FIFO and Mining Resumes

Why FIFO job applications demand a different approach

FIFO roles in mining and resources are assessed differently to most other jobs in Australia. Employers are not just evaluating technical skills, licences, and experience; they are also screening for safety mindset, roster readiness, physical and mental resilience, and the ability to function reliably in remote, high-pressure environments. Evidence of compliance, fatigue awareness, and prior site exposure often carries more weight than seniority or polished language. In FIFO recruitment, readiness for remote work must be immediately clear, or the application is typically screened out before it reaches human review.

FIFO job applications

Why FIFO and mining resumes are so different

FIFO and mining resumes fail most often because applicants underestimate how tightly controlled and risk-driven these recruitment processes are. Major miners and contractors design their application systems to filter quickly for safety compliance, licences, medical and fitness readiness, roster suitability, and site experience, long before softer attributes are considered.

Generic resumes, missing tickets, unclear work histories, vague safety claims, or layouts that do not parse cleanly are routinely screened out without review.

A common mistake is submitting a generic, city-focused resume that buries tickets and licences, ignores roster realities, underplays safety and reliability, or relies on templates that fail ATS screening used by major mining companies and contractors.

Applicants who take the time to study how leading mining companies structure their online applications, what evidence they request, and how they define readiness for site life gain a clear advantage. FIFO recruitment rewards precision, relevance, and proof, not ambition or polish.

Making your mining resume stand out from the crowd

Standing out in mining and FIFO recruitment is not about presentation or length; it is about relevance, clarity, and risk reduction. Employers want immediate reassurance that you meet site requirements, understand FIFO conditions, and can operate safely and reliably in remote environments.

Strong mining resumes make key information impossible to miss. Licences, tickets, medical readiness, roster experience, and safety performance are surfaced early and written in plain, practical language. Work history is framed around site conditions, equipment, compliance, and outcomes, not generic duties. Applicants who treat FIFO resumes like standard city-based CVs, or rely on templates and vague claims, are usually filtered out before human review.

Lead with licences and tickets - Clearly list relevant licences, inductions, and high-risk tickets near the top of the resume, including validity where applicable.
Demonstrate FIFO readiness - Reference roster experience, remote work exposure, long shifts, and the ability to live and work effectively on site.
Make safety tangible - Go beyond generic safety statements by referencing procedures followed, incidents avoided, audits passed, or safety responsibilities held.
Be precise about experience - Specify sites, equipment, plant, commodities, and environments rather than relying on broad role titles.
Keep formatting ATS-safe - Avoid templates, tables, graphics, photos, and complex layouts that often fail mining recruitment systems.
Use employer language - Reflect the wording used in the job ad and application portal, particularly around compliance, fitness for work, and site standards.
Remove irrelevant detail - Focus on experience that supports site readiness and role fit, not a full career history.

Mining and FIFO application checklist

Do not start writing until you have these details to hand. Online application systems are unforgiving, and incomplete or inconsistent information is one of the fastest ways to be screened out.

Licences and tickets - Gather all relevant licences, high-risk tickets, inductions, and certifications, including issue and expiry dates.
Medical and fitness readiness - Confirm medical clearance status, drug and alcohol testing requirements, and fitness-for-work expectations.
Roster and FIFO experience - Document prior FIFO or remote work experience, roster patterns worked, length of swings, and camp or site conditions.
Safety evidence - Prepare specific examples of safety responsibilities, procedures followed, audits, toolbox talks, incident reporting, or risk controls.
Work history by site - List sites, commodities, equipment, plant, and environments worked in, not just job titles.
Employer referees - Line up current, site-relevant referees with contact details and permission to be contacted.
Compliance documents - Locate proof of right to work, police checks where required, and any site-specific compliance documents.
Job ad language - Extract keywords, phrases, and criteria from the job ad and application portal.
ATS-ready resume file - Prepare a clean Word document in .docx format, avoiding templates, tables, graphics, photos, or columns.
Online application details - Have accurate dates, role titles, site names, and supervisor details ready for form fields.
Short written responses - Draft clear, plain-English answers for safety, FIFO suitability, and motivation questions commonly asked online.
Availability and mobilisation - Be ready to state start dates, notice periods, and mobilisation readiness.

