The ACT’s first ever Resume Workshop is quickly approaching and Jade and I thought you might like a few tips to help you get started on your resume or put some extra polish on it before sending it through to us.

Advice from reviewer:

1. When you’re applying for a job, make sure your timelines match in the key selection criteria, cover letter and resume. Someone reviewing your application may find it odd if they don’t match and decide not to accept your application based solely on this inconsistency. This would be the case if one of the selection criteria included ‘attention to detail’.

An article in the New York Times  by Rob Walker suggests that tailoring your resume to the specific job you are applying for is more likely to be successful than a generic one.

• Employers are looking for key skills that relate to the job so use the language of the profession in your resume.

According to Jonathon Long

• Make your resume flow like it is a story is important. If your resume is confusing or jumps around too much then the reader will likely disregard it. This is very similar to advice Jade received at Resume Workshops and Key Selection Criteria Workshops she has attended.
• Sell yourself in the top-third of your resume as readers are less likely to read the whole thing on first viewing.
• Format your resume into bullet-points and sections allows the reader to take in more information at a glance.

While a great resume helps you look good on paper, consider this bonus tip to give you that all-round, great first impression:

Check the recorded voice mail message on your mobile is appropriate for anyone calling in response to a job application you have submitted. You may miss out on a great opportunity if the caller cannot tell if it is actually you they have called, or worse not be able to leave a message at all. So update your voicemail message and ensure you check it regularly!

We can’t wait to see you all at the Resume Workshop on 8 April 2017 at the National Library of Australia!

Jade Koekoe & Chris Sonneveld

ALIA Students and New Graduates Group (ACT) Coordinators
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