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Should you use a resume template that you download from the Internet? Well, it depends, because most advice you get from career experts about the pros and cons of using resume templates in Australia is nothing short of conflicting.
Let me make it easy for you. If you want a winning Australian resume, you have 3 options:
- Download a resume template and use it as a departure point for writing your own Australian resume.
- Use a good resume builder (I recommend Resume.io).
- Hire a top-tier resume writer.
Pretty straightforward. Now, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of these options.
1. Download A Resume Template.
Resume templates offer convenience and structure, which can be used as a starting point for your resume’s layout and design.
Important!
Under no circumstances should you copy blocks of text from an existing resume template that you find on the Internet.
Before we continue, let me provide you with a couple of attractive, modern yet simple and easy-on-the-eye resume templates specifically designed for the Australian job market.
They are Microsoft Word-friendly and are available for instant download:
A. Contemporary Australian Resume Template.
B. Classic Australian Resume Template.
You’ll notice that these templates provide you with graphic design elements and layout, but not content.
This is intentional, as copying another person’s achievements, job descriptions and profile is a sure-fire recipe for creating a resume that gets ignored by Australian recruiters.
Instead of plagiarising your resume examples from the Internet, I strongly urge you to use one of the resume templates above as a starting point for writing your own Aussie resume (examples and tips for winning Australian resumes).
Yes, from scratch.
Let me start with the bad news.
Even if you’re a skilled writer, crafting a stellar resume/CV is very different to writing a blog, email, poem, short story or content for your LinkedIn profile.
Don’t assume that you’ll breeze through the task because you like to write. It will take effort, time and focus.
Here’s the good news. My team has created helpful guides to help you write your own resume like a champ. Start with these two:
Of course, if you’d like to save yourself time (and/or writing headaches), you always have the option to…
2. Use A Good Resume Builder.
Resume builders are great because they offer a compromise between downloadable resume templates and professional resume writers.
- They’re cheaper than the latter and more effective than the former.
They also save you hours of time by keeping you within a proven resume structure, while offering writing prompts that help you write your resume quickly.
Their resume templates are often attractive and modern, like these examples from Resume.io:
All you have to do is select a resume template that you like best and start customising it.
Caution!
While resume builders can technically write your resume end-to-end, I highly recommend that you don’t let the robot write your resume 100%. Spend a few hours editing and tweaking the draft produced by the resume builder for optimal results.
3. Hire A Professional Resume Writer.
If you’re a time-poor professional, this option can make a lot of sense.
In today’s digital job search environment, you need more than just a well-written career fact sheet.
You need a highly personalised, targeted marketing tool that communicates your value proposition and positions you as a clear answer to a specific employer’s commercial needs.
- Only a top professional resume writer can elicit that kind of detail, and communicate it on a page.
- How to choose the best? Start by reading my ultimate guide to choosing a resume writing service to help you navigate the waters.
- Need a local resume writer fast? I have resume writers in Sydney and resume writers in Melbourne on standby, ready to bring out your best.
How To Succeed In The Australian Job Market (And In Life).
Before we wrap up this post, I’ll leave you with one final thought.
Whatever you invest your time and energy in now — whether it’s a resume template, a writing project or a new job – creates your future.
I encourage you to do the very best you can with what you have at your disposal.
– Irene
