When applying for apprenticeships in Queensland, it is important to make a good first impression.
Your resume is often the first point of contact between you and a potential employer, and it can guide their decision as to whether you get an interview or not.
A well-presented resume can make a great first impression, which will help you sell your abilities to an employer.
Things to include
A resume should ideally only include information relevant to the position you are applying for.
An easy way of doing this is to create a basic CV template with all your information, and make edits for each apprenticeship you apply for.
The most important information to include are your contact details, relevant skills and experience, as well as contact information for several character references.
You can also add a brief passage about your objectives – what you are hoping to get out of the apprenticeship position.
Style tips
Use plain and professional language in your resume and ensure your writing is brief and to the point.
Don’t weigh the resume down with too much information or descriptive words. A brief outline is usually enough – you can always go into more detail during the interview.
Ideally a resume should be no more than two pages long, regardless of whether you’re applying for adult apprenticeships and have decades of experience, or you’re sending out applications while still in school.
Your CV should be simple and easy to read. It is recommended to use short paragraphs and clear headings.
Chances are the employer has received many applications and if faced with a block of text, they may decide it will take too much effort to read.
It is essential that you always type out the resume, and ensure you use a basic font style and a reasonable font size.
Proof read
Do not forget to read, re-read and check again for mistakes or typos in your resume. This is an official document that is giving the employer their first impression of you, and any spelling mistakes or obvious errors will reflect badly.
When in doubt, ask somebody to read the resume for you, as a fresh pair of eyes can often pick up the subtle mistakes you may miss.
Most importantly, check your contact details are correct. There is no worse feeling that realising you may not have received an important call from a potential employer because they were ringing the wrong phone number.
