Here's how to write a great technical resume

Simple tips, resume templates, and Australian formatting advice to help you stand out.

A technical resume has one job.

To get somebody to keep reading.

That’s it.

Not to tell your life story. Not to list every tool you’ve ever touched. Just to show, quickly and clearly, that you can do the work and that you’re worth a closer look.

If you’ve ever wondered what a resume should look like for technical roles, you’re not alone. Many strong candidates miss out because their resume hides good experience behind clutter, jargon, or the wrong format.

Let’s fix that.

What makes a technical resume different?

A technical resume is about proof, not promises.

Hiring managers and recruiters scan first. They’re looking for:

• Technical skills that match the role
• Evidence you’ve used them in real situations
• Clear outcomes, not vague responsibilities

 

This is why technical resume tips focus less on design and more on structure and clarity.

Before worrying about fonts or colours, get the foundations right.

How to write a technical resume that gets read

If you’re asking how to write a technical resume, start here.

Your resume should follow a simple flow:

1. Contact details
2. Short summary of you, what you do, and what you can bring (2 to 3 lines max)
3. Technical skills and work experience
4. Evidence of achievements
5. Qualifications and certifications

That’s it.

Brevity wins. Keep sentences short. Use bullet points. Make it skimmable.

This approach helps hiring managers and recruiters quickly find what they’re looking for. It also helps with ATS systems, which often struggle with fancy layouts or unusual formatting.

Use a clean resume template (and don’t overdesign)

A flashy design won’t save a weak resume.

In most technical fields, clarity beats creativity. A simple resume template works better than something over-styled, especially if you’re applying online.

If you’re in Australia, you don’t really need to have an Australia resume format when applying to Australian employers. Resumes are preferred over CVs, but this can depend on the position you’re applying for.

Good templates:

• Use standard headings
• Avoid columns and tables where possible
• Keep everything easy to scan

Remember, recruiters and hiring managers aren’t judging design skills. They’re judging fit.

Tailor your resume, every time

Yes, this takes effort. And yes, it matters.

If you’re serious about learning how to write a resume that works, tailoring is non-negotiable.

Start by reading the job ad (or job description) carefully. Pull out:

• Required technical skills
• Software or systems mentioned
• Key technical experience that’s required

Then reflect those naturally in your resume. This helps both humans and ATS systems understand your fit.

This is one of the most practical best practices for technical resumes, and one of the most ignored.

Show technical skills through outcomes

Listing tools isn’t enough.

Instead of writing:

• “Responsible for system maintenance”

Try:

• “Maintained site systems, reducing downtime by 15%”

This is how you create strong technical resume examples. Show impact, not just activity.

Ask yourself:

• What did I improve?
• What problem did I help solve?
• What changed because I was there?

Those answers belong on your resume. For more ideas, visit our full guide on how to write achievements in your CV.

Choose the right format for Australia

If you’re unsure about Australian resume formats, here’s the simple version.

In Australia:

• A resume is usually 2–3 pages
• A CV is longer and more detailed (often academic or executive focussed)
• Chronological format is preferred

If you’re applying for technical roles, a resume is usually the right choice. Knowing how to write a CV versus a resume helps avoid mismatched expectations.

Technical resume templates and examples matter

People learn best by seeing.

That’s why technical resume template options and resume examples are so valuable. They give you a benchmark. A reference point. A way to sense-check your own document.

Just remember: Templates guide structure. They don’t replace thinking.

Use examples to inspire, not copy.

Final thought

A great technical resume isn’t clever. It’s clear.

It shows what you can do, how you’ve done it, and why it matters, without making the reader work for it.

If you’re still wondering what a resume should look like, aim for simple, honest, and relevant. That’s what gets you noticed.

Register with us and let us help you find the right job.

Keep up to date with the latest market insights or search through the latest Australian mining and FIFO jobs.  

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