If you’re a job seeker right now, you need tips for writing a resume and cover letter that appeals to humans and is optimised for machines. As with any new technology, when used correctly, AI can be extremely helpful to both applicants and recruiters. There’s no doubt it has dramatically changed the recruitment process over the last few years, with application tracking systems (ATS), AI resume screeners, automated assessments, and AI-assisted applications becoming increasingly prevalent. In this blog, we explore how you can navigate this new world, equipped with the knowledge to benefit from this technology while avoiding common pitfalls.
The hiring process is now faster and more efficient than ever, thanks to AI and automation. What this means is that recruiters benefit from finding the right candidates quickly, but if you’re a job seeker, you need to understand how applications are screened. If you’re not vigilant, your application may be overlooked even before human eyes have a chance to view it. Conversely, if your application is too AI-assisted, you will lose the authenticity that matters to human beings. It’s a balancing act! So, here are a few valuable tips for writing a resume and cover letter to ensure you don’t miss opportunities in the AI-recruitment era.
Many companies now use automated tracking systems (ATS) to manage applications. ATS helps recruiters scan resumes for relevant keywords from the job description, such as skills and job titles, to determine how well you match the position they’re looking to fill. This means it’s more important than ever to read the job description carefully to ensure the skills, experience and requirements mentioned appear in your resume as keywords.
Employers use ATS software to:
Recruiters are increasingly using advanced AI tools that go beyond basic keyword searches, including résumé parsers, skills matching, and sentiment analysis. When you understand this new technology, you can make sure it works to your advantage.
Resume parsers
Resume parsers, also known as resume scanners, work by extracting key information, including:
They work by quickly breaking a resume into structured data to filter, rank and search thousands of applications efficiently.
Tip
If your resume isn’t formatted cleanly, the parser may misread it, causing it to be filtered out before it even reaches a human recruiter. So, ensure you don’t use any unusual fonts, text boxes or images in your application.
Skills-matching tools
Skills matching tools compare your experience and job requirements and assign a match score indicating how closely you might be an ideal candidate for a particular role. The system looks for:
Tip
Make sure you include all skills mentioned in the job description, including soft skills such as communication and leadership experience.
Sentiment analysis
Sentiment analysis takes application scrutiny to the next level, evaluating your tone and communication style in your cover letters or any written communication. This gives recruiters insight into your confidence and professionalism. In hiring, it can be applied to:
Sentiment analysis can predict:
Tip
You don’t need to sound over-enthusiastic, but confidence and professionalism are crucial in all written communication. Some sentiment analysis may flag generic or AI-generated content as low engagement or low authenticity, so be careful how you use AI in your application. Remember, AI is helpful as a planning tool and can help you write with professionalism and confidence but make sure it’s in your own words to avoid this common pitfall.
Candidates are also increasingly using AI-assisted tools, such as ChatGPT, to create professional resumes and draft cover letters. While this often results in more polished applications, it also increases the number of generic submissions. As a result, discerning recruitment professionals now look carefully for signs of genuine interest and real-world experience that AI-generated content can’t easily replicate.
Tip
Take advantage of AI as a planning tool and even to assist with guiding professional, purposeful writing, but ensure the final application is human-written and has personality.
One of the most important tips for writing a resume in the AI era is to balance optimisation and genuine human connection. So, make sure you adhere to a few basics.
AI technology can match your skills to a job description, but it can’t understand the big picture or the real impact you’ve made in your career. So, make sure you include clear numbers or results in your résumé. When you highlight your achievements, such as how much you increased sales, saved time, or improved a process, it gives human recruiters a quick and convincing picture of what you’ve accomplished.
Save a master copy of your resume that includes all your roles and achievements. But don’t send this version out for every job application. Instead, create a tailored version for each job using both manual editing and AI assistance.
AI can list your skills, but it can’t show the real you. Try using strong action verbs to share real-world examples that highlight skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving. If you do this well, you demonstrate qualities that are difficult for AI to replicate, helping recruiters understand the unique value you bring.
Here’s an example:
Generic/AI
Human, specific, strong action verbs
This improved version shows:
The cover letter is arguably the most human element of the hiring process until the interview. It’s a chance to offer a direct, personal glimpse of what you have to offer. Make sure you use AI to brainstorm, but don’t let it replace your unique voice.
If you use AI, make sure you also include personal details about the job you are applying for to ensure it’s personalised.
AI is helpful for:
Avoid:
AI is a valuable tool for drafting versions of your application, summarising your experiences, and ensuring you meet job description targets. But it can’t replace genuine passion or nuanced storytelling, which provide the context behind your achievements. It also cannot predict what makes you a good fit for the organisation or role.
A foolproof way to ensure your application isn’t overly reliant on AI is to avoid AI’s ‘fingerprints,’ which are obvious signs of its use.
AI fingerprints include:
While the temptation to save time and improve your application with AI is great, personalisation and human connection matter more than ever. So, make sure you have these tips on how to write a resume handy to strike a balance between using AI as a helpful tool and maintaining your unique voice and humanity. If you do this well, you have a competitive edge in the AI-recruitment era.
