In Queensland’s job market, is your resume or CV strong enough to earn a shortlist spot?
"AI is making it harder than ever to secure an interview. Your resume or CV
must pass robotic screening before it reaches human review, and then engage
decision-makers quickly. The more desirable the role in Brisbane, the stronger
the competition. I work with you to refine how you are viewed
and improve your chances of being shortlisted"
~ Elle Bradshaw, Owner of Brisbane Resume Writer
Please complete this form to outline your situation and request a 15 minute conversation about your needs. I will respond with available dates and times.
Or text me, 0419-049-237 , Facebook me,
or Whatsapp me.
Hello, I’m Elle. I work one-on-one with every client. Your resume or CV is never sent offshore or handed to AI tools, contractors, or junior staff. I focus on aligning your application closely with what employers are actually looking for, so you stand a stronger chance of being shortlisted.
Recruiters are wading through a flood of bland, generic, GPT-generated applications. My commitment is simple: to present your skills and experience in a way that cuts through the noise and connects with real decision-makers.
I took the long road. I completed my degree while pregnant and working full time at a leading UK university, then moved into an Information Scientist role at AstraZeneca before shifting direction into writing, HR, recruitment marketing, and business ownership.
That rutted bush track has given me a practical understanding of what employers want, how to align your skills and experience with their needs, how to craft a persuasive pitch, and how to structure documents so they clear robotic screening. It puts me in a strong position to help you secure quality interviews.
Because landing interviews is tougher than it used to be. Anyone can now click and apply in seconds, whether they are a strong match or not. As applications stack up, the first filter is software, not people. Writing an effective resume or CV has become a digital marketing exercise, and that is where I add real value.
I have been helping people strengthen their resumes or CVs for more than 15 years, including work with leading HR and resources sector firms. I have delivered CV writing workshops at universities in the UK and Australia, hold CVRA accreditation, and am a motivational coach with an international audience. Check me out on LinkedIn.
These are genuine reviews that are obviously anonymised. I can provide referees upon request.
Resume – In Brisbane and across Queensland, a resume is typically a focused two to three page document. It highlights your key skills, qualifications, and experience, with a clear emphasis on what is relevant to the specific role. Its purpose is to show quickly and convincingly why you merit an interview.
CV – A curriculum vitae is more common in academic, research, and some specialist technical settings. It includes the same core information as a resume but often extends to publications, conference papers, grants, memberships, and referees. The phrase literally translates as “course of life”.
Still unsure? – In Australia the terms are often used interchangeably, which adds to the confusion. Always follow the employer’s instructions carefully. If the opportunity matters, clarify the preferred format before submitting, as the wrong document structure can reduce your chances of being shortlisted.
Why it matters – A cover letter connects your resume or CV to a specific Brisbane opportunity. For many employers, it is reviewed before the main document. If it misses the mark, your application may not progress. It provides a concise explanation of how your background aligns with the selection criteria.
What it should do – Use it to demonstrate how your skills, experience, and qualifications meet the role requirements, and to convey genuine interest in the organisation. Both documents are there to position you effectively, with the employer’s priorities front and centre.
Tailoring is essential – Each application deserves its own letter. Recycling a generic version is a common reason strong candidates are overlooked.
Online systems – Many platforms replace the traditional letter with a short statement (eNote) or text box. The purpose remains the same, and it should be treated with equal care.
Who benefits most – LinkedIn is particularly valuable for executives, senior professionals, and those shaping a long-term career path. It is less critical for some entry-level roles, but its importance grows with responsibility and visibility.
Why it matters – LinkedIn has become a central self-marketing platform. A carefully written profile can attract recruiters, Brisbane employers, and search firms directly. It also builds credibility and professional reach in ways a resume alone cannot.
Alignment is key – Hiring managers and AI agents often cross-check LinkedIn against your resume or CV. The messaging, dates, and achievements should align closely, as gaps or contradictions can undermine trust.
Corporate consultancy - I have delivered resume writing seminars and outplacement workshops for Australian state and local government employees, as well as universities in Australia and the UK.
My role is to guide you with clear, practical advice as your resume develops. It must sound like you, because you will be the one answering for it at interview. If you are not targeting a specific vacancy, I shape your resume around broader industry expectations so it speaks to multiple employers. Where a defined role is in play, a tailored document will always produce stronger outcomes.
