GRADUATE RESUMES
Psychological Science
JCU Careers and Employability
CRICOS Provider No. 00117J
December 2022
jcu.edu.au/careers
careers@jcu.edu.au
Ph: 1800 246 446 (option 4)
@ jcucareers
Your success in gaining an interview for a graduate
position or progressing further in the application
process hinges upon the quality of the written
application you provide to an employer.
This is your opportunity to demonstrate that you
possess the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities
for the position.
Tailor your resume
Your resume is a marketing tool. It is essential that
you tailor your resume for every job application to
increase the fit between you, the role and the
organisation.
Thoroughly research the organisation and the position
to determine what the employer is looking for.
You must follow the application instructions to ensure
your application progresses to the next stage.
Reflect on your past study and work experiences,
extracting points that could help to sell yourself to an
employer.
Emphasise your strengths as they relate to each
particular role and match your skills and abilities to the
job you are applying for.
Headings
There are no set headings for a resume, although the
following headings are commonly included. Decide
what headings best promote you to a prospective
employer’s expectations.
Under each heading, list experiences in reverse
chronological order, most recent first.
PERSONAL DETAILS
• Name, address, phone and email.
• LinkedIn Profile – ensure your profile is up to
date. Consider personalising your URL (search
Customise your URL on LinkedIn Help).
• Date of birth, marital/parental status and health
are not required.
CAREER STATEMENT or PROFESSIONAL
SUMMARY
(Optional, 2-3 lines)
This section should only be added to your resume if it
has been written to suit the position and organisation
you are applying to. This is your opportunity to market
your key selling points plus state why you want the job.
EDUCATION
Tertiary and High school (only list high school if you
are a recent school leaver and have relevant
achievements to list) and other relevant training
qualifications. Begin with your Bachelor of
Psychological Science.
MEMBERSHIPS
Include memberships of professional bodies.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Employers are keen to see that you have gained some
relevant experience during your studies. This shows
that you have the practical skills needed in your field.
If fieldwork is not part of your course, consider
volunteering with a range of organisations or
researchers. Make the most of your opportunities and
ensure you can describe your responsibilities,
achievements, range of duties and situations (not-for-
profit, government department, etc.). What skills did
you learn? What projects did you contribute to? Did
you receive feedback?
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Begin with the most recent. Use bullet points to list
your responsibilities and achievements for each role -
tailor these to the position. Do not leave gaps in your
resume. If you travelled or cared for a family member
for 6 months, list this for transparency.
REFEREES
Work or Supervisor/Manager/Academic. (Usually 2 to
3 people). Avoid personal referees.
Optional Headings
Professional Development Key Skills
Extra-Curricular Activities Publications
Special Awards Volunteering
Community Involvement Research Projects
Language
Use professional vocabulary, e.g. ‘negotiated’, rather
than ‘worked out’. Use verbs to describe your skills
and employment achievements. See the ‘Action Verb’
Information Sheet for more examples.
Top Tips
•
Thoroughly research the organisation’s application
procedure to determine what is required.
•
Tailor your resume to the job description/organisation
requirements of the position.
•
Emphasise achievements to demonstrate your capacity.
•
Be clear, concise and truthful.
•
Check page requirements if identified by the employer.
•
Use a simple, professional layout with consistent formatting.
•
Use bullet points to list your relevant experience and
employment history and associated responsibilities and
achievements.
•
Check and check again for spelling and grammatical errors.
•
Check if Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software is
being used to short list resumes and modify layout if so.
Online screening software may not read photos, clipart,
tables, fancy fonts, borders.
See our information sheet on Applicant Tracking Software
–
Can
a robot read your resume?
to ensure your resume will get
through any online screening tools.
Resume – Bonnie Wilson Page 2 of 4
Bonnie Wilson Townsville, QLD 4811
Phone: 0412345678
LinkedIn: Linkedin.com.in/Bonniewilson
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CAREER STATEMENT or PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY (Optional):
I am a highly motivated final year student with two years’ experience in
individual crisis support and youth group support for not-for-profit
organisations. I am keen to continue my development as a provisional
psychologist.
EDUCATION
2019 – present Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons)
James Cook University, Townsville Qld
Expected completion date: November 2022
Relevant Achievements
• GPA: 5.7 (scale 1-7, 7 being highest)
• Obtained Distinction grades for (add relevant subjects)
• Organised mini-conference for final year students to
showcase thesis projects to years 1-3
• Honours Thesis (insert title)
2018 Year 12 Senior Certificate
Charters Towers State High School, Charters Towers QLD
Achievements
• Active member of the Student Representative Council
• Organised ‘R U OK?’ day event for staff and students
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Current Accredited Volunteer Telephone Crisis Supporter, Lifeline
2021 Mental Health First Aid, JCU Student Equity and Wellbeing
2020 – present Treasurer, JCU Student Psychology Association
2020 – present Student Member, Australian Psychological Association
• Attended 2022 the online annual conference and took
part in the student panel on ……….
KEY SKILLS
Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate in a sensitive, safe and effective manner to clients and
with staff, developed through Lifeline Telephone Crisis Support, reception role in community
care, and hospitality work.
