What is a resume?

A resume in Australia, sometimes called a curriculum vitae (CV), is the written summary of a job applicant's qualifications, work experience, skills, and achievements that is submitted as part of an application. Most Australian employers expect a resume of two to three pages, focused on relevance to the advertised role.

A standard Australian resume includes several sections. Personal details at the top (name, phone number, email address, optional LinkedIn URL, and the city/state where the candidate lives). A short professional summary or career objective of two to three sentences is now common, although optional. Work experience listed in reverse chronological order, with each role showing the job title, employer, dates, and three to six bullet points highlighting achievements rather than just duties. Education and qualifications, also in reverse chronological order. A skills section listing relevant technical, language, and software skills. An optional referees section, often replaced by the line 'References available on request'.

Australian resumes are generally less formal than European CVs and shorter than American ones. Photos are not standard and are often discouraged because they can introduce unconscious bias. Personal information such as date of birth, marital status, religion, and nationality is not expected and can in some cases trigger discrimination concerns. Hobbies and interests are optional and generally relevant only when they directly support the application or fill out a limited work history.

Cover letters traditionally accompany resumes, particularly for professional roles, although they are sometimes replaced by short free-text answers in online application forms. The letter should be a single page, addressed to the named hiring manager where possible, opening with the role being applied for, summarising why the candidate is interested and qualified, and closing with a call to action. Many Australian employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan resumes for keywords from the job description, so candidates increasingly tailor their resume to the specific role. Free templates and resume reviews are available through Workforce Australia, Centrelink Workforce Australia services, and TAFE career services.