Interviews play a crucial role in career progression and success. They give you the chance to highlight your qualifications and provide an opportunity to demonstrate confidence, communication skills, and cultural fit within an organisation. In the following blog, we hope you find actionable advice to help you excel in preparing for an interview.
Researching the specific role you are applying for and the organisation is crucial when preparing for an interview. In preparing for an interview in this way, you gain a clear understanding of the job responsibilities and the company’s values, culture, and goals. As a result, you will be better equipped to articulate how your skills and experiences meet the position and the organisation’s needs. It also shows the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the opportunity and have taken the time to understand what they do.
Take the time to carefully assess the job description, paying close attention to the essential skills, key responsibilities, and overall expectations outlined for the role. Consider how your previous experiences and qualifications will help you meet the employer’s expectations for the role advertised. When you reflect on how you meet their needs, you will be better able to articulate your suitability.
When investigating an organisation, start by understanding its mission, values, and culture. This could involve visiting its official website, reviewing its social media presence, and reading published reports or news articles demonstrating its values. When you gain this understanding, you demonstrate a genuine interest in the organisation and can explain how your values line up with theirs.
If you have the chance, look up your interviewers on LinkedIn. Exploring this social platform will give you valuable insights into their professional backgrounds and help you connect with them during the interview.
When preparing for an interview, it’s helpful to anticipate potential questions so you can respond confidently and thoughtfully. While you won’t be able to foresee every question, some improvisation is to be expected. However, there are common questions that you can perfect your responses to in advance.
Make sure you prepare answers for these frequently asked questions:
The STAR (situation, task, action and result) method is beneficial in preparing for an interview with behavioural questioning. When answering a behavioural question using the STAR method, you demonstrate how you handled a past situation by structuring your response into four parts:
Situation – Set the context by describing what was happening
Task – Explain the responsibility or challenge you faced
Action – Detail the steps you took to address the situation
Result – Share the outcome of your actions, ideally highlighting a positive resolution
Take a look at the following example of a journalist experiencing challenges in gathering a source for a time-sensitive news story.
Question
Tell us about a time you faced a problem at work and how you handled it.
Situation
In my previous role as a journalist, I was working on a news story with a very tight deadline, and one of my key sources wasn’t responding to my attempts to contact them.
Task
I needed to find a way to quickly gather accurate information from another source so that the story could be completed and submitted on time.
Action
I immediately brainstormed alternative sources that could provide similar insights and contacted a few trusted contacts in my network. I also conducted thorough research online, including credible reports and public statements from relevant experts. While waiting for responses, I adjusted the article’s structure to focus on verified details already available, leaving room to insert the new information once I received it.”
Result
Within a couple of hours, I secured a comment from a reliable alternative source, which added depth to the story. I completed and submitted the article on time, meeting the deadline and maintaining the high standard expected by my editor. The piece was well-received and praised for its thoroughness despite the initial challenges.
When you use the STAR approach, you will be able to give a clear, concise, and logical answer that demonstrates your problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal skills.
Preparing for an interview by practising responses to these common questions can help you deliver thoughtful answers, feel confident and make a strong impression during the interview.
Ensure your responses connect your skills and achievements to the specific role and company. Emphasise those unique qualities or experiences that differentiate you from other candidates.
Practice preparing for an interview with a friend, mentor, or professional coach who can provide valuable feedback and support. It’s also useful to record your responses to interview questions to analyse your tone, pacing, and clarity, allowing you to identify areas for improvement and enhance your delivery on the big day.
Your communication skills will be on display during your interview, so make sure you’re on your game when it comes to verbal, non-verbal and active listening skills.
You’ll want to make a strong impression when conversing, so speak clearly and confidently, maintaining a steady pace throughout your interview. Jargon should be avoided or used sparingly only when it adds value to your message.
Your nonverbal body language can demonstrate confidence and engage your interviewers. It’s important to maintain good posture and establish meaningful eye contact. Adopting open and positive body language creates a relaxed atmosphere that promotes connection.
Demonstrate attentiveness by nodding and responding appropriately. If in doubt, clarify any questions to prevent misunderstandings.
Making a strong first impression during an interview requires choosing appropriate and professional clothing. A helpful guideline is to dress one level above the position you are applying for. Use common sense in your choices; for example, opt for more formal attire for a finance role, while smart casual outfits are probably suitable for creative positions. Obviously, your clothing should be clean, well-fitted and ironed. If wearing accessories, keep it simple and choose pieces that complement your outfit without drawing too much attention.
When preparing for an interview, remember that you will also be expected to ask questions. Asking thoughtful questions shows interest and enthusiasm. Some common questions that interviewees ask include:
What does success look like in this role?
Can you tell me more about the team I’ll be working with?
What opportunities for growth and development does the company offer?
Pre-interview nerves are normal, but a bit of preparation can help you stay in control. Confirm the interview details, such as the time, location, or video link, and ensure important documents like your CV and portfolio are ready.
Visualising a successful interview and practising deep breathing are great ways to stay calm. It’s also advisable to arrive 10–15 minutes early to settle in and focus, setting yourself up for a successful interview experience.
