Writing a resume can be challenging for everyone. But don’t worry! Here are some easy tips to help you create the perfect resume, tailored to showcase your skills and experiences effectively.
What is a resume?
A resume is a document that summarises your work experience, education, skills, and other relevant information. It’s used when applying for jobs to give employers a quick overview of who you are and what you can do. Think of it as your personal advertisement, showcasing your qualifications and experiences. Try to keep your resume to one or two pages.
Ready to create your resume? Here are some tips:
- Start with your contact information
Your contact information should be at the top of your resume, making it easy for potential employers to contact you.
Be sure to include your:
- Full name: Write your full name at the top. Make it bold and slightly larger than the rest of the text so it stands out.
- Address: Include your suburb only. Don’t include your street address,
- Phone number: Provide the phone number where employers can reach you. Ensure that your voicemail is professional.
- Email address: Use a professional email address. Avoid using nicknames or slang.
You should leave out any personal information, such as your age, height and marital status, unless they are relevant for the position.
- Write a summary
The summary is a brief introduction that highlights your professional background and key skills. It should be concise, compelling and be a reflection of your personality.
- Short introduction: Write a short paragraph about yourself. Mention your career goals and what type of position you are seeking.
- Skills: Mention your key skills that are relevant to the job. These could include technical skills, soft transferable skills, or any other abilities that make you a good candidate. To find relevant skills that the employer values, look at the job description.
- Experience: Briefly talk about your work experience, focusing on your achievements and responsibilities in previous roles.
- List your work experience
Detailing your work experience is crucial. This section provides potential employers with insight into your professional history and accomplishments.
- Job Title: Write your job title for each position you have held.
- Company Name: Include the name of the company where you worked.
- Dates: The dates you worked there, formatted as “Month Year – Month Year.”
- Duties: List the tasks you did at the job. Focus on your responsibilities and any notable achievements.
Example:
Job Title: Paid Trainee Company Name: Jigsaw Dates: January 2019 – Present Duties:
- Digitised documents using a scanner, large plan scanner and overhead scanner
- Undertook quality control, checking the work of colleagues to maintain a high standard
- Prepared documents for scanning
- Data entry
- File management
- Include your education
Your education section should highlight your academic achievements and any relevant courses.
- School / college / university name: Name.
- Degree or Certificate: What you studied or the name of your degree/qualification. Mention any honours or distinctions.
- Dates: When you attended.
Example:
TAFE name: Northern Beaches TAFE Course: Certificate III in childcare Dates: September 2022 – May 2023
- Highlight your skills
Showcase your skills to give employers a better understanding of your abilities.
- Relevant skills: List the skills that are important for the job you are applying for. These can be technical skills (like programming languages or software proficiency) or soft skills (like communication or teamwork).
- Special training: Mention any special training or courses you have completed that are relevant to the job.
Example:
- Technical skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office, Scanning
- Soft skills: Excellent communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
- Special Training: Completed a course in project management from XYZ Institute.
- Add certifications and awards
Including certifications and awards can help your resume stand out.
- Certifications: Any certificates you have earned that are relevant to the job.
- Awards: Any awards or recognitions you have received.
Example:
- Certifications: First aid certificate, online courses
- Awards: School awards, Employee of the Month, Jigsaw March 2024.
- Mention volunteer work
Volunteer work can be a great addition to your resume, showcasing your willingness to contribute to the community.
- Volunteer experience: List any volunteer work you have done.
- Organisation name: Name of the organisation.
- Dates: When you volunteered.
- Duties: Tasks you performed as a volunteer.
Example:
Volunteer experience: Mentor Organisation Name: Big Brothers Big Sisters Dates: June 2018 – Present Duties:
- Mentored a young person, providing guidance and support.
- Organised and participated in community events.
- Make sure your resume is accessible
Ensuring your resume is accessible is important for making a good impression.
- Format: Choose a simple, easy-to-read format. Avoid using too many graphics or fancy fonts.
- Font size: Use a readable font size (at least 12 points). Stick to standard sans serif fonts like Arial, Calibri or Helvetica
- Bullets: Use bullet points to list items for clarity. This helps make your resume easy to scan quickly.
- Focus on your strengths
Highlighting your strengths and achievements can set you apart from other candidates.
- Positive language: Use positive words to describe your skills and experiences. Avoid negative language or downplaying your abilities.
- Achievements: Highlight your achievements, using specific examples and quantifiable results when possible.
- Tailor your resume for each job
Customising your resume for each job application can increase your chances of getting noticed.
- Customise: Adjust your resume for each job you apply for, focusing on the most relevant skills and experiences.
- Keywords: Use keywords from the job description in your resume. This can help your resume get through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
- Include a cover letter
A cover letter is a great opportunity to explain why you are interested in the job and why you would be a great fit.
- Introduction: Introduce yourself and explain why you are applying for the job.
- Fit: Explain why you are a good fit for the position. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences.
- Thank You: Thank the employer for considering your application. End with a call to action, such as asking for an interview.
- Decide who will be a good referee
Include the names and contact details of at least two people who can give a positive reference for you. Past employers, colleagues and supervisors are all good choices, but you can also ask your friends or family members.
Make sure you have their permission before sending your resume to an employer.
13. Think about whether you want to disclose your disability in your resume
Disclosing your disability is a deeply personal decision. If you do, there are advantages and disadvantages to doing so, as well as when and how you do it.
At Jigsaw, our trainers will talk you through the things to think about and ensure you have a plan.
If you do choose to disclose your disability in your resume or cover letter, it can be a simple declaration or a longer explanatory statement, for example:
“Hi my name is ____, I am 30 years old and I have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). My ASD means I have an excellent memory, am always punctual and reliable, and have great attention to detail. It also means I need to wear headphones to help with my sensory processing”.
“I am someone who has a physical disability. This means I walk with crutches and use a fold-up mobility scooter for longer distances”
If you are applying for a job where your experience with disability is relevant, like at a disability centre or charity, it can be a good idea to mention it.
Final tips
- Proofread: Check your resume for spelling and grammar errors. A mistake-free resume shows attention to detail.
- Get feedback: Ask someone you trust to review your resume. They might spot errors you missed or suggest improvements.
- Be honest: Be truthful about your experiences and skills. Exaggerating or misleading can backfire.
Writing a resume might seem difficult, but with these steps, you can create a strong and effective resume. Focus on your abilities and what you can bring to the job. Remember to tailor your resume for each job application, use positive language, and highlight your strengths.
About Jigsaw
Jigsaw is a social enterprise that provides an innovative pathway to open employment for people with disability. By embedding a comprehensive skill-based training program within our commercial document and data management business, Jigsaw enables people with disability to achieve their employment goals at their own pace. Jigsaw’s holistic approach starts from the very basics of core work skills and supports trainees all the way through to transition to open employment with ongoing support and coaching once they have transitioned.
Jigsaw is located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra, with Perth coming soon.