free student resume templates australia

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Resume template: VCE + no work experience

Use this sample resume as a basis for your own resume if you:

• have completed (or are currently completing) VCE 
• have little or no formal (paid) work experience.

For sample resumes designed for other levels of education and work experience, check out our sample resumes page. 

Download this sample resume template

• YouthCentral_Resume-VCE-No-Work-Exp.docx (docx, 38.58 KB) LAST UPDATED: 10 Sep 2024
• YouthCentral_Resume-VCE-No-Work-Exp.pdf (pdf, 829.97 KB) LAST UPDATED: 10 Sep 2024

Features of this resume

If you've finished or are currently doing VCE (or an equivalent) but you haven't had much - or any - paid work experience, this sample resume can help you focus on the personal attributes you can contribute to the needs of an organisation.

This sample resume has been designed to focus on:

• a marketing statement that highlights your capabilities and demonstrates what you bring to the job
• personal attributes that will help you to transition into the work environment
• any achievements, commendations or awards you received at high school that show you are honest and reliable
• any volunteer placements that demonstrate your willingness to contribute to the community.

Other things you can put on your resume include:

• any sporting or community club participation (if relevant to the job)
• work placements or work experience that show you know how to work in a professional environment
• key skills that demonstrate your employability (and examples of their use) 
• written testimonials provided by supervisors, sporting club coaches, teachers or others involved in volunteer and community clubs
• any hobbies or interests that are relevant to the job.

How long should your resume be?

This sample resume is one page long. A one-page resume is more than acceptable when you're just starting out in the world of work. You may end up with two pages if you include all of the suggested additional information.

If your resume ends up being three pages long, you're probably providing too much information - try cutting some things out and sticking to two pages maximum.

More information

For more about resumes and cover letters, see our pages:

• sample resumes
• sample cover letters
• how to write a resume
• how to write a cover letter  

Sample resume

Below is a sample resume if you have completed (or are currently completing) VCE and have little or no work experience.

Email:   [email protected] Mobile:  XXXX XXX XXX

VCE graduate seeking casual employment in a dynamic organisation

Personable and astute student with proven time management and collaboration skills developed from sporting and volunteer engagements. Strong interpersonal skills enhanced by taking part in theatre activities to develop confidence and communication abilities. Understanding of general employability skills and the importance of working as part of a team, learning from others and developing as a professional. VCE graduate looking for first-time employment in a position that requires a dedicated, young and enthusiastic employee.

• Customer service (phone and face-to-face)
• Problem solving
• Cash management
• Sales reconciliations
• Transaction processing
• Sales refunds
• Dispute resolution
• Data processing
• Inventory control
• Store-based security
• Stock receipting
• End-of-day processing
• Sales negotiations
• Product selection

Software Skills:  Microsoft Word ~ Microsoft Excel ~ Microsoft Outlook ~ Firefox ~ Internet Explorer

All Saints Anglican College VCE 2013 ATAR: 88.7

Achievements:

• 2013:  Class captain (in partnership with one other class representative)
• 2012:  Represented school at National Youth Day events
• 2012:  Recognition award for contribution to the local community and volunteering

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Effective Communication Skills:  Articulate communicator with appreciation for the different communication styles required when working with other team members or with customers.
• Honest and Reliable:  Strong morals and ethics ensure honesty, reliability and ability to undertake tasks responsibly.
• Flexible:  Understanding of need to remain flexible to support last-minute demands and changes. Comfortable in changing environments and situations, ensuring ability to remain flexible and adaptable at all times.

STUDENT WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS

Taylor Smith Partners (2-Week Work Placement - 2013)

Achievements and Contributions

• Customer Service:  Responded to incoming calls. Screened telemarketing and direct sales calls while transferring customer enquiries to appropriate department.
• Administration:  Typed general communication and letters to customers and businesses as directed. Ensured accurate development of communication by providing correspondence to supervisor for approval.
• Records Processing:  Entered customer information into internal records management system. Updated existing customer records while creating new data files as directed.

VOLUNTEER PLACEMENTS

Melton Community Gardens (2011 - current)

Worked in community gardens assisting members of the local community in planting and caring for allocated sections. Assisted with setup and preparation of community garden, including general repair and maintenance works.

