1. MAX TWO PAGES

A recruiter spends on average seven to ten seconds looking at your resumé. Keep it between one and two pages max. If you have a lot of experience, prioritise the experience that is most relevant to the job you are applying for. You do not need to include your first part-time job at the local store when you were 15.

2. SIMPLE AND EASY-TO-READ DESIGN

Your resumé should be simple and organised so the recruiter can quickly skim over it and see that you have the appropriate skills and experience for the job. On the next page is an example of a simple resumé design that you can use. You can reorder any of these elements depending on what you want to highlight, your experience level, age and priorities.

The appropriate design for your resumé will depend on the industry and company you are applying for. If you are applying for a role in a creative industry or a start-up, you may choose to have a more aesthetically pleasing style for your resumé. On the other hand, a more traditional, black-and-white resumé may be better suited to corporate positions.

Many companies nowadays also use applicant tracking system (ATS) software to filter through applications in the early stages of the recruitment process. The software compares the text in your application and resumé against the job description to check if it meets certain pre-determined criteria (e.g., that you have a bachelor's degree). Regardless of the industry you are applying for, make sure the formatting and design of your resumé is clear and easy to read to avoid being rejected by the ATS software.

3. TAILORED FOR THE SPECIFIC JOB YOU ARE APPLYING FOR

It is painfully clear to a recruiter when you have submitted the same generic resumé you have had saved on your desktop for years. Tailoring your resumé for the specific job you are applying for not only shows that you have taken the time to understand the intricacies of the job description, but it also positions you as the best candidate for the role.

You may be groaning right now at the thought of writing a completely new resumé every time you apply for a job, but there's no need to. Create a base resumé template and spend a few minutes tweaking this where necessary for each new application. Here are three easy steps to follow to tweak your resumé in less than five minutes.

1. Review the job description carefully and make a list of all the key skills, responsibilities and requirements.
2. Based on that list, remove or reorder any components of your resumé to highlight the relevant skills and experiences you have.
3. Add specific keywords from the job description throughout your resumé.

4. LISTS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND INCLUDES YOUR 'IT FACTOR'

The work experience section of your resumé should contain clear and concise dot points listing all your accomplishments in previous roles. They should not be a reiteration of your job description or duties. Don't forget to call out your ‘it’ factor (i.e. things that would make you stand out from your competition). Have you worked on an identical project to the one you will be starting on in the new job? Have you worked with a key client before? Can you speak multiple languages? Whatever it is, make sure to clearly emphasise this in your resumé.

5. INCLUDES QUANTITATIVE DETAILS

What is the secret ingredient to making a good resumé a winning resumé?

Numbers.

Quantify results and achievements wherever possible in your resumé. For example, instead of saying, ‘Grew the Instagram account’, try ‘Generated 250 per cent growth in the Instagram account’. See how much stronger that sounds?

Go through each line of your resumé and see where you can add quantitative results to support your points and take credit for your hard work. Some examples of your impact/results that you can quantify include:

• Costs saved or money generated: Did you reduce costs? Increase revenue? Acquire new clients?
• Time saved: Did you streamline a process? Improve response times?
• Problems solved: Did you resolve complaints? Reduce a common problem?
• People helped: Did you help colleagues or clients? Can you share your customer satisfaction score?
• Recognition/awards received: What were the metrics or reasons why you were given these awards?

Use the numerical form of the number (i.e. 3) instead of writing the word out (i.e. three) for greater impact. If you don't know the exact numbers, give your best estimate or a range.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Preparation is the key to acing your interview and securing the job. Start by conducting thorough background research about the company, the culture, the role and the interviewer(s). Familiarise yourself with the company's website and social media pages, search for any recent news articles and speak to any friends or connections that work/have worked at the company to gain their insights.

Understand the company history, mission, their products/services, key leaders, recent achievements, future plans and any involvement in industry events or community initiatives. Re-read the job description to remind yourself of the key responsibilities and where the position sits within the team and the wider organisation.