What you do after the interview is just as important as what you do during it. It’s a good idea to send a thoughtful thank-you email within 24 hours to express your appreciation for the opportunity. In this email, stress your continued interest in the role and include the main discussion points from the interview to highlight your qualifications.
Preparing for an interview through preparation, strong communication, and post-interview follow-up is crucial to landing your dream job. We encourage you to approach every interview as a two-way conversation where you also assess the company’s fit for your career goals. Who knows, your next interview could be the new direction you’ve been searching for on your career journey!
If you’d like career advice or help selecting professional development opportunities, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants today at 1300 76 2221 or via Live Chat.
Behavioural interviews are the most feared but the most important part of a job selection process as they delve into past behaviours to help predict future success in a role. So, why are they so feared, and how do you overcome your nerves to master this type of interview?
First, let’s begin with a definition. Behavioural interviews are a type of job interview where the interviewer asks questions about how you have behaved in specific situations in the past.
The purpose of a behavioural interview is to understand your skills, abilities, and traits based on your past experiences and actions in other workplaces or situations. It’s an ideal way to predict your future performance.
In a behavioural interview, the questions are designed to prompt you to provide detailed responses about your past behaviours and actions. It’s an excellent way to avoid hypothetical or theoretical responses which may not match your work behaviours.
The core idea of the behavioural interview (and your responses) is that past behaviour is a reliable predictor of future behaviour. By asking about specific situations you have encountered in your workplace, the interviewer gains a clearer understanding of how you will navigate challenges, solve problems, work individually and as part of a team, and determine if you have the crucial skills that are relevant to that particular job.
The phrases you’ll often encounter during a behavioural interview typically begin with “Tell me about a time when …’ or ‘Can you provide an example of …’, prompting you to share a specific experience you’ve encountered.
When asked these types of questions, it’s vital to provide as much detail as possible to describe that particular situation, the action you took, and the outcome. The STAR method is a great framework for structuring your responses to these types of behavioural interviews.
Your responses tell potential employers a lot about your competency, interpersonal skills, adaptability, problem-solving ability and leadership potential and many other qualities relevant to a particular role. It’s real-life examples that will help you demonstrate how you handle various work-related situations and challenges.
So, you have an upcoming interview and want to know how to prepare for these behavioural questions. How do you prepare? First, you’ll need to reflect on your past experiences and identify any relevant examples that relate to the role you’re applying for.
You should practice your responses to potential questions in a structured and concise way. A great way to pre-empt what might be asked is to review the job description and identify the core skills and competencies the employer is seeking. Be sure to demonstrate the impact of your actions and the results you achieved in your previous role, and highlight any relevant transferable skills.
You can incorporate storytelling techniques to keep the interviewer engaged. Basically, this involves revealing the facts, creating a narrative, and then restating the facts (however, this is a blog unto itself).
You should also research and ask thoughtful questions about the values, culture and team dynamics of the company. Understanding and incorporating the company’s culture and values into your responses show enthusiasm and genuine interest in the organisation.
Do you have a mentor? This person is preferably someone with knowledge of the industry or company you’re seeking to gain employment. They can help you rehearse for an interview. Their feedback on how you handle behavioural questions will be valuable.
Once you’ve rehearsed your responses to potential behavioural questions, it’s time to turn your attention to non-verbal communication. Make sure you maintain good eye contact and have good posture, which demonstrates confidence in yourself. You should also show engagement by using positive and assertive language and active listening skills. Don’t forget to smile and nod!
If there’s ever a time to dress for success, it’s at the interview. Make sure you’re wearing suitable attire that’s clean, ironed and fits you well. Depending on the job, keep make-up, jewellery and strong fragrances to a minimum.
Finally, arrive early and have some prepared questions to ask the interviewer at the end of your interview. Follow up in a few days with a thank-you email or note.
Remember, the goal of a behavioural interview is to provide proof of your abilities and aptitude for the role. You’ll need to show this based on your past behaviours. So, emphasise relevant experiences that demonstrate your skills. You will boost your chances of making a good impression and winning the job!
Your resume is a critical marketing document — in any career at all levels — and is typically the first impression a recruiter or potential employer has of you and your study and/or career achievements. It can also set the tone for the rest of the recruitment process. In our digital world, there are some scenarios where a resume may diminish in importance compared with other factors.
In the IT space, demonstrating on-the-job skills may land you a job without you submitting a resume. For example, Google often uses Code Jams to hire developers. In the digital marketing space, an active Twitter profile can often lead to job offers. And in many fields, LinkedIn is a valuable business tool for recruiters, giving them faster access to relevant professionals. However, a concise and accurate resume still plays a vital role in recruiting. It allows a recruiter and prospective employer to find out more about you, your skills and your background in a “digestible” manner.
In terms of how to write a good resume strategically, it involves going beyond including short-term, “tactical” elements (designed to gain an objective) to longer-term “strategic” elements (like complex activity, operational patterns, activity and decision-making) that lead to the execution of tactics. Factors to consider include:
According to Indeed, a one-page resume is a standard length for students, new graduates and professionals with up to ten years of experience. Multi-page resumes can be acceptable if you have many years of experience, achievements, projects and other relevant information.
