What is a resume? The essentials you need to know

Key takeaways:

• A resumé is a short, clear summary of your work history, education, skills and results, and it’s one of the most important documents in any job application.  
• Employers use your resumé to quickly understand what you can offer and whether your experience aligns with the role.  
• A strong resumé highlights your relevant achievements, shows your career direction, and gives employers the confidence to consider you for interview.  
• Whether you’re new to the workforce or looking to move into a more senior role, knowing what to include (and what to leave out) can help your application stand out. 

‘Resumé’ is a word you’ll hear a lot during the job-hunting process. A resumé, sometimes called a CV or curriculum vitae, is a document that lists your work experience, education, skills and achievements.

You’ll need a resumé for almost any job application. It’s considered essential information to give to an employer so they can weigh up whether you’re suitable for a role, and if they want to invite you to a job interview.

• What should my resumé include? 
• How long should my resumé be? 
• What should it look like? 
• What to leave out 
• Conclusion 
• FAQs

What should my resumé include?

A strong resumé  covers the key information an employer needs to understand your background and potential. Here’s what to include:

 Personal details 

Start by listing your full name and contact information, including your phone number and email address. You may also include: 

• LinkedIn URL 
• Location (suburb and state only, full street address is no longer needed) 
• Professional website or portfolio if relevant 

Career objective or summary 

These are short statements to help you pitch yourself. If you’ve recently left school or university and don’t have much professional experience yet, begin your resumé with a career objective – a sentence or two outlining your skills and your work ambitions. If you have experience in the workforce, you might want to include a short career summary instead, describing your experience and where you’re aiming to go next in your career.

A good objective or summary should include:

• Your key strengths
• The type of role you’re aiming for
• What you bring to the employer

Next, include your education or work experience – start with whichever is more recent.

Education 

List your latest education experience first and work backwards, this includes courses or qualifications you’ve completed at university, TAFE or other institutions that relate to the role you’re interested in applying for. Include your high schooling if it was less than five years ago. For each experience, include the qualification you received, where you studied, when you started and finished, any special areas of study, plus awards or other achievements.

Work experience 

List your most recent jobs including the title of your position, the name and location of the company or organisation, and the dates you worked there. Place them in order with the most recent job first. Under each job, use bullet points to give a brief overview of your responsibilities and achievements, weaving in the skills you used. You can also mention relevant internships and volunteer work in this section – just make sure you identify that you volunteered or interned.

After this, it’s a good idea to add some more information to reinforce or add to the picture of what you’ve got to offer.

Skills, strengths or interests 

You could create headings for these topics and list information that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. Highlight any relevant professional memberships, too.

References 

Most employers will require references from people you know professionally who can vouch for your skills and abilities. You could include contact and company details for a former employer, manager, or an academic advisor if they agree to be your referee, or you might wish to write “references available on request”.

How long should my resumé be?

Keep your resumé short and to the point, so you can make a good impression when an employer takes a quick glance at it. Consider making your resumé one or two pages if you have less than 10 years of professional experience. Senior executives or academics may like to have resumés that are three or more pages long.

Read more: How long should a resumé be?

What should it look like?

It’s important to make sure the design and layout of your resumé is neat and makes it easy to read. Use one or two clear fonts and use headings, bullet points and paragraphs to split up the text. While you’re at it, make sure your spelling and grammar are correct.

What to leave out

Your resumé is meant to give a summary of your skills and experience – so there’s no need to include every detail. Some information isn’t necessary in a resumé:

• Leave out personal details such as your home address, religion, age or marital status
• There’s no need to list every job you’ve ever had – especially if a job isn’t relevant to the role you’re applying for now.
• Don’t include your salary expectations or previous salaries you’ve received – you can list this information in your SEEK Profile.

Still not sure where to start? Download our free resumé template and make it your own.

Conclusion 

A well-written resumé is essential for showcasing your strengths and helping employers understand what you can bring to a role. By including clear sections, highlighting your achievements and keeping your layout easy to read, you can make a strong first impression and improve your chances of being invited to interview. Whether you're just starting out or ready to take the next step in your career, a polished resumé is one of your most valuable tools. 

For more job-search tips, resume guidance and career support, explore SEEK Career Advice. 

FAQs 

What is the main purpose of a resumé? 

The main purpose of a resumé is to give employers a quick, clear summary of your skills, experience and suitability for a role. It helps them decide whether to invite you to an interview. 

Is a resumé the same as a CV in Australia? 

Yes, in Australia the terms “resumé” and “CV” are often used interchangeably. A resumé is usually shorter, but most employers accept either word to mean the same thing. 

Should I customise my resumé for every job application? 

Yes. Customising your resumé helps you highlight the skills and experience most relevant to each job, which increases your chances of being shortlisted. 

Do I need a cover letter as well? 

In most cases, yes. A cover letter helps explain why you’re a strong fit and adds context to your resumé.