Guides and Tips

Writing your resume

When creating your Resume, it is important to get it correct before you send it out. Research shows that the average recruiter / hiring manager only spends 10 to 40 seconds scanning a resume, so it is essential that yours can grab the hiring managers attention very quickly.

Because real estate is such a competitive field to move into, you must display a passion for working in real estate. Use your resume – along with a cover letter to explain exactly why you want to join the industry. Explain the passion you have, and the characteristics you have to succeed in real estate. If you are currently in the real estate sector – explain what you love about it and why you want to stay within real estate.

There are many ways to write a resume, but below are some useful tips on what Oyster People believe should be included in a resume

7 Steps to create an exceptional resume

1. Keep it brief

Only in very rare circumstances should a resume be more than two pages. Stay clear from arty typefaces or “accounting boxes” and make sure it is in black writing. Whilst the font you use is your preference, use only that font throughout the resume. Oyster People recommend either Tahoma, Arial or Times New Roman, font size 12.

2. Start with personal details

You must include your name, address, mobile number and e-mail address. The more details you give the easier it is for the hiring manager to find you but don’t go over the top!

3. Personal statement

Your personal statement is an important part of your resume. It is your opportunity to sell yourself to an employer or a recruitment consultant so please make sure you make the most of it. It should be no more than 4 or 5 lines on your resume and it should explain who you are, what your skill set is, and what your key goals are. When applying for specific positions, Oyster People recommend that you use the position description of that role to help you write your bio.

4. Education / Qualifications

It is vitally important that you have your education and qualifications on your resume. In Queensland and New South Wales, it is a legal requirement to have a real estate sales certificate to be a Property Manager! So also add this and preferably your license number.

5. Most Recent role first

Make sure you put your current role on first and then the 2nd most recent role etc etc. Do not start with your first position that you did as what you are doing now is much more important.

6. Hobbies

Adding hobbies to your resume gives the employee a little understanding of who you are as a person but put this towards the end of your resume.

7. Put references

Normally 2 references are enough but if you have 3, add the third. Adding referees shows that you are not afraid of your career history I,e you are confident that you have done a great job In every position you have been in and the reference check that comes back will be good.

Summary:

The resume should be split into 7 areas:

• Personal details
• Statement
• Qualifications / Education
• Career history
• Skills
• Hobbies
• Referees

The Do’s and Do Not’s

Do:

• Keep your resume to two pages
• Make your resume specific to the role you are applying for
• Use black font
• Make it easy to read
• Get someone to read through your resume for mistakes etc

Do Not

• Do not use crazy fonts or multiple colours
• Include a photo of your self
• Lie about what you have done
• Do not talk about money or hours you want to work
• Do not include pointless information
• Do not write your resume like an essay. Use lots of bullet points to make it simple