However, it’s a delicate balance, as you don’t want to frustrate recruiters and potential employers by including pages of irrelevant information to make you appear more qualified. The key is to create the most relevant, concise and easy-to-read document possible. Length is secondary to high clarity and quality content.
In terms of how to write a good resume, most resumes are typically organised into the following sections:
The main heading should be your name and contact details, including your phone number and email address. You don’t need to include the word “resume”, as it’s safe to assume recruiters will know what they’re reading! Ensure your email address and phone voice message are professional. You may also want to include the following:
You don’t need to include the following:
Often called a “personal profile”, “overview”, or “career objective”, a summary is used by experienced candidates to tie together their years of experience into a common theme. It should be concise, relevant to the potential employer, and include a clear value proposition in line with the position requirements. You should also avoid subjective terms (like “team player”, “detail-oriented”, and “effective communicator”), as they usually come across as bland or generic and rarely add value to a resume.
A critical factor in how to write a good resume, this section can include qualifications or other relevant training, licenses or accreditations such as industry certifications. If you graduated within the last ten years, you could also include your school results if they reflect your academic success.
You should list qualifications in order of their timing, importance and relevance. The amount of information you include will depend on the role you are applying for. Generally, you should only delve into subject-level detail if it’s relevant to the job. For each qualification, you should include information on the following:
You don’t need to list every role you have had. Instead, focus on highlighting experience relevant to the position you’re applying for.
List your employment in reverse chronological order, and include the following:
Other examples worth mentioning, if relevant, include:
Try to focus on your actions and results, and back up your claims by using direct action words (like “designed” or “organised”), and include evidence you can quantify, like data or statistics that show how much, how many and how often. Don’t use industry jargon to show off your knowledge, and again, avoid vague and subjective buzzwords like “detail-oriented”, “effective communicator”, and “team player”.
For example, instead of “Detail-oriented data entry and analysis in Excel”, consider “Modelled 20 years of historical financial data in Excel to determine the relationship between commodity prices and profitability”.
Instead of “Launched internal team productivity reporting dashboard”, consider “Liaised with senior leadership and colleagues to develop a productivity reporting dashboard that cut team task allocation time by approximately 50 per cent”.
Instead of “Researched CRM options”, consider “Collaborated with a team of four to evaluate alternative software platforms to drive sales productivity, ultimately saving an estimated $500,000 per year”.
This is another important factor when it comes to how to write a good resume. This section gives you the opportunity to list all of your relevant skills, and group them into themes that will enhance your resume’s readability.
Your skills may include “hard” skills, which are technical skills that help you perform a specific task, and “soft” skills. According to LinkedIn, the top 16 in-demand soft skills for 2022 are adaptability, communication, critical thinking, digital literacy, time management, initiative, teamwork, leadership, proactivity, networking, life-long learning, negotiation, self-care, emotional intelligence, confidence, and resilience.
In terms of a specific role, evaluate the job description. Hard skills are normally listed explicitly in job ads, but you should also consider your education, qualifications, certifications, training, other languages you speak, machinery you can use, software you are familiar with, and industry or role-specific knowledge you have gained over your career.
Soft skills are also increasingly being listed on job ads. If they’re not, develop your own list of what might be required by considering the company’s culture, your past experiences in similar positions, and networking with those who are currently in similar roles. Any awards, accolades or achievements you’ve obtained in your career can also often mirror your strongest attributes. You can also include any extracurricular interests or activities, including sports, travel, volunteering and hobbies — but make sure they are relevant!
Knowing how to write a good resume is only part of the process. Formatting is also essential, and although resume layout and design can vary greatly, the primary consideration should be readability for the recruiter or prospective employer. Some guidelines to consider, include:
Congratulations! You’ve spent hours fine-tuning your resume and you’ve managed to land an interview! However, now you need to deal with the actual interview process. One of the most valuable job interview tips? Be prepared. Whether you are looking for a job in the education, creative, medical, retail, IT or hospitality sectors (to name just a few), interviews typically follow a basic process.
However, the nuances of an interview can differ depending on the industry, the organisation and what the company is looking for in an employee. Here are 15 valuable job interview tips that will ensure you are primed, prepared and ready to face the interview head on!
Interviewers will often probe to discover how much you know about the organisation. In other words, if you’ve done your research! So before your interview, find out as much as you can about the company, its competitors and your role in the business. Keep your research specific to the industry so your answers are as relevant as possible.
One of the most valuable job interview tips is to prepare to go into every interview with your top “selling points” in mind that will outline what makes you the best candidate for the position. You should also be prepared to tell the interviewer job-specific details, including what abilities it requires that you possess, what interests you about it, and what rewards it offers that you find valuable.
Multiple candidates are often interviewed for the one position, so interviewers will screen interviewees to pinpoint those that will be most suited to the job. One valuable tip is to put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes and ask yourself why they may not want to hire you. Anticipating their reservations will allow you to be prepared with a defence.
