In my time in the career and development team, I’ve recruited 100’s of people across all job functions – which means I’ve seen my fair share of resumes; the good, the bad and the ugly…
Nailing your resume is the first step to making a great first impression. If you’re wanting to check you're on the right path or not sure where to start, here are our do's and don’ts for all things resumes so that you can wow a recruiter!
What to avoid
1. Too much detail.
Whilst it's nice to read about the responsibilities you've had in every job you've held, try and keep your summary concise - even in dot points! Leave the detail for our discussion in the interview.
2. Consider the order.
We want to see your most recent employment experience first! If you’ve been in the workforce for some time or have worked multiple jobs at a time, consider removing what is least relevant to the job you’re applying for.
HOT TIP: If you’re applying for a real estate job and have completed or are completing your Real Estate Sales Certificate put your education first!
3. Your resume doesn’t have to be a piece of art.
Your resume should be visually appealing, but it doesn’t have to be a piece of art! Your priority is for recruiters to be able to read the key details about you and your professional experience. Think simple fonts and a professional colour palette!
4. Make sure it’s up to date.
It sounds simple, but always double check you’re submitting your most recently updated resume! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read old, outdated resumes or ones that were clearly tailored for a different role. It’s an immediate disqualification!
5. Keep it short.
You hear it time and time again but it’s true, do not submit a resume that is longer than 2 pages. If it’s longer than that, chances are there is information on there that isn’t required! Keep reviewing until it’s nice and concise with clear subheadings.
HOT TIP: Being able to summarise your career into a 2-page resume is a great skill that we take note of!
What to include
A good resume that will make a lasting impression on us nails the basics and gets to the point! These are my top tips for making your resume stand out. None of these are ground-breaking ideas, and they aren’t supposed to be.
Treat this as a final editing checklist if you please...
- Include relevant and easy to find contact information.
- Use clear, simple language that is easily understandable.
- Include relevant keywords from the job description.
- When listing previous experience, include the company name, dates you worked there and your position.
- Include clear and concise explanations of your experience and relevant skills
- Include quantifiable details from past projects and experiences
- Make your explanations of your experience and relevant skills concise.
- Use consistent formatting with clearly organised settings using headers.
- Proofread for spelling/grammar errors. Tools like Grammarly are free and great!
- Summarise relevant education, certifications and courses.
- Consider including volunteering activities and personal interests
- Include details of two references that will advocate for you
- Leave white space and make use of a consistent margin
- Submit your resume as a PDF (but be sure to save a word version for future changes!)
Paired with a cracking cover letter, these tips will give you a sure chance of making a lasting impression on a recruiter. You are on your way to getting smarter in all aspects of your life and we are so excited to help you with that journey!
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