How to write a CV for the Australian job market

Question: What is a résumé or CV (Curriculum Vitae)?
Answer: Possibly the most important document you will ever write.

Every CV is a one-of-a-kind marketing communication. It should be appropriate to your situation and do exactly what you want it to do.

Think about the purpose of your CV. Why do you have a CV in the first place? What do you want it to do for you? An advertised position often attracts a considerable amount of applications, so you are facing a great deal of competition, especially when applying from overseas.

Your CV is a tool with one specific purpose: to win an interview.

Other possible purposes include:

• To pass the employer's screening process (requisite educational level, number years' experience, etc.), to give basic facts which might favourably influence the employer (companies worked for, affiliations, etc.).
• To provide contact information, such as an up-to-date address, email address and a telephone number (a telephone number which will always be answered during business hours).
• To establish you as a professional person with high standards and excellent writing skills, based on the fact that the CV is so well done (clear, well-organised and well-written. For persons in the profession of marketing the CV can serve as a sample of skills.
• To have a document to provide to potential employers to provide background information.
• To help you clarify your direction, qualifications, and strengths, boost your confidence, or to start the process of committing to a job or career change.

Write with the intention to create interest, to persuade the Australian employer to call you. If you write with that goal, your final product will be very different than if you write to inform or catalogue your job history.

A CV isn’t usually as valued as it should be. The significant importance this document can play in the direction of an individual’s career goals and objectives is of great importance, especially when you are selling yourself from far away. I always recommend to candidates that they have approximately five minutes to impress a potential employer from sending a CV or when they attend an interview. Get this wrong, and it could jeopardise your career in more ways than one.

What should my CV include?

The following information is a guideline. We suggest you use your own style, but always remember to keep the presentation professional and to the point.

The content, layout and information you provide needs to have an immediate impact on a potential employer. You can clearly stand out from the rest of the applicants if your CV is presented in a concise and informative manner. The following information will offer a guideline on how to achieve the best presentation style to capture the attention of the employer.

Points that should be considered when planning your document can be found below in the sample CV:

JOHN CITIZEN
(photo is optional – if used, please keep it a passport size professional head and shoulders style)

-written by Cherrille Quilty, International Recruitment Manager, Interstaff International Recruitment