Your resume is the most important tool that you have to impress potential employers or inform recruitment companies. Get your resume right, and you’ll be on your way to securing the job of your dreams. Get it wrong, and no matter how perfect you are for the role, you won’t even get your foot through the front door.
We’ve compiled our expert advice on how to write a CV, which includes:
- How to create the perfect resume layout
- Tailoring your resume to job ads
- How to write a career objective
- Demonstrate your qualifications and experience
- Showcasing your work experience and qualifications
- Proofreading your CV
How to write a resume
There are many elements that you need to consider when crafting the perfect resume. Whether you are setting out in your job search to write your very first resume or you’ve decided to re-write an existing CV, you may have many questions such as, “How to write resumes?”, “How long should a CV be?” and “What information should I include?” You also have to consider how to tailor your resume and lay it out, as well as consider what format it should take, be it a digital resume or a more traditional form.
What is the difference between a resume and CV?
What is a resume?
A resume is a written document of everything that relates to your work history. Your resume can include your experience, skills, achievements, education and qualifications. As your resume is often the first impression that your potential employer will have of you, it’s also one of the most important documents that you will ever create.
The resume is most often used as a tool to secure the first job interview. Upon applying for a job, you will usually have to submit your resume to a hiring manager, HR manager or recruiter. Based on their impression of your resume, he or she will decide whether to call you in for an interview.
Your resume needs to be up to date, meticulously correct, and it’s essential to land a job - you can’t / won’t secure a first interview without it.
What is a CV?
CV stands for Curriculum Vitae, which is Latin for ‘Course of life’. Technically, a resume is generally a shorter account of professional and educational history; whereas a CV is longer than a resume and more in depth, covering professional accomplishments, awards and recognitions.
However, in the Australian market, the words ‘resume’ and ‘CV’ are used interchangeably, and you can assume they mean the same thing. As such, you can assume that all of the tips apply to both a resume and CV.
How long should a resume be?
Your resume should be no longer than 3-4 pages long. If you are a student, you may not yet have a great deal of experience, so 1-2 pages is completely acceptable.
If you have several years’ worth of experience and accomplishments, however, it can be a challenge to keep it within the 3-4 page limit when writing a CV.
Remember that truly great resumes are short and succinct – so be sure to follow our guidelines as to what to include and exclude in your resume.
What is the best resume font?
Every candidate wants to put their best font forward, particularly when it comes to their resume. Just like you shouldn't begin your resume with your "Activities and Interests" section or allow it to creep onto five pages, the best resume font is one that covers a few bases.
Here are the best fonts for resume writing - see how they weigh in with your favourites.
How to write a career objective
While often overlooked, career objectives are one of the most important parts of your resume as they complement your experience and skills and give prospective employers a sense of your work-related ambitions.
They don’t need to be particularly long to make an impact, but they do need to be well considered and well executed to be both meaningful and impressive. Here are our tips on writing a career objective that wows every employer you encounter.
What to include in a resume
If you know what to include in a resume and apply it, your CV will help secure your first interview. Conversely, provide too much information or the wrong kind of information, and your CV could end up at the bottom of the pile. Here’s a list of what to include in your CV.
How to 'do' a resume
Now that you know what to put on a resume, make your first draft. Then, take a break and review it a few days later. With fresh eyes, you can be more objective. Consider: Are my achievements relevant for the role that I want to apply for? How can I demonstrate that my skills are of value to the organisation?
Tailor your CV, and edit it as necessary. Finally, get a trusted friend to proofread your resume. You can spend all the time in the world crafting what to write on a resume, but all that time can be wasted with just one spelling mistake.
What not to include in a resume
Sometimes, knowing what not to include is just as important as knowing what to include in a resume. This isn’t about deceiving the employer; it’s about leaving out irrelevant information so that the CV comes across as focused and professional. Here’s a list of what not to include in your CV.
How to tailor your resume
Tailoring is the key to making a good resume great. If you ensure that the information is personalised specifically to the role and employer, your CV will stand out from the pack.
First, start with researching the role and employer, and identify what achievements or skills you have that are relevant for the job at hand. Then, bring those achievements and skills to the forefront using these key tips.
How to create the perfect resume layout
Having a well-presented CV is critical to securing your perfect job. It’s not enough to have great content; your resume layout needs to be easy-to-read, professional and appealing.
Your hiring manager will have seen hundreds of different CVs. That means that it’s important that you follow the general standard when laying out and ordering the information, to help them navigate the content and to ensure your experience stands out.
Top 5 resume skills to put on your resume
While the skills for your resume will vary according to the role you’re applying for, its seniority and the industry you work in, there are some skills that will always be valued by employers.
Here are our tips on the top resume skills you should include on your resume.
How to find the professional resume template that is right for you
A resume template is used as a guide as to how a professional resume should be laid out. Resume templates also provide helpful information as to what content should be included in a CV.
Visit our resume templates page for resume samples, including finance and accounting resumes and more.
Online resume - making sure your resume stands out online
Increasingly, employers are interested to see your digital resume. A digital resume is, as it sounds, a resume that is readily accessible online via your own or a third-party platform.
In creating an online resume, there are many different options available. You can take a full ‘bells-and-whistles’ approach, and build your own website or create a video to create a big impact. Or you can leverage an existing networking platform, such as LinkedIn. You can also use a free online resume builder.
An online resume has the advantage of being discoverable by potential employers, but also has the disadvantage of not being tailored to suit a specific role that you may be going for. While they certainly have their place and will become increasingly more important, digital resumes are best used in conjunction with a more traditional, off-line resume.
You can never invest too much time in crafting the perfect resume. Even if you get the basics right, there are important nuances to consider that will help ensure that your resume gets to the top of the pile.
