Get your resume noticed - advice from the experts!

Preparing your resume is usually the first part of any job search, requiring time and effort. And like most things in life, the time and effort will pay off! To make it easier, we've decided to share 8 experts tips on how to give your resume the best shot at getting recognised. 

1.  Have more than one copy of your resume. If you’re open to slightly different roles, you may want to have more than one copy of your resume, tailoring your experience detail to fit. Never extend the truth or mislead, but there may be aspects worth highlighting for one role over the other.
2. Add contact details. It sounds basic but contact details are one thing recruiters continually see missed off of resumes. Without an email address and telephone number, you will find yourself at the bottom of the pile. If your email address is something that may raise an eyebrow such as sexyone@gmail.com, then set up a professional address to use while job-hunting.
3. List your experience. Start with your most recent employment details or other experience first and work backwards, being sure to list experience that is relevant to the job you are applying for. Be sure to include relevant data and achievements but keep it in short bullet points rather than writing long paragraphs.
4. Mind the gaps. If you went off the grid and climbed Machu Picchu or stayed at a yoga retreat to find yourself for six months, include it! Empty spaces on your CV lead the recruiter to think you spent the time sitting on the sofa in your pyjamas. Again, fill in the major points or learnings from your time-out period.
5. Go outside. Include your external engagements and organisations and causes you are involved with such as Rotary, volunteering at the SPCA or being part of a Professionals Network. If you belong to a political party, say so, but don’t fill in any strong views unless asked to do so.
6. Social profiles. You may be checked out online: LinkedIn and Facebook are areas recruiters will likely look first. Do your employment dates match your CV? Is your profile nicely filled out with a good head-and-shoulders photograph?
7. Leave it out. Avoid including too much personal information such as your date of birth, marital status, or how many children you have: it is irrelevant to the application process.
8. Check it, then check again. When you’ve completed your resume, read it through thoroughly for grammar and spelling mistakes, double-check all dates and details are correct. Is there anything else that is relevant that you’ve achieved that is worth adding? Can it be any better?

You have one chance to get through to the next stage of the hiring process, so make it easy for the recruiter to pick you.

Good luck!