QUT Careers and Employment
www.careers.qut.edu.au
Resume & Letter Writing
DR. Alan McAlpine
QUT Careers and Employment
Services for Students
Careers Fairs

Careers Fair – March 28

Engineering Careers Fair
Career Mentor Scheme
Career Counselling
Specialising in:

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

International
QUT CareerHub
 Casual Jobs
 Graduate/postgraduate jobs
 Jobs whilst studying
 Vacation Jobs
 Events and Workshops
On-Campus Employer
Presentations
Resource Guides and Publications
Graduate Outcomes
Work Experience Insurance
Job Seeking Resources
Workshops and Workbooks
Resume Feedback
 Response in 5 working days
 Email careers@qut.edu.au
Access to Going Global
Career Development Programs
•
on Blackboard
Finding us via the QUT homepage:
Search for “careers”
Finding us via QUT Virtual:
www.careers.qut.edu.au
Register for your FREE online profile on the QUT CareerHub link at www.careers.qut.edu.au
Welcome
Preparing to apply for graduate jobs?
Need some casual work while studying?
Want to find work experience?
FAQs
Daily job listings
Useful weblinks
Career development guides
Upcoming events
New jobs are added daily by
employers who want to employ
QUT students… that means
YOU!
Career development strategies
Employment preparation
information sheets
Going Global
Accessing Going
Global
@ QUT Careers
QUT Careers and Employment
Workshops
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Resume Writing
Addressing Selection Criteria
Interview Skills
Get Ready for the Careers Fair
Accessing the Workforce
Careering Through Uni – Career Development Strategies
Evening Workshops
International Student Program – workshop series
For dates and locations see:
Contact Careers and Employment
LOCATION
PHONE
Gardens Point:
07 3138 2649
Kelvin Grove:
07 3138 3488
Level 2, X Block
Reception: Room X222
Caboolture
07 5316 7400
Kelvin Grove Campus:
EMAIL
Level 4, C Block
(Above the Refectory)
careers@qut.edu.au
Gardens Point Campus:
Caboolture Campus:
Student Centre - J Block
WEBSITE
www.careers.qut.edu.au
QUT Careers and Employment
www.careers.qut.edu.au
Resumes & Application
Letters
Outline
• Resume
• Application letter
• On-line Applications
Possible Selection Process
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Advertisement (information, application process)
Application (letter, form, selection criteria, resume…)
Short list
Initial interview
Testing
In-depth interview
Assessment Centre
Reference checks
Offer
Typical No of Pages For Resume
• Australia, Brisbane
– 3 pages (2-5 depending on qualifications &
experience)
– Plus: Cover page, Academic history, 1 Reference
• International
– USA, Singapore…
– 1 page only
How long does an employer take to read a
resume?
Not Long!
Variations for Your Resume
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Paper – size, colour..
Design – graphics, borders, colour..
Cover page – design, scanned self-photo..
Font – size (11), density, style (arial)..
Emphasis – bold, italics, underline
Bullets – dashes, shapes..
Prioritise – headings, order
TAB settings – minimum(2 or 3)
Headers/footers – name, page no..
Spacings – large between sections, closed within sections
Possible Enclosures
Academic
Record
One
Selected
Reference
Resume
Letter
Application
Form
Key
Selection
Criteria
Only when required
Cover
Page
Optional
Possible Headings
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Personal details
Education – reverse chronological order
Work History – reverse chronological order
Interests, extra curricular activities
Achievements
Memberships
Career goal
Referees
Selected Reference
Alternative Headings
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Academic background
Career achievements
Career objective
Community involvement
Educational background
Leisure activities
Professional highlights
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Professional experience
Professional skills
Research Interests
Research skills
Special skills
Specialist knowledge & skills
Sporting achievements
Personal Details
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Name in bold with CAPITALS for the surname
Both home and semester addresses
Sem/home phone, fax
E-mail
Include nationality if employer is likely to be unsure
Usually DO NOT INCLUDE
– birth date
– marital status
– health
Example
-RESUMELucy Mai NGUYEN
l.nguyen@student.qut.com
Education
• Tertiary
– from most current backwards
– provide as many highlights as possible
– refer to attached Academic History
• Secondary
– provide limited highlights only
• Other qualifications/skills
– Computer (competent, familiar with)
– Foreign languages (studied, fluent, familiar)
– First Aid, Music, Scuba……
• Awards/achievements
– only education related ones here
Example
EDUCATION
Tertiary
2005-2007
Bachelor of Business - Marketing
Queensland University of Technology
Secondary Major - Management
(expected completion date - November 2007)
(You may wish to include a 4/5 line description of the degree here)
The course focuses on the activities of product and service
innovation, development, pricing, selling, promotion,
distribution and the provision of customer service.