St Vincent De Paul (2010-2013)

Provided support during various fundraising activities for local community group. Assisted at events and gatherings including providing suggestions to help meet fundraising targets. Personally attended various events, including spending time with homeless youth in Melbourne CBD.

PROFESSIONAL REFEREES

Joanne Boyle Manager St Vincent De Paul Society Phone XX XXXX XXXX

Allan Blue Maintenance Manager Melton Community Gardens Phone: XX XXXX XXXX

Australian Resume - Guide & Formatting Tips [Free Templates!]

Every country has its own work culture and that means specific requirements when it comes to resumes and CVs. 

And Australia is no different.

If you’re doing some Aussie job-searching (or planning to do so), you probably have a few questions:

What do “resume” and “CV” refer to in Australia? Are there any formatting rules you should be aware of? How long does the resume have to be? Should you include your photo? 

Well, you’re in the right place.

We’re here to answer those questions and more!

In this article, you’re going to find everything you need to know about Australian resumes and how to prepare one.

What Makes Australian Resumes Different

• Typical Australian Resume Sections

3 Free Australian Resume Templates

How to make a convincing resume - further readings.

Let’s get to it!

We recommend creating your Australian resume in parallel with reading this guide. Just pick a template that you like, and get started.

Not sure where to look for a job in Australia? SEEK and CareerOne are some of the most popular job boards in the country.

Although it might appear similar to the U.S. resume format at first glance, the Australian resume differs in some details that if missed, might very well ruin your chances of getting a call-back. 

Don’t worry though, we’re going to cover all of those details starting with the elephant in the room:

#1. Australian Resume vs CV

Unlike the U.S., in Australia, the terms “resume” and “CV” are used to refer to the same document . You will most likely come across “resume” more often, but if not, know that the terms are synonymous with each other. 

#2. How long should an Australian resume be?

In the U.S., a resume should typically be one page . 

An Australian resume, however, should definitely be more than one page. If you are a professional, three to four pages are what’s expected. If you are a recent graduate or don’t have much experience in the field, two pages will be enough . 

Don’t forget to be to-the-point, though. Even though you have the freedom to present yourself with a lengthy resume, you shouldn’t get into unnecessary details.

If you have a lot of years of experience, you shouldn’t go more than 10 years back in your resume. If there are any earlier work experiences that you particularly want to mention, you can add a “other professional experience” section and briefly mention it there. You can also end the section with “Full resume available upon request.”

#3. Are there any language expectations for Australian resumes?

As a matter of fact, there are. If you're applying for a job in Australia you need to make sure that your resume is written in correct Australian english. 

#4. Do you include a photo in an Australian resume?

Unless you’re applying for a job that is related to your appearance (modeling or acting), it’s best to not include a photo in your resume. If the company wants you to include one, they will usually specify it beforehand. 

There are some countries, like Belgium, France, and Germany, where you should include a photo in your resume . This rule, however, doesn’t apply to Australia.

#5. What personal information should you include in an Australian resume?

Just like your photo, personal information can make you vulnerable to profiling based on gender, race, age, or appearance. To avoid that, provide only the necessary contact information like name, address, phone number, and email address. 

It’s actually illegal for employers in Australia to ask you for information like age, marital status, religion, sexual preference, or nationality.

6 Typical Australian Resume Sections

Now that we’ve gone over what makes an Australian resume different, let’s focus on its layout and format. 

An Australian resume typically has the following sections:

Resume Objective/Summary

Although it isn’t mandatory, it is recommended for you to include a resume objective or summary.

A resume objective (or career objective) states your goals for employment and what you aim for in your career. It’s 1-2 sentences and is great for recent graduates or people who are changing careers. 

• Recent computer science graduate seeking a full-time position as a programmer. Strong knowledge of object-oriented programming and application development tools.

A resume summary (or career summary) highlights your professional experience and gives the employer a glimpse of your skills before reading about them further in your resume. It’s between 3-5 sentences and is great for job seekers with years of experience. 

• Driven programmer with 8+ years of experience developing and maintaining enterprise software applications. Helped design and develop 3 successful applications over the past 5 years.

