Lyla Lindsey
In Australia, a CV (also known as a resume) is a document that summarises a person's information, education, work experience, and suitability for a job. Australian CVs typically follow a reverse-chronological format, with work history being the most important element. The length of an Australian CV is typically between two and four pages, depending on experience. It should have a clean and professional layout with clear headings, bullet points, and a legible font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. While it is best not to include a photo, there are exceptions, such as for creative or modelling roles. The personal information required is limited to contact information, and it is essential to list relevant education, skills, and work experience. An Australian CV may also include optional sections such as volunteer work, awards, and hobbies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length | CVs in Australia are typically 2-4 pages long, depending on experience. Less experienced candidates can opt for 2 pages, while senior positions may require more detailed 3-4 page CVs. |
| Format | Reverse-chronological format, with work history given the most prominence, followed by education and skills. |
| Personal Information | Name, address, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile or portfolio (if available). Avoid unnecessary personal details, such as age, gender, nationality, and marital status, as it is illegal for employers to ask for this information. |
| Photo | Generally, it is recommended not to include a photo unless the role specifically requires it (e.g., modelling or acting) or if you intend to host your resume online or are in a creative industry. |
| Career Objective | Recommended but not mandatory. It should be a brief introduction (3-5 lines) highlighting your experience, goals, and ambitions for the role. |
| Work Experience | Display work experience in reverse-chronological order, including dates and accounting for any gaps. Focus on relevant roles and use powerful verbs like 'delivered', 'trained', and 'promoted'. |
| Education | List relevant degrees and diplomas in reverse-chronological order, including institution names, majors, minors, specialisations, and awards. |
| Skills | Include a separate section for skills to provide a quick overview. Emphasise both transferable (e.g., communication) and hard skills (e.g., technical expertise). |
| Achievements | Include bullet points to effectively highlight achievements and responsibilities. |
| Volunteer Experience | Include volunteer work to demonstrate passion, values, and commitment. |
| Hobbies and Interests | These sections can provide a glimpse into your personality and make your CV more interesting. |
| Language | Use clear headings, bullet points, and a legible font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Maintain consistent formatting throughout. |
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What You'll Learn
- Length: Australian CVs can be 3-4 pages for experienced candidates
- Photo: Avoid including a photo unless the role requires it
- Personal information: Only include contact details and city
- Format: Use clear headings, bullet points, and a legible font
- Content: Include work experience, education, skills, and a career objective
Length: Australian CVs can be 3-4 pages for experienced candidates
When it comes to the length of a CV in Australia, the general rule of thumb is that it can be more extended than in some other countries. Australian CVs can range from 2 to 4 pages, depending on the candidate's level of experience and the specific job requirements.
For candidates with extensive work experience and qualifications, a longer CV is often expected. Australian employers in professional recruitment value a detailed account of your work history and are willing to read up to 3 or 4 pages to get a comprehensive understanding of your background and skills. This allows you to provide thorough information about your relevant work experience, achievements, and qualifications.
On the other hand, if you are a less experienced candidate or are new to an industry, a concise 2-page CV is generally sufficient. This length allows you to highlight your key skills, educational credentials, volunteer roles, and relevant extracurricular activities without overwhelming the recruiter.
Regardless of the length, it is essential to tailor your CV to the specific job you are applying for. Focus on including information that is relevant to the position and use clear and concise language to make your CV easy to read. Additionally, consider using bullet points, clear headings, and a legible font, such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, to enhance the readability and visual appeal of your CV.
Remember to keep your CV free from unnecessary personal information and photos unless specifically required for the role (such as modelling or acting). Instead, emphasise your professional qualifications, work experience, and skills to make a strong impression on Australian employers.
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Photo: Avoid including a photo unless the role requires it
When crafting your CV for an Australian audience, it is generally recommended to avoid including a photo unless the role specifically requires it. This is because including a photo can potentially introduce bias into the recruitment process, as Australian HR and recruitment consultant Karalyn Brown notes:
> "When you put your photo on your resume you are inviting a recruiter with their own set of prejudices to consider how you look along with what you may have achieved."
In Australia, it is illegal for employers to ask about certain personal information, such as age, gender, nationality, and marital status. Therefore, it is generally advisable to limit the personal information included on your CV. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. For example, if the role has an age restriction or another requirement based on demographic information, you may need to include your age or other relevant details.
