At 360HR Solutions, we often post opportunities tailored for graduates looking to take their first step into a particular profession or enhance their current experience.
However, based on the influx of applications we receive, it’s evident that a significant number of graduates find it challenging to draft an effective resume. Many seem to overlook critical details in job descriptions, and their efforts in portraying themselves optimally sometimes miss the mark.
A winning resume is vitally important for graduates who have limited experience. It shows potential employers a couple of crucial things. It gives them a summary of your skills and qualifications which is invaluable if a job lists specific requirements. It also showcases your writing talent. It displays your ability to condense a large amount of information (or small, depending on your experience!) into a concise document. It demonstrates that you can organise information in a logical manner that’s free of spelling and grammatical errors.
Here are a few simple steps to making sure your next resume is a winning one.
1. Get The Presentation Right
The presentation of your resume is crucial if you want the employer to read on. Make sure you lay out work experience in a neat format with a brief explanation of the role and duties performed. Poor spelling and grammar are huge red flags, so make sure you get a friend to review and proofread your resume. Starting each sentence with the letter ‘I’ does not look particularly good in a resume and only highlights the lack of ability to properly express yourself.
2. Confidence Is Good, But Arrogance Is Not
Even if you’re sure that you’d be an absolutely fantastic choice, you don’t know you’re the best. Imagine reading through six resumes in a row from people who all claim to be “the best candidate.” To stay on the hiring manager’s good side, refrain from using “best.” Along similar lines, stay away from “ideal” and “perfect”.
Professionally explain your skills in the context of the job description – this will do far more to gain attention. Showing the employer what makes you the best candidate, not just telling them and expecting them to believe it, will get you that interview.
3. Focus On The Skills That Count
As a graduate or student, it is best to highlight the skills acquired from your degree rather than giving lengthy details about that irrelevant job you had during the summer holidays in Year 12. Make sure you feature the skills the employer wants you to utilise in the job. It is fine to list work experience as long as it doesn’t become the focus of the resume. It will not add any weight to your application and will only distract the reader from the important skills.
4. Show Some Respect
It is important to show respect to the hiring manager, whether it be the client or a recruitment consultant. This is best done by acknowledging their limited time and not wasting it with overly long descriptions or emails. Your opinion of yourself does not carry weight at this stage, so only list things that are factual and can be supported with evidence.
5. Do Not Be Too Familiar
DO NOT submit applications or interest via SMS. This is too familiar for a first contact. LinkedIn submissions are okay if that is how the advertiser posted the job or contacted you. Otherwise, a well written email with your resume attached is always best. If you show respect to the advertiser it will invite a respectful consideration.
6. Check Your Eligibility
For international graduates living in Australia, make sure you clearly show that you have the right to work, along with your availability. There is no point applying for a full-time role on a student visa with capacity to only work 20 hours per week.
If you do not have Australian work rights, then PLEASE do not waste the time of the advertiser by applying for jobs hoping for a sponsorship. It is common practice for the advertiser to place sponsorship information on the advert. Sending in an application without the appropriate Australian work rights will simply frustrate the advertiser. If you are unsure, email the advertiser separately for sponsorship details.
Writing a bad resume is easy. Writing a winning resume takes effort. It will take time and many drafts. Hopefully, you feel better equipped to write a resume that will get you that first entry-level job or internship that will put you on the career path of your choice.
Remember that you can and should ask for help with your resume. You’ll learn so much, and you may even make a valuable professional connection in the process.
360HR Solutions offers practical job assistance to graduates and job seekers. Read other helpful articles or contact 360HR Solutions today to discuss your next role.
