The resume creation process

The old rules for resumes no longer apply

Not long ago, most people sent the same CV with a lightly adjusted cover
letter and hoped for the best. A human reader would usually decide
whether you were worth contacting. Those conditions have largely
disappeared. Applying for roles now takes only seconds, which means
employers receive far more applications than in the past. Most are
screened first by Applicant Tracking Systems. If your resume does not
clearly reflect what the employer is looking for and align with their
selection criteria, it can be filtered out immediately, regardless of
how capable you may be.

selection criteria writer brisbane
The resume build process

First: getting your CV past the ATS gatekeeper

The first challenge for any CV or resume is simply reaching a human reader. If your application fails at the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) stage, it will never be reviewed by a recruiter. Most organisations now rely on ATS platforms to screen applications before they reach hiring staff, checking whether the content of your CV reflects the skills, experience, and selection criteria linked to the role.

At the most basic level, these systems search for keywords and phrases associated with the capabilities employers want to see. When those signals are missing or unclear, an otherwise capable applicant can be marked as unsuitable before their experience is ever considered.

Modern ATS platforms also assess applications more broadly. Many now use algorithmic scoring to evaluate how closely your experience, achievements, training, and career progression align with the overall requirements of the position. If your CV is not written with this screening stage in mind, it can easily be filtered out before a recruiter or hiring manager ever sees it.

Book a 15 min. phone call with Elle

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

Helping your CV rise above the crowd

Responding effectively to selection criteria in a modern job application usually follows a logical process:

Sending the same resume with only minor adjustments to the cover letter is rarely effective today. Your application needs to reflect the specific requirements of the role. When the CV clearly mirrors the employer’s selection criteria, it has a far better chance of moving through ATS screening, reaching a recruiter, and progressing to the shortlist.

  • Avoid the common mistake - Standing out is not about listing every task or responsibility you have ever held. It means presenting the experience that directly addresses the employer’s priorities and leaving out what does not add value.
  • Identify what the employer values - Begin with the job advertisement and review it carefully. Extract the capabilities, experience, qualifications, and attributes that align with the role. Evidence may include qualifications, measurable results, recognition, or feedback from clients and colleagues.
  • Create a targeted resume - Use those insights to shape your CV so it reflects the needs of the position. Place your most relevant achievements and strengths where they are immediately visible, rather than burying them deep within a chronological list of roles.
Avoid sounding artificial - Many AI-generated resumes read as formulaic, over-optimised for keywords, and oddly disconnected from the role itself. Recruiters recognise these patterns quickly. Applications that feel generic or mechanical are often set aside because they do not sound like a real person.

Preparing an effective CV or resume requires judgement and strategic thinking. It is not simply an administrative task. Experienced resume writers understand how to structure information, select appropriate language, and present evidence in a way that strengthens your prospects of being invited to interview.

A structured resume development process

  • Reviewing the selection criteria

    We begin by analysing what the employer is actually assessing, including both the explicit requirements and the underlying expectations that can be inferred from the role.

  • Understanding the organisation

    We consider the organisation’s operating environment, culture, and industry pressures to understand the context shaping the recruitment decision.

  • Assessing fit and positioning

    Your experience, skills, and attributes are reviewed against the role so we can determine what should be emphasised, reframed, or removed.

  • Drafting the CV

    The first version of the document is created with an emphasis on relevance and outcomes, presenting you as a credible candidate rather than listing every responsibility from your career.

  • Refinement and editing

    The draft is reviewed carefully to improve clarity, tighten language, and ensure that the narrative aligns closely with the employer’s priorities.

  • Supporting documents and online presence

    Once the CV is finalised, supporting materials are prepared and your LinkedIn profile can be aligned so that your professional messaging remains consistent.

  • Submitting the application

    You submit a focused application that performs well in ATS screening and reads clearly to the person responsible for shortlisting.
Research suggests that a large proportion of resumes never progress beyond the ATS stage. These systems rapidly filter applications by comparing them against the job description, keywords, and selection criteria. Documents that do not align closely with those requirements are often screened out before a recruiter ever reviews them.

If you need help with your CV or resume, you view the packages by clicking the buttons below. I'll contact you within 24 hours to work on your CV until you're satisfied with the outcome. Additional services are also available if needed.

TAGS: LinkedIn profile writing Australia | executive LinkedIn profiles Brisbane | LinkedIn career strategy Australia | LinkedIn for executives | LinkedIn personal branding Brisbane | professional LinkedIn profiles Australia | LinkedIn optimisation for leaders | LinkedIn authority positioning | LinkedIn profiles for senior professionals | LinkedIn executive branding Australia | LinkedIn profile writer Brisbane | LinkedIn networking strategy Australia

Like to chat first?

Fill out this form if you would a 15 minute phone chat before deciding to retain me. 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.

CV or Resume, which should I use?

First job or haven't needed a resume for a long time? Start here. More...

Resume - In the Brisbane job market, a resume is usually a concise two to three page document that summarises your skills, education, strengths, and experience. It should focus on what is most relevant to the role, and make it easy for an employer to see why you should be shortlisted.

CV - A CV (curriculum vitae) is most common in academia and research, and in some highly technical fields. It covers similar ground to a resume, but typically includes additional credentials such as publications, presentations, grants, professional affiliations, and referees. The term is Latin for "the course of one’s life".

Not sure? - In parts of Australia, "CV" and "resume" are often used interchangeably, which can be confusing. Always follow the employer’s application instructions, and if the role is important, seek advice so you submit the right document. Choosing the wrong format can cost you an interview.

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

Do I need a cover letter?

Resumes or CVs almost always need to be accompanied by one, but what type? More...

