Everyone should have a current resume to be ready to apply for that great career opportunity. We see thousands of resumes, some good, some shocking, so here is some advice on how to compile the perfect resume...

Personal Details

List your name and contact details at the top of the first page, including your postal address, telephone number and email address. If you don't have an answerphone, consider subscribing to voice mail while you are job hunting.

Professional Experience

The best resumes are informative. Think of your career as a tree when you go to the Nursery, you are attracted to the tree with the most branches and foliage and a Recruiter will be attracted to your resume because it has plenty of content. Describe your duties and responsibilities and emphasise your achievements.

Company and Title

Include the full name of your employer and a brief description of what they do

Education

Graduates with little experience should list subjects and include results.
List all your qualifications and any scholarships or awards you have.

References and Referees

Names and contact details of referees – choose your referees carefully.

Once you have been interviewed you can offer details of referees. It is a courtesy to advise referees that they may be contacted. It is also a valuable opportunity to tell them briefly about the position and what it entails.

Additional Information

Professional training – Workshops, Courses attended etc Professional affiliations and memberships Licences and accreditations Knowledge of Foreign languages and level of competency

Publications Special accomplishment such as Awards Interests and Hobbies

Tailoring your Resume

Tailor your resume for each application you submit. Research the company and industry, read the advertisement closely to identify what issues or problems the successful candidate needs to solve.Emphasise some skills and de-emphasise others, depending on the role Don’t fabricate any details as these can easily be verified.
Once you have completed your resume be sure to get somebody, who you trust, to read it as an objective opinion can help improve your resume.

Chronological Format

List your work experience and achievements in each job, beginning with the most recent position.

Do:	Don't:
Use good quality white paper Use a common and easily read font Make best use of available space Use page numbers Check and recheck the spelling and grammar	Use clip art Include a photograph of yourself Use coloured paper (it won't fax or photocopy clearly) Trust your computer spell check