Resume Secrets Unlocked: Key Takeaways from the ACS Career Toolkit Webinar

On July 28, I had the opportunity to attend a standout webinar hosted by the Australian Computer Society (ACS)—part of their Career Toolkit Series—titled "Resume Secrets from Industry Insiders." This virtual event featured expert speakers who offered unfiltered, real-world advice for standing out in a crowded tech job market.

🎯 Who Should Care About This?

This session was especially valuable for:

• Students looking for their first tech job
• Recent graduates entering the job market
• Career changers transitioning into IT
• Anyone polishing their resume for tech hiring standards

🎤 Meet the Speakers

Facilitator: Alannah Grech
Partner Success Manager – Communities, ACS

Speaker: Julia Lane
Director, Skills Solutions Australia & Committee Member, ACS TAS Branch Executive Committee
Julia brought a career coach's eye to the conversation, walking through what makes a resume "recruiter-friendly."

Speaker: Stuart Brinsmead
Branch Manager – Tasmania, ACS
Stuart offered the hiring manager’s perspective—what catches their attention and what gets resumes tossed.

💡 Key Insights from the Webinar

1. Your Resume Is a Sales Document, Not a Diary

The panel unanimously agreed: your resume is meant to sell you, not list your entire life story. Focus on value and outcomes, not just responsibilities. Stuart emphasized, “Tell me how you made something better, faster, or easier. Don’t just say what you were told to do.”

2. What Hiring Managers Look For

According to both Julia and Stuart, here’s what stands out on a great resume:

• Clear structure and clean formatting – Make it easy to scan. Avoid clutter.
• Tailored content – One resume does not fit all. Align your resume to the specific job.
• Evidence of problem-solving – Projects, achievements, or work that made an impact.
• Passion and initiative – Show you’re proactive. Mention personal projects, hackathons, or learning outside of school.

3. What to Avoid

These are instant red flags mentioned during the session:

• Generic, copy-paste responsibilities
• Typos or poor formatting
• Buzzwords without substance – Don’t just list "teamwork" and "leadership." Show how you applied them.
• Outdated or irrelevant information – Keep it concise and relevant to the job.

4. How to Sell Yourself Without Work Experience

This was a highlight of the webinar. Julia and Stuart made it clear: experience isn’t limited to jobs. Here’s how you can still impress:

• Projects: Build and showcase real or simulated projects. Share what problem you solved, tools you used, and results.
• Labs and Certs: Mention home labs, sandbox environments, or self-paced certifications (e.g., CompTIA, Azure, AWS).
• Volunteering or Club Work: Student societies, community tech support, or open-source contributions show initiative.
• Webinars and Learning Events: Just like this one! Listing relevant webinars demonstrates your active learning mindset.

5. Projects Are Proof

As Julia put it, “If you can’t point to any project you’ve done, you’re not job-ready.” Don’t underestimate the power of a well-documented side project. Include links to GitHub or portfolios wherever possible. Explain the context and your role, not just the tools used.

📌 Final Thoughts

This session wasn’t about tricks—it was about truth. Whether you're applying for internships or pivoting careers, these tips will help you write a resume that speaks directly to decision-makers.

Many thanks to ACS, Julia Lane, Stuart Brinsmead, and Alannah Grech for a powerful, practical session. If you get the chance to attend a future webinar in the Career Toolkit Series—take it. It’s worth every minute.