10 things that must be included in a first resume. Developed by Jenni Proctor, Career Clarity http://CareerClarity.com.au

1. Marketing yourself for your first job It’s all about YOU!

3. What’s your personal brand?

4. Who are you on Facebook?

5. Branding

6. Personal branding Presenting a consistent image Being true to yourself Showing what you are capable of Looking the part Dressing appropriately

7. Self-marketing Resumes CV (Curriculum Vitae) Cover letter Portfolio ePortfolio

8. Your resume - Contact details Your name, address, email and telephone number, clearly displayed Is your email address appropriate? Is the message on your mobile phone appropriate?

9. Objective Only include this if the job you are applying for Is part of your career plans Is related to a special interest

10. Education Your school Current year level Grades

11. Achievements Awards Leadership positions in school and sport Certificates Special responsibilities Membership of Associations, Choirs, Service Groups eg lifesavers Membership of sporting teams and years of involvement Achievements in the Arts – Music, Art, Drama

12. Strong positive action statements Write your achievement statements starting with a strong verb eg Achieved, Created, Lead, Managed, Won, Assisted or a passive verb eg Awarded, Given. Let your achievements tell a story Verb = Doing word

13. Skills Languages High level of mathematical ability Musical ability Technology Skills

14. Technology skills Basic computer use (Indicate the level) Word Excel PowerPoint Internet Other technology skills Office machinery Electronics Film making Advanced computer skills Graphics Photoshop Video editing Excel Solving hardware problems Solving software problems Programming

15. Work experience Paid, informal and volunteer work all tell the prospective employer a lot about you.

16. Paid work Any work that you have done for an employer where you had to give them your tax file number Job title Name and address of employer Dates that you worked for them eg Jan 2009 – April 2010 Achievements/responsibilities

17. Informal work (paid or unpaid) Baby sitting, helping in a family business, pet care or gardening, school work experience. Job title Name and address of employer Dates that you worked for them eg Jan 2009 – April 2010 Achievements/Responsibilities

18. Volunteer work Fundraising Door-knocking for recognised charities such as Red Shield Appeal Caring for elderly relative or neighbour Assisting at a school or church function Tell the story – What was it for? What did you do? What was the outcome

19. Interests Let them know something about you as an individual eg singing with a band, running in fun runs, surfing

20. Referees Someone who Knows and respects you Is willing to be telephoned by a prospective employer Believes in you.

21. Personal characteristics Try to show them in the statements you make in the resume and/or cover letter Can be a separate section …….. but what you say needs to match what you can demonstrate through your resume.

22. Layout Simple clean layout One font throughout Consistent formatting No spelling mistakes (Don’t trust spellcheck on the computer!) No grammar mistakes No typos

23. Cover letter Correct letter layout Start with Dear ……………. Re: Job you are applying for

24. Cover letter content 4 or 5 paragraphs: How you know about the job A bit about yourself and your availability Why they should employ you Personal characteristics A friendly signing off.

25. ePortfolio Your documents Art /graphics Music Performance Resume

26. Your network

27. Interviews Be about 10 minutes early Smartly dressed Well groomed Dress appropriately for the job No tats, piercings, or obscene T-shirts No extreme hairstyles No strong makeup

29. Jenni Proctor Career Clarity www.CareerClarity.com.au jenni@CareerClarity.com.au