Written by Shristi N.
As a mature aged student, I know very well how daunting it can be to navigate the world of resumes and interviews as a university student or recent graduate.
The Craft of a Resume
If I were to receive a resume, here are a few things I like to see:
Headshot
Include a professional picture of you shoulder and above (headshot). This gives employers a chance to see how you would turn up to work. Employers will get to visualise and humanise who is applying for their job.
Who You Are
I strongly encourage a professional summary of who you are. In mine, I have: what I study at university, why I have chosen the field of study I am in and given insights in who I am as a person (ethic and morals). This is maximum 50 words.
Tailor Your Resume
When submitting a resume, tailor each resume to the job you are applying for. The number of times I have gone through resumes that contain irrelevant information in the skills and experience section. I don’t need to know that you went to primary school when you are in the process of completing your university degree or about a job that you worked for 2 weeks.
Keep it Concise
This brings me to my next point, keep everything clear and concise. I would add bullet points under experiences section that increase the readability of the resume. The final resume should be maximum 2 pages.
Landing the Interview
I have four steps to preparing for an interview:
- Research the place you applied for, especially their purpose, values and achievements. When in the interview, you can use this information to portray our interest and enthusiasm professionally
- Think about common questions that are asked at interviews what your answer would be: “Tell me about yourself,” “why do you want to work here?,” and “why did/are you leave/ing your last job?.” Practice what you can so you know the answer yourself but then you can also come across as confident and prepared.
- You may be asked to illustrate challenges that you have overcome in your last position. Here is where you professionally showcase your personality.
- Ask the interviewer questions about the positions and work environment. It demonstrates that you are paying attention and initiatives.
Your aim with the resume and interview is to highlight your professionally uniqueness. Just like exams at university you prepare, you need to prepare for job opportunities. Remember, every interview is a chance to learn and grow. Good luck!
Click here to check out the Charles Sturt Careers and Skills Hub for more resources and tips!
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