Resumes that rock make you stand out from the crowd. They showcase your talents, skills and personality and tell the employer why you’re the best person for the job!
When presenting a resume to a prospective employer, you are essentially selling yourself. This includes not only selling your qualifications and abilities relevant to the job you are seeking, but also selling your character, personality, and what makes you unique.
Your resume should highlight what your employer will find most important and interesting about you: any top skills and abilities you may possess, your best attributes and characteristics that will contribute to the job, and what makes you best suited for the job.
Follow this simple resume template to write a winning resume.
PERSONAL DETAILS
In bold letters at the top of your resume state your name in capital letters. Give your full name, current address, home telephone (optional) and mobile number. If you include your email address, it should be professional and you should check it daily for messages. Do not include a photo or private details such as date of birth.
TARGET JOB TITLE, BRAND STATEMENT
To make your resume more effective, start with a Target Job Title and Brand Statement after your name and contact details at the top of your resume (see examples below). Your Target Job Title explains what the resume is about and what you’re looking for; and your Brand Statement is a one sentence statement of the value proposition you bring to the job.
PROFILE SUMMARY
Instead of an ‘Objectives’ section, include a Profile Summary of your major strengths. This section is an essential part of the modern resume and focuses the reader’s attention on the key qualities you bring to the job. (See examples below)
It’s written in short sentences or phrases and is a ‘showcase’ of your key competencies and abilities, employability skills, and career aspirations. 50-80 words are all you need. Use key words from the job ad, job description or industry you’re interested in to improve your chances of being invited to an interview.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
KEY STRENGTHS
Your Skills section is a list of your Key Competencies/Skills/Strengths/ Areas of Expertise etc and comes straight after your Profile Summary. Use 4-6 bullet points to highlight your most important skills and abilities. Read the job ad carefully and include the skills that are most relevant to the job you are applying for so the employer can see you are a good ‘fit’ for the job. (See examples below).
Here are 3 examples of Target Job Titles, Brand Statements, Personal Profiles and Skills/Strengths Summaries
EXAMPLE 1. Student with no skills training (casual/part time/holiday job)
VETERINARY HOSPITAL ASSISTANT
Genuine love for animals
PERSONAL PROFILE
Responsible high school student with a genuine love for animals seeking part-time employment with a veterinary hospital or practice to better understand animals and their owners in preparation for veterinary school. Calm and focused, with a natural ability to make people feel ‘at ease’ in a stressful situation. Able to work after hours and weekends.
KEY STRENGTHS
- Outgoing personality, with good people and listening skills
- Enthusiastic, and willing to assume additional responsibilities
- Ability to acquire knowledge quickly and accurately
- Unique ability to adapt quickly to ‘tricky’ situations
- Flexible and resourceful
EXAMPLE 2. Technical College Student with part time experience working for IT/Web Development company
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/WEB DEVELOPMENT/SOCIAL MEDIA
Talented young professional with exceptional skills and training in IT and Social Media
PROFILE
Enterprising and motivated young professional with good knowledge of IT systems and social media. Able to use own initiative, working alone or as part of a team under pressure to meet deadlines and objectives. Excellent communication and organisational skills, a strong work ethic and determination to succeed. Enthusiastic learner, eager to meet new challenges and get ahead in the IT industry.
SKILLS SUMMARY
- Proven ability creating web, print, and social media projects
- Ability to create outstanding e-commerce campaigns
- Highly motivated, confident, organised and disciplined
- Competent with technology and IT systems
EXAMPLE 3. University Postgraduate Student
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Masters Degree in Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration.
Fluent in English and Chinese
PROFILE SUMMARY
Highly qualified business graduate distinguished from student peers with a track record of superior academic results and determination to capitalise on opportunities. A student leader and project co-coordinator assigned to develop and lead a case study for an international multinational tailoring solutions that embrace business and the community. Proven ability to work with people from multiple cultures. Exceptional communicator who effectively conveys information verbally and in writing.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Solid approach to achieving tasks and objectives
- Strategic vision; able to build and implement sophisticated plans
- Aptitude for creative investigation and problem-solving
- Competent with technology
- Confidence and natural leadership ability
- Drive and ambition to succeed
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
This section will include any casual, full or part-time, holiday work or unpaid voluntary work. List the most recent jobs first.
