Throughout this post you will learn the basics of how to create an appealing CV.

A CV that catches the attention of managers is a must. That is why you can learn which CV sections are more relevant while applying for jobs.

The steps and tips outlined here are based on a manager’s perspective. Making an easy to read CV will help the manager know about you, which at the end will help you as well.

How to create an appealing CV

 

CV = Resume

 

First lets begin with the basics, the name of the document which contains your details and work experience is called CV, which is the abbreviation of Curriculum Vitae, or in some cases is known as “resume“. Here in Adelaide, South Australia either CV or resume is fine.

CV sections

Lets talk about the CV sections. The main idea about this article is to understand what is relevant. By relevant, I mean information that helps you be considered as a candidate for a job. In many cases people is overqualified for entry jobs or if you think you have no work experience at all, I will recommend you to read the following article No work experience? Learn the basics

The CV sections are specific pieces of content that your CV should contain. Is critical that you follow a structure as it will be easier for a manager or a business owner to check your CV within seconds. Keep it brief and to the point.

These are the 7 sections I have found to be the most relevant when applying for casual jobs. This has given me an advantage over many applicants as this allows me to give most of the information a business owner or a manager is looking for.

The 7 CV sections to have on your CV:

1. Contact Details
2. Objective
3. Work Experience
4. Education and Training
5. Availability
6. Visa
7. References

 

 Contact Details

On the contact details you should include the following:

• Name and last name
• Mobile phone
• Email
• Suburb of residence and postcode

 

Mobile phone

Make sure you have a mobile phone, I have seen many students approaching managers without having a phone number. Most of the times managers will text you to know if you are available for work, or to advise you  for a coming shift. Also, make sure you can be seeing as reliable, many times students don’t call back or reply to text messages because they either don’t have balance or they have their phones in silent mode.

Believe me, if you are handling CVs and you are not paying attention to your phone you might be losing the opportunity to secure a job.

 

People who get the job, is because they are ready for the opportunity.

 

 Tip: have a mobile phone ready to answer and make calls.

 Tip: managers don’t have a lot of time, make it easy for them to contact you.

 

Email

Create memorable email address. What is that? memorable? Yes, you need to allow others to recognise who you are. Your email should have your name and last name on it.

Think for a moment that you are the owner of a restaurant, you receive an email from: “princess1992@gmail.com”, what would it be your first impression about this person? Even if you look at the subject which could say “Waitress CV and cover letter” you will think twice before opening that email.

 

On the other hand, if the email of this person is something like: andrea.schulz33@gmail.com, that will allow you to know that Andrea is contacting you for work, and secondly, you might be able to remember her if  you met her before. And, if she looked professional when handling her CV to you, the chances of remembering her are even higher.

 

 Tip: go to gmail.com and create a memorable email account to put on your CV.

 

Address

When it comes to putting the address of your house, the reality is, the manager doesn’t needed it. What they need is to know how far you live from the current business. Therefore, the suburb and postcode will be enough to give them an idea about where you live.

 

 Tip: make it simple, just put your suburb and postcode on your CV.

 

Contact Details section example:

Sebastian Roldan

Adelaide 5000

Mobile: 0470 000 000    Email: sebastian@email.com

 

Objective

When applying for a job, you need to know what kind of job you want to get. Being specific allows managers to know what you want to do. Again, they don’t have time to help you fix your CV or match your skills with what they are missing. Make it easy and simple for them.

 

If you want to apply for a barista position, you could use the following example:

Seeking a casual position as a barista

 

Avoid doing the following:

Looking for any casual job

 

 Tip: be specific and highlight (use bold letters) the name of the position.

 Tip: if you are applying for different jobs, team member, barista, dishwasher, make sure you have a CV for every different position. The CV must be relevant to the position you are applying to.

 

Objective section example:

 

Seeking for a casual position as a waiter or team member.

 

 

Work Experience

In most cases, in the Hospitality Industry, employers (managers, business owners) are looking for people with a minimum of 3 to 6 months of relevant work experience. Relevant work experience means, that if you are looking for a job as a waiter, then the employer wants to know at which restaurants you have worked before as a waiter and the responsibilities you had.

 

 Tip: add at least 5 responsibilities, and no more than 10.

 

Work Experience section example:

Barista & Team Member at Bistro ABC, Adelaide Feb 2016 – Apr 2016

Opening and closing of venue.

Payment processing (cash and POS system).

Maintain venue clean.

Greet and serve customers.

