Resumes for migrants to Australia

This article is written to help newcomers to Australia, understand and develop a resume that will assist them to secure job interviews and in turn a job.   

Create a Great Australian Resume

Resumes and CV’s differ, depending on what country you come from.  In order to succeed in Australia, you need to ensure that your resume reflects the norms and recruitment requirements of the Australian market place and that it sells you effectively.  Check out the Great Australian Resume. 

Overcome the risk aversion of Australian employers

Australian employers can appear to be easy going, but the reality is that they are very conservative and highly averse to risk.  As a migrant, there is a perception that you are potentially more risky as an unknown prospect, so employers tend to go with the tried and true, local experience.  In order to counter this risk aversion of Australian employers, use these tactics in your resume:

Be upfront about your citizenship status. Once it might have been OK to mention this in the cover letter or even wait until interview. But nowadays, if you have the legal right to work here, put it right on your résumé. For example: Permanent resident of Australia, work visa number xyz.

Consider anglicising your name.  By all means include your full name, but also include an Anglicised nickname (for example:  Gang Sun (John).  Why?  Well surveys indicate that applicants with foreign names are less likely to get to interview.  The reasons are complex, but one reason is that employer’s simply don’t know how to pronounce your name.  With an anglicised version of your name, you might be able to overcome this perception and problem. Check out our article on How your name on your resume can impact on your interview success rate

Educate, educate and educate the potential employer.  We can sometimes be an ignorant lot, so an employer won’t necessarily be aware that your qualifications and experience is the equivalent of, or greater than Australian counterparts.  So your job is to ensure that they are made aware of your relevant knowledge and qualifications. SO:

• Translate both literally and figuratively your education and work experience into Australian terms. I mean an employer is probably not going to understand ‘Meister Instandhaltung, Gaggenau, Technische Gebäudeausrüstung Elektrische Energietechnik’. Consult bilingual dictionaries for your particular field and if possible ask an Australian peer in your industry for their input.
• If your education was received at a top University in your country, or your work experience was obtained within a leading organisation, or firm, say so. Most employers won’t have in-depth knowledge of foreign companies, or training institutions. To overcome this lack of knowledge, supply a brief explanation for them.

For example:
Zuangshou Science Export/Import
One of five subsidiaries of Chinese State International Trade Division, which specialises in the import and export of pharmaceuticals and chemical raw materials.

• If there are gaps in your career history, as a result of issues such as compulsory military duty, make employers aware, that such duty was compulsory.
• Overcome employer’s objections as to your lack of specific knowledge and experience in Australia by highlighting your achievements and awareness of Australian issues.  For example if an HR specialist, you could in your cover letter, make the employer aware, that you have a comprehensive knowledge of Australian HR issues and employment legislation.

Language is everything

Your English might be impeccable, but unless English is your first language, then usually this shows up in your resume in the way of subtle language errors.  So get your résumé proof read by someone, whose first language is English, especially if English is your second language. Just a small mistake or unconventional way of wording something, could be detrimental to your job application.   

Relevant Articles and Resources

• Australian Workplace Culture - Book review of G'Day Boss! Australian Culture and the Workplace
• The Great Australian Resume - (e-book by Carolyn Smith)
• Blank resume form - free for CareerDIY Readers
• Outline of a resume
• Is your resume a lie?
• The top 10 resume mistakes to avoid
• Top resume myths
• Resume fraud - why you should not lie or exaggerate on your resume
• The difference between a resume and a curriculum vitae
• Transform your resume - a quick lesson from a professional
• How to use action words to enhance your resume
• Key words for resumes
• Free resume examples for Australia
• Why you should blow up your current resume and start from scratch