The Main Elements of a Resume

1. Your name, address and contact details

It is advised you write these details at the top of the page so potential employers can easily see it.

2. Education

Your education is listed here and you will need to include your school details, your grade and if you wish, you can also add in the subjects you are currently studying.

3. History of employment (if any)

Here you list any previous employment that you may have, and include the start and end date of employment, position, company details and any activities you undertook during the employment period.

4. Skills and Qualifications

Here you create a list of skills and qualities that employers pay attention to when selecting candidates. A few examples of skills and qualities are:

Qualities: Leadership, initiative, attitude, enthusiasm, determination, values and adaptability.

Skills: Communication skills, organisational skills, teamwork skills and problem solving skills.

What a Potential Employer looks for:

• Positive Attitude
• Enthusiasm
• Neat appearance and well groomed
• Willingness to learn
• Punctuality and reliability
• Confidence
• Ability to convince them that you are the right person for the job!

You will also list, in this section, any qualifications you have gained, e.g. Certificate II in Tourism.

5. Sporting achievements/Community work

If you have be involved in any sporting groups or community work then it is important to include it in your resume. This shows employers that you have committed to a group or project and have taken up your own time to achieve something.

6. Activities/Hobbies

Any activities that you have taken part in e.g. your school musical or band and any hobbies outside of school e.g. dance can be listed here as some employers may be interested in learning about your ability to commit to an activity.

7. Referees

Referees are people that employers can contact who can give a reference regarding you and your abilities. You can add personal, academic or professional referees. A personal referee can be a family friend who knows you well, an academic referee can be a teacher or trainer, and a professional referee is a previous employer. Job applications will usually ask for a minimum of two (2) referees. Remember to ask your referees if you can use them before writing them down, and ensure that you get the contact information correct.

Once you have written your resume: Re-read it a few times to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. Make sure that you only include relevant information. A resumes should not be very long, it needs to be precise and to the point. Lastly, keep updating your resume to ensure that all information is current and accurate.