Founder and Managing DirectorNatasha is a leading HR expert, entrepreneur, author and sought-after media commentator for outlets such as Sunrise (Channel 7), ABC Radio and The Australian Financial Review. Natasha co-founded Employee Matters in 2011 to help Australian businesses achieve success through their people.
Recently, Natasha Hawker, Managing Director of Employee Matters, joined Jess McGuire on ABC listen's NSW Drive. They unpacked the realities of the modern Australian job hunt, breaking down exactly what applicants need to include in their resumes to stand out and what they need to ditch.
Whether you have decades of experience or are a recent school leaver entering the workforce, here are the top takeaways from their conversation to help you navigate the 2026 recruitment process.
What You Will Learn in This Interview
- The mistakes people make when using AI to write their CVs.
- How to format your resume to pass initial screening.
- Why including a headshot in Australia could actually cost you the job.
- Why you should never put your referees' direct contact details on your application.
- The common personal details that you must remove immediately.
Tailoring Your CV to Your Experience Level
How you write your resume should change depending on where you are in your career journey.
For Experienced Professionals:
Focus heavily on the most recent five to ten years of your career. Provide significant detail about your specific commercial achievements and KPIs in those roles, rather than just listing basic, day-to-day tasks. For older jobs, simply listing your job title and the organisation is enough.
For Entry-Level Applicants:
For recent graduates entering the workforce with limited professional experience, listing part-time or casual work is highly encouraged. These early jobs show a strong work ethic, reliability, and provide excellent character references. Additionally, highlight any school or university leadership positions, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities to showcase your responsibility and leadership potential.
Want to hear the full conversation? Listen to Natasha Hawker on ABC NSW Drive.
Are you a business owner looking to streamline your recruitment process and hire top talent in 2026? The team at Employee Matters can help. Contact us today to find out how we achieve business success through people.
Get in Touch
Tell us a bit about your business and we’ll be in touch to:
- Understand the challenges that are holding your team or growth back
- Show you how our embedded HR and Recruitment Experts can solve problems faster, without the overheads
- Identify high-impact areas where HR and Recruitment support could save you time, stress, and money
- Map out a tailored approach based on your goals, industry, and internal capabilities
Alternatively, you can call us on (02) 8021 4206.
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