Need Help with your Australian or New Zealand Resume?

As I've encountered a few new expats Down Under (including myself not too long ago) who are in need of resume assistance, I've decided to offer my services as a resume doctor. At the moment, I'm not providing resume assistance for profit, but for exchange.

My services will include:

• Review of your resume, including suggestions on content, formatting, and general proofing including grammar (which can be helpful for those who are non-native speakers of English)
• Suggestions on where to begin looking for work (recruitment agencies specific to the industry you are looking to work in, local companies, etc)

In regards to compensation for my help, for each resume I review, the only payment I ask is for 4 items to be purchased and posted to me from my Amazon.com wishlist. I think you will find this a bargain! (I'm also happy to work on cover letters and selection criteria for an extra item or two per document.)

I'm happy to work on resumes for anyone, expat or not, and do not limit my services to those living in Australia, as I have also lived and worked in New Zealand, the UK and USA.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Amazon proof of purchase must be emailed prior to release of 1st draft
• Books on the wishlist are categorised by priority, and must be ordered new from Amazon unless otherwise indicated
• My only other request is that books be posted direct from Amazon.com to the address I provide. Please keep in mind that part of your payment is postage of items, therefore it is a good idea to have a look at the wishlist and price things out before agreeing to the terms.

The Importance of the Cover Letter

The Australian cover letter is almost as important a document as the resume itself, it seems. I remember the days when I didn't bother attaching a cover letter to a job application, and could still be assured that if my skills fit the job, I'd get called in for an interview. No longer is that the case. For certain jobs, there is even the requirement (most times unknown to the applicant, unless he or she is familiar with the process) that all criteria listed in the job ad/position description must be referred to in the cover letter, briefly, with an example that demonstrates the candidate can meet the criteria. This is a good rule to go by regardless.

Australian Interview Tips, Part 2

Depending on where you are coming from, be prepared for a change in interview style. In every interview I have been on in Australia, there have been at least 2-3 people interviewing me at once, taking turns asking questions. The questions are very thorough and numerous, and specific examples are looked upon much more favourably than general answers. You will almost always be asked for an example of a time you've had to deal with a challenging situation or person, and if you are going for a technical job, may even be required to give detailed instructions (for example, in the IT field). This can be a bit daunting to begin with, but if you 'know your stuff', it's a no brainer, and can even be a bonus, as it gives you a good feel for the team you will be working with if you do end up getting the job.

Profile Writing Tips

Being able to write a convincing profile is important on many levels. The first thing that comes to most people’s mind when profile writing is brought up is revising one’s resume. While a good profile is an important part of any resume, it is certainly not the only thing a profile is useful for. A well-written profile is useful for:

• Personalising your Resume/CV
  o Keep in mind revising your resume doesn’t have to mean you are leaving your current company or even your current position. You may want to revise your resume in order to negotiate a raise or to sell yourself for a different position at the company you currently work for
• Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) for any committee/group you would like to join or serve on
• Using as an exercise to ‘sell yourself’
  o If you need to regularly sell yourself in the workplace, for example, it is very important that you can put forward your best talents and accomplishments on paper, in your mind, and of course, in person.
• As a confidence builder (see above)
  o Many of us never think of writing a profile, and in doing so, discover we can sell ourselves much better than we might have previously thought

As mentioned, your profile should include details on your best talents as well as briefly give reference to your tangible work accomplishments. If you are working on your profile for a resume, and have spent any time not working, you should give mention to this and speak to why this is so. A profile can be short and sweet, touching on important points only (for a resume), or longer in order to go into further detail of what you personally have to offer and give explanation of your accomplishments. Examples available.

Australian Interview Tips, Part 1

A few things to keep in mind when you start to look for a job in Australia. Some of them may sound as if they are common sense, but depending on where you come from, you never know what may be different.

1. Start registering with temp agencies. As soon as you know you arrival date into Australia, contact 3-5 temp agencies (examples: Hays, Hudson, Select Appointments) and let them know your visa status and arrival date. Try and set up an interview to register. I guarantee you will get at least one or two appointments set up before you have even boarded the plane. This way, at least you may be able to secure some temporary work for when you arrive, so your start up money won't drain away too quickly.

2. If you do interview with a temp agency, dress the same as though you were going for a interview for your dream job. Temp agencies are checking you out to see how you will represent them! Be professional and confident.

3. If there is a company you wish to work for, don't be afraid to take your resume in person and ask to speak to someone there. Again, Australians value confidence.