There are ton of interview questions that you might be asked and also a ton of websites that will provide their own recommendations on questions you should be prepared to answer. (Here is Seek’s take on the matter – Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them). But with so much advice on offer, how do you prepare? Think about your age, work status, the job you’re after, and the organisation you’re hoping to work for. Then it’s just a matter of narrowing the list down!
Another one of our job interview tips is to prepare a list of questions for the interviewer that demonstrate your knowledge of the organisation as well as your serious intent. Interviewers almost always ask if you have any questions. If you don’t have any, they might assume you’re not really interested in the role. One good all-purpose questions is, “If you could design the ideal candidate for this position, what would he or she be like?”
You may be all over your preparation in terms of having answers to possible interviewer questions. But will you answer them in a confident and convincing way? A great tip is to practice with a couple of friends. Practice interviewing each other in a “round robin” process where one person acts as the the observer and the interviewee gets feedback from both the interviewer and the observer. Do this a few times, switching roles as you go.
One of the most important job interview tips is to make sure you have good hygiene, are presented well and display positive body language. You should be aware of the company culture and dress code. When in doubt (and depending on the job), men should wear a suit and women their best professional attire. Even if it’s a more casual environment, a good rule of thumb is to dress up a notch. Better to be safe than sorry! You should also have good posture, make eye contact and speak clearly.
Many interviewers begin interviews with this question, and the response shouldn’t necessarily be about your family, your fur baby or your favourite Netflix series (unless they ask you specifically of course!) The best way to respond is to list things you think they will find important and relevant for the role, and then mention that you are happy to expand upon them if required.
Some studies have shown that interviewers make up their minds about candidates in the first five minutes of the interview! The rest of the time, they look for reasons to confirm their decision. So what can you do to set yourself up for success in those five minutes? Enter the interview with enthusiasm and energy and thank the interviewer for their time. Then start with a positive comment about the company and express how excited you are to be possibly joining it.
Even if you do communicate your selling points during an interview, does the interviewer truly understand what they are? To ensure they do, don’t bury your selling points in long-winded comments. Be precise with them and then give examples. It’s also important you don’t dwell on past negative experiences during an interview. Even if asked specifically about them, round out your response with a positive by admitting that although a certain job or experience was tough, you embraced the challenge … and you’re now after a new one!
Some interviewers view job interviews as adversarial — candidates are hoping for an offer and the interviewer is trying to hold back on giving one! It’s your job as an interviewee to transform this “tug of war” into a relationship where you’re both on the same side. It could be as simple as expressing that you are happy to have the chance to learn more about the company, and the interviewer learn more about you.
Usually assertive candidates sometimes become overly passive during job interviews, often in the effort to be polite. However, politeness doesn’t equate to passivity. An interview should be just like any other conversation — a process in which you and the interviewer both input and respond to each other. Ultimately though, it is your responsibility to make sure you walk away with the interviewer knowing as much as they can about your key selling points.
In a perfect world, no interviewer will ask illegal or inappropriate questions, however it can happen. Questions about your age, race, religion, gender and marital status are often taboo. One of the important job interview tips is to be prepared. With your response, it can be as simple as saying something like, “I’m not sure how that’s relevant to my application” or “I’ve not decided about whether children will be part of my future, but I can assure you, that at this stage, I’m committed to my career”.
If you get to the end of the interview and decide you really want the job, make it clear. Tell the interviewer you are really interested in the role and would be excited about working for the company. You could say something like, “I know my strongest abilities are (insert them here) and I see these as being the abilities you most need for this position”. If you follow this tip, you’ll not only be explaining why you think the job is a good match, but subtlety saying you’ll accept it!
To write a good thank you email, spend time after the interview jotting down a few things you and the interviewer discussed. Customise the email by referring specifically to some of the conversation points. For example, “I was particularly excited about what you said about …”. Also write down what you could have done better in the interview and make adjustments before you head off to the next one!
LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool to boost your career prospects, but if you’re not using to your advantage, you may be missing out many valuable opportunities according to two leading recruitment specialists.
Recruitment expert Em Pescott says there are many ways to maximise your LinkedIn profile to increase exposure and land your dream career.
If you want recruiters to know you’re interested in new job opportunities, make sure you turn on the ‘I’m available’ button on your LinkedIn profile.
“It’s not obvious to your network so your boss won’t see it, but recruiters, who pay LinkedIn big bucks for recruiter access, can see it as a big green flashing light.
“Since recruiters are constantly looking for amazing talent, making it that much easier for them to find you is a real opportunity for you. To let recruiters know you are ready for new opportunities, you turn ‘on’ your signal.
“You can do this from your LinkedIn home page by clicking on the “Jobs” tab on the toolbar.”
If you want recruiters to find you easily make sure your profile’s up to date with relevant keywords.
“It’s important that if you have numerous skill sets or different job titles, you include these in the ‘headline’ section of your profile. That way I’ll turn up in numerous job searches.