Before your interview, ask the HR manager or recruiter who will be interviewing you. Make sure you know their job title and how to pronounce their name. Look up the interviewer(s) on LinkedIn to learn more about them. This will help you see if you have anything in common, which you can then bring up during the interview to build rapport. You might be wondering ‘Won't they think I'm creepy for stalking them?' While LinkedIn does notify a person when you have viewed their profile, most hiring managers will be impressed that you have done your research.

PRACTISE COMMON QUESTIONS

There are a variety of standard interview questions that are asked by most interviewers, regardless of the industry or level of seniority. Prepare responses for and practise answering these questions ahead of time so you aren't caught off guard during your interview. One of the most common types of questions are behavioural questions (i.e. questions that start with ‘Tell me about a time when … '). These questions are designed to uncover how you would respond in certain scenarios. Use the STAR (situation, task, action, result) technique to answer behavioural questions, providing a specific instance of how you handled or resolved a certain circumstance. Before going to your interview, brainstorm a list of stories or past experiences you have encountered that exemplify a variety of behaviours and adapt these to the specific questions that you are asked.

DRESS SMART

What you should wear to an interview will depend largely on the industry and the individual company's dress code. The best way to figure this out is to take a look at the company's website to see what their staff wear or ask the recruiter/HR manager what the appropriate dress code is. If you're still unsure, it is always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. Make sure your outfit is clean, ironed and fits well and keep your hair and makeup simple. Don't forget to pack a notepad, pen, copies of your resumé and the job description, as well as any work samples (if necessary). You can also bring in your research notes and a list of questions, but be careful not to rely on these during the interview.

CONQUER YOUR NERVES

It's completely normal to feel nervous before your job interview. Preparing and re-framing your mindset towards the interview will drastically boost your confidence on the day. In addition to your research and practice questions from page 97, be clear on the location and time of your interview. If the interview is in person, plan how you will get there and factor in traffic and parking. Aim to arrive 15 to 30 minutes early so you can familiarise yourself with where you need to go and do a final read over your notes. Reframe the interview as a two-way conversation. You are also interviewing the company to see whether it is a good fit for you and your career goals.

MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION

Creating a great first impression and building rapport with the interviewer is key. They usually know within the first few minutes of the interview whether they want to hire you.

Smile and be polite to every person you interact with. Whether it's the receptionist or another team member, this can have a significant impact on the result of your interview. Sit up straight and make eye contact to show that you are engaged in the conversation. Take your time answering questions and if you feel overwhelmed or can't think of an answer, take a deep breath and gather your thoughts.

Avoid speaking poorly about your existing/previous employer, boss or co-worker and, instead, solely focus on why this opportunity is your next best step. Write down any important details or interesting conversation topics that you want to remember or mention in your thank you email. Don't forget to also ask your interviewer for their email address at the end of the interview if you don't already have it.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY IN THIS ROLE LOOK LIKE?

By asking this question, you are trying to get more specific context about what your daily activities may involve. While the job description would have given you an understanding of the role and responsibilities, it often does not give enough context about the actual activities you will be doing day to day. Each company may have slightly different expectations, so this question can help you to try and gauge further detail.

WHAT ARE THE KEY INDICATORS OF SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE?

This question aims to understand what the company sees as ‘success’ in this role. This could include strict key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics, or it could involve more high-level indicators, such as creativity and innovation. Understanding what the company views as success will ensure that you are both on the same page and can hit the ground running.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES IN THIS ROLE?

This question emphasises to the interviewer that you want to learn and develop in this role. It also gives them an insight into your attitude and the goals you hope to achieve. As the interviewee, this question will help you ascertain whether the employer encourages growth and development and what opportunities they provide.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU HOPE THE PERSON IN THIS ROLE WILL ACCOMPLISH?

