Resume Tips — How to Create a Resume That Gets You Hired

When you’re job searching in Australia as an international student or migrant, your resume plays the single most important role. Employers will decide within seconds if you’re worth calling for an interview. If your resume isn’t structured the right way, even strong skills and experiences can be overlooked.

The truth? Most job seekers are rejected not because they aren’t capable, but because their resume fails to communicate their value. That’s why applying the right resume tips can dramatically improve your chances of getting noticed.

In this guide, I’ll share practical strategies that I’ve used to help hundreds of international students and migrants land skilled jobs in Australia — even with no local experience or PR.

Tailor Your Resume for Each Job

One of the biggest mistakes I see is sending out the same resume to every job application. Recruiters can spot a generic resume immediately, and it often gets ignored.

Instead, carefully study the job description and tailor your resume for each role. For example:

Highlight keywords from the job posting in your resume (e.g., “data analysis,” “customer service,” “project management”).
Reorder bullet points under work experience so the most relevant achievements come first.
Remove experiences that are not connected to the role you’re applying for.

This approach makes your resume feel like it was written just for that job — and employers appreciate it.

Keep It ATS-Friendly

Many Australian companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes before a human ever sees them. If your resume isn’t formatted correctly, it can be rejected automatically.

Here’s how to keep your resume ATS-friendly:

Use a clean structure — no fancy graphics, tables, or columns.
Stick to standard fonts like Arial or Calibri.
Avoid images or icons.
Save and send your file as a Word document (.docx) or PDF (if the employer accepts PDFs).

Pro Tip: Always include keywords from the job description. The ATS scans for these words, and the more matches, the higher your chances of passing through.

Focus on Achievements, Not Just Tasks

Employers don’t want to see a long list of duties. They want to know what impact you made. Instead of writing:

“Responsible for managing customer calls”

Say:

“Managed 50+ customer calls per day and resolved issues with a 95% satisfaction rate.”

This approach turns your resume into a proof document of what you can deliver. Use metrics (numbers, percentages, or timeframes) whenever possible — they give your achievements credibility.

Keep It Concise and Professional

Your resume should ideally be 1–2 pages. Anything longer can overwhelm recruiters, and anything shorter may look incomplete.

Some important structure guidelines:

Header: Name, contact details, LinkedIn profile.
Professional Summary: A short 3–4 line paragraph at the top highlighting your experience, skills, and what you bring to the role.
Work Experience: List your most recent roles first (reverse chronological).
Education: Degrees, certifications, and training.
Skills: A bullet list of technical and soft skills.

Tip: Don’t waste space on phrases like “References available upon request.” Employers know they can ask for references later.

Highlight Transferable Skills (Especially Without Local Experience)

If you’re new to Australia or don’t yet have “local experience,” don’t panic. What employers care about most is whether you can do the job well.

You can stand out by emphasizing transferable skills:

Communication and teamwork (from group projects or past roles).
Problem-solving and adaptability (important for migrants adapting to new environments).
Technical expertise or certifications (that are relevant globally, like IT, accounting, or project management).

Adding a section like “Key Skills & Strengths” can help you bring these forward, especially if your work experience section is shorter.

Use the Right Keywords Naturally

Recruiters and hiring managers often scan resumes quickly for keywords. Think about the exact skills and tools employers want in your industry.

Examples:

IT roles: Python, SQL, Cloud Computing.
Engineering: CAD, Project Management, Safety Compliance.
Business/Finance: Data Analysis, Reporting, Stakeholder Management.

Inserting these terms naturally throughout your resume (without keyword stuffing) ensures both ATS and humans pick up on them.

Proofread Carefully

Even the best experience can be overshadowed by a spelling or grammar mistake. A resume full of errors looks careless and unprofessional.

Before sending:

Run your document through a spell checker.
Ask a trusted friend or mentor to review it.
Read it aloud to catch awkward wording.

FAQs

Q: Should I include my visa status on my resume?
A: No. Employers should evaluate you based on skills and experience, not visa type. Save this for the interview if needed.

Q: Should I list part-time or casual work?
A: Yes, if it highlights transferable skills. For example, customer service in retail shows communication and teamwork.

Q: How do I handle career gaps?
A: Be transparent but focus on skills gained during that time (freelance projects, volunteering, certifications).

Final Thoughts

Your resume is your personal marketing tool. By applying these proven resume tips, you’ll not only pass through Applicant Tracking Systems but also stand out to hiring managers.

Every client I’ve worked with who applied these principles saw a significant improvement in interview invitations — often within weeks.

Take the First Step

Want a resume that actually gets interviews? Start with the resource that has helped hundreds of international students and migrants succeed.

👉 Download the Skilled Job Starter Kit today and get access to a professional resume template, cover letter guide, and step-by-step instructions to land your next job in Australia.