FIFO and mining applications are screened for risk and compliance first. If licences, safety evidence, and site readiness are not immediately clear, the application is usually rejected before human review.

Elle, resume writer

How Elle can help

Elle brings - direct, hands-on experience from working for major mining and resources organisations in Western Australia, across marketing, HR, and recruitment roles. She has supported many people applying for FIFO and mining jobs, helping them navigate the realities of site-based recruitment rather than generic city hiring processes. With a background in Information Science, Elle also understands how digital screening systems work in practice, including the filters and rules that often block otherwise capable applicants.

Elle's experience - includes consulting to a wide range of Western Australian organisations and employers, including Horizon Power, Curtin University, WA Police, Perth Zoo, Barminco, Allied Pumps, Alcoa of Australia, Western Mining, Sons of Gwalia, Gulf Petroleum, the Small Business Development Corporation, WA State Government agencies, and Information Enterprises Australia, along with many others.

Simply order a service (pricing button below) and within 24 hours I will contact you by email or phone. We will work together to hone your CV or Resume until you are 100% satisfied. You can then opt for extra services if you need them.

Like to chat first?

Fill out this form if you would a 15 minute phone chat before deciding to buy my CV writing services. I'll get back to you to schedule a specific time and date.

If your needs are urgent please contact me by phone, FB or Text.

Click on the phone, anytime night and day, to book a complimentary 15 minute call at a time that suits you.

How do I engage you to write my resume?

A brief phone chat allows you to meet the person crafting your resume – me! More...

This initial 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 maximise your interview prospects.

Ready to get started? Please select a package and complete your payment via debit card, credit card, or bank transfer. We'll then set up a call to discuss your specific requirements. Together, we'll perfect your resume, responses to selection criteria, and any other documents included in your package until you are completely satisfied.

How do I select a Resume package?

Start with a close look at the job advertisement and job description. More...

The job ad normally sets out what the employer wants from you. There are three elements: the resume and responses to selection criteria, the cover letter, and the LinkedIn Profile. A resume or CV, on its own, is very unlikely to get you a job.

The cover letter (covering letter) is used to pick out and emphasise the relevant bits of your skills, knowledge or experience. You may be asked to 'address' (comment on) the 'selection criteria' (what they need from an applicant) in the cover letter or separately.

Resume or CV - this document provides a concise summary of your qualifications, knowledge, skills, experience, and achievements, all ideally tailored to the job’s specific selection criteria.
Cover Letter - Often in digital form (an e-note) for today's online application processes, this distils your resume's key attributes into a succinct pitch.
Addressing the Selection Criteria - You are often required to respond to both essential and desirable skills, knowledge, experience, and achievements, ensuring your application aligns with what the employer is looking for.
- In government, education, health and non-profit applications, you will almost certainly have to also write a stand-alone document.

Your application should demonstrate alignment with the employer's selection criteria, even if that's not explicitly requested. Example: While solid or diverse professional network might be a key hiring criterion, that might not be in the job ad.

The roles of the cover letter and LinkedIn

The cover letter, or its electronic counterpart, and LinkedIn profile derive from your resume, supporting your application for the specific role. LinkedIn is crucial for roles where a network or online skills are key (like sales or marketing) but is not essential for entry level and general job applications.

What are your credentials?

I've helped thousands of Perth job seekers land interviews over many years. More...

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.

Sectors and organisations

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:

Mining & Resources (Oil and Gas) Resumes or CVs
Pharmaceutical, Health & Nursing Resumes or CVs
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education (Principal and Teacher) Resumes or CVs and responses to selection criteria
General Corporate Managerial and C-Suite Resumes or CVs, including International postings
Political, COS and Party Pre-Selection Resumes or CVs
Government (Local, State and Federal) Resumes or CVs and responses to selection criteria
Franchisee Application Resumes or CVs (for example McDonalds)
Capability Statement CVs for professionals and contractors (especially Mining)
Marketing and Sales Managerial / Director / State Manager Resumes or CVs
IT and Digital Managerial / Director / State Manager Resumes or CVs
ADF and ex-ADF Resumes or CVs

Certification and Memberships

I am a founder-member of the UK-based CVRA, which professionally certifies and educates CV and Resume Writers worldwide.

