With hundreds of applications for many Perth jobs, is your
CV or resume good enough to get you short-listed?
Ever wondered why you apply for jobs for which you are qualified but never hear back?
Getting an interview for many Perth jobs can be a challenge, and a quality CV
or resume that passes the new robot filters and speaks to what the employer
asks for is now needed for almost all occupations - from first jobs to executives.
~ Elle Bradshaw, Owner of Perth Resume Writer
Please fill out this form to share your situation and arrange a 15-minute chat about your needs. I’ll reply with available time and date options.
Or text me, 0419-049-237 , Facebook me,
or Whatsapp me.
Hello, I'm Elle. I personally take charge of every project, ensuring no aspect of your resume creation is handed offshore, or to AI bots, contractors, or juniors. My skill lies in fine-tuning your application to precisely reflect what employers are seeking, boosting your chances of success.
With hiring managers drowning in a sea of sad, generic, and GPT'd pitches, here's my promise: to illuminate your unique skill set and work history in a way that engages and resonates with prospective employers.
I've graduated the school of hard knocks: earning a degree while balancing pregnancy and a full-time job at a leading university, becoming an Information Scientist at AstraZeneca, and then making a complete 180° shift into to writing, HR, recruitment marketing, and business ownership.
This 4x4 journey has equipped me with genuine insight into understanding employer needs, aligning individual skills, knowledge, and experience with those needs, crafting persuasive pitches, and - in this digital age - structuring documents to bypass ATS filters. It positions me perfectly to help others secure quality job interviews.
Probably because it is harder to land interviews now that anyone, however unqualified, can click and send an application in seconds. With so many resumes cascading in, the first screening cut is done by robots, not people. That is why getting noticed has become a digital marketing job, and that is where I come in.
I have been helping people in Perth craft their resumes for more than 15 years, including time with leading HR and resources industry firms. I have delivered resume-writing courses at Edith Cowan University, hold CVRA accreditation, and am a motivational coach with an international following. Check me out on LinkedIn.
These are genuine reviews that are obviously anonymised. I can provide referees upon request.
Resume - A resume suitable for the Perth job market is a brief 2 to 3-page document summarising your abilities, education, qualities, and experience. It should highlight your strongest assets and differentiate you from other candidates.
CV - Used most frequently in academic settings or for highly technical roles, a CV (curriculum vitae) suitable for the Perth job market is also a summary of your experience and abilities but includes more credentials relevant to science, academia, and research, such as publications, presentations, and references. The term CV is Latin for "the course of one's life/career."
Confused? - In the UK and parts of Australia, CV and resume can often mean one and the same thing and this can make it confusing. It's essential to read the Perth employer's application notes and also to get advice on the best approach from a professional Perth CV and Resume writer. Making the wrong choice may exclude you from the interview shortlist.
Cover letter's purpose - Your Cover Letter customises your resume or CV for a specific Perth job. This is the initial screen for most employers, and if you don't pass it, your resume will not be read. It serves as a narrative introduction to accompany your resume or CV for a Perth job, giving you an opportunity to highlight the qualities that best match the employer's selection criteria (what they want from you).
Cover letter's content - Use your Cover Letter to describe your experience, skills, and qualifications, as well as your interest in both the job and the organisation. Since the primary purpose of a resume or CV and Cover Letter is to market you to a Perth employer, always keep the employer’s hiring needs in mind.
When to use a Cover letter - Each job application requires a unique Cover Letter, and this is not optional. Failure to craft a unique Cover Letter for each Perth job application is a primary reason why people fail to get interviews.
Cover letters & online applications - For online applications, the cover letter is called an eNote. This is simply a cover letter for a Perth job application in electronic form.
Do I need LinkedIn? - LinkedIn is primarily for executives, those on a career path, and individuals in sales and marketing roles. It is not typically needed for general job applications.
Why use LinkedIn? - LinkedIn has become essential for marketing yourself if your goal is to build a career path. A well-written profile can attract headhunters, Perth recruitment agents, and direct opportunities. Additionally, LinkedIn offers many tools to help you build the connections needed to find and secure your next career move.
Employers will check your LinkedIn - Perth employers often check LinkedIn to verify your credentials, so it’s crucial that your LinkedIn profile aligns with the information on your resume or CV. Both must be in sync.
My work experience - I've had direct experience working for top mining and resources companies in Western Australia, in marketing, HR, and recruitment roles. Over the years, I've assisted countless individuals in applying for positions in Australia, the UK, and the USA. With a degree in Information Science, I bring unique insights into the digital recruitment filters and systems that applicants encounter. I'm a dual UK-Australian citizen, with family in both WA and Leicestershire.
My expertise - My expertise extends to consulting for various organisations including Horizon Power, Curtin University, the WA Police Department, Perth Zoo, Barminco, Allied Pumps, Alcoa of Australia, Western Mining, Sons of Gwalia, Gulf Petroleum, Small Business Development Corporation, WA State Govt., Information Enterprises Australia, and numerous others. I have consulted to organisations in these sectors, among others:
My corporate consultancy - I've conducted resume writing seminars and outplacement workshops for employees of the Western Australian state and local governments, as well as universities.
