A recruiter often has a long list of applications to get through for a single role. Your resume may get a quick scan before it gets a proper read. The good news is that you can shape what they see in that first scan.
This guide covers the conventions Australian employers usually expect, what recruiters tend to look at first, and how to edit your resume so the right information is easy to find. You can work through it on your phone and apply the changes in one sitting.
Start with the right name and format
In Australia, the document most people send is called a resume. You will also see CV used, especially in academic, research and medical settings, where a longer document listing publications or training is common. If a job ad asks for a resume, send a resume. If it asks for a CV, check whether the role is academic or specialised before deciding how long to make it.
A few format basics help:
- Save as a PDF unless the ad asks for Word. A PDF keeps your layout intact on any device.
- Name the file clearly, for example
Jordan-Nguyen-Resume.pdf. - Use a plain, readable font at a comfortable size.
- Keep margins and spacing consistent so it is easy to scan on a phone screen.
- Use Australian spelling throughout, such as organisation, specialise and programme only where it is part of a formal name.
What to leave off
Australian resumes are usually more stripped back than those in some other countries. As a general rule, you do not need to include:
- A photo
- Your date of birth, marital status or number of children
- Your full home address (suburb and state is enough)
- Your religion or other personal details unrelated to the job
Employers are focused on your skills and experience. Leaving personal details off keeps the document focused on what matters and protects your privacy. If you are unsure about a specific rule, check the relevant official government source rather than relying on general advice.
How long should it be?
There is no single rule, but most Australian resumes run to about two to three pages for people with several years of experience. A first-time applicant or student can often fit everything on one to two pages. Senior professionals or people in technical and academic fields may need more.
The better test is relevance. Every line should help a recruiter decide you are worth a phone call. If a role from many years ago does not support your current application, shorten it to a line or two.
What recruiters scan for first
Recruiters tend to look at the top of page one and then move down quickly. They are usually checking for a few things:
- Who you are and how to reach you. Name, phone number, email address, suburb and state.
- Whether you match the role. Job titles, employers and the industry you have worked in.
- Recent experience. Your last two or three roles, in reverse chronological order.
- Relevant skills and qualifications. Licences, tickets, certifications and degrees that the ad mentions.
- Gaps or confusing jumps. Dates that do not line up or unexplained breaks.
If these five things are easy to find, you have done most of the work.
Build your resume section by section
Contact details
Put your name at the top in a slightly larger font. Underneath, add your mobile number, a professional email address and your suburb and state. If you have a LinkedIn profile that is up to date, you can include it.
Career summary
Write a short summary of three to four lines. It should say who you are, what you do, and what you bring to this kind of role. Adjust it for each application so it echoes the language in the ad.
For example:
Customer service professional with four years of experience in busy retail and call centre environments. Skilled in resolving complaints, handling cash and working to sales targets. Looking for a team leader role where I can support new staff.
Avoid vague phrases such as hard-working team player. Replace them with something specific you can back up.
Key skills
A short list of skills near the top helps recruiters match you to the role quickly. Pick six to eight that appear in the job ad and that you can genuinely demonstrate. Include software, equipment and processes where relevant.
Work history
List your roles in reverse chronological order. For each one, include:
- Job title
- Employer name
- Location (suburb or city)
- Start and end dates, using month and year
- Three to six bullet points describing what you did and achieved
Start bullets with action verbs and add numbers where you honestly can. Compare these two examples:
- Responsible for serving customers.
- Served around 80 customers per shift, resolving most queries at the counter without escalation.
The second one shows scale and ownership. Only include figures you can explain if asked at interview.
Education, licences and training
List your highest or most relevant qualifications first. In Australia, employers often look for specific tickets, cards and licences, depending on the industry, such as a driver licence, first aid certificate or a working with children check. Include only those you currently hold, and say if one is in progress.
Referees
Many Australian resumes include two referees at the end, with name, position, relationship to you, and contact details. Others say that referees are available on request. Either approach is common. If you list referees, ask their permission first and tell them about the role.
Tailor it without rewriting everything
Tailoring does not mean starting again. Keep a master resume with all your roles and achievements. For each application:
- Read the ad and highlight the key requirements.
- Move the most relevant skills and achievements higher up.
- Mirror the wording the employer uses, where it is truthful.
- Trim anything that does not support this particular role.
Many employers use applicant tracking systems that search for keywords, so matching the language in the ad can help your resume surface. Keep your layout simple, because heavy graphics, text boxes and columns can confuse some systems.
Address selection criteria when asked
Some roles, especially in government and larger organisations, ask for written responses to selection criteria alongside your resume. This is a separate document. Read the ad carefully and follow the instructions it gives. Your resume should still stand on its own, but you can use examples from it to support your responses.
Handling gaps and career changes
Gaps are common and are not automatically a problem. If you took time out for study, caring, travel or health reasons, a single honest line is usually enough. Put it in your work history so the timeline makes sense.
If you are changing careers, lead with a summary that connects your past experience to the new field. Group transferable skills such as communication, scheduling or customer care near the top, then show how you used them in previous roles. Volunteering, short courses and unpaid projects can also count.
If you have little or no experience
First-time applicants can still write a strong resume. Focus on:
- School or study achievements
- Volunteering and community involvement
- Part-time work, informal jobs and helping family or friends
- Skills such as reliability, punctuality and learning quickly, backed by a short example
A quick final check
Before you press send, run through this list:
- Is your phone number correct and your voicemail professional?
- Are dates consistent and in the same format?
- Have you used Australian spelling?
- Does the top half of page one show your best match to the role?
- Have you read it aloud or asked someone to proofread it?
- Is the file name clear and the file in the format requested?
A resume does not need to be perfect. It needs to be clear, honest and easy to scan. Make the first half of page one count, keep the rest focused, and you give a busy recruiter good reasons to keep reading.