This question will tell you what the company's plans are for the role currently, and also for the future. There may be some short-term goals that the company has for this role that haven't been discussed or raised so far in the interview process. All jobs are also part of a bigger plan and strategy that a company has in place. By asking this question, you may be able to learn about the longer-term plans for the role and its importance within the broader company.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMPANY'S GOALS FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS?

This question will help you understand the direction the company is going in to help you figure out if it is a place you will be happy working. It can also help you uncover the direction your specific role will go based on the company's broader goals. Understanding the strategic vision of the company is valuable as it creates a sense of purpose for the role you are applying for.

CAN YOU TELL ME A BIT MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY CULTURE?

A company's culture is everything. A positive culture will make all the difference in being able to enjoy your job. On the other hand, a negative culture will diminish your motivation and enthusiasm for your job. If the interviewer side steps around the question or gives you a generic response, try following up by asking these questions to further prompt them:

• How long have the people in the team been working at the company?
• What is the company's view on work-life balance?
• What does the team do for fun?

These follow-up questions will give you a better idea of whether the company culture is right for you or not.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT WORKING AT THE COMPANY?

This question is trying to seek a real-life answer from the interviewer that isn't just what is written in the job advertisement or on the company website. Don't be afraid to continue the conversation from their answer to find out more details about what they find most enjoyable in their role.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS?

Asking for the next steps in the process shows the interviewer that you are serious and eager for the role. It also gives you an insight into what you can expect moving forward in the process, including the associated timings. All companies do their hiring differently, so knowing the process will help keep you patient and allow you to know when might be the right time to follow up.

POST-INTERVIEW THANK YOU

Leave a lasting impression by sending a thank you email to the interviewer within 24 hours of your interview. This email should thank the interviewer for their time, reference discussion points from the interview, emphasise why you are the best candidate for the role and re-confirm your enthusiasm. Use the template below as a starting point.

FOLLOWING UP

Even though the interview is over, the days after can fill you with anxiety and nerves as you wait to hear back from the company. The recruitment process can take time, especially if it's a larger company. Be flexible with extended timelines, try to be available for any additional interviews and promptly provide any additional information that the company requests from you. Even if this is your dream role, stay active in your job search. Having more job offers on the table gives you greater leverage to negotiate your starting salary.

Generally, the interviewer will tell you when you can expect to hear from them. If you have not heard anything by this time, or you were not given a clear timeline and more than three days have elapsed, send a follow-up email to the hiring manager or recruiter.

ASKING FOR FEEDBACK

Despite your best efforts, sometimes job interviews don't work out. Even if you miss out on the job, you should always ask for feedback from the recruiter or hiring manager to help you improve for future interviews. Ask them what they think you did well, how you can improve for next time, as well as any tips to help you in future interviews.

1. DO YOUR RESEARCH

Start by researching the current salary trends for the role that you are applying for and understand what other people in the same industry, in the same location and with similar experience and skills are getting paid. Talk to friends in the industry and utilise online tools and websites, such as Glassdoor, Payscale and LinkedIn Salary. Compare the different roles and salaries to gauge an approximate salary range for the role you are applying for. You will be able to use this as a benchmark when negotiating your salary.

2. BE HONEST AND REALISTIC

Based on the research you conducted in step 1, you should now have a solid sense of a typical salary range in your field and for your desired position. The next step is to reflect on your own skills and expertise. Evaluate your level of education; additional certifications, training or courses you have completed; responsibilities and accomplishments in other roles; past experiences on similar projects; and any unique knowledge, in-demand skills or abilities that will benefit the company. Review this against the research you did and place yourself in the salary range you established.

3. KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

The next step is actually determining the salary amount that you want to aim for in negotiations. The aim here is to get at least 10 to 20 per cent above your current salary/the offer.

If the company asks you to propose a salary, offer a salary range instead of giving a specific number. Giving a range also appears more cooperative as it opens up a conversation between the two parties. Your salary range should include the minimum amount you are willing to accept and the maximum amount you would be extremely happy with. Through the negotiation process, the final salary offer will commonly end up somewhere in between these two numbers.

