for its effectiveness. The eight parts are as follows:
PART 1 - THE BASICS
NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY:
PHONE:
ALTERNATIVE PHONE:
EMAIL:
PART 2 - OBJECTIVE
The 1st thing that the employer is going to read will be your objective. This statement has to grab the employer’s attention and make them want to continue reading through the rest of your resume. Give a concise, focused description of why you are the perfect candidate for the job. (Australian Skills in Demand)
PART 3 - EXPERIENCE
The best idea is to do this in chronological order. Listing at least 3 relevant jobs is the best way to do it; however, if you have more or less it is not a problem. Make sure you list when you started and finished your job as well as what your responsibilities were.
PART 4 - EDUCATION
The best idea is to do this in chronological order. Make sure that you list the years that you attended the school(s), as well as what you got out of them.
PART 5 - RELATED COURSEWORK
This is where you can list any extra courses that you may have taken. It gives you a chance to make up for things that you may be lacking in other areas of the resume. It could be certificates that you have gained, or volunteer work you may have done.
PART 6 - KEYWORD SUMMARY
This is where you get to express your most important qualifications of the job. Make sure you list the ones that stand out about yourself the most so an employer would choose you over another possible candidate.
PART 7- INTERESTS
This section is not a mandatory necessity; however, it is a good idea to list a few of your interests so that the employer can get a better idea of who you are.
PART 8 - REFERENCES
References are supplied to the employer so he/she has a chance to ask someone who knows you what kind of worker and person you are. If you are going to supply references make sure you list people that are going to say only good things about you. If you do not want to give out your references right away you can just write, ‘References supplied upon request’, so that means you supply the references only when an employer is asking you for them.
After all of these steps are complete make sure to go through your resume and edit it. Check to ensure that the dates are all correct and that all the information is accurate. If there is anything that you forgot you can take the time add things at this time. Then at last, print out your resume and get them distributed out there for jobs!
Bear in mind that it is mandatory for you to include your education and/or work experience that are related to the position you’re applying for. If you don’t really have both to make you stand out, include an activity or two that’s related to the position. It does not mean that you can lie though.
Source: Studytravelworkaustralia
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