Resilience: Ability to work through confronting interactions and acknowledge and decompress my own
responses through a strong understanding of my role, it’s boundaries and what is outside
my control, as well as how to make use of my professional and personal support networks.
Tip - Only include relevant
information. Think about
highlights from your
course, awards, prizes,
projects that make you
stand out.
Tip – Add your name in the footer.
Tip – If you decide to add a Career
Statement or Professional
Summary, keep it brief. Indicate
what personal or professional
attributes you can bring to the
position and ensure it matches the
role you are applying for.
Tip – ensure your email
address reflects a professional
image. Personalise/embed
your LinkedIn URL.
Tip - Include other
degrees or
qualifications
completed prior to
the Bachelor of
Psychological
Science in this
section.
Tip - Include if recent school
leaver, list major school
awards, prizes, leadership
position, extra-curricular
activities.
Tip – List relevant
conferences, courses,
workshops attended.
List course provider, title
and date attended.
Tips
• The skills listed above are examples only.
• Research is crucial – you need to identify the skills the employer/position requires and address these.
• All JCU students can improve their skills with free access to LinkedIn Learning – check it out on the JCU Library
website.
Resume – Bonnie Wilson Page 3 of 4
EXPERIENCE
March 2021 – present Administration Officer/Receptionist (Part-time)
Anglicare North Queensland, Townsville
• Triaging clients and prioritising available appointments, including identifying at-risk clients
for the immediate attention of counselling staff
• Manage staff diaries to block time for staff meetings, professional development, etc.
• Manage four incoming phone lines and reception desk, abiding by customer service
principle of no more than four rings before answering
• Manage appointment booking software and train new professional staff
• Set up and maintain a Microsoft OneNote notebook for storing resources and articles of
interest for staff
Feb 2021 – present Volunteer Telephone Crisis Supporter
Lifeline
• Provide empathetic telephone support on the Lifeline Crisis Support line to diverse client
base
• 2 shifts per fortnight
• Completed National Crisis Supporter Training, student placement and 56 probationary
volunteer hours
• Participate in peer supervision and ongoing professional development
Nov 2019 – Jan 2020 Project Officer (Vacation Work)
Youthlink, Townsville
• Worked with Social Worker to provide a safe and friendly environment to engage youth
through art, music and theatre activities and encourage them to build their social skills
and support network
• Shared information and observations after each meeting with Social Worker
• Organised equipment hire and booked guest speakers
Dec 2018 – Nov 2019 Team Leader
The Coffee Club, The Strand, Townsville
• Coordinated and supervised a team of seven part-time, junior staff
• Recruited and trained junior staff
• Responded and sensitively handled complaints and feedback from customers
• Ensured high levels of customer service and hygiene throughout the restaurant
2017 – 2018 Retail Assistant
Supercheap Pharmacy, Charters Towers
• Customer service and sales
• Cash handling, including balancing register
Tip – Allow more space for recent,
relevant information and provide
less detail as your information
becomes less recent/relevant.
Tip – Don’t just list
your duties – you
need to relate
them to your
experience,
knowledge or
abilities
.
Tip – Highlight your
achievements,
responsibilities and
key skills gained.
Tips
•
Focus on highlighting achievements, responsibilities and transferrable skills developed that are relevant to
the position and the employer and which indicate your capacity as a future employee.
•
Don’t underestimate the value of non-degree related employment. You will have gained valuable skills –
the key is to explain how these skills can be transferred to the role you are applying for.
•
Commence each description with an action word (verb).
•
Don’t just list the duties from your Position Description.
•
Make a clear connection to the job you are applying for.
• Identify complexity and achievements in each statement.
Resume – Bonnie Wilson Page 4 of 4
INTERESTS
• Sports: participate in amateur league futsal with NQ Futsal
• Leadership: coach under 12s futsal team at NQ Futsal
• Keen traveller – volunteered at various projects in Cambodia and Thailand
CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES
• Queensland ‘C’ Class Driver’s licence (manual)
• First Aid Certificate
• Queensland Working with Children Check (Blue Card)
REFEREES
Mr/Ms/Dr XXXXXX Mr/Ms/Dr XXXXXX
Social Worker Coordinator – Crisis Support Team
Anglicare North Queensland Lifeline
Phone: 07 4747 8811 Phone: 07 4740 5555
Email: XXXX Email: XXXX
NOTE: This information is intended to be used as a guide and to provide general information only. It is solely your
responsibility to evaluate and check the accuracy of the information provided.
Tip – List interests that relate to your work life and give an indication of your personal qualities or abilities e.g.
leadership, resilience, teamwork.
Tip – Some roles will require a
Driver’s Licence – check the
position description.
Tip – Keep your referees informed, they need to know what you are applying for so that they are prepared
when an employer contacts them to find out more about you.
Need more help? Go to www.jcu.edu.au/careers for more resources
• Information Sheets: Action Verb List, Can a robot read your Resume?
• Employability Edge: Master Written Applications module
• Big Interview: combine training and practice to improve your interview techniques
• Make an appointment with the Careers and Employability Team to discuss your job search
DO NOT COPY – PLEASE USE THIS EXAMPLE
TO GENERATE YOUR OWN IDEAS