Build professional relationship with patrons.

Cash balancing and reporting.

Check coffee taste to ensure quality.

Make coffee with espresso machine.

 

Education and Training

While talking to managers, business owners and friends, I finally understood that they don’t need a International Business Administrator or a Chemical Engineer applying for a Barista or a Team Member position. Nothing wrong in having these type of qualifications. I studied International Business when I was in Colombia, but while looking for work here in Adelaide I never noticed this qualification being relevant to the jobs I was applying to in the Hospitality Industry.

My recommendation is the following:

whatever is not relevant just put it away, as it will only clutter the CV.

 

If you are currently studying in Australia, by all means add the name of the study and institution you are studying at. But for most casual jobs, they don’t need to know what you did abroad in terms of studies.

Depending on the job, some may require that the applicant has completed the required training. In Hospitality is very common to be asked about RSA and RSG training certificates.

RSA: Responsible Service of Alcohol (understanding the Australian regulations and implications in regards of Alcohol)

RSG: Responsible Service of Gambling (understanding the Australian regulations and implications in regards of Gambling)

 

 Tip: organise your studies and training from most to least relevant

 

Education and Training section example:

Prepare and Serve Espresso Coffee, Institute ABC (Adelaide) Jan 2016

Use Hygienic Practices for Food Safety, Institute ABC (North Adelaide) Jan 2016

Responsible Service of Alcohol/Gambling, Online Training (Online) Sep 2015

Advanced Diploma of Network Security, College ABC (City Campus) Feb 2015 – Present

 

Availability

Here you will let the employer know how many hours you can work every week, the days you are available, and the days you are busy.

 

Example of the Availability section:

Available 20 hours per week

Monday and Wednesday: from 9am to 12pm

Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday: from 9am until late

Thursday and Friday: not available

 

 Tip: be clear about your availability, not letting your employer know this information in advanced may get you disqualified for a job.

 Tip: if you already got an interview or a trail, ensure your boss knows your availability. 

 

Visa

It is important to let the employer know you are allowed to work in Australia, most international students have a work permit for 40 hours per fortnight. And sometimes you will be required to send them a copy of your current visa. This is very important as the type of job may be only available for people that can work full-time or Permanent Residents or Australian Citizens.

 

Visa section example:

Visa subclass 500, TAFE SA international student

Expiry date: March 17, 2020

 

 Tip: make sure you have read the job description or the job requirements before applying.

 

References

If you have worked in Australia, ask your current and previous bosses if you can use them as a reference on your CV. Always ask for permission.

Most of the times, for casual jobs the references are a formality, but ensure your references are aware that you are currently looking for work. I strongly recommend using work references. Avoid using friends as a referee, it will lower your chances to be considered as an applicant for the job.

References section example:

Andrew Smith (Manager, Not For Profit Foundation) – Mobile: 0423 000 000

Jack Penzo (Director/Owner, Bistro ABC) – Mobile: 0423 000 000

Diana Carson (Owner, Café ABC) – Mobile: 0423 000 000

 

 Tip: contact your previous bosses, ask for permission to add them as a reference on your CV. In addition, let them know which position you are applying to.

 

Summary

The CV needs to be easy to read. Managers will check a CV in matter of seconds, they have to do this every time a new person applies for a job or whenever they are looking for staff. If your CV is not appealing or interesting they will just put it away. Is not only you applying for a job, you are also competing against other people to get a job.

The information found in this article can also suit people looking for a casual, part-time and even full-time job in Australia who may need some help to improve their CV, and thus increasing their chances to getting a job.

Need help creating your first CV?  Click here to view a sample

On this link you can find my first CV back in January 2015, not very appealing compared to the one that I currently have (June 2017)  Click here to view my first CV

Here you can find a more appealing CV that I did on June 2017. Click here to view an appealing CV sample

 

 

Disclaimer

The information shared on this post doesn’t guarantee you will get a job, neither the author or Experience Coffee is responsible for the use of the information provided throughout this post. Use the information provided here as a guide and/or reference.
Most of the information shared on this post come from experiences of other international students and from my own experience here in Adelaide, South Australia. If you apply the tips and recommendations given here your chances of getting a job will be higher, as you will be able to focus on what is relevant. It will require lots of effort and practise, before getting any results. Most important is to learn, and be willing to keep going no matter how difficult it might get.

Good luck on your job hunting experience.

If you need more information please send me an email to info@experiencecoffee.com.au or write a comment on the comment’s section below.

Thank you.