Build the Perfect Resume

Your resume is the document that summarises you as a professional and is a key aspect in how you are represented in the market. A strong resume can make the difference between getting an interview and not. A poorly prepared resume can seriously hinder any professional who is seeking a new opportunity – regardless of the level of skills they possess.

Optimising your resume will help you with applications through Bluefin Resources as well as any direct job applications you are making personally in the market. It will also prepare you for different questioning techniques.

Recommended content and order

1. Profile written in third person (i.e. a tertiary qualified IT manager, an experienced financial planner etc.).
2. Key systems and technical skills should be on the front page if relevant to your profession.
3. Key and relevant education if you are a graduate – there is no need to provide details of high school education.
4. Employment History. Start with the most recent and work backwards. For each role you should detail the following:
   • Dates/ Job title/ Employer
   • Overview of the company
   • Purpose of the role – why were you hired?
   • Responsibilities (keep this brief)
   • Achievements – achievements should be outlined in situation/ action/ outcome format. This is the most important part of the resume. It demonstrates how you have made a difference and driven value to your employer.

**We recommend that employment history covers the last five years. Anything before that can be summarised in one or two bullet points **

Other factors to check

• Spell Check – You would be surprised at how many resumes we see with spelling and grammatical errors or typos. Anyone can make a mistake, but it’s easy to spell check a document.
• Font Type and Size – ensure consistency throughout.
• Address gaps in employment history – gaps are fine, but always address them honestly in the resume (i.e. 2008-2009 Career break to travel the world or studied full-time for MBA).
• Explain moving from job to job – what were the reasons (end of fixed-term contract, redundancy etc.)?
• Consider the types of positions you are applying for – and what employers will be looking for. Does the CV address these?
• Does the CV reflect your key skills – and what you’ve actually done?
• Consider the length of resume – Resist the urge to write a long resume and concentrate on providing details of the most relevant and recent experience. The ideal length is 2-3 pages.

Example resume template