When it comes to finding a new job, your résumé can either make or break you! If employers and recruiters are interested and you are getting job interviews, then your résumé is doing its job. If you are applying for job adverts and sending it to the recruiters and not hearing back, then there is a good chance your résumé needs some changes. Always see your résumé as your sales document, that is selling you and your skills. To check how it matches up to the job adverts you like, you can also try a résumé key word optimiser tool like skillsyncer or jobscan. Aim for a 70 to 80% match.
Your résumé can be the document that helps you progress your career within your current organisation or it may be required to introduce you to a new organisation or even a new career path. Either way, a successful résumé follows a very simple but effective outline. It should be clear and highlight you, your strengths and skills. Show your current work place and also work place achievements. Ultimately it becomes the document that sells you. It is very important that your résumé gets noticed to help you get the job interviews.
***These tips are all aimed at the Australian job market, if you are outside of Australia then it may be different***
Page one
Page one of your résumé is very important. It should clearly state your skills and what you can offer a potential new employer. It must include all your most important information and key strengths. It should be a summary and clear snapshot that helps a recruiter or employer to make their decision about you. No one should need to read beyond page one before they can fully understand what you do, and what you can offer an organisation. Recruiters receive hundreds of résumés each day, make it easy for them to understand what you do and why you are relevant for their job advert.
Details on page one of your résumé should include, in this order:
- Your Name | Your Mobile Number |Your Email (There is no need for your home address, landline or any more personal information)
- Career Profile – this should be a detailed paragraph on your skills and qualifications, years of experience and what you are looking for now. If you are professionally qualified then mention this in the first line of your career profile. An example is “A CA qualified Finance Manager with over 15 years experience within banking and financial services……….…..”
- Major Accomplishments OR Areas of Expertise OR Key Skills OR Specialities – Bullet point them. Ensure these are relevant to the types of jobs you will be applying for.
- Career Summary – this is 3 columns – Name of Employer | Your Positions |Dates (years only)
- IT Skills (optional and only if relevant) – either on page one or the last page of your résumé
Page 2, 3 and 4
- Company Name and dates (month and year) – starting with your most recent job
- Description of the Company – Underneath the name of the company, include a very brief description of who they are and what they do e.g. “Manufactures tables and chairs, 100 staff and a turnover of $50m pa”
- Your Job Title – you can also expand this to explain what the job actually does. For example – Director | VP | Head of Marketing
- Key Responsibilities – Bullet point each one and list them. Alternatively, write a paragraph explaining your role and your key responsibilities in this role.
- Key Achievements – Make sure you can back up your achievements and make them tangible. Always detail where each achievement added value to the business, and explain the outcome. Use the CAR framework. Click here to read how to do this.
- As your jobs get older, less detail is required. The last 10 to 12 years should have detail, beyond this write a brief summary. It is also fine to show something like, “Prior to 2005” and then list the company name, your position and years
- Education & Professional Qualifications– list them, you do not need to show the years. Also, there is no need to show your high school, unless you are just starting out in your career.
- Interests & Community Involvement – detail and explain any volunteer work or charities you are involved with. This tells an employer more about you as a person. The majority of employers will look favourably at seeing this on your résumé.
- There is no need to write “references available on request” – people will assume this is the case.
How long should my résumé be?
Depending on the length of your career it should be between 2 and 4 pages. 5 pages at the very most for senior executives. Remember, the most important page is PAGE ONE.
Is there a particular look for current résumés?
It is important to choose a font style that is easy to read. Calibri, Arial or Arial Narrow are good choices. Try to avoid using Times New Roman. Ensure as much white space as possible so your résumé is easy to read. Highlight company names and clearly label the years or time frames you have worked. Make it easy to digest. Don’t expect people to read between the lines, they won’t and they don’t have time.
Responsibilities vs Achievements
A good résumé needs both, but should be heavily weighted to tangible achievements. These showcase your own specific skills and abilities. Use the CAR framework. Click here to read how to do this.
Example Achievements include:
“Doubled finance employee engagement scores (from 40% to 80% in 2.5 years) through a concerted program of employee engagement, development and organisational restructuring included full integration of previously separate NZ Finance organisation”
“Reduced the time spent on controlling inventory by 20% through redesigning and reorganizing the physical storage of supplies“
Finally
Once you are happy with your résumé then ensure the recruiters you are registered with have your new updated version. Then start reaching out to your network and let them know you are looking for work and would value their advice. People are happy to help, but you do need to ask them.
If you are also required to attach a cover letter, then keep this brief and very focussed on the job you are applying for. Do not keep using the same generic cover letter, ensure you personalise it. Keep it to around half a page, unless you are answering key selection criteria for government roles.
If you would benefit from tailored one on one coaching then contact me to see if we can work together angela@mindfulcareers.com.au
To receive exclusive monthly career and job search tips straight to your inbox, subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Click here
***These tips are all aimed at the Australian job market, if you are outside of Australia then it may be different***
