Common Questions about Resumés – by Eleanor Pannall of Living Career

1. Can I write my casual work on my résumé? 

Yes. Your casual work shows that you have knowledge of the Australian workplace. It also shows that you have gained the competencies that employers require (i.e. team work, communication skills). In Australia it is normal to start your career with casual work and is considered beneficial.

2. Who should I use as a referee? 

You can use anyone who has seen you work or study. You should not use a friend. Please remember to ask your potential referee before using his/her name. It is also polite to inform your referees when you go for an interview. 

3. Do I need to describe my degree? 

Yes, make sure you have described what you learnt on your degree. Employers want to know about your projects, case studies, team work and presentations. It is also a good opportunity to mention the technical skills you have gained from your degree. Make sure you do this in dot points rather than paragraphs. 

4. Employers are not inviting me to interview. What am I doing wrong? 

Perhaps you have not tailored your résumé for the job. 
Perhaps you are applying for jobs which are not appropriate for you. 
Perhaps you have not applied for enough positions. 
Perhaps there are spelling or grammar mistakes in your résumé. 

5. How can I tailor my résumé for each job? 

• Make sure your career objective is appropriate for the job you are applying for. 
• Make sure that the competencies and skills the employer requires are mentioned in your résumé (if you have these skills). 
• Make sure you put the most important information on the first page.