A good resume format clearly presents your skills and experience to both applicant tracking systems (ATS) and hiring managers. It balances readability with keyword optimisation, making it easier for recruiters to shortlist you among hundreds of SEEK applications.
TL;DR: A good resume format is ATS-friendly, concise, and tailored to the job. It highlights your achievements upfront, uses clear headings, and avoids clutter. This format boosts your chances of landing interviews in Australia’s competitive job market.
What makes a good resume format for Australian jobs?
A good resume format organises your information logically, focusing on clarity and relevance. It should be easy for ATS software and hiring managers to scan, with clear section headings, bullet points, and relevant keywords.
From my experience helping over 6,000 Australian job seekers, 99% of employers use ATS. This means your resume must pass automated filters before a human even reads it. A clean, simple format with consistent fonts and spacing is essential.
Good formatting also means adapting your resume to the role. For example, a leadership role requires a different emphasis than an entry-level position. Your format should highlight the most relevant skills and achievements first.
How should I structure my resume for ATS and recruiters?
Start with a clear header including your name and contact details. Follow with a concise professional summary that matches the job description. Then organise your work experience, skills, and education in separate sections using clear headings.
Use bullet points to list achievements and responsibilities, focusing on measurable results. Avoid graphics, tables with complex formatting, or unusual fonts that ATS may misread.
Melissa Peacock, a recruitment expert with 15 years’ experience, says: “If you are confident on paper, you have already won the hiring manager over. This is known as the Halo Effect. During the interview, they are more likely to overlook biases because they already believe you can perform the role well.”
Practical resume structure checklist
- Contact details at the top (name, phone, email, LinkedIn)
- Professional summary tailored to the job
- Work experience in reverse chronological order
- Use bullet points with action verbs and quantifiable results
- Skills section with keywords matching the job ad
- Education and relevant certifications
- Keep formatting simple: standard fonts, no images, no columns
What are the common resume formats and which one works best?
There are three main resume formats: chronological, functional, and combination. Each serves a different purpose depending on your career history and goals.
| Format | Best for | Pros | Cons |
| Chronological | Most Australian job seekers, especially with steady career progression | Easy for ATS and recruiters to follow; highlights recent roles | Not ideal if you have gaps or frequent job changes |
| Functional (Skills-based) | Career changers or those with gaps | Focuses on skills rather than dates | Can be flagged by ATS; recruiters may find it vague |
| Combination | Experienced professionals with diverse skills and steady work history | Balances skills and experience; flexible | Requires careful formatting to avoid clutter |
For most Australian roles, I recommend the chronological format. It aligns with SEEK and LinkedIn expectations and is ATS-friendly. The combination format works well for senior managers or executives who want to showcase both skills and career highlights.
How can I optimise my resume format to get more interviews?
Optimising your resume format means tailoring it for ATS and recruiters. Use keywords from the job ad naturally within your work experience and skills sections. Keep sentences concise and quantify your achievements.
Also, include a matching cover letter. Our data shows cover letters improve interview chances by 40%, but only 66% of applicants submit them.
Step-by-step action sequence for optimising your resume
- Read the job ad carefully and highlight keywords
- Update your professional summary to reflect key skills and outcomes
- Rewrite bullet points to include relevant keywords and numbers
- Use simple formatting: standard fonts, clear headings, bullet points
- Save and submit your resume as a PDF or Word document as requested
- Write a tailored cover letter matching your resume and the job
What mistakes should I avoid in my resume format?
Common mistakes include overcomplicated layouts, inconsistent fonts, and missing keywords. Avoid using tables or graphics that ATS can’t parse. Don’t cram too much information onto one page or use jargon that hiring managers may not understand.
Also, don’t forget to proofread for spelling and grammar errors. These mistakes can eliminate you before you get an interview.
Resume format mistakes checklist
- No graphics, photos, or logos
- Consistent font size (10-12pt) and style
- Clear section headings
- Use bullet points, not paragraphs
- Include keywords from the job ad
- Avoid personal details like date of birth or marital status
- Save in ATS-friendly formats: PDF or Word
How does The Perfect Resume help with good resume formats?
The Perfect Resume specialises in ATS-optimised resumes and cover letters tailored for the Australian market. We help job seekers from entry-level to board-level roles secure more interviews faster.
Our team uses real-world recruitment insights to craft clear, concise, and recruiter-friendly documents. We focus on practical results, not fluff, ensuring your resume passes ATS filters and impresses hiring managers.
With a 96% interview success rate among our clients, we understand what works in Australia’s competitive job market.
FAQs about good resume formats
How long should a good resume be?
Aim for 2 to 3 pages for experienced professionals. Entry-level resumes can be one page. Length depends on your career stage and role.
Should I include a photo on my resume?
No. Australian employers generally discourage photos to avoid unconscious bias and meet diversity standards.
Can I use colour or design elements in my resume?
Minimal use of colour is acceptable if it doesn’t interfere with ATS readability. Avoid complex designs or graphics.
Ready to improve your resume format and get more interviews?
Investing time in a good resume format pays off. If you want expert help, The Perfect Resume can tailor your resume and cover letter to stand out in Australia’s competitive job market. Contact us today to start securing interviews faster.
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