How To Write A Resume

What exactly is a resume? What are you meant to include on it? How do you set it out? Follow our tips and expert insights on the importance of a resume, and how to write one that’ll leave a lasting impression.

Here at Career FAQs, we’ve seen a lot of resumes - the long and the short, the wonky and the boooring. You think writing an effective resume is easy? It\'s not. To help you out, here are some of the more common resume no-nos we’ve observed.

Not all jobs are created equal. Executive positions are competitive and your resume needs to be of the highest calibre – because you can guarantee that that of your competitors will be.

It seems simple enough: you\'ve got your eye on a juicy job that suits you perfectly and you know that you\'re qualified; all you need to do is convince the people that count. But how?

If your job hunt is leading nowhere, then maybe it's time to hire a resume writer. Resume writers can help you shine on paper. Check out these 5 signs you need to hire a resume writer.

Struggling to land an interview? Your resume could need some attention. A resume writer can help you elevate your resume to a new level. Learn what resume writers do, how they can help, how much they cost, and how to find a good one in this quick read.

Hiring managers wade through hundreds of generic applications, and your cover letter is your chance to grab their attention and shout from the rooftops that you are the perfect fit for the role. These tips will help you do just that.

Find resume writing a boring task? Selling ourselves can be awkward, but treat it like a performance and you will be sure to keep recruiters interested.

Kathrin from UK eBook publisher Bookboon reports on the main reasons that resumes go to the bottom of the pile.

The first thing you need to do is find out what the selection criteria are. You will find them either in the advertisement or on the government department\'s website along with a downloadable job application kit.

If your reading this and can’t immediately spot the spelling error in this sentence, then you’re in trouble – because silly spelling or grammatical errors and typos in your resume could immediately sink any hope you have of getting an interview.

Don’t let your resume date you as a dinosaur! Gone are the days when resumes were just a dry list of duties for every job you’ve ever had. If you want to be a contender in these competitive times, you have to modernise the way you approach companies.

You've got all the right qualifications for the IT role of your dreams but every job application you send disappears into a puff of smoke. No call back, no feedback and no interview. We can help!

If you want to snag the best chance of getting your resume into the ‘yes’ pile. Here are 8 easy tips to help your resume shine.

Tempted to rush your resume as you apply for a plethora of jobs? Resist! The chance to catch the eye of your future employer happens right there on your resume. Take some time, prepare a perfect resume, and make sure you avoid these epic resume fails.

An amazing resume scores an interview - a bad one ends up in the 'No' pile. Check out our resume checklist for the 6 essential things your resume needs to land you a callback.

There are plenty of things you can do on your cover letter to guarantee it will go straight into the recycle bin. Here are some of those things.

In a world where resumes are usually sent in electronic form and often stored in databases, keywords are becoming an increasingly important tool that every job seeker should know about, and know how to use effectively.

Ensure your resume gets your prospective employer’s vote with this sample government communications officer resume.

Making cold calls about a job can be very daunting for many people but cold calls can be an effective way of making contacts and tapping into the hidden job market.

Getting your CV just right is the only way to get noticed by recruiters. You can get yourself ahead of the pack with this sample systems analyst resume.

Do you need some resume guidance? This sample resume for an IT support officer role gives you the perfect platform for a successful application.

Applying for a job as a rehabilitation counsellor? Get some guidance on how to structure your resume with this sample.

Are you a qualified occupational therapist, looking for a job? Stand out from the crowd with help from this sample resume.

Your secret weapon for job hunting success? An expression of interest letter! And no, it isn't the same as a cover letter. We explain the difference and share tips - and a template - for writing an expression of interest that will WOW your future employer.

Ace your job interview by knowing your target and tailoring your answers to what they are looking for.

Making calls can be one of the hardest things for any job seeker to do. For those who aren’t natural ‘phone people’, the mere thought of it can be enough to induce heart palpitations.

Twitter may be an entertaining way of keeping up-to-date with the latest news and gossip, but for job seekers it’s becoming an increasingly useful way of tapping into professional networks and job opportunities.

Perhaps you’ve been made redundant, or you’re seeking to step up in your career, or you’re returning to work after taking time off to raise kids.

If you are over 45 and suddenly find yourself made redundant or seeking a career change, the thought of having to hit the job trail and compete against people years younger than yourself can be downright scary.

