Resume Writing
Let's Get Started!

Do not use a title like "Resume" or "Professional Resume" at the top of the page, it is just not necessary- it should be fairly obvious what it is!! It is okay to include it in a header or footer, just as a reference guide. Put your name there too so when employers are looking through applications they can easily see your name.

Make sure your personal details are right at the top. Include your full name, your address, very importantly make sure you include your contact details!

It is optional to include your date of birth, but it is not necessary.

Introduction

Your career objective or career summary creates a powerful opening for your resume. This section should be about two or three lines long at the most. This section is to highlight what you have that the employer wants. This is not where you outline your career aspirations, save that for the interview!

Plan Your Content

Start thinking about your best professional attributes and write them down, also write down what you enjoy most at work, studying or hobbies. Review your list and pick out some topics to write about in your resume introduction. Next write some examples of achievements in these areas. For example write about times when you have increased productivity, efficiency, decreased patient incidents, improved occupational health and safety or improved patient care. You should use actual facts, figures and timeframes. They don’t have to just be from your related occupation they could be from sports, hobbies, personal interests; As long as they are relevant to the work you want to do, include them in your resume. Now write your carer summary!

Education, Qualifications and Professional Affiliations

I personally like to see the qualifications before I read the work history, but some like it after. I suppose that means 505 of the time you will get it right for the person reading it! In the scheme of things the placement is probably not so important as the information being there!

There is no need to go back too far, just your last educational certificate awarded prior to entering the workforce, then list all qualifications from then on.

A separate heading for Professional Registration and Affiliations is recommended as, especially in Nursing, correct Registration is extremely important.

Employment History

List in chronological order from most current position all your employment experience. Record your employment history in years but don’t put in months, e.g: (2002- 2004). Also, there is no need to explain in your resume your reasons for leaving one position and going to another. This information is irrelevant and uses valuable space. If an employer wants to know they will ask you!

I find it helpful when a resume also adds a short outline of the roles responsibilities, it gives an employer more insight into the types of experience the applicant has actually had.

What Not To Include!

In Australia you cannot be discriminated against for sex, race, religion, age, marital status, sexual preferences or health. Employers are not allowed to ask, and you are not at liberty to provide, any of this information so there is no need to refer to them in your resume!

References

Some employers now insist on you providing references prior to interview. ALWAYS seek permission from your referee to ensure it is okay to supply their name as a reference. If an employer does not ask for them up front then provide them, typed, on a separate sheet of paper, at the interview.

If you are reluctant to provide your current employer it is fine to give a previous employer, it may be worthwhile providing an explanation as to why, the employer may ask anyway.

Most employers understand that there are often reasons for not wanting to use your current employer; these can be fear of retribution because you are looking for anther job, a workplace grievance, or the current employer may just not be relevant to the experience you wish to be highlighted for the new employer, so do not feel you have to provide a referee you feel is not appropriate.

Extra Information

If you think further information will assist you to get the attention of the employer then put it in! For instance if the job involves computer skills then it would be advisable to include your experience and knowledge in this area in your resume. It may be helpful to include information about any professional articles you have had published or conference presentations you have made. It all comes down to " Will it help me get noticed"!

I have provided some example resumes for you, just click on the links

Professional Resume


or you can check out some of these websites for extra help.

Travel-Nurse-Coach is a great free online resource for International nurses

Resume Templates - Offers resume and cover letter templates to download, writing tips and an interview guide

Happy job hunting!

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