Wanting a change
of career? How do
you write your
resume?

• Resume
• Executive Resume

Not many people will stay in the same job or line of work for their entire career in Melbourne. My first professional role was in an academic library and I went on to get my degree in information science.

Since then, libraries have changed, a lot of corporate libraries have disappeared completely, and the role of the librarian has changed with it, or they are no longer working in the industry. I specialised in the corporate sector, so my professional career had to change. So what did I do? I used my time to develop other skills. I learnt computing and how to interrogate databases - a major skill for the roles I was later to undertake in Melbourne. Then I learned how to take all that training and translate my new skills into the digital world and embraced coding and website creation, SEO and social media. I was also a professional writer, and mixed that with a 13 year stint in HR working for an employment agency placing library and information professionals into the workforce - yes it still happens. I helped build websites, wrote blogs, articles, white papers and training material. I edited a legal manual for 12 years, and wrote Resumes for contractors whose Resumes needed updating and improving – which brings me here.

Today I am a Melbourne Resume and CV Writer. I am also a SEO Content Specialist and Digital Marketing Expert. But I am constantly looking to the future - what is coming next? With the rapid changes happening in the Melbourne job market it is vital to keep an open mind about the work that you can do, or want to do.

So how do you go about changing careers in Melbourne?

First of all I would recommend you look at your Melbourne Resume or CV against the marketplace. Look at your current job description and duties, and that of the Melbourne job you want to apply for. Make a note of those skills you use on a daily basis which you can apply to other businesses and job titles, think creatively - I had the posh title of Information Scientist - because I worked in the library of a Pharmaceutical Company.

Find a Melbourne job advert and go through the Melbourne Selection Criteria for the position you are interested in. Next highlight the skills and requirements that are not job specific. These should be similar to, if not the same as those skills you highlighted in your current position and listed on your Melbourne Resume or CV.

Now highlight any items that are job specific in the Melbourne selection criteria, for example, a piece of software, licence or industry knowledge. Most positions I see, say things like - "you must have X years experience in..." because most recruiters in Melbourne recognise that most skills are transferable.

After you have completed these initial steps, go through the advert again and pick out the keywords and phrases and make sure they are listed in your Melbourne Resume or CV and cover letter.

What are transferable skills and how do you showcase them in a Melbourne CV or Resume?

• Able to achieve results and complete projects (strong work ethic)
• Able to leverage careers, interested in helping those around me grow/progress (succession planning, training, coaching, mentoring)
• Able to deal with difficult and/or emotional situations in a calm manner (including change management)
• Able to engage with people at all levels with the ability to develop key stakeholder relationships (sales and marketing, business development)

Every Melbourne employer wants to know why they should hire you and not someone else. Have you been able to convince them on paper? Your Melbourne Resume or CV and cover letter is a chance to prove that you have excellent written communication skills and you have been able to match your skills, knowledge and experience to the employer's selection criteria. When you are changing careers you bring immense knowledge and experience from another profession - which can boost their standing in the marketplace.

Your job application (Melbourne Resume or CV and cover letter) should show:

• Their keywords and phrases - repeated back to get through the ATS
• Your key skills, strengths and significant achievements
• Your transferable skills - use the selection criteria listed in the job advertisement

Do not be afraid of change. Every position you hold or will hold one day will change as the Melbourne market and technology changes. The preparation you do today will ensure a successful future. Just remember that your Melbourne Resume or CV is a working document. Keep your Resume and LinkedIn profile up to date so you can take advantage of changes in the Melbourne job market as they occur and you will be guaranteed of success.

• Resume
• Executive Resume