Key Takeaways
- Use simple, professional, and ATS-friendly words
- Match your resume words to the job description
- Focus on results, skills, and proof
- Keep Australian tone clear and practical
- Fewer strong words are better than many generic ones
Introduction
If you’re writing a resume in Australia, the words you choose matter more than most people think. Not because recruiters love fancy language, but because they want quick proof that you fit the role.
When someone searches “Best Words To Describe Yourself On A Resume In Australia”, they usually want two things: a clean list of strong words, and real examples that sound normal (not fake or overdone).
Emily Carter
Administrative Assistant / Customer Service • Melbourne, VIC • Australia
Email: emily.carter.cv@gmail.com • Phone: +61 412 839 506
Why Word Choice Matters on Australian Resumes
Australian employers prefer resumes that are clear, honest, and practical. The words you use to describe yourself should reflect how you work in real situations, not exaggerated or overly corporate language.
Best Positive Words to Describe Yourself
• Reliable
• Organised
• Motivated
• Professional
• Approachable
• Detail-oriented
• Adaptable
• Proactive
• Team-focused
• Customer-focused
Words Australian Employers Value Most
• Dependable
• Hard-working
• Self-motivated
• Flexible
• Results-driven
• Calm under pressure
• Strong communicator
• Time-efficient
How to Use These Words Correctly
Instead of listing words only, connect them to actions or outcomes.
For example:
“Reliable administrative assistant with experience supporting busy teams and meeting deadlines.”
This style is preferred in Australian resumes and ATS systems.
Words to Avoid on Australian Resumes
❌ Perfect
❌ Genius
❌ Best employee ever
❌ Extremely passionate (without proof)
❌ Overly emotional or vague descriptions
Safe Resume Summary Example
“Reliable and organised professional with strong communication skills and a proven ability to work effectively in team-based environments.”
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What Australian Recruiters Mean When They Say “Describe Yourself”
In Australia, “describe yourself” usually means: pick 3–6 traits that match the job, then back them with evidence.
Recruiters here often prefer a clear tone. They like Professionalism, Reliability, and practical outcomes. Big claims with no proof can feel risky.
So instead of trying to sound impressive, aim to sound credible.
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The Simple Rule: Trait + Skill + Proof
Here’s the fastest way to write a strong self-description:
- Trait (a positive adjective)
- Skill (soft or hard skill)
- Proof (result, metric, tool, or scope)
Example:
- “Reliable admin support professional with strong time management skills, known for accurate records and meeting weekly deadlines.”
That’s short, clear, and works well with an ATS.
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Best Resume Words in Australia (Copy-Paste List)

Below are resume adjectives and phrases that work across many Australian industries. I’m keeping them simple, because simple is easier to prove.
Reliability and Professionalism
- Reliable
- Dependable
- Consistent
- Trustworthy
- Accountable
- Punctual
- Ethical (as in “Ethical decision-making capabilities”)
- Detail-oriented (as in “Detail-oriented quality assurance”)
Communication and Teamwork
- Clear communicator
- Supportive
- Collaborative
- Adaptable cross-functional collaborator
- Approachable
- Client-centric relationship builder
- Team-oriented
- Effective stakeholder communication
Problem Solving and Initiative
- Problem-solver
- Resourceful
- Independent critical thinker
- Proactive problem anticipation
- Strategic solution implementation driver
- Initiative-focused
- Innovative process improvement advocate
- Creative problem-solving expertise
Results and Efficiency
- Results-driven
- Results-oriented performance maximiser
- Metrics-focused performance enhancer
- Efficient
- Organised
- Agile project delivery specialist
- Data-driven opportunity identifier
- Customer experience optimization
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Power Verbs: The Words That Make Your Resume Feel Real
Descriptive words are helpful, but verbs make your resume believable. Australian recruiters love when traits show up in action.
Use power verbs in your work experience bullets:
- Delivered
- Improved
- Coordinated
- Resolved
- Increased
- Reduced
- Managed
- Led
- Supported
- Implemented
- Built
- Streamlined
- Trained
- Audited
- Presented
Tip: Pair a verb with a result.
- “Streamlined weekly reporting, reducing errors by 20%.”
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How to Choose the Right Words (So You Don’t Sound Generic)

If you’ve ever wondered what to put on resume, this is the part that saves you time.