“The recruiter function in LinkedIn uses Boolean strings in their search functionality. This means that recruiters can use keywords, phrases and words such as “and”, “or”, “not” to broaden or limit their search. That way they can narrow down the candidate pool when they’re looking for something specific.
“So, ensure you have specific keywords throughout your LinkedIn profile that matches roles you’re interested in. That way you’ll be found in recruiter searches much faster.”
Connecting with recruiters, hiring managers and human resources professionals in your field is essential to advance your career. If you have a paid LinkedIn account, you can write InMail to introduce yourself.
“Don’t forget the rules of networking. It’s about what you can provide first. It’s not just about asking them for their help straight away. You’ve got to build a relationship first.
“Maybe share an interesting article or praise them for something they’ve posted recently.”
There’s nothing more powerful or persuasive than a personal review from someone who has worked with you using the ‘endorsements’ function on LinkedIn.
“Ask past managers or colleagues to endorse your top skills and write a review for you. This adds credibility to your profile and builds trust quickly.”
Another way to build your network and remain relevant on LinkedIn is to regularly post content to the platform that will assist or be of interest to your contacts.
“Find and post interesting and relevant content for your industry. That way, all those influential people you’ve connected with can see that you’re passionate and you’ll hopefully show up in their feed and be top of mind.”
Human Resources and Recruitment Specialist Hilary Callaghan says LinkedIn is like unicorn dust for advancing your career if you know how to maximise your profile.
“Simply having a profile on LinkedIn will help your career, but to get your career into the fast lane make sure your profile is complete, shows your strengths, knowledge and a little sparkle,” said Callaghan.
You can increase your exposure simply by adding all the people you know, whether it’s a professional or personal connection, to your LinkedIn network.
“I add everyone I work with, and when I go to networking events, I add people at the event. If I’m at a family event you bet, I’m adding long lost Uncle Bart.
“You never know where your connections will get you. I also follow inspirational leaders I’d like to work with, sometimes they even follow me back!”
You need to do more than accumulate lots of connections on LinkedIn if you want to use this career tool to boost your career prospects. You also need to nurture those connections to start conversations that add value.
“There’s no point building a big network if you do nothing with it. I selectively re-post jobs by others, articles, news and anything I think would help my network.
“I comment on relevant articles, by my network or others, and I send relevant articles directly to my connections.”
If you need help, it’s helpful to ask your network for assistance.
“When I’m looking for a new challenge or have a new problem at work, I ask for help. This can be as a post or direct message.
“If my connection doesn’t know they always share it with someone that can. My network knows they can come to me anytime too.”
If your network can’t help with a challenge, it’s helpful to use LinkedIn Career Advice or LinkedIn Learning.
“There are times my network couldn’t help, but LinkedIn Career Advice and LinkedIn Learning became the hero on the day. Career Advice has leaders that have put their hands up to support people, free of charge.
“I do all this on my commute a couple of days a week, just a few clicks, and then I’m back on Instagram for the rest of my ride. Easy!”
When you invest time in developing your network, you open career pathways to companies that align with your career development.
“Keep working on your network, the time you put in now will pay off in dividends in the future.
“Use the ‘follow’ feature for people and companies that you find interesting so you can see what they’re up to. They’ll get a notification, and sometimes they’ll follow you back!
LinkedIn is vital to find advice and to receive recommendations. Once you’ve built your network, you have your list of people to as for advice or recommendations.
“I guarantee many connections are willing to help you; you just need to ask. When asking for help, be specific.
“If you don’t have anyone in your network with the right background, you can post on your feed and ask people to share or use LinkedIn Career Advice to approach people that have put their virtual hand up to help people.”
When developing your LinkedIn profile, think about what you write to engage your audience.
“If you’re stuck on what to write, look for others with strong profiles and similar experience to you. Look for someone aspirational.
“Make sure you highlight your achievements and make them relevant to someone outside your industry.
“This doesn’t have to take your whole weekend, as just a few clicks on your commute in the morning will help push the needle. Remember, the more you put in, the more you get out!”
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When you study with Australian Online Courses, you have access to an eLearning platform that allows you to study where and when you choose. This self-paced learning environment will enable you to plan your study around work, life and family commitments.
So, if you’re serious about taking your career to the next level, enrol in a flexible, online professional development course today.
Today communication is fast and diverse. We’re spoiled for choice when it comes to communicating in writing in both our personal and professional lives, from Facebook Messenger and LinkedIn Messaging to text messages, email and more. It’s not always necessary to be formal so you may have developed a habit of writing quickly and casually, after all time is precious, but when it comes to sending a cover letter via email, you need to write professionally.
This written professionalism is not exclusive to email communication either; it’s essential that you maintain formality across all platforms, including LinkedIn Messaging. This professional social media platform is a powerful tool for interacting and networking with potential employers, but don’t be fooled by the social nature of LinkedIn – the key word is ‘professional.’
We spoke to Nina Mapson Bone, of recruitment firm Beaumont People, who enlightens us on what’s expected in the email cover letter.
1. Personalise Your Cover Email
If you’re tempted to rehash your last application letter, don’t, as time-strapped recruiters and prospective employers will notice this sneaky corner cutting and won’t be impressed. Instead, make sure your email cover letter is adapted specifically for the role and hiring company. Nina says, do not, under any circumstances, use a generic email that you have sent before.
