How to format a resume in Australia

Creating a well-formatted resume is crucial for landing interviews in the Australian job market.

Your resume content may be amazing, but if it’s not well-presented, hiring managers could be put off, or unable to digest the information.

It should be easy to read and professionally presented to highlight your most relevant qualifications and experience.

Here’s how you can format your resume to stand out in the job market and ensure you secure interviews.

 

 

Australian resume format examples

Resume templates 

 

 

Font

 

When putting together your resume, picking the right font can really help recruiters to read and understand your message quickly.

You’ll want to go with something professional and easy to read—Arial, Calibri, or Roboto are great choices, but essentially just use any font which is clean and simple.

On the flip side, it’s best to avoid any elaborate font that could make the resume difficult to read and give hiring managers a headache.

 

Colour Scheme

When it comes to choosing a colour scheme for your resume, think of it like dressing for your first day on a new job: you want to look sharp, not flashy.

Stick to classic dark text on a light background, as this is easiest on the eyes. Black-on-white is best for readability.

If you’re keen to add a bit of personality, consider using a single additional colour for headings or key lines. Just a hint of navy, dark green, or even maroon can subtly enhance your resume without distracting from the main content.

Remember, simplicity is key to professionalism, so don’t go too crazy.

 

 

Page Margins

Setting the right page margins on your resume can really improve its readability and overall appearance.

A good rule of thumb is to keep margins at least 2 cm on all sides. This creates a neat border around your text, making the content more approachable.

Too narrow margins can make your resume look overstuffed, whereas too wide might seem like you don’t have enough to say. So, balance is crucial here. Properly set margins also ensure your resume looks great both on screen and in print, in case it’s handed out.

 

 

Resume Length

 

The length of your resume should be around 2 pages of A4.

Attention spans in the Australian job market are short, so you need to keep it concise if you want to hold the attention of busy recruiters.

The key is to keep everything relevant and to the point—no need to recount every single job or duty.

Think of your resume as a highlight reel, not an autobiography.

 

Split the Page Up

 

Organising your resume with clear, logical divisions not only looks good but also guides the reader through your professional story effortlessly.

You must split the document up into the following sections:

• Name and contact details
• Professional summary
• Core skills
• Work experience
• Education
• Additional info (optional)

These are the key areas that employers will expect see.

These sections should run vertically down the page but If you’re feeling a bit more modern, a two-column layout or template can be effective, especially if you want to include a sidebar for quick facts or smaller sections such as technical skills or languages. Just make sure the main content, like your job experiences, take centre stage.

 

Clearly Define Sections

To help time-strapped recruiters navigate your resume, use bold or slightly larger fonts for section headings such as ‘Work Experience’, ‘Education’, and ‘ Core Skills’.

Each section should start on a new line and be separated by clear space from the others, making it easy for hiring managers to scan and find exactly what they’re looking for at a glance. This will make it much more likely for them to see your suitability and select you for interview.

 

 

Resume templates 

 

How to structure jobs

When detailing your previous jobs, start each entry with your job title, employer, and the dates of your employment, in bold to each job.

Then split the job into the following sections:

• Outline: Begin with a concise introduction to your role, detailing the nature of the company and your position within the organizational structure. This provides context for your responsibilities and achievements, helping recruiters understand the scope and impact of your work.
• Key Responsibilities: Use bullet points to clearly list your primary duties and responsibilities. This format not only makes the information easier to scan but also allows you to effectively showcase the range of skills and expertise you brought to each role. Emphasize how your contributions supported the team or advanced the company’s goals.
• Key Achievements: Emphasize your major accomplishments, focusing on specific, quantifiable outcomes. For instance, you could say, “Implemented a new customer management system that reduced wait times by 40%.” This demonstrates your ability to deliver results and provides concrete evidence of your impact on the organization.

 

 

Should You Include a Photo?

 

Including a photo on your resume isn’t standard practice in Australia and many other countries, largely due to equal employment opportunity guidelines.

Unless the job advert specifically requests it (such as in some customer-facing roles or certain industries like acting), you don’t have to add a photograph.

However if you do want to add one, just make sure that you look professional in the photo, and you tuck the photo up into one of the top corners to save space.

 

Filename of Your Resume

 

When saving your resume, the filename is more important than you might think!

Use a naming format that includes your full name followed by the word ‘Resume’. This way, it’s easily identifiable and looks professional when recruiters or hiring managers download it.

For example, ‘JaneDoe_Resume.pdf’. Avoid vague filenames like ‘Resume2023.pdf’ or just ‘Resume.pdf’—these can get lost in a sea of similar files, making it harder for employers to find once they have saved your resume to their database.

Quick tip: use a word processor like Microsoft word, or Google Docs to help you create a polished look for your resume – we have some Google Docs resume templates you can use.

 

 

Resume formatting wins interviews

Crafting a well-formatted resume is a critical step towards securing your next job opportunity. By choosing the right font, colour scheme, and page margins, and by clearly organizing your information into defined sections, your resume will not only look professional but will also be easier for recruiters to navigate. Remember, a resume should be tailored to highlight your unique skills and experiences in alignment with the job you’re applying for. A thoughtfully structured resume not only stands out from the crowd but also demonstrates your attention to detail and your commitment to professionalism. Get it right, and your resume will make the perfect first impression.

Best of luck with your job search.