Writing Resumes and Cover Letters For Dummies - Australia / NZ

297 Pages·2014·16.02 MB·English

by  Kate Southam

2nd Australian &
New Zealand Edition
Writing
Resumes &
Cover Letters
by Amanda McCarthy
Kate Southam
Writing Resumes & Cover Letters For Dummies®
2nd Australian and New Zealand Edition published by
Wiley Publishing Australia Pty Ltd
42 McDougall Street
Milton, Qld 4064
www.dummies.com
Copyright © 2014 Wiley Publishing Australia Pty Ltd
First edition published as Australian Resumes For Dummies © 2008 Wiley Publishing
Australia Pty Ltd.
The moral rights of the authors have been asserted.
National Library of Australia
Cataloguing-in-Publication data:
Author: McCarthy, Amanda.
Title: Writing Resumes & Cover Letters For Dummies / Amanda McCarthy, Kate Southam.
Edition: 2nd Australian and New Zealand ed.
ISBN: 9780730307808 (pbk.)
9780730307839 (ebook)
Series: For Dummies.
Notes: Includes index.
Subjects: Resumes (Employment) — Australia.
Resumes (Employment) — New Zealand.
Applications for positions.
Job hunting — Australia.
Job hunting — New Zealand.
Other authors/
Contributors: Kate Southam.
Dewey Number: 650.142
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Contents at a Glance
Introduction ������������������������������������������������������������1
Part I: Getting Started with Creating Resumes
and Cover Letters ����������������������������������������������������5
Chapter 1: Introducing the First-Rate Resume and Cover Letter .........7
Chapter 2: Resume Formats to Fit You — and the Job ........................21
Part II: Designing a Dazzling Resume ���������������������37
Chapter 3: Creating the Contents ...........................................................39
Chapter 4: Winning Words for Resumes ................................................63
Chapter 5: Overcoming Resume Dilemmas ...........................................79
Chapter 6: Polishing to Perfection .......................................................105
Part III: Resume Relatives �����������������������������������117
Chapter 7: Writing a Winning Cover Letter .........................................119
Chapter 8: Creating a Winning Social Media Profile ...........................137
Chapter 9: Dealing with Online Applications and Supporting
Documents ..........................................................................................159
Part IV: Sampling from the Suite of Resumes ���������177
Chapter 10: A Sampling of Standout Resumes....................................179
Chapter 11: Resumes for School Leavers ............................................197
Chapter 12: Graduating to the World of Work — Resumes for
Graduates ............................................................................................213
Chapter 13: Applying for Government Positions ...............................231
Part V: The Part of Tens ���������������������������������������253
Chapter 14: Ten Sure-Fire Ways to Turn Off a Recruitment
Consultant ...........................................................................................255
Chapter 15: Ten Tips for Perfect Presentation ...................................263
Index ������������������������������������������������������������������269
iv
Writing Resumes & Cover Letters For Dummies
Table of Contents
Introduction ������������������������������������������������1
About This Book .....................................................................1
Foolish Assumptions ..............................................................2
Icons Used in This Book ........................................................2
Beyond the Book .....................................................................3
Where to Go from Here ..........................................................3
Part I: Getting Started with Creating
Resumes and Cover Letters ��������������������������5
Chapter 1: Introducing the First-Rate Resume
and Cover Letter � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 7
Realising the Value of a Top-Notch Resume .......................8
Planning Your Approach ........................................................9
Remembering that your resume is valuable
real estate ................................................................10
Understanding your work history ............................10
Covering the essentials: The importance of your
cover letter ..............................................................12
Supporting your resume: The role of
social media .............................................................12
Creating a Resume That Gets Noticed Online ..................13
Using keywords ...........................................................14
Sending resumes as email attachments ..................16
Posting resumes on the web .....................................17
Building your resume online .....................................18
Chapter 2: Resume Formats to Fit You — and
the Job � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 21
Starting from Today: The Reverse Chronological
Order Resume ....................................................................22
Other Types of Resume Formats ........................................25
Focusing on skills: The functional resume
format .......................................................................25
Mixing with the hybrids: The combination
resume format .........................................................27
vi
Writing Resumes & Cover Letters For Dummies
Targeting a Specific Job or Company ................................30
Compiling a Curriculum Vitae: The CV ..............................34
Part II: Designing a Dazzling Resume �������������37
Chapter 3: Creating the Contents � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 39
Cooking Up a Winning Resume ...........................................39
Confirming your contact details ...............................41
Recording your work experience .............................43
Showing off your schooling, education and
training .....................................................................47
Recording relevant referees ......................................49
Using the web to help tailor your resume ..............51
Adding the Flavour: The Essence of You ...........................51
Selling your skills and experience up-front ............51
Mentioning memberships ..........................................58
Including hobbies and interests ...............................58
Listing boards, committees and taskforces ............59
Showcasing your awards ...........................................60
Being seen as the expert ...........................................60
Putting It All Together ..........................................................60
Chapter 4: Winning Words for Resumes � � � � � � � � � � � 63
Actions Speak Louder than Words .....................................64
File away verbs for administration and office
support .....................................................................64
Bargain verbs for customer service and retail.......65
High-flying verbs for executives ...............................65
On-the-money verbs for finance and accounting ...66
People-friendly verbs for human
resources (HR) ........................................................66
Innovative verbs for information
technology (IT) .......................................................67
Helpful verbs for medical/healthcare ......................67
Dynamite verbs for mining and construction ........68
Standout verbs for sales and marketing .................68
Educational verbs for teaching and training ..........69
Handy verbs for technical and trades .....................69
Verbs for just about any job .....................................70
Proving Your Achievements Made a Difference ...............71
Stating the facts ..........................................................71
Stating the facts with numbers.................................73
vii
Table of Contents
