In Australia, there are several different styles of resumes that job seekers can choose from, depending on their individual preferences, career goals, and the specific requirements of the job they're applying for. Here's a detailed guide on the most common styles of resumes in Australia:

Chronological Resume

Overview:

The chronological resume is the most traditional and widely used format in Australia. It focuses on listing your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job.

Structure:

• Start with a brief career summary or objective statement.
• List your work experience, including the name of the company, your job title, dates of employment, and a description of your responsibilities and achievements in each role.
• Follow with sections for education, skills, certifications, and referees.
• When to Use: The chronological resume is suitable for job seekers with a consistent work history and a clear career progression.

Functional Resume

Overview:

The functional resume highlights your skills and qualifications, rather than focusing on your chronological work history. It allows you to group your skills and experiences by category, making it easier for employers to see your relevant qualifications.

Structure:



• Start with a career summary or objective statement.
• Group your skills and experiences into categories such as "Technical Skills," "Leadership Experience," or "Project Management Skills."
• Include specific examples or achievements to demonstrate your proficiency in each skill area.
• Follow with sections for education, work history (optional), certifications, and referees.
• When to Use: The functional resume is ideal for job seekers with gaps in their work history, career changers, or those transitioning to a new industry.

Combination Resume

Overview:

The combination resume combines elements of both the chronological and functional formats. It highlights your skills and accomplishments while also providing a chronological overview of your work history.

Structure:

• Start with a career summary or objective statement.
• Follow with a section highlighting your key skills and accomplishments, grouped by category.
• Include a chronological work history section, listing your previous jobs with brief descriptions of your responsibilities and achievements.
• Conclude with sections for education, certifications, and referees.
• When to Use: The combination resume is suitable for job seekers who want to emphasise their skills and achievements while still providing a chronological overview of their work history.

Targeted Resume

Overview:

The targeted resume is customised for a specific job or industry. It focuses on highlighting the skills, experiences, and qualifications most relevant to the job you're applying for.

Structure:

• Start with a career summary or objective statement tailored to the specific job or industry.
• Customise your work experience section to emphasise relevant accomplishments and experiences that align with the job requirements.
• Highlight specific skills, achievements, or certifications that are particularly relevant to the job.
• Follow with sections for education, additional skills, and referees.
• When to Use: The targeted resume is ideal for job seekers who want to tailor their applications to specific job opportunities and showcase their suitability for the role.

Visual or Infographic Resume

Overview:

The visual or infographic resume uses graphic design elements, such as charts, graphs, and icons, to present information in a visually appealing and engaging way.

Structure:

• Start with a visually striking header featuring your name and contact information.
• Use icons or symbols to represent different sections of your resume, such as work experience, skills, and education.
• Include visual elements such as charts or graphs to highlight key achievements or metrics.
• Follow with sections for education, additional skills, and referees, presented in a visually cohesive manner.
• When to Use: The visual or infographic resume is best suited for creative industries or roles where visual presentation skills are highly valued.
• Is suitable for job seekers who want to enhance their traditional resume with multimedia elements and make it easily accessible to employers and recruiters online.

Considerations For All Resumes

Customisation:

Tailor your resume to each job application by highlighting the most relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications.

Clarity and Readability:

Ensure your resume is easy to read and well-organised, with clear headings, bullet points, and white space.

Accuracy:

Double-check your resume for spelling and grammatical errors, as well as inconsistencies in formatting or information.

Relevance:

Focus on including information that is directly relevant to the job you're applying for and omit any unnecessary details.

Honesty:

Be truthful and accurate in your resume, and avoid exaggerating or misrepresenting your skills, experiences, or qualifications.

By choosing the right resume style and following these guidelines, you can create a strong and effective resume that effectively showcases your skills, experiences, and qualifications to potential employers in Australia.