Corporate engagements

I've conducted resume writing seminars and outplacement workshops for employees of the Western Australian state and local governments, as well as universities.

What is the CV writing process?

Your resume is carefully designed to pass the ATS & appeal to the employer. More...

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.

How we together create your resume

Here's how it goes:

First Chat
We get started with a chat about your career history and aspirations. This helps me understand your needs, ensuring your resume perfectly represents you.
Making Your resume
With the notes from our chat, I craft a resume that highlights your standout qualities and matches what employers want, boosting your chances of catching their attention.
Highlighting What You're Great At
The goal extends beyond just resume writing. We aim to ensure your unique strengths and individuality are displayed, making your application memorable.
Checking the Details
We carefully review your resume for presentation, readability, and accuracy, ensuring it's something you’re excited to submit.
Making Sure Your resume Gets Seen
Most employers use automated systems (ATS) to pre-screen resumes. I'll ensure it's ATS-friendly, helping it skip past the 'keeper' and reach human eyes.

Need to update an ancient resume?

I get many enquires from people who have not had a resume for many years. Things have changed... More...

If you haven’t updated your resume in yonks, you’ll find that much has changed in creating an effective one. One of the most significant shifts is the emphasis on tailoring your resume to each job application. Gone are the days of a generic resume for all jobs with a bit of tailoring in a cover letter.

Today, it’s crucial to customise your resume to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific position you’re applying for. This involves carefully reading job descriptions and incorporating relevant keywords to ensure your resume gets past automated screening systems, known as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which many companies now use to filter applications.

The digital landscape has significantly influenced how resumes are created and shared. The ability to share your resume electronically and ensure it is mobile-friendly is crucial, as more recruiters and hiring managers review applications on their devices. Electronic submission has become the norm, making it essential to ensure your resume is easily accessible and readable across various digital platforms. Format is key also, since if your resume is derived from a legacy software version, the ATS will likely not understand it.

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.

What exactly are 'selection criteria'?

Think of this as the checklist for getting noticed. It's all about making sure your application highlights the skills and achievements your future employer is looking for. More...

For many employers, like supermarkets, mining, and government jobs, directly addressing these criteria is a standard part of the application process. It's not just about listing your experiences; it's about matching them to what the job description asks for. This means clearly showing how your background and qualities make you the best match for the role.

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.

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. They might include things like:

The right training or work background.
Experience supervising a team or handling projects.
Knowledge specific to the job or industry.
Important qualities like being dependable and flexible.

These criteria, sometimes called Job Specs or Position Requirements, help you understand what a company is looking for. They cover both the hard skills needed for the job and the kind of person they want.

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.

How To Stuff Up Your Job Application

Applied for lots of jobs and never heard back? If you've wondered why, here are some reasons: More...

Ignoring the ATS

The main problem? Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). More than 70% of resumes are screened and rejected by a robot at this initial stage because they don't match the job description.

Generic Resumes

Sending the same resume for every job application is a sure way to fail. Customise your resume - or at least the cover letter - for each application, showing how your skills and experiences make you an ideal candidate for that role.

Not Matching The Job Specifications

If your resume doesn't include the skills and experience listed in the job ad, it will likely be bypassed. Make sure your resume shows how you match the job requirements stated in the ad.

Pretty Designed Resumes

Beware of those "designed resumes" sold on the internet, which are style over substance. They might look appealing with their colours and columns, but often, ATS can't process them. Opt for a simple, clean layout that ensure readability by the ATS.

To increase your chances of getting an interview, focus on creating a resume that's not only clear and concise but also tailored for the job at hand and compatible with ATS requirements.