How to Write an Australian Resume and Cover Letter - With Explanatory Notes

This PDF (which forms a part of the book Aussie Migrant: Jobs) will provide you with some guidelines on writing an ‘Australian Ready’ Resume and Cover Letter.

Resume – With Explanatory Notes

Did you know that most employers and hiring agencies typically decide within 10 seconds whether your resume is worth a second glance?

Does your resume have an impressive opening that will grab the reader's attention in those crucial 10 seconds?

Chances are most probably not!

It's not easy to advertise and market ourselves, but it's something you need to master if you want to get your foot in the door. As a newly arrived migrant with no ‘local’ experience, the odds are stacked high against you to start with, and the only way you can grab the attention of a prospective employer is by having a compelling and eye-catching resume.

Every country has its own recruitment procedure, and more often than not, what works in one country will not work in another. You may have the necessary skill set, but if you are not able to present it in a customary manner in Australia, chances are you will have to wait for a considerable amount of time for the interview call.

A resume that works in India may not work in Singapore and what works in either country is not likely to work in Australia. This sample resume will give you an introduction to what works in Australia, and what does not.

Cover Letter – With Explanatory Notes

A cover letter (sometimes called an application letter) is an important component of your communication with potential employers and is required for most job applications in Australia along with your Resume. It is the first document they will read and first impressions are vital when forming opinions.

In the past, cover letters were used as a covering page for the rest of the job application documents and may have been very brief and uninformative about the candidate.

In today’s competitive employment environment, you should use every opportunity to market your skills professionally. A cover letter should demonstrate to the reader that you have read the job advert carefully and you are interested in the position. It should give the employer a ‘snapshot’ of the reasons why they should employ you.

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