How to Write a CV in Australia

The purpose of a CV in Australia is to secure a job interview.

The purpose of a CV in Australia is to convince a potential employer to interview you immediately. It is a way for you to highlight the employment, educational and personal history that makes you an ideal candidate for the job to which you are applying. Unlike the expansive and developed CVs used in the United States and England, Austrialian CVs emphasize brevity and should therefore be two pages or less in length. They are a snapshot of the elements of your history that will persuade hiring personnel to invite you into the firm for further discussion of your qualifications. Properly writing a CV in Australia requires you to trim any excessive elements of your employment, educational and personal background.

Instructions

1. Provide your demographic information. It is necessary to provide your home address and at least a telephone number. It is advisable to provide an email address as well. You may also include a professional website if you have one.

2. List your three most recent jobs in reverse chronological order, providing two or three bulleted points explaining your roles and responsibilities at each job. Highlight those duties, responsibilities and achievements that are directly applicable to the job to which you are applying. For example "Managed a team of 6 individuals in the creation of data reports." If you have had more than three jobs, add the line “Further employment history is available upon request.”

3. Detail your educational background, including any and all degree-granting institutions from which you have graduated, as well as any certification programs you successfully completed within your employment history. Highlight the coursework and certifications that are germane to the field into which you are applying.

4. Include any additional skills or abilities which will supplement your application. These include language and computing skills, as well as any volunteering experience you possess.

5. Provide a list of your references. Include references from both your employment, educational and personal backgrounds, but highlight those from your employment history.

Tips & Warnings

• Highlight the job roles and responsibilities which are directly applicable to the job you are seeking.

• Use power or action verbs to describe your roles and responsibilities. Always begin a description of a course or skill with words like “managed,” “developed” and so on.

References

• Job Era: Australia CV Writing Guide for Efficient Job Search in Australia
• Hudson: Creating your CV for the Australian Market
• Living in Sydney: Example of CV