Let the role guide you – The job ad outlines what the employer values most. It should determine which documents you need and how detailed they must be.
What is included – Packages are structured around four core elements: your resume or CV, a cover letter, LinkedIn profile support, and selection criteria responses. In competitive Brisbane roles, a resume alone is rarely sufficient.
A resume is not just a job list – Its purpose is to align your skills, knowledge, and experience with what the role requires.
Understanding selection criteria – Selection criteria outline the capabilities, experience, and personal attributes an employer is seeking. They are used to determine whether you suit both the duties of the role and the organisation’s culture.
How to respond – You address them by demonstrating, with evidence, how your background and outcomes match the stated requirements. For many Australian employers, particularly in government and large institutions, responding to criteria is a formal and essential part of the process.
Whether the criteria are clearly listed or embedded within the position description, ensuring your application speaks directly to them can significantly improve your prospects.
Typical criteria for general roles – These may include:
Criteria at executive level – Expectations are broader and more strategic, often covering:
Why they matter – Also referred to as job requirements or position specifications, selection criteria define what success looks like. They address both technical capability and cultural alignment.
Addressing them clearly and directly is often the difference between progressing to interview and being screened out.
Standalone responses – Many vacancies across federal, state, and local government, along with positions in health, education, and community services, require separate written statements addressing each criterion.
This is commonly the most demanding part of an application. I have worked with nurses, teachers, education support staff, community practitioners, and public sector professionals to produce structured, evidence-based responses that read clearly and confidently.Where they are most common – Formal selection criteria statements are typically requested for roles such as:
Your resume may be declined before it reaches human review.
Why this happens – Most employers and recruitment agencies use automated systems to manage high application volumes. A large proportion of resumes are screened out early because they do not align closely enough with the job description or stated selection criteria.
What these systems do – Often referred to as Applicant Tracking Systems, they scan for keywords, skills, qualifications, employers, and career data. Applications are then ranked by relevance. If your document does not contain the right signals, it may not progress.
Common pitfalls – Older resumes and decorative templates can create problems. Complex layouts, tables, graphics, unusual fonts, or inconsistent wording may prevent the system from reading your information properly, leading to rejection before a person sees it.
A short conversation gives you the chance to speak with me directly before committing.
During the call, I outline the process and the level of guidance and communication you can expect. The goal is to ensure you feel confident that your experience will be presented accurately and positioned to strengthen your chances of securing an interview.
When deciding between a general or executive package, assess the level of responsibility attached to the role and the depth of criteria you are expected to address.
A common reason candidates never hear back is the format, structure, and positioning of their resume and supporting documents. In many cases, the application does not move beyond the digital gatekeeper.No more generic resumes – Recruitment has shifted away from one-size-fits-all documents. Submitting the same resume repeatedly and relying on a cover letter to compensate is rarely effective in today’s market.
Its only purpose is to secure you an interview. No matter how qualified you are, it counts for little if you are not shortlisted. Generic, lengthy documents that ignore selection criteria are filtered out quickly. A strong resume or CV is tightly edited, tailored to the role, and structured to pass robotic screening and reach human reviewers.
One-click applications mean employers receive more CVs than they can review manually. To get past robotic filters, your cover letter must show how you meet the selection criteria to position you as a genuine contender. Consistency matters, as employers may check your LinkedIn and socials before deciding who to interview.
| Individually written – Your Brisbane resume or CV is developed to align closely with the employer’s stated selection criteria and expectations. | |
| Your authentic voice – No AI-generated wording that reads as generic, imported, or unnatural. The document must sound like you. | |
| Australian English – Written in clear, professional language that connects with Australian employers and hiring managers. |
| Personal service – You deal directly with me. Your work is not delegated to junior staff, offshore writers, or third parties. | |
| Depth of experience – Practical, grounded advice informed by years of experience across general, professional, and management-level applications. | |
| Honest guidance – If your timeline is unrealistic or the your resume is unlikely to be competitive, I will say so upfront. |
Contact me if you have questions, or select a package below and I will be in touch within 24 hours by email or phone. We work together to refine your CV or resume until you are 100% satisfied. As the documents take shape, we can speak by phone or Zoom as needed.
You are not in the race if you do not put in the hard yards to reach interview. For the price of a night out, a professionally written resume or CV can be one of the smartest investments you make. The return from landing the right job can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.