Australian Resume Writing: The Ultimate Guide

How to Write an Australian Resume

Each part of your resume plays a crucial role in presenting yourself as the ideal candidate for the position. Here’s the standard Australian resume format:

Header with Contact Information:

Your name, phone number, and email address should be prominently displayed at the top of your resume. If applicable, include a professional LinkedIn profile or portfolio website.

Professional Summary or Objective:

A professional summary highlights your most important achievements and skills, while an objective focuses on your career goals and what you aim to achieve in the role. Use a summary to shine a spotlight on your track record, especially if you have extensive experience.

Work Experience:

List your previous roles in reverse chronological order. Focus on what you accomplished in each role, using action verbs and quantifying results wherever possible. For each position, provide a brief description of your responsibilities and significant achievements.

Key Achievements/ Accomplishments:

It’s really important in resume writing that you list your key achievements or accomplishments in your roles within your resume. This is what will help you stand out to future employers amongst the competition. Provide concrete examples of your success, such as “increased sales by 20%” or “reduced processing time by 30%.” Here are 50 ideas for accomplishments for your resume.

Once you have your ideas, you’ll need to effective present your accomplishments so they are concise whilst also showing what you can do. The XYZ format for writing resumes is one tool you can use to do this.

Education:

Your educational background should be listed next, starting with the most recent degree. Include the name of each institution, its location, your degree, and graduation year. Relevant honors or distinctions can also be mentioned.

Skills Section:

Hard skills include specific technical knowledge or training, while soft skills focus on interpersonal and organisational abilities.

Referees:

In the Australian resume format, you can list two referees (including their names, job titles, organisations and phone contacts). Some people prefer to state ‘available upon request’ in this section, which is also widely accepted. In this case, a potential employer may ask for the contact details later in the application process (usually when you are a shortlisted candidate).

Additional Sections:

Depending on your field and the job you’re applying for, you might also include sections for certifications, awards, publications, projects, or volunteer work. These can provide further evidence of your qualifications and commitment to your profession.

ATS (Keyword) Optimisation

Many companies (especially larger ones) use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Ensure yours is ATS-friendly (and approved, not declined!) by the ‘bots, by using a straightforward format and including relevant keywords from the job posting. This guide provides more information (and an example) of how to write an ATS-friendly resume.

What is the Best Australian Resume Format Design?

Use a clean, professional layout with consistent formatting. Choose a standard font like Arial or Calibri, and keep the size between 10 and 12 points. Utilise bold and italics sparingly to emphasise important information.

Resume templates like this government resume template can be a helpful starting point, especially for beginners, but ensure that you customise sufficiently to stand out. A tailored resume reflects your unique skills and experiences more effectively than a generic one.

Customising Your Resume for the Job

Every job application should involve tailoring your resume to align closely with the job description. Identify key skills and experiences that the employer values by studying the job description closely, and then adapt your resume for each application, emphasising different aspects of your experience or adjusting your professional summary to mirror the priorities of each role.

Write a Strong Cover Letter

A well-crafted cover letter can make a significant difference, providing context for your resume and highlighting why you are a perfect fit for the role. Professional resume and cover letter writers can help write your cover letter.

Writing an Executive Resume

An executive resume is often longer than a standard resume, and requires more emphasis on your ability to lead, strategise and get results.

Writing a Student or New Graduate Resume

If you are a student or new to the workforce, you might struggle to know what to put in your resume. The important thing is to identify transferrable skills throughout school or in your extra-curricular activities (like sports clubs or volunteering). This guide provides more information on how to write a student or new graduate resume.

Avoiding Common Resume Writing Mistakes

Even small mistakes can derail your chances of getting an interview. Typos and grammatical errors are the most common pitfalls. Always proofread your resume multiple times or have it reviewed by a trusted peer or resume writing professional (feel free to contact us!).

Avoid vague terms like “synergy” or “go-getter.” Instead, use specific examples that demonstrate your skills and achievements. Tailor your resume to the role. Generic resumes are less likely to impress recruiters who are looking for specific qualifications.

Resume Examples

In Australia, different industries require different resume formats. Reviewing resume examples can help you understand what is required.

Government Resumes

For example, government resumes need a specific format and approach.

Mining Resumes

Australian mining industry resumes also have their own resume writing requirements.

Nursing Resumes

These Townsville resume writers helped makeover this nursing resume.

These Brisbane resume writers helped transform this nursing resume.

Our resume writers are experts in writing nursing resumes.

Teacher Aide Resumes

Teacher aides have their own requirements for resume writing.

Aged Care Resumes

Writing resumes can be tricky for the aged care industry, especially if you don’t have any experience. This guide to writing resumes for an aged care worker with no experience can help. Review this template for entry-level aged care resume and cover letters.

Quality resume writing is a crucial step in your job search. By applying these tips and strategies, you can construct a resume that not only looks professional but also highlights your achievements in a way that resonates with recruiters.

Want more tips? Review our 2024 resume writing tips.