Outline of a resume

In this article, we provide an outline of a resume and what should or should not be included in a modern resume.

Before we begin, there are no hard and fast rules when providing an outline of a resume, apart from the number one rule, which is that you should include JUST the information that is relevant to the position and the information should meet the employer’s need in order to capture their interest.  

Outline of a resume 

Essential

Contact Details

The following contact details, if available, should be included in your resume

1. Name (Just your First Name and Surname will suffice)
2. Address
3. Telephone Number
4. Mobile Number
5. Email
6. Facsimile (private one ONLY)

 Profile

Instead of inserting a career objective, use this space to incorporate a dazzling profile, or qualifications summary.  Within the profile, highlight how you meet the needs of the employer.  Information that you should consider including are:

1. Your core competencies relating to the position
2. Number of years experience in the sector
3. Soft skills relevant to the role
4. Highlights of your achievements and accomplishments
5. Management style
6. Any affiliations and professional organisations
7. Relevant language skills

Skills

By providing an overview of your skills, you give employers an instant understanding of what you can bring to the organisation. 

Various Headings for Skills

1. Core Competencies
2. Expertise
3. Key Credentials
4. Key Qualifications
5. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
6. Knowledge and Skills
7. Strengths
8. Summary of Qualifications
9. Value Offered

 Employment History

You should provide the following information relating to your employment history.

1. Job Title
2. Name of Organisation
3. Start Date and Finish Date (month and year), unless using a functional résumé, or you want to disguise very old work history. 
4. Core duties and responsibilities
5. Your achievements and contributions

Education and Qualifications

Include education and qualifications that are relevant to the position in question. 

Consider

Including an Objective

I’m not a huge fan of objectives as they tend to be self-focussed and are at best a waste of space and at worst vague, trite, and boring. 

Although the objective statement has enjoyed pre-eminent position in résumés for years, the Great Australian résumé, usually eliminates this statement, as the modern résumé focuses on the employer’s needs. 

You might consider using an objective if you’re a recent graduate with limited paid experience, applying for entry-level positions, or transitioning from one career to another.

If you decide to use an objective statement, make sure it is very brief (one sentence) and combine it with your profile, so the ‘YOU’ focus is quickly turned into addressing potential employer’s needs. For sample resume objectives.  

Including Personal Information

As previously noted, leave the following details out of your résumé: 

1. Date of birth
2. Martial status and number of children
3. Photographs, no matter how photogenic you are
4. Personal data, such as health status, height and weight
5. Interests and Hobbies
6. Photocopied written references attached at the end of your résumé.  Save these for the interview, unless specifically requested in the application form. 

However, ignore this rule, if these personal attributes will enhance your application.  For example: 

1. Use your interests to enhance your application, if your interests and hobbies reinforce your passion or capacity to do the job.  For example, including hobbies relating to looking after wildlife, if going for a conservation traineeship, or listing your sporting achievements and fitness activities, if applying for a job in which high levels of fitness are a requirement.

Including Associations

If you have current membership to associations that will enhance your creditability and standing as a professional or expert in your field, then include these membership details.  However only include current memberships, rather than old memberships that have expired.

Including Voluntary Positions

If you have limited experience, or you want to further emphasise relevant skills to the position, then you might consider including your voluntary experience.

Including Publications / Articles / Presentations

If applying for an academic, medical, or scientific position, you will need to create a curriculum vitae, which will include a comprehensive list of publications, articles and presentations. 

If you are not applying for an academic, medical or scientific position, but you are a published author, or have made presentations at key conferences, then list the publications/conferences that will be relevant to the employer.  If you have a comprehensive list, consider providing these in an annexure to your résumé.

Including Awards

If you have an award, then this is great content to put into your résumé. 

Should you include referees?

It is NOT necessary to include referees in the modern Australian résumé, unless specifically requested by the employer.  (For example, most government jobs require submission of two referees upfront).

If referees are not requested in the initial stages, just add ‘Referees available upon request’, within your résumé.

Relevant Articles and Resources

• The Great Australian Resume (E-Book by the author of the article - Carolyn Smith)
• Blank resume form - free for CareerDIY Readers
• Does your resume suck?
• Top resume myths
• Transform your resume - a quick lesson from a professional
• How to use action words to enhance your resume
• Key words for resumes
• Resumes for Australia
• The Top 10 Resume mistakes to avoid
• Should you include hobbies / interests in your resume?
• Free resume examples for Australia
• Should you use a professional resume writer?
• Why you should blow up your current resume and start from scratch
• Writing education on resume - A quick lesson in incorporating and writing education within your resume