Are you looking to undertake work while you are studying in Australia? Finding a casual or part-time job is often crucial for international students who are trying to support themselves in a new country. Whether you are in need of a job to support yourself or you are just looking to earn a bit of extra cash to treat yourself to some of life’s finer things, ensuring your resume is up to scratch is your first step. Having a great resume is a sure way to catch an employers eye, and is the first thing most companies will ask for when they are looking at hiring. 

So, what is needed on a resume anyway? Here’s some tips on creating a resume that is sure to get noticed by Australian hiring managers. 

1. Tailor your resume to the job

Recruiters often won’t read your whole resume, they will spend only a minute or two scanning it, so ensuring your resume is compelling and speaks to the job you are applying for will help keep their interest. Try including critical keywords from the industry you’re applying for, or better yet from the job description. 

1. Ensure your work experience is specific and measurable 

If you have work experience that directly relates to the industry or job you are applying for, try and list as many specific details about that experience as possible, including any tasks that you undertook. For example, if you have retail experience, you can list tasks such as customer service and cash handling, and then quantify these tasks by saying how many customers you served each day or how much money you handed. The more specific you can be, the more credible you are. 

1. Keep it simple 

With that being said, it is easy to think that by listing every single job or task you have completed in the past you will impress an employer. Keep in mind that these are business people who are very time poor. The quicker and easier it is to read your resume, the better it will be for you. So make sure any details you include are relevant to that job. Your resume for a casual job should be two pages maximum.

1. List your employment history from most relevant 

When you are detailing your employment history, always ensure you start with your most recent experience or job, and then work backwards. Employers are most interested in what you have recently done over no more than the last 5 years. 

1. Add clear contact details 

Creating a top notch resume won’t mean much if the employer can’t contact you to let you know you were successful in getting the job! Always double check to make sure your phone number and email address are correct and are easy to find within your resume. 

The 2019 Cohort Go Aussie Study Experience Report found that more than 78% of students say getting a work visa is an important part of paying for their studies, yet only 72% have been able to find work. More than 58% of students reported that finding work was quite difficult and struggled to find a job when they arrived. Stand out from the pack and ensure you can find a job if you need to by incorporating our tips and make your resume Australia ready. 

Good luck with your job hunt!