Step 1: Pull keywords from the job ad (Australia ATS keywords)
Grab 8–12 words from the job ad. Focus on:
- Tools (Excel, Salesforce, SAP, Xero)
- Tasks (reporting, rostering, stakeholder management)
- Skills (communication skills, problem-solving skills)
- Standards (compliance, WHS, privacy)
Step 2: Match your describing words to the same theme
If the job is customer-facing, pick words like:
- customer-focused, client-centric relationship builder, calm under pressure
If the job is operational, pick words like:
- organised, efficient, detail-oriented quality assurance
Step 3: Prove it with one line
Even a small proof line helps:
- time saved, errors reduced, customer rating, deadlines met
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Where to Put These Words on an Australian Resume
A lot of people ask what should a resume look like and where these words belong. Here’s the simple layout.
1) Professional Summary (best place)
This is the #1 spot for your self-description.
2) Skills Summary
Use a clean list. Mix soft and hard skills.
3) Work Experience
Show the traits through verbs + outcomes.
4) About Me (optional, but useful in some cases)
Some people search about me section in resume. In Australia, this is okay if it’s short and professional. It should not read like a dating bio.
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Professional Summary Examples (Australia Style)

Below are resume summary examples you can copy and edit.
Example 1: Customer Service
“Customer-focused and reliable team member with 3+ years’ experience in retail and hospitality. Known for clear communication, fast issue resolution, and consistent shift performance. Confident using POS systems and handling high-volume service.”
Example 2: Admin / Office Support
“Organised and detail-oriented admin professional with strong time management skills. Experienced in scheduling, inbox management, document control, and stakeholder support. Comfortable working across Microsoft Office and CRM systems.”
Example 3: Marketing / SEO (Australia)
“Results-driven digital marketer with hands-on experience in SEO, content planning, and reporting. Strong communication skills and a continuous learning mindset. Skilled in GA4, Search Console, and keyword research, with a focus on measurable growth.”
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Skills for Resume: What to List (Australia-Friendly)
Many people literally search skills for resume because they don’t want to guess.
Here’s a clean structure that works well with ATS:
Soft skills (with proof-ready wording)
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Time management skills
- Team player words (collaborative, supportive, adaptable)
- Leadership and initiative
- Reliability and professionalism
Hard skills (common Australia ATS keywords)
- Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP)
- Microsoft Word
- Outlook + calendar management
- CRM (Salesforce / HubSpot)
- Xero / MYOB (where relevant)
- Data entry + reporting
- Scheduling + rostering
- WHS / compliance awareness
If you want a bigger list, read: skills to put on resume (internal link).
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Australian Resume Format Sample: The Layout That Works
If you’re searching australian resume format sample or australia resume format, this is the structure I recommend for most roles:
- Name + contact details (city/state is enough)
- Professional Summary
- Skills Summary
- Work Experience (reverse chronological)
- Education
- Certifications (if relevant)
- Optional: Projects, Volunteering, Languages
Most people in Australia keep it simple. This also helps ATS parse your résumé cleanly.
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Sample Australian Resume (Correct Example)

Below is a sample australian resume you can model. I’m using common Australian formatting and ATS-friendly structure.
Jordan Lee
Sydney NSW • 04xx xxx xxx • jordan.lee@email.com • LinkedIn: /in/jordanlee
Professional Summary
Reliable and organised operations assistant with 3+ years of experience supporting warehouse and dispatch teams. Strong problem-solving skills, clear communication skills, and a consistent focus on safety and accuracy. Known for meeting daily targets and improving process flow.
Skills Summary
- Inventory control • pick/pack • dispatch coordination
- Time management skills • teamwork • stakeholder communication
- RF scanning • basic Excel reporting • data entry accuracy
- WHS awareness • incident reporting • quality checks
Work Experience
Operations Assistant — ABC Logistics, Sydney NSW | 2023–2026
- Coordinated pick/pack workflow and dispatch schedules to meet daily cut-off times
- Reduced packing errors by improving check steps and updating basic process notes
- Supported team leaders with daily reporting and stock discrepancy checks
- Communicated with drivers and internal teams to resolve delivery issues
Warehouse Team Member — Retail Distribution, Sydney NSW | 2021–2023
- Picked and packed orders accurately using RF scanners
- Maintained clean work zones and followed WHS guidelines
- Assisted with stock counts and basic replenishment tasks
Education
Certificate III in Warehousing Operations (2022)
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Resume Examples for Different Situations (Australia)
People also search resume examples because they want a quick match to their situation. Here are a few mini versions.
Student resume (no full-time experience)
Keep the summary short and list projects, school roles, volunteering, or casual work.
