ProGrad Melbourne

Just for starters

Just for starters

Writing a resume isn’t rocket science; but it can be a somewhat delicate art. Especially as a recent graduate when you’re trying to boost your high school CV in order to pitch yourself to corporate high flyers.

So what are some basic do’s and don’ts for the resume writing process? While there are many helpful (and some not so) articles on the internet giving you all sorts of practical advice, it can be difficult to sort through the rubble to find the hidden diamonds.

Some of the best and most crucial pieces of advice can be summed up quite simply and should be enough to get you started, or put the finishing touches on your masterpiece.

Tailor your resume as well as the cover letter to each job you apply for. It can be tedious, but if an employer requests a cover letter, this is your first impression you want it to be the right impression. Your resume is your job application so make sure it fits the bill.

Do NOT title the document with the word ‘RESUME’. You wouldn’t call someone and say “PHONE CALL” when they pick up- there is no need to state the obvious.

Include a career objective. This speaks to the specific requirements of the role you are applying for but also should appeal to the industry and level of role you are seeking.

Be brutal on your employment history. This isn’t your life story, just the relevant roles or employment history that has given you transferable skills.

Keep it short and sweet. Realistically no more than 2 pages are needed to sum up your experience and career objectives at this point in your career.

Finally- it seems obvious but so often is overlooked. Make sure there are NO spelling mistakes at all. There will be no bonus points awarded for “prefectionists” who have littered their resume with grammatical or spelling errors.

Is your resume a little on the thin side? Looking for a graduate position? Contact ProGrad’s Graduate Management Team on 02 8235 8300 or email us at info@prograd.com.au