Work Experience

Your work experience should be displayed in a reverse-chronological order . With each entry, you should provide the start and end date along with a brief description of your experience, your responsibilities, and your achievements. 

When possible, quantify your achievements and responsibilities. This shows the recruiter how you stand out from the rest of the applicants: 

Marketing Manager

Achievements/Tasks

• Launched social media campaigns for the company
• Managed a large team

07/2018 - Present

Achievements

• Developed and launched promotional campaigns that increased sales revenue by 12%
• Trained and managed over 15 marketing and sales specialists, making sure sales targets were always met. 

If there are any gaps in your employment history, you should account for them as well if possible. Chances are, your interviewer will ask you about it anyway. 

If you have work experience in a large company/institution in your country that an Australian recruiter might not be familiar with, you should provide some information on your employer as well. 

For example, if you have worked as a sales manager for one of the largest toy companies in your country, don’t be hesitant to provide that information. By simply stating the name of the company you risk downplaying your experience if the recruiter isn’t familiar with the company.  

Your education history should also be displayed in reverse-chronological order. Each entry should consist of the name of the institution, date attended, your major/minor/specialization, and any related honors or awards. 

BA in Economics

Bentley University

07/2017 - 05/2021

• Dean’s List 2019, 2020, 2021
• Member of the Investment Club

A simple list of skills and strengths will provide the employer with a quick snapshot of what you have to offer and what you excel at. In general, it’s best to focus on hard skills, but if you will be listing any soft skills like “leadership” or “critical thinking”, make sure you can back them up with experiences. 

Volunteer Experience

If you have any volunteer experience , it’s important to note it on your resume. Hiring managers appreciate it. 

Often, volunteer experience can count as work experience too. Especially if it matches with a period of time you were not employed and if it is related to your profession. In that case, you can even include it in the “work experience” section. 

The name, position, and phone number of your referee/s will be enough. Most recruiters contact references after the interview process anyway.

If you want to create a resume that stands out, you’ll need to use a good-looking template.

#1. College/University Resume Template

As a student or recent graduate, you want your resume to highlight your education and emphasize your skills. This is exactly what the College resume format does. 

It has a simple and organized format that is easy to skim and has a nice aesthetic. 

#2. Professional Resume Template

Approved by various recruiters and one of our all-time favorite templates, the Professional template can adapt to all fields. 

It highlights your work experience and makes all information easy to find for the recruiter. 

#3. Creative Resume Template

If you have a career in marketing, design, advertising, or other creative fields, this is the perfect template for you. 

The Creative resume template is compact and organized but has some details that add to it a unique touch, fit for the industry you are in. 

At this point, we’ve got you all covered on Australian resumes, what they look like, and how they differ from resumes in other countries.

However, there’s always room for improving and perfecting your resume and job-searching process. 

Check out some of our top resources on job-search, resumes, and the interviewing process and be on top of your game in all steps:

• The No-Nonsense Guide to Finding a Great Aussie Job in 2024 - This guide is as good as it sounds. You’ll find all you need to know about the job-finding process in Australia.
• How to Write a Resume | Professional Guide - Everything you need to know about how to make a resume, from layout to content.
• How to Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) in 2024 - The A to Z guide to the perfect CV that will land you that interview.
• 35+ Common Interview Questions and Answers [Complete List] - Leave nothing to chance and ace that interview by learning how to answer these unavoidable questions.
• How to Ace Interviews with the STAR Method - The key to giving a good answer to every single behavioral job interview question.

Looking for more? Head over to our career blog and find all the information you need.

Key Takeaways

The differences of an Australian resume may be subtle, but if you don’t pay attention to them, you probably aren’t getting any callbacks. 

To avoid that, when preparing your Australian resume remember:

• In Australia, “resume” and “CV” refer to the same document.
• You can and MUST go longer than one page. 3-5 pages is ideal, but 2 pages can be acceptable if you don't have a lot of experience.
• Your resume has to be written using correct Australian English so always double-check that your spelling is right
• It is highly recommended to include an attention grabbing-resume objective or summary that will make the recruiter intrigued to read further

And that’s a wrap! 

Good luck and wish you a successful job-search!

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