Executive (leadership heavy)
Show leadership, governance, strategy, and outcomes. If needed, consider executive resume writing services.
Career changer
Focus on transferable skills: communication style, stakeholder work, time management, and measurable outcomes.
If you want a related read, check: how many pages should a resume be (internal link).
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Resume for 14 Year Old (Australia): What’s Acceptable
Yes, people search resume for 14 year old and it’s valid. In Australia, a teen resume should be simple and safe.
Include:
- School + year level
- Availability
- Basic skills (punctual, reliable, friendly)
- Volunteering, sports teams, school duties
- Any short work (babysitting, tutoring, family business tasks)
Avoid:
- Long summaries
- Big claims like “expert”
- Too many adjectives without examples
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How to Start a Resume (When You’re Stuck)

If you’re googling how to start a resume or how can i start a resume, start with this:
- Write your target role title
- List 6 skills that match the job ad
- Draft a 3-line professional summary
- Add experience bullets (verb + task + result)
If you’re also searching how to make a resume, the same process works. Start simple, then refine.
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How to Write a Resume in Australia (Simple Checklist)
People search how to write a resume, how to write a resume australia, and how to write a resume au because formats vary by country.
Here’s the Australia-specific checklist:
- Use Australian spelling (organised, personalised)
- Keep job titles and dates clear
- Use bullet points, not paragraphs
- Add results where possible
- Keep formatting ATS-readable (no tables, no text boxes)
This also answers how to do a resume for a job and how do i write a resume for a job.
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CV vs Resume in Australia (And When You Need Each)
Many people search what is a cv and is a cv a resume.
In Australia:
- A resume is common for most jobs (1–2 pages for many roles).
- A CV is often longer and more detailed, and is used more in academia, research, and some medical roles.
You’ll also see searches like australia cv, australia cv format, australian cv format, and curriculum vitae format australia. The key difference is depth.
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How to Write a CV in Australia (Quick Guide)
If you’re searching how to write a cv, how to write a cv australia, or how to make a cv australia, use this structure:
- Profile / research interests (if relevant)
- Education (more detail)
- Publications (if relevant)
- Teaching / clinical / professional experience
- Grants, awards, conferences
- Professional memberships
- Referees (optional; or “Available on request”)
If you’re searching how to make curriculum vitae, that’s the same goal: build a structured CV that’s easy to scan.
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Templates People Search in Australia (And How to Use Them)
A lot of users want a resume template or cv template because it feels safer. That’s normal.
Common searches include:
- cv template australia
- sample resume australia
- sample australian resume
- australian resume
- resume australia
- what does a good resume look like
My rule: use templates for structure, not for wording. Your words must match your job ad.
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How Do You Make a Resume on Word (Step-by-Step)
People search how do you make a resume on word for a reason: Word is still common in Australia.
Here’s a simple method:
- Open Word → New → choose a plain resume template (avoid heavy design)
- Set font to a readable one (11–12pt)
- Use clear headings: Summary, Skills, Experience, Education
- Use bullet points in experience
- Save as PDF before applying
This also covers searches like how to type resume, how to type a resume for job, and how to type a resume.
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“How to Right a Resume” (Common Search) — Quick Fix
Some people type how to right a resume (yes, it’s a common query). If that’s you, here’s the quick fix:
- Use the correct structure
- Use clear verbs
- Use proof lines
- Keep it ATS-friendly
- Don’t overuse adjectives
That’s it. Simple beats fancy.
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About Me Section in Resume (Australia): Keep It Short
If you want an About Me block, treat it like a mini summary.
Good “About Me” example:
“Organised and reliable team member with strong communication skills and a calm approach under pressure. Comfortable learning new systems and supporting customers.”
Avoid:
- “I’m passionate and hardworking” (no proof)
- Personal details not relevant to the job
Want interview support too? Read: weaknesses in job interview (internal link).
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Words to Avoid (And Better Replacements)
Some “popular” words hurt your resume because they sound empty.
Avoid:
- Hardworking
- Passionate (without proof)
- Go-getter
- Ninja / Rockstar
- Best / Perfect
- Honest (it’s assumed)
Use instead:
- Reliable
- Consistent
- Improvement-focused
- Results-driven
- Detail-oriented
- Resilient under pressure
If you’re preparing for interviews, also check: questions to ask in an interview and why should we hire you (internal links).
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Should You Use Resume Writing Services in Australia?
