How to Create a Stand-Out Resume (2024 Template and Example) | Indeed.com Australia

How to Create a Stand-Out Resume (2024 Template and Example)

Updated 29 April 2024

A resume template is a useful tool to help you ensure that you have included all the relevant details about yourself and your experiences. Creating a concise and comprehensive resume helps employers assess your job suitability. Showing employers all relevant details about your skills and experience can help you secure job interviews and employment. In this article, we will present a resume template and an example you can use to create your own resume.
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Why should you use a resume template?

A resume template can help you create a clear, concise and comprehensive resume that includes everything an employer needs to compare you to other job applicants. Resume templates usually take applicant tracking systems (ATS) into consideration, so following them can help you pass through software filters and progress to the next steps in the hiring process.Related: What Is Resume Parsing? (With Definition and Importance)

Resume vs CV

When creating your resume, you may come across the term CV, which is short for curriculum vitae. Curriculum vitae is a Latin term meaning ‘course of life’. In other words, a CV documents someone's life's work. The terms resume and CV are often used interchangeably, so resume templates are sometimes called CV templates. However, the term resume is more commonly used than curriculum vitae or CV among Australian employers.

How to use a resume template

Complete the following steps to create a quality resume based on a resume template:

1. Copy the resume template's subheadings into your document

Use the subheadings of your resume template to build the basic structure of your resume. Copy them into a blank document. This will become your resume.

2. Personalise the placeholders with your own details

Fill in the information underneath your subheadings reflecting your own personal information, experiences and skills. List information in chronological order, with the most recent information first. Pay attention to the amount of information the resume template advises. Pick only the most relevant or impressive examples to keep your resume concise. Cross-referencing a resume example, with the placeholders filled in, can help you write concisely with persuasive language.Read more: What to Include in a Resume

3. Proofread your resume

Proofread your work thoroughly, looking for any spelling, grammar and typographical errors. Correct any problems you find as you work through the document. You may also ask a trusted friend or colleague to review your resume before sending it to employers.Related: References in a CV: What They Are and How to Format Them

4. Save your basic resume

Your proofread document will be your basic resume. Save it with a descriptive filename in a reliable place, such as your computer's desktop.

5. Tailor your resume to each job application

When you're ready to apply for a new job, open your basic resume. Note the skills, experience and qualities the employer wants from candidates. Make sure your resume clearly shows you have the mentioned skills, background and experience. You may do this by changing the information you include or changing your text to reflect the job posting's keywords. Proofread again to check for any errors, then save this revised resume with a new filename reflecting the vacant position.Related:

Tips for using a resume template

Customising a resume template helps you stand out from other applicants and convince employers you are the right candidate for the job. Keep these tips in mind when creating your resume from a template:

Use a simple layout

Our resume template simply lists each section, one after the other. However, you may prefer to adjust the layout to reflect your own style. For example, you could put your personal details in a bold header or list only your name in the header, then place other personal details in a clear margin. Some people prefer listing their key skills or reference details in the margin, rather than placing them in the body of the resume.You are free to adjust the components to suit your needs so long as their order and placement are simple and logical. Resist the urge to add too many columns when applying online, as applicant tracking systems may not be able to read all your information.Read more: How to Make a Resume

Use simple design elements

A resume is a business document, so most should have simple typefaces and minimal graphic elements. Basic sans serif fonts, such as Verdana, Arial and Calibri are the most legible choices for your content. Use bold or large fonts to make your headings and subheadings stand out. These variations are easier to read than using different colours or typefaces. Simple borders and line breaks can improve readability, but resist the urge to make them too ornate. Otherwise, these elements could overshadow your content.Leave any headshots off your resume. This approach helps the hiring manager focus on your experience and skills, rather than your appearance. The employer will make an objective decision about whether they want to learn more about you in an interview or not.People aren't the only ones who prefer simple-looking resumes. Applicant tracking systems also read resumes without graphic elements better. Sticking to a clean look for your resume will help your job application progress to the next stage.