Getting your CV and cover letter right is a crucial step in applying for any job. Have a look at our chef job advertisement example written to industry standards that will help you write a winning job application.

Getting your CV and cover letter right is a crucial step in applying for any job. Have a look at our communications officer job advertisement example written to industry standards that will help you write a winning job application.

Getting your CV and cover letter right is a crucial step in applying for any job. Have a look at our nanny job advertisement example written to industry standards that will help you write a winning job application.

When you are putting a job application together, make sure you choose your referees carefully because they could make or break your chances of success.

Want to flick a quick thank you email to your interviewer but don\'t want to come across desperate? Don\'t sweat it. We\'ve got a template for all your toughest work situations!

Applied for a job but haven\'t heard back from the interviewer yet? Here\'s a template to help you send the perfectly worded follow-up email.

Writing a weekly sex column filled with metaphors and rhyming couplets will not buy you daily Cosmopolitans at lunch, let alone a pair of Jimmy Choos.

Stop procrastinating. If you need to decline a job offer, get the message sent a.s.a.p! Use our friendly, short n'sweet, professional email template and decline with grace.

Addressing selection criteria can be tricky. That\'s why we\'ve put together a sample response that proves you\'re the right candidate for this government job. You can use this template as a guide in your own job application!

Job interviews are a little like a first date. You aim to impress the person sitting opposite you while simultaneously sussing out whether they can offer you what you want.

It’s certainly not easy rejecting a job in the first place...and particularly not one that you’ve already accepted. Here\'s a template to help you write a diplomatic email explaining why you need to turn down the job.

Any time you walk into an interview, you have to be prepared to talk through your resume with the interviewer. Here\'s how you need to tackle it.

There\'s nothing ironic about landing the perfect job. Here\'s a hipster\'s guide to dressing to impress for an interview.

If you’re being interviewed for a job where you’ll be playing a managerial role, your prospective employer will want to know what kind of manager you admire and aspire to be.

We may be living in a digital age, but leading HR professionals still rank the traditional resume as the most effective recruitment tool.

There\'s more to a job hunt than opening the newspaper and putting a big red circle around that which catches your eye. Before you even look at what\'s on offer in the big wide world, there\'s a few things you need to do.

Are you innovative and creative like Apple or bright and cheeky like Virgin? This interview question is a great opportunity to sell your skills and capabilities while showcasing your unique personality.

Here’s a sample response that proves you\'re a team player and the sort of employee who thrives at fostering positive work relationships. Use the template to address the key selection criteria listed in the job ad and land your dream job!

You can spend weeks perfecting your resume: selecting the perfect font that represents who you are, finding the right alignment for your bullet points and weighing up the pros and cons of hard versus soft copy.

In an ideal world, you’d want your employer to be sorry that they couldn’t keep you, acknowledge your contributions and admit that they’ll have big shoes to fill when you’re gone. Here’s how to leave the same way you came in – on a high note.

Whether you’re switching careers or just buggering off to travel overseas, a break from work can be a useful tool to garner not just life experience, but extra skills with which to arm yourself for your next big move.

Give your CV the review it needs with this sample resume for a Health and Safety Advisor position.

Give your job application the risk management it needs with this sample construction project manager resume.

The way you answer this is obviously going to depend on the job you’re applying for, but in general it’s best to demonstrate that you are able to and enjoy working both independently and with others, as most jobs require you to do both at different times.

The point of this question is to learn a little about your interests and what makes you tick. This will also give the interviewer an idea of whether you will fit into the office. Choose three people who represent your interests.

If you’re applying for a digital project management role, why not increase your chances with this sample resume.

If you’re applying for a role as a pharmacy assistant, this sample resume will help get your application over the counter.

Don’t be spooked by this question. It’s no shame to acknowledge a previous failure as long as you demonstrate the right attitude towards such experiences.

Been in a beef with your boss? Can't stand a co-worker? Let your prospective employer know how you overcame it with professionalism and integrity.

If you’re an enrolled nurse looking for a job, you need to highlight your skills and qualifications. We give you a helping hand with this sample enrolled nurse resume.

You may be a good listener but can you communicate your skills as a clinical psychologist? This sample resume will guide you in the right direction.

This is a question that may come up if you are applying for a graduate, internship or vacation program. It’s best not to get caught out unprepared for this question, as it requires some thinking and reflecting.

Individual preference or legal obligation? Jo helps decipher the tricky task of disclosing a disability.

