Create Your Own Successful Resume

It’s a new year and a good time to review and update your resume. If you are looking for some pointers to improve your current resume, make sure you can tick off everything in the following checklist:

Contact Details
You need to include your: name, contact phone number (a mobile is fine), postal address (at least your suburb to show you are authentic), email address, and any other relevant contact details you are happy for employers to view (do not include personal websites such as facebook if they do not represent you professionally).

Employment History
This section needs to start with your title, the company and the dates you were there. Then, in bullet points, list the duties you performed in each role.

List your roles with the most recent first and work back.

Where possible, it is a good idea to finish off each job with a ‘RFL’ (Reason For Leaving), obviously, if the reason is not positive, or requires some explanation, it might be better to leave this detail for the interview stage.

Example role description:

Customer Service Manager
XYZ Suppliers, Sydney
March 2000-January 2009

Duties performed:
• X
• Y
• Z

RFL: Redundancy

Education
Display your education by listing the type of study, the level attained (e.g. Degree), where you studied, and when.

List your education from most recent and work backwards. If you have completed education that is more recreational than work related you may want to include it in a separate section after you have listed your relevant education.

Display your education as follows:

Arts Degree
Sydney University
2000-2002

Interests
Include some interests in your resume that reflect your character and how you spend your time outside of work. Remember, you want your interests to reflect you positively so only include what is appropriate and relevant to prospective employers.

Referees
It is quite acceptable to simple write:

‘Referees available upon request.’

Many people do this to avoid their referees being called without their knowledge or their permission. If you do choose to not include referee details, make sure you take the details with you to any interviews.

You may otherwise choose to list your referees as follows:

John Black
XYZ Suppliers, Sydney
0401 234 567

Make sure your resume ticks the checklist above so that prospective employers get a complete impression of you and your history. Remember to keep your resume easy to read – simple fonts, clear layout – so the information you include is easily accessible. Finally, make sure you proofread your resume before sending it to anyone; nothing will undo your hard work faster than a typo. or bad grammar.

If you would like assistance editing or formulating your resume, contact Shandel’s Proofreading Services. Our experience in the recruitment industry enables us to create effective, successful resumes. Call on 0450 170 084, or email: info@proofreadingservices.net.au