Please critique my Resume

Lnoone97 on 08/09/2020 - 07:05

Hi,

I (24 yr female from overseas) am trying a lot to get a job for the last 8 months but unfortunately was unsuccessful with my little local volunteering experience in Australia. I am on a Temporary Dependent Visa but have full work rights as my partner is doing his research degree (PhD). I started working as a Volunteer at The Holland Foundation and Salvos Stores, and applying for jobs through SEEK, Indeed, jora, etc. I also knocked door-to-door at stores in Chadstone, Westfield, etc. with my resume but didn't have any luck. I applied through Coles career and got invitations for 4 video interviews but also failed to proceed to the next step.

At this moment, I am looking for any entry-level/casual/part-time position especially in the retail trade, customer support, receptionist, etc. I would really appreciate if someone can have a look at my resume, critique on that and advise me so that I can hopefully land on a job.

Here is my resume.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D3nQgTK6FDu5_10ZhcrSnBcJbpn…

Education & Work

Comments

  • Quantumcat on 08/09/2020 - 07:12

    Are you writing a cover letter for each job as well (at least the ones you are applying to online)?

    • noone97 on 08/09/2020 - 07:19

      Hi, thanks for the help. Yes, I do write new cover letters for each job depending on the job description.

      Can you please share with me a suitable cover letter for my job application? Because I think my one is not appropriate.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/09/2020 - 07:13
    +2

    You dont have any degrees or courses from overseas or employment history before australia?

    • noone97 on 08/09/2020 - 07:26
      +1

      Hi, I have a Bachelors degree in Mechatronics Engineering from Bangladesh. I used to mention that in my resume but later on I was advised to ditch that because my education background is not relevant to the (retail/customer support) jobs I am applying for.

      Here is another (2 page) version of my resume which included my education and few other things that I was advised to ditch.

      https://drive.google.com/file/d/19RCqmyfnl3C47ms1DUb61TSuUxM…

      • trustnoone on 08/09/2020 - 12:25

        I have a Bachelors degree in Mechatronics Engineering from Bangladesh.

        Is there any reason you're not applying for mechatronics/technical/technology jobs?

        When I was finishing uni (engineering) I automatically got placed on centrelink and was pushed by them to apply for only restaurant/coles/food service jobs. They said their job is to get me "any job" and if I applied for harder ones they'll think I'm just trying to not get a job asap and I'll lose my centrelink (and thus become homeless). I spend 8 months applying for jobs feeling defeated.

        Then I got into one interview as an administrator at a cabinet making place after failing mcdonalds, coles, woolies, coffee shops, restaurants etc. And the guy said to me "Is there something wrong with you? That you're applying for these jobs when you have a degree in a completely different place".

        I didn't know what to say, so I went home and applied for 3 tech roles instead, not caring if I lose my centrelink. I got 3 interviews the next week.

        This was pre-covid of course, and it may not be as easy, but I learned 1 don't look too down upon myself and your degree they can definitely help you get jobs. And 2. not to think that retail/customer support is an easy in to the job market. There are A LOT of people who are applying specifically for that, who have some great resumes, more tailored to it. Might be worth trying to use your degree to go for a few more tech related jobs!

        • noone97 on 08/09/2020 - 15:49

          There are lots of people standing in front me with a degree from Australia. I think it is tougher for me to get a job in my engineering field, isn’t it?

          Or should I start applying also in the tech feild?

          • Quantumcat on 09/09/2020 - 08:32

            @noone97: There's no harm in applying for technical roles. You could try a grad position if you didn't get your degree too long ago.

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 08/09/2020 - 07:25
    +1

    In your skills section focus on hard skills such as data entry. However, be more specific.

    With your soft skills, try to tie them to a job/role and demonstrate how you showed/gained them.

    Point being, everyone will say they are 'punctual'. It's meaningless. But organisational skills - when/how have you shown this? Provide evidence. Otherwise, you're exactly the same as the 100s of other people who say they are great at organising stuff.

    Also, whilst most of the language is fine, check your grammar. Some of the sentences are a little awkward or contain grammar errors.

  • Hellfire on 08/09/2020 - 07:27
    +2

    You will have a very difficult time getting a job in Victoria at the moment. Unemployment is high and businesses aren't hiring with the lockdown. You'll be competing for jobs against people with relevant local experience.

    Also, if you are from a non-English speaking country you'll want to make sure that your resume and cover letter convoy your ability to speak fluent English. The jobs you are applying for require high levels of communication.

    • ThadtheChad on 08/09/2020 - 09:18
      +3

      Agreed. Very good feedback provided in there.

    • noone97 on 08/09/2020 - 10:18

      Thanks for pointing that out. I have already followed their suggestions and prepared a revised version of my resume which I have attached here to double check it with other experienced persons.

  • Pikaloo on 08/09/2020 - 08:10
    +1

    How can someone work 24/7?

    • noone97 on 08/09/2020 - 10:19

      I meant that I can work for both shifts.

  • BargainCowboy on 08/09/2020 - 09:14

    Why do you think it's because of your resume? We are in the middle of a global pandemic and a government shutdown, many people are unemployed and many people are rejected. I wouldn't take it personally, just keep applying.

    • noone97 on 08/09/2020 - 10:20

      Because my resume never passes through the ATS when I apply via SEEK.

  • triviums on 08/09/2020 - 09:49

    If you can quantify your dot points with numbers, percentages, etc.

    Anyone can say they contributed. How does the employer/recruiter know just how significant of a contribution you made to your previous experience?

    • noone97 on 08/09/2020 - 10:22

      Thanks for your suggestion. I agree with you. Can you please provide me with an example?

  • Ryanek on 08/09/2020 - 10:15
    +1

    I like it. I really do prefer one page resumes as it cuts though a lot of BS.

  • ihbh on 08/09/2020 - 19:34

    Hang in there. Your written English is a lot better than many Ozbargainers with jobs. How did you get that proficient?

    edit: Longer resume needs editing in Career Profile; "can go for immediate start" to can start immediately, etc.

  • Geekomatic on 09/09/2020 - 12:11
    +1

    Don't feel too bad. My daughter graduated in Nov. 2019 and her degrees didn't help her get any relevant offers. As one other here stated, "job services" (ha) want to point EVERYONE to any job NOT in your area of expertise. Surely, there are people actually looking & qualified for jobs in hospitality and hair cutting? In addition to dual-degrees, she's on her college school board, Lion's Club volunteer, local MP office admin volunteer, holds multiple certs….no calls back. They eventually put her up for a cert IV course in business admin and, right away, she's their top score, yet still had no call-backs.

    This week, she was offered casual work in a print shop— doing design work (one of her degrees is art & design) + working in the actual shop-side of things. She found out through people she volunteered for, NOT job services.

    Hang in there and network! Best to you.

    • Quantumcat on 10/09/2020 - 12:09
      -1

      Did your daughter work as a teenager? If she didn't that's probably why she had trouble finding a job after she graduated. You don't want to hire someone who has no experience of working even if they have a hundred degrees. Volunteering is good too but doesn't replace working experience

  • Candour on 09/09/2020 - 17:41

    apply for all jobs, especially public service ones.
    highlight your degree so that you can be considered over others.
    there will always be critics and advisors who do not know what is best.
    just put your best quals and apply for all jobs.

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