How to Write a Resume and Cover Letter in Australia
Navigating the Australian job market requires a well-crafted resume and a compelling cover letter. These documents are your first impression, showcasing your skills, experience, and suitability for a role. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to creating effective application materials that will help you stand out from the competition.
What is the Purpose of a Resume and Cover Letter?
Your resume is a concise summary of your work history, education, skills, and achievements. It provides employers with a quick overview of your qualifications. A cover letter, on the other hand, is a more personalised document that allows you to elaborate on your resume, highlight your relevant skills, and explain why you are a good fit for the specific role and company. Together, they work to convince the employer that you are worth interviewing.
Resume Formatting and Structure
Choosing the right format is crucial for presenting your information clearly and effectively. In Australia, the most common resume formats are chronological, functional, and combination.
Chronological Resume: This format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. It is ideal for individuals with a consistent work history and clear career progression.
Functional Resume: This format focuses on your skills and abilities, rather than your work history. It is suitable for individuals with gaps in their employment history, career changers, or those with limited work experience.
Combination Resume: This format combines elements of both chronological and functional resumes. It highlights your key skills and abilities while also providing a chronological overview of your work experience.
Regardless of the format you choose, your resume should include the following sections:
- Contact Information: Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile URL (if applicable). Ensure your email address is professional.
- Summary or Objective: A brief statement that highlights your key skills and career goals. A summary is best for experienced professionals, while an objective is more suitable for entry-level candidates.
- Work Experience: List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order. For each job, include your job title, company name, dates of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements. Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments (e.g., managed, developed, implemented).
- Education: List your degrees, diplomas, and certifications in reverse chronological order. Include the name of the institution, the degree earned, and the dates of attendance.
- Skills: List your relevant skills, including both hard skills (e.g., software proficiency, technical skills) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, problem-solving). Tailor this section to match the requirements of the job description.
- Awards and Recognition (Optional): Include any awards, honours, or recognition you have received that are relevant to the job.
- Volunteer Experience (Optional): Include any volunteer experience that demonstrates your skills and commitment.
- References: You can either list your references directly on your resume or state "References available upon request."
Resume Length and Design
Length: Aim for a resume that is no more than two pages long. For recent graduates or those with limited experience, one page is often sufficient.
Font: Choose a professional and easy-to-read font, such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Use a font size of 10-12 points.
Margins: Use standard margins (1 inch or 2.5 cm) on all sides.
White Space: Use white space effectively to make your resume visually appealing and easy to scan.
File Format: Save your resume as a PDF file to ensure that it looks the same on all devices.
Highlighting Skills and Experience
Your resume should not just list your responsibilities; it should highlight your accomplishments and demonstrate the value you brought to your previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe your achievements.
Situation: Describe the context or situation in which you faced a challenge.
Task: Explain the task or goal you were assigned.
Action: Describe the actions you took to address the challenge or achieve the goal.
Result: Quantify the results of your actions whenever possible. For example, "Increased sales by 15% in six months."
Examples of Strong Achievement Statements:
"Managed a team of five marketing specialists to develop and implement a new social media strategy that increased brand awareness by 20%."
"Developed and implemented a new customer service training programme that reduced customer complaints by 10%."
"Streamlined the accounts payable process, resulting in a 15% reduction in processing time."
Identifying Key Skills
Carefully review the job description to identify the key skills and qualifications that the employer is seeking. Make sure to highlight these skills in your resume, both in the skills section and in your descriptions of your work experience. If you lack a specific skill that is required for the job, consider acquiring it through online courses or workshops. Understanding can help you identify skill gaps and find suitable training options.
Writing a Compelling Cover Letter
A cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the employer, explain why you are interested in the job, and highlight your relevant skills and experience. It should be tailored to the specific job and company.
Cover Letter Structure
Your cover letter should typically be one page long and include the following sections:
- Heading: Include your contact information and the date.
- Salutation: Address the hiring manager by name if possible. If you don't know the hiring manager's name, use "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear Recruitment Team."
- Introduction: State the job you are applying for and how you found out about the position. Briefly explain why you are interested in the job and why you are a good fit.
- Body Paragraphs: Highlight your relevant skills and experience, and explain how they align with the requirements of the job. Provide specific examples of your accomplishments. Demonstrate your knowledge of the company and its mission. Explain what Understanding offers in terms of career support.
- Closing Paragraph: Reiterate your interest in the job and thank the employer for their time and consideration.
- Call to Action: Express your desire to be interviewed and provide your contact information.
- Sincerely: Use a professional closing, such as "Sincerely" or "Yours sincerely," followed by your signature (if submitting a hard copy) and typed name.
Cover Letter Content
Showcase your personality: Let your personality shine through in your cover letter. Be enthusiastic and genuine.
Focus on the employer's needs: Explain how you can help the employer achieve their goals.
Quantify your accomplishments: Use numbers and data to demonstrate the impact of your work.
- Proofread carefully: Ensure that your cover letter is free of errors in grammar and spelling.
Tailoring Your Application
One of the most common mistakes job seekers make is submitting the same resume and cover letter for every job. To increase your chances of success, you need to tailor your application to each specific job and company. This involves carefully reviewing the job description and identifying the key skills and qualifications that the employer is seeking. Then, you need to highlight these skills in your resume and cover letter, and provide specific examples of how you have used them in the past. Research the company to understand its values and culture, and demonstrate how you align with them. You can learn more about Understanding and our approach to education to see an example of company values.
Proofreading and Editing
Before submitting your application, it is essential to proofread and edit your resume and cover letter carefully. Errors in grammar and spelling can make you look unprofessional and careless. Ask a friend or family member to review your documents for you. Use a grammar and spell checker to identify any errors you may have missed. Pay attention to formatting and consistency. Ensure that your resume and cover letter are easy to read and visually appealing. If you have frequently asked questions, be sure to research common application errors.
Submitting Your Application
Follow the instructions provided in the job posting for submitting your application. Most employers now accept applications online. Make sure to submit your resume and cover letter as PDF files, unless otherwise specified. Pay attention to deadlines and submit your application on time. After submitting your application, follow up with the employer to express your continued interest in the job. A brief email or phone call can help you stand out from the competition. Remember to be polite and professional in all your interactions with the employer.
By following these tips, you can create a resume and cover letter that will impress employers and help you land your dream job in Australia.