4. KNOW YOUR VALUE

At this point, you need to be able to explain to the company that the value you will bring is worth the salary you are trying to negotiate. The most effective way to do this is by showcasing fact-based examples and evidence from your past experiences that are relevant to the role. You have skills and experience, so don't be afraid to show them off! Similar to what you did in your resumé, give examples using real numbers and quantifiable data where you can. Think of times when you have saved your previous employer money or time, increased profits, improved efficiencies or implemented new business strategies.

5. BE CONFIDENT

The final step is staying confident throughout the negotiation process. Negotiating involves a lot of back and forth, so remain patient and calm. Stick to any deadlines and make sure you get everything agreed upon in writing. If the company is unable to offer you a salary increase, you may be able to instead negotiate non-monetary benefits, such as flexible working arrangements, educational opportunities, extra paid leave or a ‘better' job title. You can also try proposing a six-month review where the company can assess your performance and a potential pay rise.

ACCEPTING A JOB OFFER

When you are happy with the final offer and terms of your contract, it's time to formally accept the offer and sign on the dotted line. Here's a simple email template to use.

DECLINING A JOB OFFER

Sometimes a company cannot meet your minimum requirements or you may have received an offer from another company that you would prefer to take. If this is the case, it's important to let the company know as soon as possible that you will be declining their job offer. Be polite and courteous in this email and offer to stay connected via LinkedIn. You may choose to provide a reason for declining the offer (e.g. that you accepted a position elsewhere), but this is entirely optional.

You can use the template below to politely decline a job offer.

SHARE THE NEWS WITH YOUR BOSS

Avoid catching your manager or boss off guard and, instead, schedule a quick catch-up meeting with them. It can be difficult to know how your boss will take the news. Prepare to be hit with: ‘What can we do to make you stay?’ (a bit late now …), or worse, ‘You're making the wrong decision’. Stay calm, polite and keep it as brief as possible. It may seem like a good opportunity to air everything that’s wrong with the company and the annoying people you have had to work with, but it's best to keep the conversation about you and your career pathway.

SUBMIT A FORMAL LETTER

It is always a good idea to submit a formal resignation letter so the company has a record of your resignation. You can either bring this with you to the meeting with your boss or email it afterwards. Your resignation letter should be short and include key details such as your last official day of work. Take a look at your employment agreement to check that you are in line with your resignation notice terms (and while you're there, check your accrued leave payment rights and any other conditions you may benefit from).

Here is a resignation letter template you can use.

MAKE A TRANSITION PLAN

It is important to consider how you will hand over your work to your team or the next person taking over your job. A transition plan is a document that summarises what you do every day in your role, including all those random tasks that just appeared over time that don't seem to be in your job description. It should include your standard duties and responsibilities, the additional tasks you do outside of your role, all the current projects or activities you are currently working on and any key contacts or tips you have for the role. It is also beneficial to make a list of the outstanding tasks you are planning to complete before you leave and provide a status of the list to your team or manager in the last few days before you go. Start this process as soon as possible so you can enjoy your final day without any stress.

STAY PROFESSIONAL

As tempting as it may be, don't start badmouthing your existing employer. Always maintain a positive and professional attitude. Any final words you have for your employer will leave a lasting impression that can either work for or against you in the future.

If you have feedback that you would like to give or you need to raise serious concerns, schedule a meeting with HR or the relevant manager to discuss it. Workplaces will often conduct an exit interview or ask that you complete an exit survey where you can share your experiences.

KEEP IN CONTACT AND MAINTAIN CONNECTIONS

You never know when you will cross paths with or need to reconnect with colleagues and mentors again. People move around in their careers so staying connected may lead to your next big role or help you find employees when you become a manager yourself. Ask for people's personal email addresses and connect with them on LinkedIn.