Creating a Resume for Part-Time or Casual Work in Australia

Part-time and casual roles are an essential part of the Australian workforce. These positions offer flexibility and an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to balance work with other commitments such as study, family responsibilities, or pursuing other career goals. Whether you’re a student entering the job market for the first time, someone seeking additional income, or a professional looking for a flexible role, crafting a strong resume is key to standing out in a competitive job market.

A resume for part-time or casual work doesn’t need to be as extensive as one for a full-time role, but it must still highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and work ethic. This guide will walk you through the process of creating a targeted and professional resume that will increase your chances of landing the part-time or casual job you’re after.

1. Understand the Role and Tailor Your Resume

The first step in creating a resume for part-time or casual work is to understand the specific requirements of the job you are applying for. Many part-time and casual roles are in sectors like retail, hospitality, customer service, and administration, but each role may require a slightly different skill set.

• Carefully read the job description: Look for keywords such as "customer service," "teamwork," "time management," or "flexibility." These are the traits that employers will be looking for in candidates.

• Tailor your resume for the specific job: Even if you’re applying for multiple roles, each resume should be tailored to the job. Focus on the skills and experiences that match the job description, and remove any information that isn’t directly relevant.

  
  

By personalising your resume for each role, you’ll show that you’ve put in the effort to understand the company and the position, which is a positive sign to employers.

2. Choose the Right Resume Format

For part-time and casual jobs, a clear and simple resume format is the most effective. You don’t need a lengthy document; one page is usually sufficient, especially if you're early in your career or just entering the workforce. Here’s a standard structure to follow:

• Header: Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile or portfolio (if applicable).

• Personal Statement: Write a brief 2-3 sentence summary that highlights your key skills and goals. For example: “Enthusiastic and reliable individual seeking a part-time customer service role in a dynamic environment. Strong communication skills, punctuality, and a commitment to delivering exceptional service.”

• Key Skills: List 5-7 core skills relevant to the job. These could include things like:

  • Customer service

  • Time management

  • Problem-solving

  • Cash handling (for retail or hospitality)

  • Communication skills

  • Teamwork

  • Flexibility

• Work Experience: List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order. For each role, include the company name, your job title, and dates of employment. Focus on your responsibilities and achievements that match the skills required for the position you’re applying for.

• Education: Include your highest level of education, whether it's high school, TAFE, or university. If you’ve completed any relevant courses, such as customer service training or food handling, be sure to mention them here.

• Additional Sections: Depending on the role, you may also want to include:

  • Volunteer experience: If you’ve volunteered in customer service or other relevant roles, this can be a great way to demonstrate your work ethic and commitment.

  • Certifications: If applicable, list any industry-specific certifications, such as Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA), First Aid training, or food safety certifications.

  • Languages: If you speak multiple languages, this is a valuable skill to include, especially for customer-facing roles in multicultural areas.

    
    

3. Highlight Transferable Skills

For part-time and casual work, employers often look for candidates who can hit the ground running and require minimal training. This is why transferable skills — abilities you’ve gained in previous roles, educational settings, or volunteer work — are particularly important. Some common transferable skills for part-time and casual positions include:

• Customer Service: Even if you’ve never worked in a customer-facing role, skills like helping others, providing support, or responding to inquiries are highly valued.

• Communication: Being able to clearly convey information, whether in person or over the phone, is essential in many part-time roles.

• Teamwork: Casual and part-time jobs often require working with others. Employers want to know that you can collaborate effectively.

• Time Management: Employers value candidates who can manage their time effectively, especially in busy, fast-paced environments.

• Adaptability: Casual and part-time roles often require flexibility, such as adjusting your schedule to meet business needs or stepping into different tasks as needed.

  
  

Use your work history, volunteer experience, and even school projects to showcase these skills. Be specific about how you’ve used them in different settings, and include measurable results where possible.

4. Emphasise Availability and Flexibility

For many part-time or casual roles, availability is one of the key factors in securing the job. Employers need to know when you can work, especially for roles that require shift work or weekend availability. Be upfront about your availability in your resume, either in the header or as a separate section. Here’s an example:

• Availability: Available to work Monday to Friday evenings and weekends, with flexible hours to accommodate varying schedules.

If you have specific restrictions (such as only being available during certain hours due to study or family commitments), it’s better to mention them upfront rather than creating confusion later.

5. Show Your Commitment and Reliability

Employers looking to hire casual or part-time workers value reliability. Casual and part-time employees are often used to fill gaps in staffing, so they need individuals they can rely on to show up when scheduled and perform their tasks well. Here are some ways to demonstrate your commitment:

• Consistency in previous roles: If you’ve stayed in part-time or casual jobs for extended periods, highlight that in your resume. This shows that you’re reliable and trustworthy.

• Attendance and punctuality: If you’ve had a job where your punctuality or attendance was a standout feature, be sure to mention it.

• Positive references: If possible, provide a reference from a past employer or colleague who can vouch for your work ethic and reliability.

  
  

Being seen as someone who is dependable will make you a much more attractive candidate for part-time or casual positions.

6. Use Action Verbs and Quantifiable Achievements

Even for part-time or casual positions, your resume should show that you can deliver results. Instead of simply listing job duties, use action verbs to describe your accomplishments. For example:

• “Assisted customers in selecting products, resulting in a 15% increase in sales.”

• “Managed cash register transactions and processed over 50 customer orders per shift.”

• “Trained and mentored three new employees, improving team efficiency.”

  
  

Whenever possible, try to quantify your achievements. For example, rather than saying “helped customers,” say “assisted an average of 20 customers per shift.” This adds weight to your resume and demonstrates your ability to handle responsibility.

7. Keep It Simple and Professional

Part-time and casual resumes should be simple and easy to read. Keep the formatting clean and consistent, with clear headings, bullet points, and a professional font (such as Arial or Calibri). Avoid overly fancy designs or graphics, as these can distract from your qualifications.

Stick to a professional tone and focus on your key strengths. Be concise and leave out unnecessary details — a resume for part-time or casual work should typically be no more than one page in length.

8. Proofread and Get Feedback

Finally, before submitting your resume, make sure to proofread it carefully. Check for spelling or grammatical errors, as these can create a negative impression. It can be helpful to have someone else review your resume as well. Fresh eyes can spot mistakes or areas for improvement that you may have missed.

Conclusion: Stand Out with a Strong Resume

A strong resume is your ticket to securing part-time or casual work in Australia. By tailoring your resume to the specific role, emphasising your transferable skills, and showcasing your reliability, you’ll set yourself apart from other candidates. Whether you’re looking for work in retail, hospitality, or customer service, a professional and well-crafted resume will help you land the job you want.

Remember, even though part-time and casual roles may not require as much experience as full-time positions, showing that you’re committed, adaptable, and eager to contribute will make all the difference. Good luck with your job search!

If you need assistance in creating an impactful resume and cover letter, contact Adrienna, your Perth Resume Writing Specialist, at 0423 686 904 or email hello@adriennasresumes.com