The best resume format guide for 2021

A well-written resume can capture the attention of a recruiter and help you stand out from other applicants. As with most countries, Australia has its own set of requirements when it comes to resume and cover letters. If you are doing a job search in Australia, you probably have a few questions like how long your resume should be or are there any formatting rules that should be followed. Well, we are here to answer this and many more related questions.

Formatting your resume in line with your career objectives is an important step in creating a professional resume. When making specific formatting changes like font style, borders your goal is to deliver a document that is easily readable to employers. It should allow employers to quickly see why you’re a good fit for the job position. In this blog guide, we will discuss the best ways to format your resume. While you can plan certain formatting guidelines before you begin writing your resume, you can make formatting decisions in your existing resume for new job applications.
How to format a resume

The thought of writing a resume can be daunting for some people. However, if you plan your layout and content before you begin writing, the work gets a lot easier. As far as the layout of the resume is concerned, it is always advised by professional resume writers to keep it simple. The end goal of formatting your resume is to create a professional-looking resume that is easy to read for the recruiters. Since employers spend only a short time looking through each candidate’s resume, it is important to keep your information clear and easy to find on your resume.

Here are fundamental steps to formatting a resume and how each can be applied when drafting or updating your existing resume:

1. Select proper margins

Apply proper margins for your document as it ensures good readability of the information. The standard margins for resumes and other professional documents are one inch on all sides.

Tips:

Left align your resume for better readability. You may decide to center align certain section headers to give a more stylish look to your resume.

2. Select a readable font

Font style should be clear and easy to read. While selecting a font, keep in mind that employers don’t have to stress to understand words on your resume. Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Corbel, Georgia are some of the several examples of good resume fonts.

Tips:

Avoid thin fonts as they can sometimes be difficult to read on paper or screen.
Font size should be 10 to 12 points

3. Use bullet points where necessary

Use bullet points wherever appropriate, but just the one type. You may use it in your experience or skills section or to list your achievements as it allows employers to easily consume relevant information.

Tips:

Avoid using bullet points if you have less than three pieces of information.

4. Always ask for feedback

Once you have finished drafting and formatting your resume, ask trusted friends or family members to review it. It is always helpful to receive third-party feedback/ views. They might point out grammar/ spelling mistakes or any formatting errors that you may have missed.

A well-written and formatted resume is an essential part of your job search. When looking out for jobs in Australia, it is important to tailor your resume as per the Australian resume requirements standard.

How long should your resume be?

According to career experts, an Australian resume should definitely be more than one page. For fresh graduates who don’t have much experience in the field or those who have been in the workforce for just a few years, two pages are fine. But if you are a professional, three to four pages are what’s expected.

Tips:

Even though you have the liberty to write a lengthy resume, don’t forget to be to the point. Avoid going into unnecessary details
It is advised to people who have years of experience to not go more than 10 years back in your resume
Add a separate section called other professional experience in case there are any earlier work experiences that you specifically want to mention

Xi Delta is Australia’s number one career marketplace. We are all one Australian job search site. Xi Delta professional resume writing services will help you create a resume that will stand out in today’s competitive job market. After all, why let a poor resume stand between you and a great career opportunity in Australia.

Are you ready to create a brand new resume or format an old resume? We’ll help you with:

Tips to write and format your resume
Resume samples and templates
Online resume tips
Professional resume tips
Step by step guide for what to include in your resume

Get in touch with us today!