A resume should be as concise as possible and give prospective employers and recruiters a summary of your qualifications, experience, skills, and suitability for the role. The layout should be kept simple so that the employer will read it. Tailor your resume for the role you are applying for. Follow the tips below.
Start your resume off with a concise paragraph outlining who you are. A key tip for this paragraph is to use keywords and offer qualities highlighted in the job advert.
Ask yourself: does this paragraph clearly show why you are the right fit for the position and the company? If the answer is yes, you have a great opening for your resume!
Always keep the "keep it simple" principle in mind when writing and formatting your resume. Follow a simple format and make important points stand out.
Personal details – Name, address, and contact details.
Overview – Describe yourself with a concise paragraph.
Skill summary – Outline the skills that are applicable to the job and company.
Work History
List your most recent employment first and work backwards.
Include the company name and your position.
Include the start and end dates of employment.
Provide a brief description of the company and/or the scope of your role.
List your duties and responsibilities using bullet points.
Highlight your achievements and successes.
Explain any significant gaps in employment (e.g. career break).
Treat a promotion as a separate job.
Education/Qualifications – University, school, and tertiary courses.
Other information – Include other relevant skills, languages, or on-the-job training applicable to the position.
Interests
Referees
Font/Typeface – Use a consistent font such as Times New Roman or Arial.
Font Size – Use 12–14pt for titles and 10–12pt for body text.
Bold – Use bold for headings only. Avoid using capital letters and underlining.
Colour – Use easy-to-read font colours such as dark blue or black.
Alignment – Keep text aligned consistently and use the same indents throughout.
Avoid pictures.
Background and borders – Best avoided, but if used, ensure they are professional and do not distract from the information.
By writing and designing your resume using this format, prospective employers will be able to easily read your resume, identify your strengths, and match your skills to the position they are recruiting.
Your resume is a guide for recruiters and employers to use during an interview. Ensure the information in your resume is accurate, up to date, and highlights what you have done. Don’t get caught out in an interview.
Avoid using humour in your resume, as this may not appeal to everyone.
Always use positive and professional language in your resume; this will reflect you in a positive light. Don’t use jargon or slang, and make sure you do not use an unprofessional email address. Create an email account that uses your full name.
To emphasise your achievements, make sure to put them in context. For example, if you exceeded a sales budget, include the actual figures. If you completed a project in record time, mention the original timeframe and explain how your involvement positively impacted the outcome. Your accomplishments deserve centre stage because you have worked hard to achieve them.
Spell-check your resume when you are happy with the content and layout. Make sure you get another set of eyes to review your resume and pick up any grammatical errors. Remember, spell-check does not catch everything!