Refresh Your Resume this Summer – Top 10 Tips
7 December 2015 at 9:03 am
You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make sure your resume makes a great one on your behalf, writes Richard Green, Director of NGO Recruitment.
Tip 1: Keep the formatting simple
Graphics and fancy fonts can throw off the formatting when it gets through to the employer. By keeping the text and layout in Microsoft Word format you can guarantee that there will be no obstacles to viewing your document on the other end.
Tip 2: Ditch the photograph
Photographs are not required on resumes in Australia, in fact they generally do you a disservice. Passport photos are rarely flattering, and recruiters are not dating services so the air brushed look won’t benefit your application.
Tip 3: Include all relevant experience
It’s always a good idea to have a “control” copy of your CV that includes all of your experience even if it’s from a long time ago. From there you can create shorter versions if requested by a recruitment process. Always tailor your cover letter, resume and criteria to the role you’re applying for.
Tip 4: Exclude irrelevant information
Under Australian law employers cannot discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion or marital status so you really don’t need to provide this information. Although do ensure you include your work rights in Australia.
Tip 5: Avoid acronyms and abbreviations
Commonly used acronyms in your current position, company or industry might have a completely different meaning in another environment or could even mean nothing at all. To ensure the reader of your resume understands everything, use full words.
Tip 6: Check and double check your dates
If there is a gap in your employment history– explain it. If you were studying, travelling or looking after family then say so. Otherwise an employer might be suspicious that you have something to hide.
Tip 7: Ensure that your contact details are correct – and be contactable
Double check that the phone number and email address you provide are correct, and ensure your phone will take a message if you are not available to take the call. Voice to text is a bad idea. Also, keep your email address professional.
Tip 8: Be accurate – your resume should be “current”
Ensure you send your application with the most up to date resume you have. If you have finished the last job listed in your resume specify an end date. Ensure previous jobs you were in several years ago do not say “current”. This is especially important if you are applying for a contract role as the recruiter or employer may need to know if you are immediately available.
Tip 9: Address your cover letter
If you are going to include a cover letter with your resume then be sure to address it to the person specified in the advertisement, where possible, as they will be the person reading it. Don’t send a generic cover letter with “To Whom It May Concern”. Save the cover letter with your resume as one document. When you attach them as separate documents, as some websites encourage you to do, the cover letter is attached to a separate file and may not get read.
Tip 10: Transitioning from the corporate sector?
Include any volunteering or personal fundraising achievements you have. This shows that you have a genuine interest in the sector and sets your resume apart from others looking to make the same move!
About the author: Richard Green is the Director of NGO Recruitment – a specialist recruitment service provider which delivers non-government organisations with Board Members, CEOs, Fundraising, Marketing, Operational, Finance and Administration staff.
