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Resume writing tips
Applying for jobs can often be a long and tedious process. We’ve brainstormed a few ways to help make a great first impression and improve your chances of landing an interview.
Use the following suggestions to help write a professional resume that demonstrates your skills, qualifications and experience.
Tailor your resume to the job ad
Highlight the specific skills you have that match the key requirements listed in the job description. Yes, that means you’ll be adjusting your resume for each new application…
Recruiters can be swamped with applications, tailoring your resume means that you will stand out with a quick scan of your resume or in keyword searches.
Keep it short
Remember less is more. Provide detail about your current or recent jobs and include less about your past, or less relevant roles. Try to keep your resume down to one or two pages.
If you’re applying for a role that’s a little different from your skillset it can be worthwhile including a brief objective summary to add context to your application. Otherwise, get straight to the point.
Your cover letter is your opportunity to share more information and show your interest in the role. Having a passion for the causes the organisation works with is highly regarded (particularly in the not for profit sector). Use your cover letter to let them know how you would be a good culture fit.
Take out unnecessary information
Keep your personal details to a minimum. Name, phone, email and a suburb or postcode instead of your full address will be enough.
Only include hobbies if they are relevant to the role. If you’re applying for a youth worker role they would probably be happy to know you’re a scout leader. Whereas sharing your fondness for binge watching Netflix is something you can save for the tearoom.
Unless specified in the job advertisement, supply references only upon request. This is often the final step in the recruitment process, you generally won’t have to supply details until after an interview. This also means you can give your referees a heads up that they will be receiving a call. An unprepared reference can be awkward and reflect poorly on you.
Keep it clear and uncluttered
Make it easy to read and use bullet points. Use a spell check to fix errors and have a friend read over it to make sure it reads well before submitting. A big recruiter pet peeve is incorrect spelling and sloppy grammar, particularly if you’ve included “great attention to detail” as one of your skills.
Be professional
It can be worth your while setting up a new email address for your job applications. That quirky email address you set up back in high school may cause prejudice in certain HR circles.
Last but not least, follow the employer's submission requirements if they ask you to address a selection criteria. Let us repeat that — address the selection criteria! With other applicants not bothering to make the extra effort, you’ll be top of the list from the get go.
Happy job seeking!
Interview tips
Interviews are tough! To help out, we’ve thought of a few ways to settle your nerves and prepare for your next job interview.
Research
Go online and read everything you can about the organisation and your interviewers (look them up on Facebook and LinkedIn, you know they would have sneaked a look at your profile..)
Finding similar views and interests can really help to build rapport. It can also make the meeting a little less intimidating, knowing you’re interviewing with a kindred spirit who shares your love for fly fishing.
Prepare
Do the prep work, so you can be confident in yourself and your abilities. The more self-aware you are, the better you will be at knowing why you’re the best one for the job.
- Know yourself and your skill set. Break down your current or most recent role. Work out what you’re good at, what you enjoyed working on, where you need to improve, what management style you prefer and what you want to learn in your new role. This will help you form answers for all of those fun “tell us about yourself” and “tell us what your greatest weakness is” questions.
- Have the contact details of the interviewer in case you hit a snag. Even when you plan to get to your interview 15 minutes early, life can still get in the way, you can’t un-cancel a train or predict your car will break down. Know who to call.
- Brainstorm some questions to ask at the end of the interview. Think of things you haven’t been able to find out from your research. For example, what does a standard day look like? What do they enjoy most about working there?
Stay calm
If interviews cause you anxiety, do everything you can to help yourself de-stress and land that dream job.
- Don’t cram the morning before, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to do your research well before the interview.
- Get a good night’s sleep, have your outfit organised and directions ready to go the night before. If you’re having trouble falling asleep, write down all those thoughts that are swirling around in your head. They’ll be right there waiting for you the next morning.
- Plan how you’re going to calm your nerves on the day and do what works for you. If meditation is your thing, allow extra time to manage your stress or park a little further away so you can walk off your pre-interview nerves.
Remember to keep smiling, it can actually make you feel better!
National Police Checks
Do you need to complete a police check for a new job or volunteer position?
Most roles in the not for profit sector require police checks, having your police check complete and up-to-date can streamline your job application process and help you become job ready.
Fit2work offer fully trackable national police history checks, you can submit your details in minutes with ID verification, consent and results all online.
Partnered with Australia Post, fit2work is secure and compliant with Australian Standards and fully credited by ACIC (Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission).
A National Police Check certificate costs $49.90, and $29.90 if you're applying for a volunteer position.
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