The perfect Australian CV, also known as a resume, should be well-organized, easy to read, and tailored to the specific job or industry you are applying for.
Like other nations, Australia has its unique work culture and specific standards for CVs. To increase your chances of success in job applications in Australia, it is crucial to create a CV that meets the Australian CV requirements, showcasing your skills and experience in a way that impresses Australian recruiters and employers.
Our guide offers tips and advice on creating the perfect Australian CV.
What to include in an Australian CV
Australian CVs are generally two pages long and contain information highlighting your professional experience and skills. The key elements include your contact details, working rights (whether you are an Australian citizen or hold a working visa), skill set, qualifications, and work experience.
Contact Details and General Information
The first section of your resume should include your personal and contact details, a summary of your qualifications/education, and skills.
You must include your full name, contact number, email address, and professional accounts such as LinkedIn. Ensure that your contact information is always up to date, as this is the only way hiring staff and recruiters contact you. Also, ensure that a professional email address is used for all your job search-related correspondence. Using your first and last name without silly words or any numbers showing your birth year is recommended. Ensure that you create an email address if you do not have one, as this is a way for them to reach out to you.
If you do not hold Australian citizenship or permanent residency in Australia, it is helpful to include your eligibility to work in Australia.
Career objective/Career statement
It is essential to include a career objective after you present relevant contact information for an Australian CV. This can highlight your overall career goals, where you see your career taking you with the position you are applying for, or what you can offer a company in relation to your goals. Remember that first person should be used when writing your personal statement.
Qualifications
In the qualifications section, always include the most recent qualifications presented with the full name first (e.g. Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical)). Ensure you provide the education facility/university name, the country it was based in, the date of admission and completion, and the academic achievement for the qualification. Listing any awards or achievements you have received underneath your qualifications on your CV will increase the chances of hiring staff and recruiters contacting you.
Skills
Underneath the qualifications section, ensure that you summarise the skills that suit you for the job you are applying for. Australian employers prefer candidates who provide evidence of their abilities instead of listing them. For example, how you used each skill, the surroundings in which the activity was carried out, and what happened because of using these skills.
Engineering and Construction employers will expect a high standard of report writing and English, so make sure you do not have spelling mistakes or poor grammar when writing your CV. Keep in mind that your CV is your passport to an interview.
Work/Employment History
This is the most important part of your CV. Your employment history should be listed in reverse-chronological order, starting from your most recent job. This section can contain your part-time and full-time work, the projects you have worked on, internship experience, and community experience. Include the dates of when you were employed, the name of the company or project, the location, the description of the job, and the size and value the project or company holds.
Australian employers will also look for gaps in your work history, so always explain any gaps you have.
Interests/Hobbies
Including hobbies in a CV is not essential. If you are a recent grad, adding this section might give potential Employers more information about whether you will be a cultural fit. Otherwise, you might skip this section.
References
Most Australian employers and recruiters will ask for two referees to contact regarding your work history and skill set. Remember to ensure that your referees are current and ask permission before including their names in your CV. Notify your referees that you are applying for jobs, as referee checks are always conducted over a phone call. Another suggestion to increase your chances of employment is to ensure that your referees are well-informed about you and your career aspirations.
Other Tips
Honesty
Dishonesty and false statements on CVs are not tolerated in Australia. Employers will always verify statements and talk to referees, so it is extremely easy to find incorrect information.
Presentation
Employers expect a professional document from engineering candidates, so your CV must be well presented. Use an easy-to-read font no smaller than size 11 and good headings, sub-headings, and bullet points. The best fonts in an Australian CV are Calibri, Cambria, Garamond, Georgia, Helvetica or Arial.
It is recommended to get a second pair of eyes to review your CV or run your CV through Grammarly. This is an advanced tool that detects all mistakes relating to spelling, word choice, grammar, and style. The filename for your CV should include your full name
Photograph
If you decide to include a photo in your CV, you may be discriminated against by hiring staff and recruiters.
Click on the link below to learn more about preparing the perfect CV for Australian Engineers.
Engineers Australia | Perfecting your resume
Other ways to amplify your application
It is possible to increase your chances of succeeding after you submit your CV application by building an effective professional network using LinkedIn.
Build your professional network
Recruiters are increasingly using LinkedIn to search for engineering and construction staff. Having an up-to-date, detailed LinkedIn profile which includes your professional headshot, a summary, work history and education is important.
