How to Format and Present Your Resume for Best Success

A well-crafted resume is your key to unlocking career opportunities. Consider the reader, the position, the organisation and the industry to demonstrate alignments to your background.

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Here's how to format and present your CV so you stand out from the competition.

Begin with a clean and simple layout. Use a professional font like Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman in a 10-12 point size. Avoid excessive colours or graphics and ensure plenty of white space for easy reading. At Morton Philips we recommend putting yourself in the position of the consultant, HR recruiter or business owner who will be reading your application. Keep in mind there may be dozens of applications, which this individual must review and consider - ensure yours is remembered for all the correct reasons and not discounted because it is difficult to read or understand.

At the top, include a professional header with your name, contact information and LinkedIn profile. Make sure your email address is professional (no dodgy@notfunny.com.au). Keep in mind that the reader may only have your CV, cover letter and LinkedIn profile to base their decision off - the ideal decision is, of course, that you are contacted for a conversation about the opportunity.

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Craft a strong summary at the beginning of your resume. Summarise your key skills, experience, value for the business and career goals in 3-4 sentences. Tailor this section to each job application to show alignment with the company’s needs. A generic, one-size fits all or an AI generated application are both obvious to the well trained recruitment eye. Make it as easy as possible for the reader to realise you are the person they need to speak to about the position they are recruiting for.

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List your work experience in reverse chronological order. For each position, include your job title, company name, location and employment dates. Include a sentence about the organisation you worked for. Use bullet points to highlight key responsibilities and achievements. Be specific and quantify your accomplishments whenever possible.

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Create a dedicated skills section to showcase your abilities. Include both hard skills (e.g., software proficiency) and soft skills (e.g., communication). Tailor this section to match the job requirements as outlined in the advertisement or Position Description document.

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List your educational background and relevant certifications. Include the institution's name, degree or certification obtained and dates attended. If you have limited work experience, include relevant coursework or academic projects.

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Finally, proofread and edit your resume carefully and often. Eliminate typos and grammatical errors and ensure all information is accurate.

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Formatting and presenting your resume effectively can significantly boost your chances of being invited to an interview. Keep it clean, craft a strong summary, focus on experience, highlight skills and tailor your resume for each application. Your resume is your personal marketing tool - make it shine!

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Be comfortable with how your resume represents you professionally. Be confident in the way it reads and that the reader will find it engaging, relevant and interesting.

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