My role is to support and guide you, offering honest advice to improve your resume. It has to be written in your voice, since you have to defend what's written at interview. If you don't have a particular job in mind, I'll tailor your resume based on broad industry criteria to appeal to a wider range of employers. But remember, a resume customised for a specific role always gives the best results.
Start with the Job Ad - This normally sets out what the employer wants from you.
Elements of the resume packages - There are four elements: the resume or CV, the cover letter, and the LinkedIn profile, and selection criteria. A resume, on its own, is very unlikely to get you a Perth job:
A Resume is not just about listing your jobs - it's about matching your skills, experience and knowledge to what the job description asks for.
So, what are selection criteria? - Selection criteria are the skills, experience, and qualities a company wants in its workers. This is especially key for those looking to fit into a company's way of working and goals.
How do you 'address' selection criteria? - by clearly showing how your background and qualities make you the best match for the role. For many Perth and national employers, asking applicants to directly address selection criteria is a standard, formal part of the application process.
Whether the criteria are spelled out or you need to dig a bit to find them, making sure your application speaks directly to these points can really set you apart.What might selection criteria include? - For general job applications, they might include things like:
Addressing these criteria in your application is crucial to showing you're the right fit and moving forward in your career. Sometimes they are clearly stated, but often, you'll need to read between the lines to figure them out.
Stand-alone statements - Government roles at federal, state, and local levels, as well as positions in the health, education, and non-profit sectors, often require applicants to address selection criteria with stand-alone statements.
This is often the most daunting part of the process. I have helped countless applicants, including nurses, teachers, teaching assistants, charity workers, and state and federal workers, craft effective statements.Which employers typically ask for them? - Key types of jobs that typically require addressing selection criteria include:
Ignoring the ATS - Did you know that employers and recruitment agencies use automated software to filter resumes? Over 70% of resumes are rejected by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) at the initial screening stage because they fail to match the job description or selection criteria closely.
What is an ATS? - An ATS is programmed to scan for specific phrases (keywords), as well as other information such as former employers, experience, and qualifications. It is designed to rank candidates in order of potential interest to the employer, much like a Google Search for your professional details. Employers may specifically look for candidates with certain skills, past employers, employment histories, or qualifications.
Format problems & the ATS - The bad news is that many older resumes, and even some current templates, are not designed with the ATS in mind. The incorrect structure, layout, format, or wording can automatically exclude you from an interview, even for entry-level jobs.
An initial phone conversation helps you choose the package that best suits your needs.
During the call, I'll explain my process and what kind of support and communication you can expect from me. The main goal is to ensure you feel confident in my ability to showcase your profile effectively to maximise your interview prospects.
General jobs - These are applications for positions where you are not directly responsible for managing staff or budgets. You may supervise others but without full managerial responsibility. Typical roles include hospitality workers, nurses, or tradespeople.
Executive jobs - Executive job applications demand a different approach. These positions entail direct management of staff and/or significant budgetary responsibilities. Ranging from managerial roles to C-suite positions, executive roles are ultra-competitive and often come with complex and unique selection criteria. An executive resume should emphasise your leadership abilities, strategic thinking, and past successes in management roles to meet these rigorous demands.
When deciding between a general or executive resume, consider the level of responsibility and the complexity of the selection criteria associated with the job you are targeting.
The key reasons why people 'never hear back' is the format, content, and content structure of their resume and application documents. In many cases, their resume never gets past the digital 'keeper, the ATS.Death of the generic resume - One of the most significant shifts in job applications is the move away from one-size-fits-all resumes. The days of using a generic resume for all job applications, relying on a tailored cover letter to make your case, are over.
No matter how strong your CV or resume is, it will not land you the job - only a place on the shortlist. Its sole purpose is to secure you an interview. That means it must be ruthlessly edited, because bloated or irrelevant CVs and resumes are quickly filtered out by ATS software and never reach human eyes.
One-click applications mean employers now get way too many resumes to review manually. To get past robot filters, you need a cover letter that directly addresses the selection criteria, and often a high-quality LinkedIn profile. A consistent online image is crucial, as employers will check you out before deciding who to interview.
| Hand crafted - An expertly crafted Perth CV or resume that addresses a prospective employer's job criteria. | |
| Your Authentic Voice - No AI-led resume writing that can make you sound either generic or like a foreign robot. | |
| Australian English - I am fluent in plain speaking and will create a resume that employers will resonate with. |
| Personal Service - By me; not a resume hand-balled to an unqualified employee, agent or an overseas contractor. | |
| Tonnes of experience - Professional advice with extensive experience of general and management role applications. | |
| Honest Feedback - If I can't meet your deadline for a resume or feel you're unlikely to qualify for an interview, I will tell you. |
Contact me if you have questions. Or simply order a gig (button below) and within 24 hours I will contact you by email or phone. We will work together to hone your Perth CV or resume until you are 100% satisfied. Personal meetings in Perth are possible with some resume packages, or let's chat or Zoom.
Consider this question: what's the value of landing your ideal job or promotion in Perth? Tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of dollars. Remember, you're not in the game if you don't do the hard yards get to interview. For the price of a good night out, a professional CV or resume could well be your best ever investment.