The rise of email, job boards and automated processes has meant it has never been easier to find and apply for a new job. But for employers, this has meant that the volume of applications they can expect to receive has risen dramatically. Apply for an Administration role in the heart of Sydney and you may be one of several hundred applicants…

As a jobseeker, your CV will be given only a matter of a few seconds of attention. And if you fail to highlight your strengths and achievements in those moments, you will lose out.

At Fusion People, we’ve worked with employers over the years to ensure the CVs we put forward are as efficient as possible – it’s in our interests to do so. What is outlined below is the format we believe is the most efficient and should give you the best chance of getting your foot in the door; the rest is up to you!

Layout & Profile

Each section of your CV should sell you, demonstrating not only your skills and experience but why, above all else, you are right match for the job.

A profile should be an exciting and enthusiastic few sentences highlighting your key skills and career objectives and make the employer want to read more.

Professional Experience

Start with your most recent job and work backwards. Headings for each position should include dates, company name and job titles. Provide a list of the key responsibilities and achievements and detail the skills you have gained and how you have demonstrated this.

Education

This should include dates, institution names, exams passed with grades, professional qualifications and training courses undertaken.

Key Skills

You should display five important skill areas and include examples of how you have demonstrated these. Ensure these are always relevant to the job advertised.

Interests

Interests show employers what motivates you, what personal skills you may have and how well you will fit within the team. Job adverts stipulate certain personality traits required for positions. You should identify what these are and show how your hobbies relate to their requirements.

References

Include a professional and personal referee or state references available on request.