SCHOOL TO WORK RESOURCES
Your one-stop-shop for careers and pathway advice
How to Write a Resume
Whether you're gearing up for a part-time job, an internship, or simply preparing for the future, crafting your first resume is a crucial step in showcasing your skills and experiences to potential employers. As a secondary student, you might be wondering where to start. No worries—we've got you covered!
What is a Resume?
A resume is a document that summarises your education, skills, experiences, and achievements. It's your personal advertisement—a tool to market yourself to employers.
How Long Should My Resume Be?
For students like you, one page is often enough. It's essential to be concise and only include the most relevant details.
Let's Get Started: Basic Sections of a Resume
Contact Information:
At the top, clearly list your:
Full name
Phone number
Professional email address (preferably one without funky or silly words)
Home address (optional nowadays, but can be useful depending on the situation)
Objective or Summary (Optional): A brief statement about what you're looking for. For example: "Determined secondary school student seeking a part-time retail position to gain practical experience."
Education:
School name and location
Expected graduation date
Relevant coursework or projects (if any)
Experience: This includes both paid and unpaid experiences.
Job title (e.g., Cashier, Volunteer, Intern)
Company/Organisation name and location
Dates of employment
Brief bullet points of your duties and accomplishments.
Skills: Highlight both hard (technical) and soft skills.
Examples: MS Office proficiency, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, time management, etc.
Extracurricular Activities and Achievements: This can be school clubs, sports, or any awards you've received.
References: It's common to state "References available upon request." However, always have a separate list ready if asked!
Guide to Writing a Cover Letter
Header:
Your name, Your phone number, Your email address, Employer’s name, Company name, Company address, Company city, state, and zip code
2. Salutation: Address the hiring manager directly (e.g., "Dear Mr. Smith"). If you don't know their name, "Dear Hiring Manager" works.
3. Opening Paragraph:
Introduce yourself and specify the position you're applying for.
Mention where you found the job posting or how you heard about the position.
4. Middle Paragraphs (1-2 paragraphs):
Explain why you’re a good fit for the job. Use specific examples that demonstrate how your skills and experiences align with the role.
Discuss achievements or experiences that might set you apart from other candidates.
5. Closing Paragraph:
Express your genuine interest in the company and the position.
Mention your eagerness to discuss further in an interview.
6. Complimentary Close: Use phrases like "Sincerely" or "Warm regards," followed by your name.
Dear [Employer’s Name or "Hiring Manager"],
I am writing to express my interest in the [specific position] at [Company Name], as advertised on [where you found the job posting, e.g., "your company's careers page"]. As a diligent student with a passion for [relevant field or topic, e.g., "technology and programming"], I believe I would be a valuable addition to your team.
During my time at [School Name], I've been actively involved in [specific activity or club, e.g., "the Coding Club"], where I've had the chance to [specific achievement or responsibility, e.g., "lead a team project on developing a mobile application"]. This experience not only honed my technical skills but also instilled in me the values of teamwork and effective communication. Furthermore, my role as [another example, e.g., "a student mentor"] has fostered my ability to guide peers, understand their challenges, and find collaborative solutions.
What excites me most about the opportunity at [Company Name] is [specific detail about the company or position that attracted you, e.g., "your innovative approach to software development and your commitment to fostering young talents"]. I am eager to bring my enthusiasm, dedication, and willingness to learn to a forward-thinking company like yours.
Thank you for considering my application. I am looking forward to the possibility of contributing to [Company Name] and would be delighted to provide further information or discuss my candidacy in an interview.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Personal Branding
Brought to you by Hume Whittlesea LLEN and speaker Sacha Kaluri this video focuses on personal branding. Find out how to create a 'brand' that's really just the best version of you, so people know exactly what you bring to the table when it comes to jobs and opportunities. Don't miss this if you want to get ahead in the real world. 🌟
Online Presence
Brought to you by Hume Whittlesea LLEN and featuring speaker Sacha Kaluri, this video aims to guide you in establishing a strong online presence. Learn practical tips on how to present yourself effectively on social media and other online platforms, enhancing your prospects for internships, jobs, and other opportunities. Watch this to understand how to align your online image with your career goals. 🌟
Building a Network
Presented by Hume Whittlesea LLEN and featuring speaker Sacha Kaluri, this video provides invaluable insights into the art of networking. Learn how to connect with the right people, nurture professional relationships, and make lasting impressions that could open doors for your future. Don't miss out on this essential guide to building a network that can help you achieve your career goals.
Positive Mindset
Presented by Hume Whittlesea LLEN and featuring speaker Sacha Kaluri, learn about how a positive mindset can help you put your best foot forward in your career.
Getting Ready for Your Placement
Whether you're heading into an internship, SWL, or work experience, this guide aims to set you up for success. Created with input from local young people, the video offers practical advice to help you make the most of your placement opportunity.
How Can I Get Better Prepared For The Future Of Work?
By Jeanette Pope
You are facing a vastly different future of work than your parents. How can you better prepare for the world of work of the future? It’s not as hard as you might think…
It starts with you working out what you like doing – what are you good at? what do you enjoy?
Thinking about this will help you to start exploring what’s out there and how you can make school more interesting to help you finish. Work in the future will be high-skilled, and finishing school will still get you better and higher paid work. But that can include trades, and there are heaps of options. Jump online and start exploring these fantastic sites written by and for young people: https://year13.com.au/ or https://myfuture.edu.au/.
Second, work out if you are getting the right skills for future jobs. The best skills are the generic ones you can take across jobs (digital skills, communication, project management, creativity, working with others). You can learn these skills a million ways (and add them to your CV), for example, through:
code clubs
free online courses (google “MOOCs”)
organising your friends to challenge yourselves, for example, through the Whitelion Eureka Climb or three peaks challenge
grabbing some friends to make something – an event, radio show, a short film, a sporting match, fix up a car, a gamers challenge… the possibilities are endless.
Finally, and to overcome the main reason young people are disadvantaged in labour markets, you need work experience (and job search, job application and interviewing skills, etc). Jump online at 100ways.com.au. You’ll be surprised by the opportunities your community is offering.
The best thing to do to prepare for the future is to do something! Don’t be afraid to talk to people around you – you’ll be surprised who will want to help – and the fun things they might know about that you can do.
GET VET
A pre-made presentation that into common interview questions in the education sector, tips for showcasing your teaching philosophy, and strategies for discussing classroom management.