Suggested format for each entry in your employment section:
Name of Company
A brief description of what the company does
Position/Job Title
Term of Employment
Key Responsibilities (use bullet points)
Accomplishments/Contributions/Achievements (use bullet points)
The key to a good employment section is to explain briefly what the company does; what your job was, (what were your responsibilities/what did you do); the dates you worked there (even part time), and what you accomplished.
These can be any tasks you performed that benefitted someone or the organisation – or an event you feel proud of; or a time when you received special recognition. Were you ‘employee of the month’? Did you organise an event? Did you solve problems? Did you write blog articles? Did you serve customers? Were you trusted with the cash?
A good accomplishment statement might say: “Initiated and led project to launch new student magazine, increasing circulation and signing advertisers.”
EDUCATION
This section may come before your Employment Section if these are critical to the job requirements
List all degrees, certificates, diplomas received. List your most recent qualifications first.
Did you receive a qualification such as School Certificate, Higher School Certificate, Apprenticeship, Trade Courses, Certificates or Advanced Certificates, Diplomas, or University Degree? Did you take a business course, short course or personal development course?
Suggested format for each entry in your education section:
Qualification
Institute/College/University/TAFE/Online Course
Location
Major project or thesis
Specific skills or experience gained in relevant subjects
Date
You may choose to include any of the following headings if you have specialist knowledge or your skills are critical for the position you are applying for (IT, Accounting, Communication, Social Media, etc.). Highlighting your area of knowledge strengthens your resume.
MAIN AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE
RELEVANT KNOWLEDGE
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
SPECIAL SKILLS
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS/IT SKILLS
With advances in technology, employers look to hire employees with good computer/IT skills and technical knowledge. If you possess these skills, include them in your resume. As your career progresses remember to update and change to make them relevant.
AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS
List any awards/certificates/prizes/honours/distinctions or achievements. These might include any additional courses or training programs you completed.
SCHOOL & UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES
These are the non-educational things you do or did at school or university.
Include clubs such debating, drama, sports, school councils, band, orchestra, choir and any related projects. Were you a Prefect or School Officer? Were you in a sporting team? Did you work in the tuck shop or canteen, help in the library or win an essay or science competition. Did you go overseas or interstate with your school? Did you represent your school or college? Did you address assembly or did you mentor younger students?
Use bullet points.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Make this section interesting! Tell us about the things that interest you, things you enjoy doing in your spare time, the things that you’re passionate about. Use this section to help employers appreciate the person you are
Do you belong to a club or association? Do you volunteer your time, work for charity, raise funds, help the elderly, care for others, do community service? Are you learning a new skill, or have you earned a certificate from Red Cross, St. Johns, Duke of Edinburgh or other? Do you play a sport; belong to a surf club, referee or coach?
Use bullet points.
LANGUAGES
Do you speak, read & write another language. Companies trade globally and your language skills could be an advantage.
RESIDENCY OR VISA STATUS
Students born and/or educated overseas may need to clarify residency or visa status for employers.
REFERENCES
Prior to starting your job search, contact the people you’d like to be your referees, get their permission and tell them that you are applying for a job, explain what the job is. Ask for a written reference, an email will do. It should state who they are and how they know you and a few comments about you.
Suggested format for each referee:
Referee’s name
Current job title
Current organisation
Contact details (phone number and email)
A few comments about you from their referral letter
- If possible, use referees other than a parent or relative.
- Consider a previous employer, teacher, tutor, coach or people that you’ve worked with or reported to in a job, project, church or community event.
- Update and change your referees for each job you apply for and as you progress your career.
- 2-3 referees are recommended.
- If you don’t want to include references, it’s acceptable to use the phrase “References available on request”.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Some students effectively use endorsements (excerpts from letters of recommendation) in their resumes. These are useful particularly if you are lacking certain qualifications or competing against more experienced candidates.
If you are adding endorsements, carefully select two or three credible endorsers who will add weight to your resume by their recommendation of you as a candidate. Well respected industry leaders, teachers, coaches, previous employers are all good sources for endorsements
You have to learn the rules of the game. And then, you have to play better than anyone else. – Albert Einstein
BOOKS TO READ
Knock 'em Dead Resumes: A Killer Resume Gets More Job Interviews!
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