Many people search:
- resume writing services near me
- resume services near me
- best rated resume writing services
- executive resume writing services
My honest view: services can help if you are stuck, changing careers, or applying for senior roles. But you still need to give them strong content (real achievements, tools, and target roles).
You may also see names like ZipJob in resume discussions, plus examples from a Professional Writer community. If you hire support, ask them for:
- ATS formatting guidance
- A clean summary + skills section
- Proof-based bullet points
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AI Resume Builder Australia: Helpful, If You Edit Like a Human
People also search ai resume builder australia because they want speed. AI can help with structure, but you must edit for tone and accuracy.
My simple AI rule:
- Use AI for drafts
- You do the proof and the details
- Keep the final version consistent and realistic
If you also need a cover letter, read: chat gpt cover letter (internal link).
🚀 Start building your dream resume today!
Australia-Specific Keywords and Pay Context (Quick Reality Check)
In Australia, keywords often reflect local hiring and pay expectations. People use tools like Hays Salary Checker to sanity-check their target roles and levels.
If you’re applying across regions (Sydney vs Perth vs Brisbane), keep your resume flexible. A Melbourne-focused job seeker might search cv melbourne because they want local style and expectations.
Also, if you’re applying globally, wording changes:
- United States / North America / Canada often use punchier claims
- United Kingdom / Europe / Mainland Europe can prefer formal phrasing
- Asia / India / Philippines / Middle East / Africa / New Zealand can vary by industry and English norms
- Use clear English grammar and simple phrasing everywhere
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MyResume Login, Jobstreet, and Other Common Searches
Some searches show intent, not content quality. You might see:
- myresume login (people trying to access a builder)
- Jobstreet (common in parts of Asia, also used by Australians for certain roles)
- review my perfect resume (people wanting feedback fast)
If you want feedback, here’s what I check first:
- Does the summary match the job ad?
- Are skills easy to scan?
- Do bullets show outcomes?
- Is formatting ATS-safe?
For job hunting help, you can also read: online jobs no experience (internal link).
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Quick “What to Include on a Resume” Checklist (Australia)
People search what to include on a resume because they’re worried they’ll miss something.
Use this checklist:
- Contact details (no full address needed)
- Professional summary / About Me (short)
- Skills summary (soft and hard skills)
- Work experience (bullets + outcomes)
- Education
- Certifications (if relevant)
- Optional: projects, volunteering, languages
This supports queries like what should a resume look like and what does a good resume look like.
✨ Make your resume shine fast!
Mini Section: Career Tools That Support Your Resume
If you’re building your resume around realistic goals, tools can help:
- Salary checking (example: Hays Salary Checker)
- Networking and online presence (LinkedIn)
- Personal brand consistency (summary + headline + keywords)
Your resume works best when your communication style matches your LinkedIn presence and interview answers.
For interview prep, also check: how long should a resume be (internal link).
🚀 Create your resume quickly and for free!
Summary
If you take one thing from this guide, make it this: the best words on an Australian resume are the ones you can prove. Pick a few strong descriptive words, pair them with real skills, and show results in your experience section.
If you want to improve your resume even faster, build from a simple structure, keep it ATS-friendly, and use Australian spelling and tone.
🚀 Start building your dream resume today!
FAQs
What are the best words to describe yourself on a resume in Australia?
Use proof-friendly words like reliable, organised, results-driven, customer-focused, adaptable, and detail-oriented. Then back each with a skill and a result.
How many describing words should I use?
Aim for 6–10 across the whole resume. Too many adjectives looks generic. A few strong ones with proof looks professional.
Should I add an About Me section in an Australian resume?
You can. Keep it short (2–3 lines). Make it professional, job-focused, and ATS-readable. Don’t add personal details that don’t help the role.
What resume keywords help with ATS in Australia?
Use keywords from the job ad: tools (Excel, CRM), tasks (reporting, scheduling), and core skills (communication skills, problem-solving skills, time management skills). Put them in skills and experience.
Is a CV the same as a resume in Australia?
Not always. Most jobs use a resume. A CV is often longer and used more for academic, research, or specialist roles. Use the format that fits your industry.
Author Information
Anny Kuratulain | Career Development Expert
Anny Kuratulain is a seasoned professional with over 9 years of experience in social media strategy, freelance coaching, and resume optimization. Specializing in helping professionals in various fields, Anny provides expert guidance on crafting resumes that stand out to hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Anny’s insights focus on empowering job seekers to highlight their key strengths, tailor resumes to job descriptions, and land the jobs they desire.
