Creating a good resume

A good resume can make a difference in helping you get a job. It shows employers your skills, work experience, qualifications and interests.

What to include in your resume

Your resume should provide all the key information about your experience and work history that an employer needs to know.

A typical resume includes:

your name and contact details
a short summary about you or your career goals
employment history
education and training
work skills.

You might add other sections, such as volunteer work and achievements. What you include can depend on the length of your career and the type of job you’re applying for.

You can download our standard resume template to use as a starting point. There are also many jobs websites that have free resume templates.

If you have a Disability Employment Services provider, you can also talk to them about helping with your resume.

Updating your resume

It’s a good idea to review your resume at least every 6 months to make sure it’s still up to date. You should add any new skills you have learned during this time.

Often you will need to tailor your resume to the job you're applying for. For example, to highlight certain skills and experience that relate to the job requirements.

Dealing with gaps in your work history

It’s not unusual to have a gap in your work history and it’ll only stand out if you don’t explain it. The main thing employers want to see is that you are keen and ready for the job you’re applying for.

If you have gaps in your employment, think about other activities you did during these periods you could put in your resume. These might include study, volunteer work, or caring for family members.

There are different ways you can show gaps in your employment history in your resume. Here are some examples:

February 2018 – November 2018

Study, TAFE NSW

During this period I took an online course to improve my digital skills and add to my qualifications.

March 2022 – January 2023

Office Administration Volunteer

During this time I did volunteer work for a local conservation group. I built my research, planning and teamwork skills and experience.

August 2021 – March 2022

I took time off my career to focus on personal and professional development. During this time I:

found support through a mentor
created a blog
researched and attended industry forums
took a Microsoft Office refresher course.

January 2015 – March 2016

I was seriously injured in an accident and took time off for recovery and rehabilitation. I’ve returned to full health and am ready to take on my next challenge.

Useful Downloads

Resume Template

Last updated: 12 February 2025

Creating a good resume

A good resume can make a difference in helping you find a job.

A resume tells an employer about work and study you’ve done before.

And what you’re interested in.

On this page:

What to put in your resume
Dealing with gaps in your work history
Other documents employers might need
Useful downloads

What to put in your resume

Your A resume is a document that lists your work experience, education and skills. People sometimes call this a CV. should have certain information in it.

It should include your contact details.

For example:

your name
your phone number
your email address.

You can include your goals for your Your career is the path you take in the area of work you choose.

You should also include your:

work history
education and training
work skills.

There are other things you can add if you think they will help you find a job.

For example, you might share information about:

other things you have achieved
work you’ve done as a When you are a volunteer, you work but you don’t get paid. Volunteers usually do work that helps other people.

You can download our resume template to help you write your own resume.

If you have a Disability Employment Services (DES) helps people with disability find and keep jobs. DES providers deliver services to help people with disability do this. you can ask them for help with your resume.

Updating your resume

When you’ve created your resume, you can use it as many times as you want.

You don’t have to make a new one each time.

It’s a good idea to keep your resume up to date.

You might want to add new details about your skills and experience often.

For example, every 6 months.

Dealing with gaps in your work history

You might have gaps in your resume when you didn’t work.

For example, you might have needed to take time off because of your disability.

It’s better to explain why took time off work.

And show that you are ready to work now.

You can think about other activities you did during these times.

You can put them in your resume if you think they might help you find a job.

These activities might be:

study and training
working as a volunteer
caring for a family member.

We share some examples of how you might include this in your resume below.

February 2018 – November 2018

Studying, TAFE NSW

I used this time to:

learn new skills
complete a training course.

March 2022 – January 2023

Office Administration Volunteer

I used this time to volunteer for a conservation group.

I learned a lot about research, planning and teamwork.

August 2021 – March 2022

I took this time off from work.

I spent this time building skills for my future.

During this time I:

got support from a mentor
started a blog
learned about my industry
learned new skills for Microsoft Office in a course.

January 2015 – March 2016

I didn’t work during this time because I was badly hurt in an accident.

I spent this time getting better and doing rehabilitation.

I am now healthy again and ready to start work again.

Useful downloads

You can download our resume template to help you write your own resume.

Writing a job application

Responding to selection criteria

How Disability Employment Services can help

Creating a good resume

What to include in your resume

Updating your resume

Dealing with gaps in your work history

Other documents you might need

Useful Downloads

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Creating a good resume