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The Do’s and Don’ts of CV Writing
Writing a good CV isn't about filling pages with everything you've ever done. It's about making it easy for an employer to quickly understand your experience, skills and suitability for the role. Here are some of the most important do's and don'ts to keep in mind when writing your CV.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 76 min read


6 Ways to Nail Your Selection Criteria Responses (Number 4 Won’t Surprise You!)
Selection criteria can make or break a job application, particularly when applying for government and public sector roles. The good news is that writing strong responses doesn't have to be complicated. Here are six practical ways to write selection criteria responses that clearly demonstrate your experience, skills and suitability for the role.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 66 min read


How to Master IT and Engineering Job Interviews
Interviews for IT and engineering roles can be challenging, particularly when you're expected to explain technical experience while also demonstrating communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills. Find out how the right interview preparation and coaching can help you feel more confident, communicate your experience clearly and perform at your best.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 63 min read


Looking for a Capability Statement Example? Here’s What to Know
Looking for an example of a capability statement? While examples can help you understand the general format and the type of information you might include, a capability statement shouldn't simply be copied from another business. A good capability statement is unique to your company, your capabilities, your experience and the clients or opportunities you are targeting. Here’s what to consider when creating one for your business.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 53 min read


Indeed vs Seek: Our Honest Review of Two Leading Job Search Sites
Indeed and SEEK are two of the most recognisable job search websites, but which one is better for finding your next job? Both platforms offer access to thousands of job opportunities, but they work differently and have their own strengths and weaknesses. In this honest comparison, we look at Indeed vs SEEK and what job seekers should consider when deciding where to search for their next role.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 55 min read


Can You Really “Pass” a Job Interview? Here’s What You Need to Know
Can you really know how to ‘pass’ a job interview? While there are plenty of interview tips, techniques and model answers available, there is no guaranteed formula for getting the job. Every employer, interviewer and candidate is different. The best approach is to understand what the interview is trying to assess, prepare properly and focus on giving genuine, relevant answers that demonstrate what you can bring to the role.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 55 min read


How Detailed Should Your Resume Be? Finding the Right Balance
How detailed should your resume be? Your resume needs to provide enough information to show an employer what you have done, what you can offer and why you are suitable for the role, but it doesn't need to include every detail of your career. The key is finding the right balance between being informative and concise, with relevant information that is tailored to the job you're applying for.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 54 min read


What Does It Mean When You’re Invited to Apply for a Job?
Being invited to apply for a job can be a positive sign, but what does it actually mean? Whether the invitation comes from a recruiter, employer, LinkedIn or a recruitment agency, it usually means your experience or profile has caught someone's attention. However, an invitation to apply doesn't guarantee an interview or job offer. Here's what you should know before deciding whether to apply.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 55 min read


So, What Does a Capability Statement Actually Look Like?
What does a capability statement look like? A strong capability statement gives an employer a clear picture of what you can do, the experience you bring and how your skills can be applied in the workplace. While the format can vary depending on the role, there are five key elements that commonly make up an effective capability statement.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 55 min read


Can You Hire Someone to Write Your LinkedIn Profile? Absolutely.
Can you hire someone to write your LinkedIn profile? Absolutely. Professional LinkedIn profile writers and career consultants can help you present your experience, skills and achievements in a way that is clear, professional and relevant to the roles you want. A good LinkedIn profile should sound like you, not a generic template, while making it easier for recruiters and potential employers to understand what you can offer.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 42 min read


Who writes resumes better, humans or AI?
Who writes resumes better — humans or AI? AI can produce a polished resume quickly, but a strong resume needs more than good grammar and professional-sounding language. Human resume writers can draw out your individual experience, achievements and career story, while AI can be useful for brainstorming, editing and improving structure. The best approach may not be choosing one over the other, but understanding where each can add value.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 43 min read


Why Leaving a Job on Bad Terms Can Hurt Your Career
Leaving a job is a normal part of your career, but how you leave can have a lasting impact on your professional reputation. Even if you haven't enjoyed your role or have had a difficult relationship with your employer, leaving professionally can help protect your references, relationships and future career opportunities. Here’s why leaving a job on bad terms can hurt your career and what you can do to leave on a more positive note.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 45 min read


