Whether you're starting from scratch or refreshing your high school version, your resume is your personal marketing tool, and first impressions count.

Employers spend just seconds scanning a resume, so you want yours to show off your strengths clearly, confidently, and professionally.

Think of your resume as your highlight reel — a short, sharp snapshot of your education, experience, skills, and potential. It's not your life story. It's a tailored, one- to two-page document that says, “Here's what I bring to the table — and why I’d be a great fit for your team.”

Key sections to include:

1. Contact Information

Right at the top — make it easy for employers to reach you.

• Full name
• Phone number
• Professional email (yes, that means no “partygurl_06@...”)
• LinkedIn profile (if you have one — and if not, now’s a great time to set it up)
• City/state (no need for your full home address)

2. Professional Summary

This is a short intro paragraph (2–3 lines are sufficient) that sums up who you are, what you’re studying, your strengths, and what you're aiming for.

Example:
“Final-year Media and Communications student with experience in social media content creation and customer service. Passionate about creative storytelling and digital engagement, and currently seeking an internship in marketing or PR.”

3. Education

This section, as well as the work experience section, should be listed in reverse chronological order. In this case, list your uni degree first - it’s your most relevant academic achievement.

• Degree name (e.g. Bachelor of Arts), major(s)/minor(s)
• University name
• Expected graduation year
• Optional: GPA (if it’s strong), relevant subjects, awards/scholarships

4. Experience

This doesn’t have to be formal or full-time work! You can include:

• Part-time/casual jobs
• Internships
• Volunteer roles
• Club leadership positions

For each role, include:

1. Job title
2. Organisation and dates
3. 2–4 bullet points describing what you did and achieved

Tip: Start each bullet with an action verb like managed, created, supported, coordinated, or analysed.

Example:
Customer Service Assistant – Woolworths (2022–2024)

• Assisted up to 100 customers per shift with purchases and queries
• Handled cash and EFTPOS transactions with accuracy
• Trained two new team members on store procedures and customer service

5. Key Skills

Tailor this section to the job or industry. Include a mix of:

Soft skills (e.g. communication, teamwork, problem-solving)

Technical skills (e.g. Excel, Python, Adobe Photoshop, social media management)

Example:

• Canva & Adobe Creative Suite
• Public speaking & presentation
• Data analysis (Excel, SPSS)
• Time management & multitasking

6. Leadership & Extracurricular Activities

Clubs, societies, volunteering, sport, or any leadership roles help show you're proactive and community-minded.

Example:
President – UQ Journalism Society

• Coordinated events for 80+ members
• Managed a team of six committee members and ran social media

7. Certifications & Awards (Optional)

Include anything relevant that shows extra initiative:

• First Aid
• Blue Card/ White Card
• Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA)
• Dean’s List, scholarships, competition prizes

❌ Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

• Using one generic resume/ cover letter for every application – Tailor it!
• Including photo or date of birth – these are not recommended as they could lead to bias in the recruitment process.
• Typos and formatting errors – Ask someone to proofread. Use a clean, readable layout.

✅ Quick Resume Wins

• Use clear headings and bullet points for easy scanning
• Stick to 1–2 pages
• Save and send as a PDF (unless the employer requests otherwise)
• Name your file professionally: FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf
• Finally, have someone review your resume – We are always happy to review, stop by my office or email to careerservices@kings.uq.edu.au.

We made one earlier!

I have attached an example of a resume structure – you can find similar templates in Canva and Word.

📄 Resume template📄