Credits and above in over 65% of subjects
Course GPA - 5.2 (scale 1-7, 7 highest)
(see attached Academic Transcript/Record)
Selection of High Distinction & Distinction Subjects:
Principles of Marketing
Management & Organisation
Publicity & Promotion (Print)
Skills Developed:
Marketing analysis, market research and management
Planning and managing promotional campaigns
Preparing and delivering corporate reports
Team Projects:
Retail analysis for Country Road Australia
Public relations campaign for Sportsleaf
Individual Projects/Seminar Presentations:
 Complete business venture plan and strategy
 Research design
2004
Associate Diploma in Management
Southbank Institute of TAFE
(Transferred to QUT after first year)
Secondary
1999-2003
Year 12 Senior Certificate - Gympie State High School
Overall Position (OP) – 5
Other Qualifications/Skills
Foreign language skills:
fluent in Cantonese
 familiar with Mandarin
 studied French to Year 10 level
Computing skills:
competent using:
 Word Perfect
 Microsoft Access
 Excel
Music:
 A.Mus A. Piano
Awards/Achievements
Year 12 Economics Award
 School Debating Team
 School Prefect
familiar with:
 PageMaker
 DBASE
 Word
Work History
• Career related
– job title
– company/organisation name
– approximate no of hours per week if part-time
– approximate no of days or weeks or months
– skills developed/responsibilities/achievements
• Other (Casual)
– focus on transferable skills
• Awards & achievements
WORK HISTORY
Career Related
2007
2004-2007
Administrative Assistant (vacation - 8 weeks)
Department of Lands - Brisbane
Skills Developed/Responsibilities:
 preparation of daily correspondence
 reception and meeting clients
 compilation of survey data
 preparation of reports, environmental impact
Sales Assistant (casual - 5 hours per week)
Myer Department Store - Coorparoo
Skills Developed/Responsibilities:
 customer relations and retail selling
 administration of records
 cash management
 displays and visual merchandising design
 product knowledge and training
 supervision and coordination of competitions
 stock take and ordering
Awards/Achievements
 Casual salesperson of the Year Award 2004
Transferable Skills
• Communication
– effective writing
– effective speaking
– listening
– languages
– computing
• Managing & Organising
– organising
– can work
independently
– Achieve outcomes
• Teamwork
– Cooperation
– Motivating others
• Problem solving
– identifying/analysing
– applying knowledge
– research
– decision making
– follow through
– capacity to see the ‘big
picture’
– Appreciation of
values/ethics
What Are My Transferable Skills?
• Think about a recent job that you have held.
• Write a list of the tasks you performed while in that
position.
• List the skills you utilised to complete those tasks 
these are your transferable skills.
Turning Tasks into T Skills
wait at table
serve food & drinks
take food from the kitchen
look after the bills
talk to the customers
meet customer requests
do many tasks quickly
work with manager,
cooks…
being neat and tidy
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attending to clients
prioritising & managing tasks
taking instructions
handling accounts & money
effective communication
problem solving, conflict
management
– time & task management
– good team work
– high level of professional
presentation
2001-2004
Promotional hostess (casual - 4 hours/week for 20 weeks)
Billabong Family Bistro - Gympie
Skills Developed/Responsibilities:
promotion of Billabong restaurant
 entertainment of children at the restaurant
 compare and promote shows
Awards/Achievements
 Employee of the Month Award - February
Other
2001
2002-2003
Waitress (casual – 4 hours/week)
- Terrace Coffee Lounge - Coorparoo
- Sang Pho Takeaway Restaurant - Gympie
Skills Developed/Responsibilities:
 attending to clients
 following instructions
 reconciling money
 taking telephone orders
 organising and managing tasks
Voluntary Work
Assisting with computer training at Woolloongabba Job Club
You The Person
• Interests/activities
– include extra-curricular for the past 5 years
• Achievements (optional)
– community, sporting
• Memberships
– student groups, student chapters, professional..
