Simple Resume Tips That Make a Big Difference

When you're applying for work — especially temp or contract roles — your resume is often your first impression. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but it does need to be clear, professional, and easy to read.

As recruiters, we review resumes every day. Here are a few simple tips that can help your resume stand out for all the right reasons.

Keep it clear and easy to read

Fancy fonts, graphics and long paragraphs might look creative — but they can make your resume harder to scan. Stick to a clean layout, use bullet points, and keep your formatting consistent. Make sure your contact details are easy to find at the top.

Put your most recent and relevant experience first

We want to see what you’ve been doing recently. Start with your most recent role and work backward. Focus on the experience that’s most relevant to the job you’re applying for — especially if you’re applying for temporary or contract work.

Include dates — and explain any gaps

Dates matter. Make sure each role includes the month and year you started and finished. If there’s a gap (like travel, study, parenting or health reasons), a short note explaining it is totally fine — and much better than leaving recruiters guessing.

Use bullet points to describe your work

Instead of long paragraphs, use bullet points to highlight your key responsibilities and achievements. This makes your experience easy to scan — and helps us quickly understand what you did in each role.

Tailor it

You don’t need to rewrite your resume for every job, but it’s a good idea to tweak it if you’re applying for something specific. Highlight the experience and skills that match what the employer is looking for. You can even mirror some of the language from the job ad.

Your resume should be about where you’re “going” so highlight in a SUMMARY area the transferable skills you are wanting to use in your future work, or the skills you want to utilise. 

Is your study relevant to the work you’re applying for? If so – keep it at the top. If not, pop it at the end. You want to grab the hiring managers attention quickly so use the prime real estate at the top with intention.  You want to make it easy to connect the dots why you're a great candidate.

Don’t forget the little things

Small things make a big difference. Check for spelling and grammar. Make sure your phone number and email are current.

Need help with your resume or job search?

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