It’s also important that your email cover letter is addressed to the individual doing the hiring, says Nina. You may have to do a bit of research by calling the company or LinkedIn stalking for details, but people love the sound of their own name, so it’s worth the effort to make a personal and professional first impression.
2. Address Selection Criteria – Be Specific
The keywords in the job advertisement, or the criteria in a job description, should be addressed with specific examples of how you have displayed those traits – but keep it snappy- address no more than three criteria in your cover letter email.
You can go into greater detail in your resume but cover emails should be specific and punctual. Make sure you edit your work to cut out as many unnecessary words as possible. If you can say it in few, do!
3. Do Not Repeat Your Resume
The cover letter allows you to display your personality and a few detailed examples of your achievements, it shouldn’t just repeat your what you have on your resume. Remember, these documents are sent together, and unnecessary repetition will only bore or frustrate a hiring manager or recruiter.
4. Make Your Contact Details Easy to Find
If you’ve sparked an employer’s interest you want it to be easy for them to reach you. Don’t forget, the person reading through applications will be time-poor, so any obstacle that’s put up will be enough to move on to the next applicant.
You could include your contact details after your name at the end of your cover letter. This way, the hiring manager or recruiter doesn’t need to click on a search through your attachments to find your phone number.
5. Re-Read Before You Hit Send
As with any important document, make sure you check for typos – both grammar and spelling. Good written communication skills are necessary in almost all roles, and this is your first test. You don’t want to fail in the first five minutes, so check and double check your work.
Don’t just rely on spellchecker either, as these programs are notorious for missing errors that are not necessarily incorrect but are wrong in the context of your message. You should have at least one other person read your email cover letter and application to ensure its one-hundred percent perfect before you hit send.
Dear Hiring Manager (or name, if you know it)
In applying for position of (insert job title) I’d like to highlight my skills and why I’m suitable for this role.
With regards to (insert trait a) my experience is (insert specific example) and is summarised by
In relation to my exposure to (insert trait b) I have the following achievements:
I would welcome the chance to discuss this position with you in person to find out more if I am a good fit for your organisation. I can be contacted on 04xx xxx xxx.
Kind regards,
Your name.
Your contact details.
If your career path is no longer fulfilling, embarking on a completely new career is important; however, it can be overwhelming.
You may have consulted with a career advisor who gave excellent career planning advice, you probably considered many career choices and you may have reskilled with an online education while you continued to work.
But even with a solid online education, career advice and a mountain of enthusiasm, applying for a job in a new field is hard! The fact remains: you’ll have limited work experience on your resume. So how do you get noticed? You write a winning career change cover letter: that’s how! Here’s how you do it.
Natalie Scanlon, Founder of Written Communications, says by following these five steps your cover letter won’t be left at the bottom of the pile.
This is at the top for a reason. When you are changing careers, there will be many skills that you can transfer to a new position. Review the ‘Job Tasks and Responsibilities’ of each individual role and allow this to dictate what you should or shouldn’t include in your cover letter. For example; ‘organising travel and accommodation arrangements’ could indicate that you need to be able to manage tasks for others. This is something you should explain in your cover letter and is skill that is transferable across industries.
Always remember to edit your cover letter for every job you apply for. This is a tedious task, but every role is different, and this requires some care and attention.
Don’t make your cover letter more than one-page long. In this day and age, there are hundreds of applicants for one role. The longer the cover letter, the less likely the employer is to read it!
Your cover letter and your resume are two ‘different’ documents. Use the cover letter as a tool to explain why you are the best candidate for the role; in comparison, use your resume to show your experience and education where applicable.
ALWAYS re-read your cover letter. If you have ‘pays attention to details’, or ‘Microsoft Office Expert’ listed as one of your ‘skills’ on your resume, you need to show that you know how to spell and write accordingly. Rather than telling your potential employer what you do, show them! It works wonders.
You don’t need to worry about that two-month break you took back in 2001, but if you’re headed for a significant employment gap, whether via redundancy or to raise children, consider the following options to keep your C.V in top shape.
Could you up-skill with a certification or professional development course that relates to your industry? Employers value initiative so seek out opportunities to expand your skill-set. Time spent learning new skills and gaining knowledge that help you perform better will be worth the investment. Australian Online Courses has hundreds of professional development certificates, across a multitude of industries. These online, self-paced courses are flexible in delivery, affordable and are industry-approved to give your C.V the competitive-edge when you’re ready to return to work.
When a full-time, permanent position isn’t on the horizon consider contracting. Working as a contractor can be lucrative, but keep in mind that you will be responsible for superannuation, workers’ compensation and insurances, so you’ll need to work out the costs involved and negotiate your salary accordingly. You’ll also need to budget for times when you are in-between contracts. It may not be the security you’re looking for in a career, but it will lessen the stress and urgency of finding a job and will keep your skills up-to-date.