• Career Goal (optional)
– give an indication of your short/long term plans
Example
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Member of School Social Committee
Participated in school musicals and choir
 Piano
 Tennis
 Swim and attend the QUT gym
 Assist in the organisation and promotion of the QUT Ball
 Listen to classical and contemporary music
MEMBERSHIPS
2005-2007
2004-2007
Business Student Association (BASS)
Borneo Students Association
CAREER GOAL
To put my studies and work experience skills into good use by
combining my interests in management, marketing, and publications in
a relatively large company with an eventual opportunity to work
overseas.
Referees & References
• Referees
– minimum of 2 -maximum of 4
– work-related are the highest priority
– let them know first time you use them
• Reference (optional)
– select only ONE to add
– ONLY if outstanding
– refer to it in the text as attached
Example
REFEREES
Mr Ross Maynes
Purchase Manager
Myer Department
Store
Goodfields Hyperdome
COORPAROO Q 4152
Tel: 07 3237 0000
Fax: 07 3237 0000
Dr Mary Green
Senior Lecturer, QUT
Faculty of Business
GPO Box 2434
BRISBANE Q 4001
Tel: 07 3138 0000
Fax: 07 3138 1111
Ms Pat Dayson
Quality Manager
Fastfoods Inc
Fairfield Rd
FAIRFIELD Q 4215
Tel: 07 3589 0000
Fax: 07 3589 1111
REFERENCE
One selected reference from Ross Maynes is attached.
International Resumes
• USA based companies require resumes to be:
ONE PAGE only
• Be extremely brief
• Provide both a one page and three page to be safe
Resume:
Semester:
Home:
E-mail:
Citizenship:
Date of Birth:
Education:
Lucy Mai NGUYEN
62 Staghorn Drive, BALMORAL, Queensland, Australia, 4125
Tel: 617 3341 4333
79 Apa Kabar St, SARAWAK, Malaysia 3678
l.nguyen@student.qut.com, l.nguyen@hotmail.com
Malaysian
23 February 1985
Bachelor of Business – Marketing, Queensland University of Technology
Secondary Major- Management (expect to complete in November 2007)
Credits and above in 65% of the course. GPA – 5.2 (Scale 1-7, 7 highest)
Associate Diploma in Management, Southbank Institute of TAFE (2004)
Distinctions in over 90% of the course
University Foundation Business Program, INTI College, Sarawak, Malaysia
Languages:
SM Sains MIRI Secondary College, Sarawak, Malaysia (2002)
Results:
Fluent in Cantonese, familiar with Mandarin, studied French to Year 10
Computer:
Competent using: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Access
Familiar with: Pagemaker, Printshop
Work History:
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Additional Information:
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Interests:
Piano, Tennis, Swimming, Gym work, Classical Music, Musicals
Referees:
Dr Mary Green
Senior Lecturer, QUT
School of Communications
GPO Box 2434
BRISBANE 4001
Tel: 617 3138 2726
Fax: 617 3138 2849
Administrative Assistant, Qld Dept of Housing & Local Government
(8 weeks vacation work – 2007)
 Sales Assistant, Myer Department Store (5 hrs/week, 2005-2006)
 Promotional Hostess, Billabong Family Bistro (20 hrs/week, 2005)
 Waitress, 2 coffee lounges in Sarawak (4 hrs/week, 2002)
Hold London Music School, Level 1 – Piano
Excellence Award for University Foundation program
INTI De La Salle Scholarship Award – 2002
Year 12 Economics Award
Vice president of Malaysian Students Association
Member of the Business Students Association
Co-organiser of the QUT Student Ball
Mr Ross Mayes
Sales Manager
Myer Dept Store
260 Queens St
BRISBANE 4000
Tel: 617 3777 1032
Fax: 617 3777 3859
Mr Hock Jin Tam
Manager
Sang Pho Restaurant
25 Apa Kabar St
SARAWAK
Tel: 342 6578
Format & Variations
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Paper – size, colour..
Design – graphics, borders, colour..
Cover page – design, scanned self-photo..
Font – size (11), density, style (eg Arial)..
