Resumes Best Practice

Make your resume work –Best practice in resumes today

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

We acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional Country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and pays respect to Elders past, present and upcoming. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land.

We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Kaurna people living today.

We also extend that respect to other Aboriginal Language Groups and other First Nations

Objectives of Today

• Understand the purpose of a resume.

• Follow resume conventions.

• Articulate past experience as responsibilities and achievements.

• Knowledge of applicant tracking systems.

• Use a cover letter to highlight relevant qualifications, skills and experience.

EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVE

Follow the instructions in the Job Ad

Make sure your message is tailored for the Job AD

Review the position description

RESUME PURPOSE COMMON / PROFESSIONAL

RESUME PURPOSE

Demonstrate your skill, experience and capability

Secure an Interview

Maintain a “master resume document"

Always tailor the document to the role

Relevant content

RESUME CONTENT

Reverse Chronological Order Persuasive

RESUME LAYOUT

• Length 2-3 pages, depending on the role

• Font 11-12 Calibre or Ariel

• Spacing between headers and sentences

• Use Bullet Points

• Install a footer with the page numbers

Sample Resume

RESPONSIBILITIES

When listing each past job on your resume

• use responsibility statements (followed by achievement statements)

• Don’t list tasks

Example

• Ensured team had access to day to day resources required for efficient service delivery.

• Placed weekly stationary order

ACHIEVEMENT STATEMENTS

• Use achievement statements to help you stand out

• They are Short stories to demonstrate your statements

• Be specific and concise

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

Arranged onsite annual influenza vaccinations of 100 employees: liaised with nurse, created appropriately private environment, managed appointments.

Achievement Statement

Examples

Refreshed 25% of desktop, laptop, AV and other minor IT assets on time and within budget through effective price negotiations with vendors and efficient time and resource management.

Collaborated with social media consultant to create and implement new digital marketing plan. Within 12 months, achieved 70% increase in social media followers, engagement and reach. Achieved number 2 out of 21 nationally in first line product sales in 2011.

APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM

(ATS) (and the use of AI assessment)

Cover Letters

What to include

How and who to address it to Start enthusiastically

COVER LETTERS

Finish with- I look forward to… NOT -I hope…

No more that 1 page

Consider structure, content and language. Use spell and grammar check.

COVER LETTERS

• Introduction (1 or 2 Paragraphs)

• Why are you writing

• Why both the positions and the organisation interest you

• Body of the Letter (paragraph 3-5)

• Highlight your strength and attributes

• Tailor your information to the Job

• Include other strengths you think are relevant

• Close

• You look forward to discussing your application. Thank you

EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVE

Follow the instructions in the Job Ad

Make sure your message is tailored for the Job AD