Using Industry-Specific Keywords ......................................75
Keywords for accounting ..........................................75
Keywords for administration/office support ..........76
Keywords for customer service ...............................76
Keywords for human resources (HR) ......................77
Keywords for industrial/trades ................................77
Keywords for information technology (IT) .............78
Keywords for sales/marketing ..................................78
Chapter 5: Overcoming Resume Dilemmas � � � � � � � � 79
Pasting Over the Cracks ......................................................79
Dealing with career gaps ...........................................80
Managing repeated retrenchments ..........................82
Manipulating mergers and acquisitions ..................83
Putting together a patchwork career ......................87
Making Your Change of Career Look Good .......................89
Gearing Up for Re-Entry .......................................................93
Raising a family ...........................................................93
Recovering from an illness ........................................96
Caring for a loved one ...............................................96
Taking time off to study .............................................96
Avoiding Being Discriminated Against ...............................97
Ageing gracefully ......................................................100
Disclosing a disability ..............................................101
Divulging your gender..............................................103
Chapter 6: Polishing to Perfection � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 105
Going the Extra Mile Pays Off ...........................................105
Customising your resume to the job .....................106
Documenting dialling codes ....................................106
Briefing your referees ..............................................107
Localising the language ...........................................108
Perfecting the Presentation ...............................................109
Keeping it stylish and legible ..................................109
Using standard software ..........................................110
Doing a Final Check ............................................................111
Resume Checklist ................................................................112
Tailoring your resume to the job ...........................112
Content .......................................................................113
Presentation/layout ..................................................115
Writing style/language .............................................115
Sending it off .............................................................116
viii
Writing Resumes & Cover Letters For Dummies
Part III: Resume Relatives �����������������������117
Chapter 7: Writing a Winning Cover Letter � � � � � � � 119
A Handshake in Words .......................................................120
Anatomy of a Cover Letter ................................................121
Making an introduction ...........................................123
Building the body .....................................................125
Conclusion .................................................................126
Identifying the Right Cover Letter Type for
Your Needs .......................................................................127
Covering All Bases: Cover Letter Tips and Tricks .........132
Making it a one page wonder ..................................133
Keeping it simple ......................................................133
Spacing is in ..............................................................133
Making style count ...................................................133
Spellang mistakes — ooops! .....................................134
Using the right language ..........................................134
Handwriting doesn’t pay .........................................135
Focusing on the employer .......................................135
Keeping your salary a secret ..................................135
Chapter 8: Creating a Winning Social
Media Profile � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 137
Differentiating Your Social Media Profile
from Your Resume ..........................................................138
Knowing What You Want Your Personal
Brand to Stand for ..........................................................138
Projecting your strengths ........................................139
Asking others for their views..................................140
Reviewing and Updating Your Personal
Brand Online ....................................................................141
Conducting a digital audit .......................................141
Changing what doesn’t align to
your brand .............................................................142
Knowing Who’s Who in the Social
Media Zoo ........................................................................143
Linking up with LinkedIn .........................................144
Tweeting with Twitter ..............................................145
Fathoming Facebook ................................................146
Getting to grips with Google+ .................................148
Creating the Perfect Social Media Profile ........................150
Getting started ..........................................................150
Keeping your audience in mind..............................152
ix
Table of Contents
Picture perfect: Choosing the
right photograph ..................................................153
Linking to examples of your work..........................154
Asking others to sing your praises ........................155
Keeping Your Profile Fresh: Using Social
Media to Your Advantage ..............................................156
Chapter 9: Dealing with Online Applications and
Supporting Documents � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 159
Promoting Your Portfolio ...................................................160
Hard copy portfolios ................................................162
Digital portfolios .......................................................163
Filling in Application Forms ..............................................165
Preparing hard copy applications ..........................165
Filling in the blanks ..................................................165
Logging on to online forms .....................................167
Completing an online application form .................170
Uploading your resume with an online form ........172
Appending Your Supporting Documents .........................172
Registrations .............................................................173
Tickets and licences .................................................173
Driving history report ..............................................173
Construction industry induction training .............173
Driver’s licence and birth certificates ...................175
First aid certificates .................................................175
Passport, visas and citizenship ..............................175
Part IV: Sampling from the
Suite of Resumes �������������������������������������177
Chapter 10: A Sampling of Standout Resumes � � � � 179
Chapter 11: Resumes for School Leavers � � � � � � � � � 197
Exploring Your Employability ...........................................197
Selling Your Skills in a School Leaver Resume ...............199
Keeping the format simple ......................................200
We have contact .......................................................200
Crafting your career objective ................................201
Presenting your key skills .......................................201
Showing off your academic achievements............202
Highlighting vocational training .............................204
Sharing your work history ......................................204