In addition to the feel-good factor of working for a charity you’re passionate about, you can also put your skills to work and build your experience and portfolio. If you’re in marketing, you could use your skills to create a digital marketing plan for a charity you care about. Or if your specialty is IT, upgrade a website. Take a look at Volunteering Queensland for opportunities in your industry to keep your skills fresh during time off from a paid position.
Taking on a temping job is an excellent way to bridge the gap between being out of work and finding a permanent position that’s a perfect fit. This type of work takes the pressure off taking the first job that comes along. You are being paid without the commitment, so you can take your time to seek out the best opportunities. A temping job is different to contracting, as you are a temporary employee of a company, so you are paid entitlements, such as superannuation, workers’ compensation and insurances. If temping work appeals, submit your C.V to one of the many temping agencies Australia-wide, such as Side Kicker.
If you’ve ever dreamed of starting a business now is an excellent opportunity to make it a reality. The benefits of freelancing are numerous, including flexibility in working hours – perfect for families – you choose your projects, no commute – work from home – and the potential to choose how much you earn. Whether you’re interested in turning your freelancing into full-time business or a casual hobby, you can keep your skills fresh while making extra money in-between permanent work.
If you have a skill or specialised knowledge that others would like to learn you might find work teaching, coaching, lecturing, consulting or writing manuals. You could talk to university students about your work experience or industry, present at industry-related seminars or consult with businesses that require your expertise. If you write well, there is also opportunity to turn your experience and knowledge into books or training manuals. When you’re looking to fill C.V gaps it pays to think outside the square!
Don’t underestimate the value of contributing to your community, whether it’s coaching your daughter’s touch football team, assisting in your child’s classroom or tackling environmental issues in your neighbourhood. These projects all add value to your C.V by showing potential employers that you are positively contributing to society. If your community involvement is not directly related to your industry or job description you can put in in a separate category, such as ‘Community Involvement’.
It can be difficult to get back to work after significant time away but keeping your hand in by volunteering, accepting contract or temporary work or becoming involved in community work shows potential employers that your skills are still relevant. So, start filling those gaps to capitalise on your future employment opportunities.
You’ll need a competitive edge to start your career according to a new report by Anglicare. Across Australia, there are now an average of 4.8 jobseekers for every entry-level job advertised (ABC News report). So how can graduates and new jobseekers give themselves the best chance of success?
Australian Online Courses spoke to Darleen Barton, bestselling author and performance coach at DIPAC & Associates, for advice on how entry-level jobseekers can increase their chances of being hired.
“Demonstrate your skills, your character and your personal value system,” says Barton. As an entry-level job-seeker you should include any humanitarian interests, including voluntary positions that you have held.
It’s also important to ensure your C.V clearly demonstrates your accomplishments and the results achieved, adds Barton. “Employers are looking for ‘action-oriented’ people who can learn fast and deliver results.”
Of course, she adds, make sure your C.V is free of spelling and grammatical errors.
If you can deliver your CV in person take the opportunity, says Barton. “First impressions count. You will be judged in the first thirty seconds of your arrival. You might as well make it positive. Make sure you’re neat, tidy and professional.”
Keep in mind that recruitment companies work with thousands of candidates, says Barton. As a new job-seeker you need to conduct your own research. Try to find out as much as possible about the organisations you are looking to work.
Barton says a social media presence is important for jobseekers, but it should reflect a professional image. “Your online footprint should be clean, issue free and professional. Establish accounts on key sites such as LinkedIn and sanitise or even remove personal accounts with sites such as Facebook that can be viewed by prospective employers.”
“Go one step further and create a mini website for yourself. There are many web-building services such as WIX, which enable you to build great websites fast and for free. Get your profile up and out in the market and ensure your site is looks professional.”
Being persistent is paramount to your success, says Barton. “If you want to get your foot in the door don’t send an email requesting an appointment. Pick up the phone and ask for an appointment to see the human resource manager, relevant manager, or person hiring. Follow up phone calls are important to ensure your enthusiasm is noticed.”
You should also demonstrate that you are reliable. “Employers are sick of no-shows and unreliable people.” They want to be impressed, which leads to the next important step – the interview.
“Arrive to your interview early and bring hard copies of your C.V and references. If necessary, bring materials to support your interview. Dress well, be considerate, answer questions clearly, use positive body language, avoid ums and ahs and overuse of the word like. Ask relevant questions and focus on the role – not how much money you will get,” advises Barton.
The STAR principal is a behavioural interview technique based on discovering a candidate’s past behaviour in a specific employment-related situation.
It stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result. You should prepare a few examples of situations that arose, the task you carried out, the action you took, and the results achieved.
As an entry level job-seeker, you can use situations from your internships, short courses, school projects, activities, team sports, community involvement, hobbies and any work experience.
“Remember with every no, your confidence must grow,” says Barton. You should learn to pick yourself up and try again despite setbacks.
She says it’s also important to monitor self-talk, as confidence comes from within. “You have just completed your study and you are heading out to get your first job – so take it easy on yourself!”
A technique she recommends is to look yourself in the mirror every day and use the mantra ‘I can do this.’ “We all started somewhere!”
