Resume Essentials
When you’re applying for a casual or temporary job, you might think your resume doesn’t need to be anything special. After all, it’s not a full-time corporate role, right?
Wrong.
Recruiters and hiring managers still want to see that you’re a safe bet — someone who will show up, learn quickly, and get the job done with minimal fuss. The good news? You don’t need a fancy design or a lengthy list of achievements. You just need to focus on what actually matters for short-term and casual work.
Here are the top resume things that recruiters love to see for temp and casual roles:
- Clear Availability
Casual and temp roles often revolve around flexibility. If you’re free evenings, weekends, or can start immediately, put that front and centre.
How to say it:
“Available for shifts on short notice | Weekday evenings & weekends preferred | Can start immediately”
Pro Tip: Put this in a short “Availability” line under your contact info or in your summary section.
- Short, Sharp Work History
Recruiters for casual jobs are scanning fast — they’re not digging for career arcs. Keep your work history relevant, brief, and focused on the basics: where you worked, what you did, and how long you were there.
Good format:
Retail Assistant – Big W
March 2023 – August 2023
- Handled POS, restocked shelves, and helped with end-of-day close
Recognised for reliability during peak weekend shifts
- Bullet Points That Highlight Action
Use active language to quickly show what you’ve done. Start bullet points with strong verbs like:
- Served
- Managed
- Assisted
- Cleaned
- Packed
- Delivered
- Operated
No fluff — just show you can roll up your sleeves and do the work.
- A Simple, Friendly Summary at the Top
A short 2–3 line summary is gold. It gives recruiters a quick snapshot of who you are and why you’re a good fit.
Example:
Energetic and dependable worker with experience in retail and hospitality. Quick to learn, team-oriented, and available for weekend and evening shifts. Looking for casual work with a fast-paced, friendly team.
- Transferable Skills, Even If You’re New
Even if you don’t have job experience, you can list transferable skills from volunteering, school, sports, or caring for family.
- Time management
- Customer service
- Teamwork
- Basic computer skills
- Communication
- Cash handling
Safe food practices (if relevant)
Don’t underestimate the power of soft skills for casual roles.
- Any Certifications That Show You’re Job-Ready
These don’t have to be flashy degrees. Even a short online course or basic certification can make a difference.
Examples:
- RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol)
- White Card (construction)
- Food Safety Level 1
- First Aid & CPR
- Driver’s license
- WWCC (Working With Children Check)
- An Easy-to-Read Layout
Your resume should be:
- 1 page (2 max if needed)
- Simple, clean, no weird fonts
- Clear headings: Summary, Experience, Skills, Education
Pro Tip: Save it as a PDF with your name, like Jane_Smith_Resume.pdf. It shows attention to detail.
- No Gaps or Guesswork
If you’ve had gaps in your work history, don’t stress — just be transparent. Add a quick line like:
“Full-time student – Bachelor of Business (2023–Present)”
or
“Caring for family member while seeking flexible work”
It’s better than leaving recruiters guessing.
Final Thoughts
For temp or casual roles, your resume doesn’t need to be perfect — but it does need to be clear, focused, and show you’re ready to work. Keep it clean, list what matters, and let your reliability and attitude shine through.
You’re not just filling a short-term spot — you’re showing that you’re the kind of person a team wants to call back again.
If you’re looking for your next temping challenge, contact the professional team at Optimal Workforce today on admin@optimalworkforce.com.au or 02 8077 7030.