Emphasis – bold, italics, underline
Bullets – dashes, shapes..
Prioritise – headings, order
TAB settings – minimum (2 or 3)
Headers/footers – name, page no..
Spacings – large between sections, closed within sections
QUT Careers and Employment
www.careers.qut.edu.au
Application Letters
Hints for Application Letters
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NO longer than ONE page
Develop a basic design and content
Rewrite specific bits for each application
Spell check & person check
Error free
Positive
Balance self confidence & modesty
It is their first contact with you
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All left justified
Your Name & Address (Suburb/Town in CAPITALS)
Date
Person’s name, title & address (Suburb/Town in CAPITALS)
– to Human Resources Manager, if unsure
Dear Sir/Madam or the specific name (Mr/Ms..)
Introduction (why writing - 2 lines + what you are doing- 4 lines)
Body (minimum 2 Paras, maximum 3 paras)
– highlight your strengths and relevant experiences
– focus on what you can do for them & why they should take
you
– indicate strongly why you want to work for them
Closure (refer to attachments, thank them, give contact details)
Sign off (sincerely if person known, faithfully if unknown)
Lucy Nguyen
62 Staghorn Drive
BALMORAL Q 4171
Tel 07 3341 4333
10 March 2007
Ms Mary Graham
Human Resources Manager
XYZ Consulting
PO Box 123
BRISBANE Q 4001
Dear Ms Graham
I wish to apply for the position of Marketing Officer as advertised in the Courier Mail, Saturday 8 March, 2007 Reference No: KL23 (or through QUT Careers & Employment).
or
I am writing to express my interest in being considered for an appropriate position within your company when I have
completed my current studies.
This year I will complete a Bachelor of Business at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) with a major in
Marketing and secondary major in Management. I have achieved an overall Grade Point Average of 5.3 (on a 7 point
scale) and have a special interest in Strategic Planning (or obtained a High Distinction in Principles of Marketing).
As part of my studies I participated in two industry-based project groups. One involved undertaking a detailed
analysis of the consumer markets for a major clothing retailer and the other developing a market plan and campaign
for a relatively small, energetic and upcoming sports clothing manufacturer and distributor. Both projects provided
me with an opportunity to work closely with industry personnel and strengthen my interest in this area. The two
companies regarded the outcome of the projects as highly productive and successful.
I have undertaken direct promotional work as part of my Billabong Family Bistro work in Gympie and have
consolidated my basic communication and clerical skills through my work at Myers and my vacation placement with
a Queensland Government Department.
I bring to any job a strong work ethic and desire to succeed, a willingness to cooperate with others, and a need to
produce quality work. As a result of the knowledge and skills gained through my studies at QUT and my industrybased experiences, I will be able to fulfil more than adequately fulfil the requirements of the Marketing Officer
position at XYZ Consulting.
Thank you for considering my application. Enclosed is a copy of my resume and academic transcript. I would
appreciate an interview and am available at short notice. If I am not contactable on my home phone: 07 3333 4444,
a message could be left with my neighbour, Mrs Reid on 07 3434 3434 (or my parents on 07 5555 4444).
Yours sincerely
Lucy Nguyen
Find out more www.careers.qut.edu.au
SERVICES FOR STUDENTS
Careers Fairs
 Careers and Futures Fair
 Education Careers Fair
 International Careers Fair
 Virtual Careers Fair
Career Mentor Scheme
Career Counselling
 Undergraduate
 Postgraduate
 International
Graduate Outcomes
Job Seeking Resources
Job Vacancy Lists – QUT CareerHub
 Casual Jobs
 Graduate/postgraduate jobs
 Jobs whilst studying
 Vacation Jobs
On-Campus Presentations
Work Experience Insurance
Workshops and Workbooks
Resume Feedback
 Response in 5 working days
 Email careers@qut.edu.au
CONTACT CAREERS & EMPLOYMENT
Location:
Gardens Point Campus
Level 2, X Block
Reception: Room X226
Kelvin Grove Campus
Level 4, C Block
(Above the Refectory)
Caboolture Campus
Student Centre - J Block
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday
9am – 5pm
Phone:
Gardens Point: 07 3138 2649
Kelvin Grove:
07 3138 3488
Caboolture:
07 5316 7400
Email:
careers@qut.edu.au