How to Address Selection Criteria on Conflict Resolution
Conflict resolution is a valuable skill in many workplaces, and it is a common selection criterion for roles that involve teamwork, leadership, customer service or working with different stakeholders. Learn how to address conflict resolution selection criteria by using a specific example that demonstrates your communication skills, professional judgement and ability to achieve a positive outcome.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 42 min read


Don't meet all the key selection criteria? Here's what to do.
Don't meet every key selection criterion for a job? That doesn't always mean you should rule yourself out. Learn how to assess the requirements, identify your transferable skills, address gaps honestly and write a strong application that focuses on the experience and capabilities you can bring to the role.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 25 min read


How to Answer: “What’s the Biggest Challenge You’ve Faced at Work?”
“What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced at work?” is a common behavioural interview question designed to understand how you respond when things don't go according to plan. The strongest answers don't focus on how difficult the situation was. They show how you handled the challenge, what you learned and what changed as a result.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 24 min read


Can you pay someone to improve your LinkedIn profile? Yes you can.
Yes, you can pay a professional to improve your LinkedIn profile, and it can be worthwhile if you are struggling to present your experience effectively. A strong LinkedIn profile goes beyond listing your jobs and qualifications. It should clearly communicate your skills, experience, achievements and professional value while making it easier for recruiters and potential employers to understand what you offer.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 15 min read


Should You Contact the Recruiter About a Job Ad? Here's What You Need to Know
Should you contact a recruiter before applying for a job? In some situations, speaking with the recruiter can help you understand the role, clarify the requirements and determine whether your experience is a good match. However, contacting a recruiter isn't always necessary, and how you approach them matters. Here's when it's worth making contact and how to do it professionally.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 14 min read


What is Job Search Burnout?
Job search burnout is the physical and emotional exhaustion that can build up when looking for work becomes a long, stressful and repetitive process. Constant applications, rejection, uncertainty and pressure to keep searching can leave job seekers feeling frustrated, unmotivated and overwhelmed. Understanding the signs of job search burnout can help you take a step back, protect your wellbeing and approach your job search in a more sustainable way.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 14 min read


Why Your Capability Statement Should Be at Least 4 Pages
A capability statement needs enough space to explain what your business does, the problems you solve and the evidence behind your claims. While there is no universal page limit, four pages is often a practical minimum for a detailed capability statement because it gives you enough room to present your capabilities, experience, differentiators and supporting evidence without cramming everything onto one or two pages.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 17 min read


White-Collar Recession: Is It Happening in 2026?
The term “white-collar recession” has become increasingly common as professional and office-based workers face slower hiring, restructuring and growing concerns about AI and automation. But is there actually a white-collar recession in 2026? We look at what the term means, what is happening to professional jobs and why the current labour market is more complicated than the label suggests.

Matthew Coppola
Oct 17 min read


What is an ATS?
If you've applied for a job online in 2026, there is a good chance your CV has been stored or processed through an Applicant Tracking System, particularly if you applied to a large organisation or through a recruitment agency. But what exactly is an ATS, what does it do with your CV and does it really decide whether you get an interview?

Matthew Coppola
Oct 17 min read


Stop Waffling in Interviews
Waffling in a job interview isn't simply giving a long answer. It's when you keep talking without clearly answering the question, repeat yourself, go off on tangents or continue long after you've made your point. Learn why concise, focused answers make a stronger impression and how to stop your interview answers from turning into noise.

Matthew Coppola
Sep 306 min read


How to Write Strong Selection Criteria for Teaching Jobs
Schools across Australia often require candidates to provide detailed responses demonstrating their skills and experience through specific examples. Using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format is an effective way to structure these examples, providing a clear and concise narrative that highlights your expertise. In Australia, the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, developed by AITSL, guide teaching practice across four career stages—Graduate, Proficie

Matthew Coppola
Sep 3010 min read


Why Do We Get Nervous During Job Interviews? Understanding Interview Anxiety
Feeling nervous before a job interview is completely normal. Interviews put us in situations where we are being evaluated, which can trigger a natural stress response. But those nerves aren't necessarily a bad thing. A moderate level of nervousness can increase alertness, energy and focus, helping you perform at your best.

Matthew Coppola
Sep 298 min read
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