Tips to get started
- Keep it simple.
- Layout is crucial.
- Two pages maximum – cut out waffle.
- Tailor each CV specific to the employer – adapt keywords, hand pick relevant experiences, values and insight into the business.
- Avoid creating CVs on apps such as Canva. Companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) which interfaces the documents that you upload. If you use apps like Canva, your documents may not interface properly and sometimes certain information may be lost.
- Edit and proofread your base copy three times before customising content for each employer. Have a good friend, family member or tutor review your final CV and cover letter before submitting it.
- For e-copies of the CV, underline hyperlinks to company home pages or portfolio resources. For physical copies, remove the underlines.
- Rename your CV and Cover letter e.g., First Name Last Name CV
- Make sure your writing is free of spelling and grammatical errors.
- Ensure your resume is easy to read – avoid using multiple fonts, pictures, and dense information.
- Convert your Word document to a PDF format.
Required Information
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address (Note: Create a new email ID if your current email address is not professional)
- Link to professional accounts e.g. LinkedIn
- Working Rights – Citizen, Permanent Resident, Student Visa (Valid for x years).
Work experience
- Company | Position | Location | Dates of employment
- 3-5 bullet points of accomplishments using the skillset employers are seeking.
- Start bullet points with strong action verbs followed by an explanation of what you did, how you did it, and the outcome.
- In this section, include any results/outcome of your work, accomplishments, impacts on the organisation, and any skills or knowledge that you gained. Include any experience that is relevant to the employment goal.
- Use proper tense. -ed for past experiences and present tense for current positions.
Qualifications
- Name of University | Location | Major/Degree | Start and end date (if applicable)
- Most recent first with qualifications written in full e.g. Bachelor of Engineering
Skills, Interests and Extracurricular activities
- Limit to current activities.
- Skills must be concrete and testable - Add technical skills e.g. Microsoft Office | ArcGIS | SQL.
- Associations, memberships, awards, certificates, online courses, and personal projects.
Referees
- Your two most recent referees. Ideally, one from your university/polytechnic.
- Referee details to include: Full Name | Work Relationship | Company Name | Phone Number | Email
- Academic transcript – We always ask for this. (Note: This is not the only thing we look at. We are interested in your experience, passions and how you want to grow)
Optional Information
- Career Objective or Personal Summary – snapshot of you, what you are looking for and why.
- Publications
- GPA