Purpose of a cover letter - A cover letter tailors your resume or CV to a specific Brisbane role. For many employers, it is the first screening step. If it does not meet expectations, your resume may not be reviewed. It provides a short narrative that links your experience to the employer’s selection criteria.

What to include - Use your cover letter to explain how your skills, experience, and qualifications fit the role, and to demonstrate genuine interest in the organisation. Both the resume or CV and the cover letter exist to market you, so employer needs should always come first.

When a cover letter matters - Each application requires a tailored cover letter. Reusing generic letters is one of the most common reasons candidates fail to reach interview stage.

Online applications - In online systems, the cover letter may appear as a short written statement or eNote. It serves the same purpose, and carries the same weight, as a traditional cover letter.

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

LinkedIn and CVs or resumes

Should you consider creating a LinkedIn profile, and why? More...

Do I need LinkedIn? - LinkedIn is most relevant for executives, professionals building a career trajectory, and those in sales, marketing, or leadership roles. It is not essential for every general job application, but it becomes increasingly important as seniority increases.

Why LinkedIn matters - LinkedIn is now a key self marketing tool for career focused candidates. A well written profile can attract headhunters, Brisbane based recruiters, and direct approaches from employers. It also supports networking and visibility in ways a resume alone cannot.

Consistency counts - Employers commonly review LinkedIn to sense check a candidate’s background. Your LinkedIn profile should align closely with your CV or resume, as inconsistencies can raise doubts.

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

What are your qualifications?

The industries I specialise in, and why I am qualified to help you. More...
Professional background - I have worked directly with major organisations in biotech, mining, resources, marketing, HR, and recruitment. Over many years, I have supported applicants pursuing roles across Australia, the UK, and the United States. With a degree in Information Science, I bring a practical understanding of how digital recruitment systems and screening tools operate, and how candidates are assessed within them. I hold dual UK and Australian citizenship with extensive experience across both markets.

Sector experience - My consulting work spans a wide range of organisations, including energy providers, universities, police services, the ADF, state government bodies, health services, information services firms, and large private enterprises. I regularly work with candidates across sectors such as:
  • Mining, resources, oil and gas roles
  • Pharmaceutical, biotech, health, and nursing positions
  • Primary, secondary, and tertiary education, including leadership roles
  • Corporate management and C suite appointments, including international roles
  • Political, chief of staff, and party pre selection applications
  • Government roles at local, state, and federal level
  • Franchise applications and commercial operator submissions
  • Capability statements for professionals and contractors
  • Marketing and sales leadership roles
  • IT, AI and digital leadership positions
  • ADF and former ADF applications
My credentials - I am a founder-member of the UK-based CVRA, which professionally certifies and educates CV and Resume Writers worldwide.

Certified Resume Writer 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.
Click the phone icon anytime, day or night, to book a complimentary 15-minute call at a time that suits you.

What is the Resume creation process?

A resume carefully designed to pass ATS filters & appeal to the employer. More...

My role is to guide and support you with clear, honest advice as your resume takes shape. It must sound like you, because you will need to stand behind it at interview. If you are not targeting a specific role, I will shape your resume around broader industry expectations to appeal to multiple employers. Where a particular role is in scope, a tailored resume will always deliver stronger results.

How we create your resume together

Here is how the process works:

  • Initial conversation

    We begin with a detailed discussion about your background, experience, and career goals. This gives me the context needed to represent you accurately and effectively.

  • Drafting your resume

    Using our discussion as a foundation, I develop a resume that reflects your strengths and aligns with what employers are looking for.

  • Bringing your strengths forward

    The focus is not just on listing roles. We draw out what differentiates you, so your experience feels relevant and compelling rather than generic.

  • Review and refinement

    We review the document together for clarity, structure, accuracy, and tone, refining it until you are confident submitting it.

  • Ensuring it gets through screening

    As most employers use ATS software, I ensure your resume is formatted and written to pass automated screening and reach human decision makers.
Click the phone icon anytime, day or night, to book a complimentary 15-minute call at a time that suits you.

Do I need a General or Executive Package?

Executive applications typically involve more complex selection criteria. More...

General roles - These applications are for positions where you are not accountable for overall staff or budget management. You may supervise others without full managerial responsibility. Common examples include hospitality, healthcare, trade, and operational roles.

Executive roles - Executive applications require a different level of strategy. These roles involve direct responsibility for people, budgets, and outcomes, from senior management through to C suite appointments. Selection criteria are often detailed and demanding, and an executive resume must demonstrate leadership capability, strategic judgement, and measurable impact.

When choosing between a general or executive package, consider the level of accountability involved and the complexity of the selection criteria for the role you are targeting.
Click the phone icon anytime, day or night, to book a complimentary 15-minute call at a time that suits you.

How do I choose the right package?

It pays to start with a close look at the job ad and job description. More...

Start with the job advertisement - The job ad sets out exactly what the employer is seeking, and should guide which documents you need and how comprehensive they must be.

What the packages include - Resume packages are built around four core components: the resume or CV, a cover letter, LinkedIn, and selection criteria. A resume on its own is rarely enough to secure an interview in competitive Brisbane roles.

  • Resume or CV - A focused summary of your qualifications, skills, experience, and achievements, written to align closely with the role’s selection criteria.
  • Cover letter - Often submitted online as a short written statement, this translates your experience into a clear, role specific pitch.
  • LinkedIn - Developed from your resume, LinkedIn supports your application by reinforcing credibility and visibility. It is essential for senior, commercial, and network driven roles, but less critical for entry level or general positions.
  • Selection criteria - Many roles require written responses addressing essential and desirable requirements, covering skills, knowledge, experience, and outcomes.
    • In government, education, health, and not for profit roles, a separate selection criteria document is commonly required.
Click the phone icon anytime, day or night, to book a complimentary 15-minute call at a time that suits you.