4 Ways to Update Your Résumé for the Australian Job Market
Posted on: 31 May 2016
Your résumé (also known as a CV) may have gotten you a great job in your current place of residence, but that doesn't mean it's right for the Australian job market. If you're emigrating to Australia and want to get hired as soon as possible, you need to update your résumé to the country's requirements. Here are 4 things you should cover before sending your résumé out to Australian employers. Of course, there's more to getting a job than having your résumé in order, so remember to contact a migration agent for full and comprehensive advice.
Use Australian Spellings
English may be one language, but its spellings differ across the world. You may think it's great to tell your new employer that you're 'organized' or have experience working at a data 'center' -- that is, of course, until you realise that 'organised' and 'centre' are the correct spellings in Australian English. Even if you're moving to Australia from Britain, where spellings are similar, there are still some vocabulary differences between the 2 dialects. Not correcting yourself is a surefire way to stand out as a foreigner.
Keep Some Things Private
In Australia, it's illegal for an employer to ask for sensitive and personal information like your nationality, age, family status, or religion. While prejudices like xenophobia and ageism aren't moral or legal, that doesn't mean that some employers don't harbour them. There's no need to include personal info and risk getting denied. While the company will discover much of this information about you at the interview stage, this is where you'll be able to prove their preconceptions wrong.
Take Your References Online
Many employers are hesitant to employ migrants because it's difficult to verify the information on their résumé. It's good to have as much proof of prior endeavours as possible so your potential new boss doesn't need to make overseas calls. This includes evidence like degree certificates, but also applies to references too. While it's ideal to have some Australian referees (even if you get them from volunteering), most of your references will come from abroad. Take these references online by using LinkedIn to get 'Recommendations' from former employers. Anything you can do to make life easier for your new boss is sure to sway them towards choosing you.
Get the Format Right
Making sure your résumé is formatted correctly can be just as important as the information itself, especially if you'll be handing copies out in person. Remember that the standard paper size in Australia is A4, as opposed to Letter Size (8 by 11 inches) in the US. 1-inch margins are generally used and the length should not exceed 2 to 4 pages.
Share