Consider the job you're applying for when formatting

While the above formatting rules suit most job applicants, you may like to show more imagination when applying for creative roles. For example, employers often consider the way resumes look when hiring graphic designers and animators. When applying for these roles, try to create a resume that reflects your individual style. You may like to create a visually spectacular resume for mailed and emailed applications, while a simpler design is preferable for applications submitted via online forms, as these are more likely to face applicant tracking system filters.

Keep your resume concise

You are free to add as many different elements to your resume as you feel you need to show your experience and qualifications. However, you should always aim to be concise. Using as few words as possible to describe your achievements helps them stand out.Restrict your work history to no more than the last 20 years. You may want to cull even more early jobs as you progress in your career. Most entry-level jobs have transferrable skills that can help you secure an entry-level position in your field. However, the longer you spend in your sector, the less relevant holding an entry-level role, such as checkout assistant, becomes.In most cases, keep your resume between two and four pages. One page is often enough for entry-level jobs, as applicants do not yet have long work histories. Take note of any resume length requirements in the job postings and stick to them.Related:

Resume template

Customise this resume template with your own information:[Full name] [Email]
[Phone]
[Suburb, state, postcode]Summary[Summary statement selling yourself to a potential employer in a few lines]Career history[Position title] at [Company]
[Month YYYY]-Present
Key responsibilities
  • [Responsibility 1]
  • [Responsibility 2]
  • [Responsibility 3]
Achievements
  • [Achievement 1]
  • [Achievement 2]
  • [Achievement 3]
[Position title] at [Company]
[Month YYYY]-[Month YYYY]
Key responsibilities
  • [Responsibility 1]
  • [Responsibility 2]
  • [Responsibility 3]
Achievements
  • [Achievement 1]
  • [Achievement 2]
  • [Achievement 3]
Education[Course/qualification] from [Institution name]
Graduated [YYYY][Course/qualification] from [Institution name]
Graduated [YYYY]Key skills[Skill 1], [Skill 2], [Skill 3], [Skill 4], [Skill 5], [Skill 6], [Skill 7], [Skill 8], [Skill 9], [Skill 10]Hobbies and interests[Hobby 1], [Hobby 2], [Hobby 3]ReferencesAvailable on request.

Resume example

This is an example of a basic resume someone created by customising the resume template. Use this example for inspiration when creating your own resume from the template:Amy Williamsonamy_williamson@gmail.com0412 076 823Sydney, NSW, 2000*SummaryA dedicated financial administration professional with more than two years' experience, attention to detail and the determination to advance my career within the financial industry.Career historyAdministration Assistant at Markham's Wealth Management
April 2014-PresentKey responsibilities
  • Assisting the final operations team with administrative tasks, including maintaining accurate customer and client records and preparing emails and other documents
  • Delivering phone-based customer service, including answering customer queries, managing customer complaints and escalating these matters as required
  • General administration, including scanning, printing, filing and mail management
Achievements
  • Consolidated data into more user-friendly Microsoft Excel spreadsheets
  • Automated manual tasks which reduced the workload of financial advisors
  • Learned how to manage accounting documents and wealth portfolios
Receptionist at Princewood's Fine Foods
September 2014-April 2018Key responsibilities
  • Welcoming visitors and assisting them with enquiries
  • Answering client and customer phone calls and directing them to relevant departments via the switchboard
  • Coordinating ordinary mail and parcel courier deliveries
Achievements
  • Streamlined filing system for easier retrieval
  • Simplified portfolio management system which increased productivity throughout the business
  • Increased customer satisfaction results from customer feedback surveys by 20%
EducationCertificate IV in Business Administration | Finance and Payroll from TAFE Online
Graduated 2018Higher School Certificate from Ashfield High School
Graduated 2014Key skillsFinancial administration, financial analysis and reporting, advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, computer literacy, data entry, filing, customer service, telephone support, email support, written and oral communicationHobbies and interestsRoller derby, pub trivia, cookingReferencesAvailable on requestRelated: How to Become a Switchboard Operator (With Skills)
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