Brisbane
CVs & Resumes

The initial call allows me to understand your role, experience, and goals, and recommend the package that best fits your situation.

During the conversation, I outline the process and the level of support you can expect. The focus is to ensure your application is positioned properly and ready to compete for interview.

If you decide to proceed, you select your package and complete payment by card or bank transfer. We then schedule a detailed working discussion, and refine your resume and any included documents together until they are ready for submission.

The job ad will usually indicate what the employer expects and which documents are required. Most applications include a resume or CV, a cover letter, and in some cases selection criteria responses. A resume alone is rarely enough in competitive roles.

The cover letter highlights the parts of your experience that matter most. For many roles, particularly in Queensland government, education, and health, you will also need to respond directly to selection criteria, either within the letter or as a separate document.

• Resume or CV – A clear, targeted summary of your qualifications, skills, experience, and achievements aligned to the role.
• Cover letter – Often submitted online as a written statement, this turns your background into a focused pitch.
• Selection criteria responses – Structured examples demonstrating how you meet essential and desirable requirements.
  • Government, education, health, and not-for-profit roles commonly require a separate criteria document.

Even where selection criteria are not formally listed, your application should still reflect what the employer values. Reading between the lines of the job description is often essential.

The role of the cover letter and LinkedIn

Your cover letter and LinkedIn profile reinforce your resume and support consistency across your application. LinkedIn is particularly useful where professional visibility and networks matter, and less critical for some entry-level roles.

My background includes senior roles in marketing, HR, biotech, digital, and recruitment, with experience working alongside major mining, resources, and corporate organisations in Australia. I have helped applicants secure roles across Australia, the UK, and the United States. With a degree in Information Science, I understand how digital recruitment systems assess and filter applications. I hold dual UK and Australian citizenship and work across both markets.

Sectors and organisations

My consulting and employment history spans public and private organisations including power utilities, private and public schools, universities, police services, major mining companies, state government departments, information services providers, and biotech and pharmaceutical firms. I regularly work across sectors such as:

• Government roles at local, state (Qld, Vic, WA, SA, NSW), and federal level
• Mining and resources, including oil and gas
• Pharmaceutical, health, and nursing
• Primary, secondary, and tertiary education, including leadership roles
• Corporate management and senior appointments
• Political and chief of staff applications
• Franchise and commercial operator submissions
• Capability statements for professionals and contractors
• Marketing, sales, and commercial leadership
• IT, AI, and digital roles
• ADF and former ADF applications

Certification and Memberships

I am a founder member of the UK-based CVRA, an organisation focused on the professional certification and continuing development of CV and resume writers worldwide.

• Video
• Website

Corporate engagements

I have delivered resume writing seminars and outplacement workshops for employees of Australian state and local governments, as well as universities.

My role is to guide you with clear, practical advice as your resume takes shape. It must sound like you, because you will need to back it up at interview. If you are not applying for a specific vacancy, I structure your resume around broader industry expectations to suit multiple employers. Where a defined role is in scope, a tailored document will usually deliver stronger results.

How we create your resume together

Here's how it goes:

Things have changed - The expectations are now very different. One of the biggest shifts is the move away from using the same generic document for every application, with all tailoring left to the cover letter.

Today, your resume needs to be adapted for each role. That means analysing the job description, emphasising relevant skills and experience, and using language that can move through automated screening systems.

Apply online - Applications are now submitted and reviewed online, often on phones or tablets. Your resume must open cleanly, read clearly, and work across different systems. Structure and formatting matter. Documents created in outdated templates or poorly converted files are often not read correctly by screening software.

A common reason applicants never hear back is the format, structure, and positioning of their resume. In many cases, it does not move beyond the digital gatekeeper.

For many employers, including major retailers, mining companies, healthcare providers, schools, and government agencies, selection criteria are a formal part of the application process. Listing where you have worked is not enough. You need to demonstrate how your skills and experience match what the role requires.

Whether the criteria are clearly stated or need to be drawn from the job description, tailoring your application to them can make all the difference.

Selection criteria outline the skills, experience, and personal attributes an employer is seeking. They are used to assess how well you will perform in the role and fit within the organisation. Common examples include:

• Relevant qualifications, licences, or work background
• Experience supervising others or managing tasks and projects
• Role or industry-specific knowledge
• Personal qualities such as reliability, adaptability, and communication

These requirements, sometimes referred to as position descriptions or job specifications, help employers narrow the field. They assess both technical capability and overall suitability.

Addressing criteria clearly and directly is essential if you want to reach interview. Sometimes they are obvious; often you must read between the lines. For example, a request for “strong communication skills” usually means providing evidence of dealing with clients, coordinating teams, or resolving issues.

⇒ Overlooking automated screening

A major issue is automated filtering. Most employers rely on screening systems to manage applications. If your resume does not mirror the language and priorities in the job advertisement, it may be filtered out before reaching a hiring manager.

⇒ Overusing AI tools

Relying heavily on AI-generated content can result in wording that feels generic, repetitive, or formulaic. Recruiters are increasingly alert to this tone. If your application sounds like everyone else’s, it becomes harder to stand out or demonstrate authentic experience.

⇒ Recycling the same resume

Submitting an identical document for every vacancy is a common mistake. Employers want to see how your experience aligns with their specific role, not a generic overview. At the very least, your resume and cover letter should be adapted for each application.

⇒ Failing to meet stated requirements

If your resume does not clearly demonstrate the skills, experience, or licences listed in the advertisement, it will likely be passed over. Addressing the job requirements is the baseline for serious consideration.

⇒ Overly designed layouts

Highly stylised templates often prioritise appearance over function. Columns, graphics, colours, and unusual formatting can disrupt screening systems and make content difficult to read. A straightforward, professional layout performs better.

To reach interview, your resume must be clear, relevant, and structured to work with automated screening rather than against it.

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