Creating A Successful CV for a Job in Australia

One of the biggest challenges when looking for a job in a new country is creating a good CV.  Most employers and hiring managers will spend a few seconds scanning each CV they get before deciding. 

If you are worried your CV will not stand out, there are some steps that you can take to get an interview for the job you want after your move. If you are looking to work in Australia this article is a must-read: How to write a CV for the Australian job market.

Keep It Real

Your CV should be kept to 2 pages of A4 paper.  On average, an employer is going to spend 7 seconds looking at your CV and the best way to land in the rejected pile is to send them a CV that looks like a book.  You need to keep your CV to the point and save all the small details for the interview.  There are many free CV templates you can use if you need a hand with this.

Tailor It To The Job

Most people have created a CV which they send to many employers so they can save time.  This is something you need to stop doing because your CV should be tailored to the job you apply for.  Take the time to research the company and use the job listing to determine the exact skills you need to highlight.  This effort will be rewarded by the employers who see your CV.

Have A Personal Statement

You cannot assume that employers will be able to relate your experience with the job you are applying for.  A short personal statement can help explain why you are the best person for the job.  This statement should reflect the information in your cover letter which you need to have.

Do Not Have Gaps

Leaving gaps in your CV will make employers suspicious and they generally will not provide you with the benefit of the doubt.  If you have been out of work for any time, you should try and put a positive spin on this.  If you were studying, volunteering or developing other skills, you need to highlight this.  There are other tips that you should consider when it comes to filling in the gaps on your CV.

Keep Everything Current

The CV you send to any potential employer must be up to date.  When something changes in your career, you should update your CV whether you are looking for a new job or not.  Recording these changes when it happens will ensure you do not forget anything important.

Double-Check What Is Written

Employers are going to look for and notice any mistakes on your CV and if there are any it will make you look bad.  The fact that employers receive a large number of CVs means they are going to look for any excuse to dismiss some.  If there is an avoidable error in the CV, you are not going to get an interview.  If you are unsure about the state of your CV, you should use a spellchecker or have someone read through it for you.  This can make the difference between getting an interview and not.

Tell The Truth

There is a misconception that everyone lies on their CV, but this is something you should avoid.  Lying on your CV can get you into a lot of trouble when your background and references are being checked.  The last thing you want is to start a new job only to lose it when your lies are exposed.  You may also get caught during the interview when you cannot answer a question on the knowledge you have lied about. 

Have Some Numbers

While this might seem like a boring task, you need to back up all your achievements with numbers.  This will make it easier to sell yourself.  When you detail your work history, instead of saying you increased sales, you should state that you increased sales by 65% over a 6-month period.  Big numbers are particularly good, but they need to be true. 

Make It Look Good

Image is everything in the modern world and your CV is no exception.  Take some time to make your CV look good by using bullet points and short sentences.  Use some graphic design tricks such as leaving white space around the text and between categories for easy reading.  You can also become a bit more creative with the application.

Consider Keywords If you are uploading your CV to job sites for recruiters to find you, keywords are very important.  Buzzwords and job titles will help search engines find your CV.  Putting keywords into your CV is not a problem with marketing candidates needing to mention direct marketing, SEO and digital marketing in their skills and experience.  If you are not sure which keywords to use, complete an online search and see which words are generally mentioned for your job title.