To think that your resume is only scanned, not even read, for just over 7 seconds is the harsh reality of the job market today. In 2018, a study by The Ladders found that recruiters spent an average of 7.4 seconds on a resume in the initial screen, so how do you make a good first impression on paper in under ten seconds?
First, get the basics right.
- Keep it clean and simple
Use a tidy layout with clear headings and lots of white space. It helps recruiters find key info fast—no one wants to hunt through clutter.
- Pick an easy-to-read font
Stick to professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Use 10–12 pt for your main text and 14–16 pt for headings so everything’s easy on the eyes.
- Use standard margins
Set all margins to 1 inch. It keeps your resume looking balanced and prevents it from feeling squished.
- Use white space
Don’t overwhelm your reader by trying to jam everything onto the first page. Make use of white space and prioritise concise clarity over compressed fluff.
- Bullet points are your friend
Break up long text with bullet points. They make your achievements easier to read and quicker to digest.
- Save as a PDF
Always submit your resume as a PDF (unless asked otherwise). It keeps your formatting intact, no matter what device it’s opened on. Just remember to preview it first.
Structuring your resume
Your name and contact information
Your name should headline your resume, you are the star, but it shouldn’t be font size 48 pt. Include your phone number, email address (make sure its professional) and your location. No need to include your entire address, just a city and state is fine e.g. Brisbane, Queensland, 4000.
A strong and clear personal summary
Your resume should open with a brief summary or objective that tells the reader who you are and what you’re aiming for. Keep it concise but personal. It’s best to tailor this objective to the role or industry you’re applying for. This is your elevator pitch, sell yourself.
Your key skills
Even if you haven’t had much work experience, you’ve still got valuable skills, especially if you’re reading this as a lifesaver. Skills that you’ve developed in school, sport or surf can be transferrable to a range of jobs. This is a simple way to grab a recruiter’s attention and set yourself aside, think of your core capabilities and aim for at 5-10 dot points. Use your experience and transform them into individual buzzwords that will help score you an interview:
- Involvement in LDP, YEP, LEP = Leadership, teamwork skills
- Holding a committee or leadership role = Delegation, Organisation, Decision-making, Strategic thinking
- Planning or assisting with events/fundraising = Organisation, Time management, Adaptability, Detail orientated, Resourcefulness
- Customer service experience: Customer-focused, Communication (written and verbal), Conflict resolution
- Secondary Soft Skills: Working in a team, working under stress, customer service
Your education
You may not have finished school or university yet, that’s ok! Just include your expected graduation date. Your education list should include your highest level of education first. Be sure to include any extracurricular activities (i.e. leadership roles), awards or scholarships as dot points. For example:
Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
2023 – Present (expected graduation: November 2025)
- Deans Commendation for Academic Excellence Semester 2 2024
- President of the Society of Lifesaving Club, 2024
Certifications and Awards
Under this heading list any certifications you hold. These could include an RSA, Bronze Medallion or other Surf Life Saving Awards, First Aid, academic awards and short courses. Remember to include the year of completion.
Tip: Most people won’t know what a “Bronze Medallion” actually means so listing First Aid and as well can add clarity. You could also break it down further in the Volunteer experience section.
Your professional work experience
Your most recent role should always appear on page one, followed by earlier positions in reverse-chronological order. This is prime real estate on your resume—make sure you’re highlighting relevant experience for the job you’re applying for.
Start with your job title, then list the organisation and the timeframe (month and year). Include a short summary of the role, then break it down into two bullet-point sections: one for your key responsibilities, and another for your standout achievements. Having numbers and percentages makes you look impressive, quantify results where possible e.g. increased sales by 20% or managed a patrol team 15 people.
Highlighting volunteer work
If you’re a Surf Life Saver, make sure people know about it and all the commendable skills and experience you have gained and developed. Don’t just list “Volunteer Surf Life Saver,” emphasise your involvement and leadership; fundraising, camps, coaching, running meetings – whatever it may be. If you’ve been involved in leadership development workshops or camps, briefly summarise what you did and the skills you gained. Your enthusiasm as a volunteer will stand out to a potential employer, it really showcases your dedication and community spirit. If they know you have the passion to do all these things for free, imagine what you’d do on the clock.
Hobbies
To include hobbies or not to include hobbies? It depends on who you speak to. But while you’re in the early stages of your professional life, listing hobbies on a resume can help give your professional persona more depth. Certain hobbies can highlight core abilities and passions that may help you in a role, but be strategic. Pick hobbies that are authentic to you but enhance your resume for the role your applying for.
- Mentioning sports or exercise can demonstrate you are fit, healthy and disciplined.
- Creative hobbies (e.g. graphic design, music, content creation) can demonstrate not only your creative skills but also your passion, innovativeness and self-motivation.
- Travel as an interest can showcase open-mindedness, resourcefulness and knowledge of different countries and cultures.
References
You can choose to list 2-3 references or simply include “References available upon request” at the bottom. Always let your references know in advance before you share their details with a potential employer—so they’re ready to speak on your behalf and provide a strong, informed endorsement.
Your resume should tell your story—where you’ve been, what you’ve learned, and where you want to go. Nailing the basics is the first step to creating a killer resume. You don’t need a long list of paid jobs to have a strong resume; you just need to showcase your potential.
Now’s the time to back yourself. You’ve got more to offer than you think. Finally, remember to proofread before you send!