Advice for candidates

Things Applicants Should Do

Identify the employer's key requirements as indicated in the advertisement or job specifications.
Include a typed, single-page covering letter summarising your experience and qualifications and explaining why you meet the employer’s requirements.
Include an email address plus daytime and after hours contact numbers in the covering letter and resume.
Submit a typed resume, no longer than five pages. [See sample resume]
The resume should clearly outline previous employers, the dates worked for them (beginning with the most recent) and the key responsibilities of each position.
For each position, indicate who the position reported to and those reporting to it (if any).
Where possible, include quantifiable information particularly with respect to performance and responsibility. Eg: responsible for 15 staff and turnover of $3.3M per annum, lifted revenue by 10% and profit by 25%.
Keep it simple and to the point. Bullet points are better than long paragraphs.
Submit the resume by email if possible. If posting use plain white paper, stapled only.
You should receive an acknowledgement within a week. If you do not, telephone or email to make sure your application was received.
If you are selected for an interview with the recruitment consultant, double check where and when the interview is to be held.
Pay attention to grooming and personal hygiene; first impressions are important.
Give succinct, open and honest answers to questions asked. Remember that nobody is perfect, but misleading or dishonest answers always catch up with you.
Find out as much about the job and employer as you can. You need to know whether you really want the job.
If you are short listed for an employer interview, ask the recruitment consultant for advice. At this stage the consultant is generally keen to ensure you impress their client.
Do some research on the prospective employer using industry contacts, the internet, company annual reports or the recruitment consultant as information sources.
When following up after the employer interview, deal with the recruitment consultant unless advised otherwise.
If offered the job and intending to accept it, try to arrange an interview with your new employer to discuss what you should do to prepare for the position.

Things Applicants Should Not Do

Hand write the resume unless it is very neat.
Misspell the company name or person you are writing to.
Include large volumes of information.
Include copies of ‘you’re leaving’ cards, personal letters of commendation or similar trivia.
Include copies of references and academic results with the resume. (Unless the application is for a junior position or the applicants is from another country.)
Include original documents of any description.
Fax the resume, unless requested or in an emergency.
Arrive late to an appointment.
Strongly criticise your current employer.

Below are some examples of mistakes that can be avoided by carefully checking your application:
"Education: Curses in fine arts, curses in computer science, curses in accounting."
"Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a NSW chain store."
"I am a rabid typist."
"Exposure to German for two years, but many words are not appropriate for business."
"Proven ability to track down and correct erors."
"Personal interests: Donating blood. 25 litres so far."
"Strengths: Ability to meet deadlines while maintaining composer."
"Disposed of $2.5 billion in assets."
"Accomplishments: Oversight of entire department."
"Extensive background in accounting. I can also stand on my head!"
Cover letter: "Thank you for your consideration. Hope to hear from you shorty."
The key components and people in each step of the employment process are summarised as follows:

Stage	Who Determines	What Determines
Application	Recruitment consultant	Resume
Interview 1	Recruitment consultant	Interview
Interview 2	Employer	Interview
Job offer	Candidate	Candidates view of job and employer