LinkedIn can be a professional gold mine but many people aren’t making the most of it. We show you how to boost your profile and, in turn, your career.

If you’re looking for a job in the competitive legal marketplace, it’s important to get your CV spot on. Show yourself in the best light with the help of this sample lawyer resume.

Here\'s a sample response to demonstrate you\'re a client-focused professional. Use the template as a guide to addressing this key selection criterion.

For whatever reason, some of you may be in the awkward position of not feeling comfortable using your last boss as a reference, and this can be a tricky issue to sidestep.

When you are interviewed for any position the interviewer will try to scope out whether you are a good fit for the company.

Keen to offer a hand in the not-for-profit sector? Jo has some handy advice on how you can get involved and make a difference.

Such an interesting question deserves an interesting answer, but be careful not to get swept up in your imagination. The interviewer is trying to create a picture of who you are, so be careful how you portray yourself.

Although it sounds like a question from a cheesy dating program, this is actually an invitation for you to showcase your skills and qualities.

Like death and taxes, it’s inevitable that you will have a bad boss at some stage of your career. Just follow these simple steps to manage your workplace and regain your sanity.

With shows like The Gruen Transfer, 30 Seconds and Mad Men all centring on the ad world, the advertising industry is looking sexier than ever.

If you’ve ever played a project manager, supervisory or managerial role at work, then this question is a piece of cake and you’ll have plenty of experience to call upon.

Want to stick out from your job interview competition? Then you need to read this! Julia shares her top interview tips that will boost your chances of transforming that interview into a letter of offer.

Think about a time you have come up against a challenge that you successfully resolved. Don\'t dredge up a catastrophe that resulted in personal or professional failure – stick to a story with a happy ending.

Many of us assume that any job offer is a good job offer, but this isn’t always the case and it’s important to remember that you’re in control of what you’re willing to accept – it’s not just up to the employer.

Job interviews can cause a lot of pressure, however with a little preparation, an interview can be easier to handle! It\'s not only important to prepare answers to questions that come your way but to have meaningful questions to ask in return.

Group interviews are all about standing out from the crowd – but what about when everyone else has the same goal? We\'ve got some tips on how to get ahead.

If you were a car, would you be a sleek and speedy Jaguar, a solid and dependable Volvo or a practical and fuel-efficient little Smart car?

The occasional high-pressure situation is an inevitable part of just about any line of work. How you hand it is what counts.

Every employer wants it: initiative. Show your interviewer that you\'ve got it by taking the lead from this sample response.

This is an interesting interview question that is trying to assess your sense of personal control and effectiveness in the world.

All of us have had to deal with difficult people at some point in our lives. They may have been at work, at school, or even in our own families.

You’re preparing for an upcoming interview and have been frantically googling all the possible questions you could be asked. But have you thought about what questions you should be asking the interviewer?

The ability to negotiate is an art that is highly valued by many employers.

Struggling to address sample criteria in your job application? Use this templated response to demonstrate that you have the skills and ability to organise high volumes of information materials.

An interviewer will ask this question if they want to find out whether or not you can work under pressure.

Flexibility is the ability to adapt to different people and circumstances, and handle unforeseen events with grace.

Having to reschedule an interview would fill anyone with dread. However, sometimes life prevents us from doing what we need and want to do. Find out how to reschedule your interview without blowing your chances for the job.

This behavioural-based interview question is quite commonly asked in the application for graduate, vacation or internship programs.

In today\'s global workplace more and more employers are opting for the Skype, Live Messenger or video interview.

Are you meeting up with a recruiter soon? If so, then preparing before you go to meet them is important. Consider what you would say to one of these 7 questions a job recruiter will ask you.

Should the workplace culture of your future employer play a role in whether you accept the job or not? You bet! Get our tips for sneaky ways to figure out a company's workplace culture before you accept the job.

You got the job offer! Congratulations are in order! Or, are they? If you're not sold 100% on the role and struggling to make up your mind here's how to decide whether to accept the job offer or leave it on the table!

Never thought about the similarities between your resume and a common burger? Well now is the time to consider it! We give you the recipe to the perfect resume and, inadvertently, a really good burger.

Here’s a sample response that demonstrates your ability to learn quickly and manage change. Use it as a guide and template to write a successful job application.

Here’s a sample response that demonstrates your experience with information and technology. Use it as a guide and template to write a winning job application.