Additionally, if your appearance is a consideration for the position, such as in modelling or acting roles, including a photo would be appropriate. Similarly, if you are applying for a customer-facing role, such as a sales position, a professional photo can showcase your suitability for the role by presenting you as neat, approachable, and friendly. In such cases, ensure that your photo is well-lit and professional.
If you intend to host your resume online or apply for a role in a creative industry where visuals are highly valued, including an image may enhance your application. However, it is crucial to research the company and role requirements beforehand. Including a photo when it is not expected could inadvertently reduce your chances of success.
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Personal information: Only include contact details and city
When it comes to personal information on your CV, it's important to provide enough detail to give employers a clear picture of how to contact you, while also being concise and avoiding unnecessary information.
In Australia, it is illegal for employers to ask about your age, gender, marital status, religion, sexual orientation and nationality. As such, you should keep your personal information to just your name and contact details. This includes your address, phone number, mobile number, and email address. Ensure your email address is professional and a variation of your name, for example, [email protected].
If you have a LinkedIn profile, portfolio, or website, you can include these links in your CV header. However, be mindful of including too many irrelevant links, as this can detract from your application and lead to unconscious bias issues.
It is also important to consider the formatting of your personal information. This should be placed at the top of your CV, either in a header or clearly laid out beneath your name. Use white space to make the information easily digestible, and consider making your name a larger font than the rest of the CV.
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Format: Use clear headings, bullet points, and a legible font
When it comes to formatting your CV for an Australian audience, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, Australian CVs typically follow a traditional, reverse-chronological format, with work history being the most prominent element. This means that your most recent work experience should be listed at the top, with beginning and end dates included for each entry. It is recommended to use clear headings to delineate sections, making it easy for employers to navigate your CV.
In terms of length, Australian CVs can be more detailed than those from some other countries. While a one-page CV is still acceptable, particularly for less experienced candidates or those new to an industry, employers in Australia often expect to see a more comprehensive account of your work history, with CVs ranging from two to four pages in length for more senior positions.
To enhance readability, it is important to use bullet points and a legible font. Fonts such as Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman in a size of 11-point or between 10 and 12 points are recommended. This ensures that your CV is easy to scan and that employers can quickly find the information they are looking for.
Additionally, it is worth noting that Australian CVs typically do not include personal photos unless appearance is a consideration for the position, such as in modelling or acting. The only personal information required is your contact information, including your name, email address, and phone number. However, it can be helpful to indicate the city you live in to avoid any confusion about your current location.
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Content: Include work experience, education, skills, and a career objective
Work Experience
When listing your work experience, you should include the name of the organisation, job title, employer's name and location, and the length of your tenure. You can also include two to three bullet points detailing your key responsibilities and achievements. It is recommended that you list your work experience in reverse chronological order, with your most recent role first. If you have little working experience, you can include internships or volunteer work.
Education
In the education section of your CV, you should list your academic qualifications from high school onwards, including the name of the institution, the qualification obtained, and the year of graduation. You should also include any awards, prizes, and honours received. If you are a recent graduate with limited work experience, it is acceptable to list your educational background before your work experience.
Skills
When detailing your skills, you should include both hard skills (such as technical expertise) and soft skills (such as communication or teamwork). Focus on skills that are relevant to the role and demonstrate how they align with the job requirements. You can also mention any certifications or additional training you have completed.
Career Objective
A career objective is not mandatory but is recommended for your CV. It should be a concise statement (around 3-5 sentences) outlining your career goals, skills, and what you are seeking in a role. It should be customised to reflect how your experience and skills align with the specific job title and requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian CVs are typically longer than in other countries. While a UK CV tends to be no more than two pages, an Australian CV can be three or four pages, depending on your experience. Less experienced candidates can opt for two pages, while employers expect more senior positions to have a more detailed document.
Australian CVs typically follow a reverse-chronological format, with work experience listed first, followed by education and skills. You should also include a header with your name, contact number, and email address. Other optional sections include a career objective, volunteer work, awards, and hobbies.
As a general rule, it is best not to include a photo on your Australian CV. However, there are exceptions. If you are in a creative industry or are hosting your resume online, an image may be beneficial. Additionally, if your appearance is relevant to the position, such as in modelling or acting, including a professional photo can showcase your suitability for the role.
