Yes, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) offers free resume help through its Careers service, and you can access it as a current student or as an alumnus. The service is not a single thing—it includes online guides, a resume checker tool, drop-in sessions, and one-on-one appointments with career consultants who will read your draft and give feedback.
Who Is UTS Resume Help For?
UTS Careers is open to all current UTS students and graduates. You do not need to be enrolled in a specific faculty, and you can use the service at any stage of your degree—first year, final year, or after you have graduated. The same team also helps with cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and interview practice, but resume feedback is the most requested service.
If you are a UTS student, you can log in to the UTS Careers portal with your student ID. Alumni keep access after graduation, though some services may be limited to a certain number of sessions per year. The service is free, and you do not need an appointment for the online tools, but a one-on-one session usually requires booking a slot.
What the Online Resume Tools Include
UTS provides a set of self-service resources that you can use at any time, without waiting for an appointment. These are the most useful:
- Resume templates and examples – UTS publishes a range of sample resumes for different industries, including engineering, business, IT, and design. These are not generic templates; they show the kind of language and structure that Australian employers expect.
- Resume writing guides – The guides cover how to write a professional summary, how to list your education, how to describe work experience using action verbs, and how to tailor your resume to a specific job ad.
- Online resume checker – This tool scans your resume for common issues like spelling errors, missing contact details, or overly long bullet points. It is not a human review, but it is a quick way to catch obvious mistakes before you submit.
- Cover letter guides and samples – While not strictly resume help, the same page usually has cover letter templates that match the resume styles.
These resources are available 24/7 through the UTS Careers website. You can download the templates and edit them in Word or Google Docs.
One-on-One Resume Appointments
For more personalised feedback, you can book a 30-minute appointment with a career consultant. In that session, the consultant will go through your resume with you, line by line, and suggest changes. They will not rewrite your resume for you—the goal is to teach you how to improve it yourself so you can do it again for future applications.
What to expect in a typical appointment:
- You bring a draft of your resume, ideally tailored to a specific job you are applying for.
- The consultant checks the format, length, and readability.
- They ask you about your experience and help you phrase your achievements in a way that shows impact.
- They point out any gaps or unclear sections.
- You leave with a list of changes to make.
You can book these appointments through the UTS Careers portal. Appointments fill up quickly during peak periods (March–April and August–September), so it is best to book a week or two in advance.
Drop-In Sessions and Workshops
UTS also runs drop-in resume clinics, usually once a week during the semester. These are shorter, 10–15 minute sessions where you can get quick feedback on a specific part of your resume, like your summary or your bullet points. You do not need to book; you just show up at the designated time and place, which is often in the Careers office or a library lounge.
In addition, the Careers team runs workshops on resume writing, job applications, and interview skills. These are often recorded and posted online, so you can watch them later if you cannot attend live. Check the UTS Careers events calendar for the current schedule.
How to Get the Most Out of UTS Resume Help
The service is only as good as the draft you bring. Here are practical tips that the consultants themselves give:
- Tailor your resume to each job. Do not send the same resume to every employer. Change your professional summary and move the most relevant skills to the top.
- Use the job ad’s keywords. If the ad says “project management” and you have that skill, use that exact phrase.
- Focus on achievements, not duties. Instead of “responsible for customer service,” write “resolved customer complaints, improving satisfaction scores by 15%.”
- Keep it to two pages. Australian resumes are usually two pages, but if you have less than five years of experience, one page is fine.
- Check your contact details. It sounds basic, but many resumes have a typo in the phone number or email.
If you are an international student, mention that in your appointment. The consultant can advise on how to present your overseas experience and whether to include a visa status note.
Common Mistakes UTS Consultants See
After reviewing thousands of resumes, the UTS Careers team has a clear list of recurring problems. Avoid these:
- Using a photo or personal details like age, marital status, or religion. In Australia, these are not expected and can lead to unconscious bias.
- Writing in paragraphs instead of bullet points. Bullet points are easier to scan.
- Listing hobbies that are not relevant. Only include them if they show a skill or fit the company culture.
- Using a generic objective like “Seeking a challenging role in a dynamic company.” Replace it with a professional summary that states your experience and what you offer.
- Ignoring the job ad. If the ad asks for “Excel proficiency,” and you have it, say it explicitly.
Another common issue is not proofreading. The online checker catches some errors, but it does not catch everything. Read your resume out loud, or ask a friend to read it.
UTS Resume Help vs. Other Services
UTS resume help is free and tailored to Australian employers, which is a big advantage over generic online templates. However, it is not a professional writing service. If you want someone to write your resume from scratch, you would need to pay a private service, which can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 depending on the level of service.
For most students, the UTS service is enough. The consultants are trained and know what employers in Australia look for. The only downside is that you have to do the work yourself, and appointments can be limited during busy times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a current student to use UTS resume help?
No, UTS alumni can also access the service. You will need your alumni login details. Some services may be limited to a certain number of sessions per year, but the online resources are usually available indefinitely.
How long does a resume appointment last?
A standard one-on-one appointment is 30 minutes. Drop-in sessions are shorter, about 10–15 minutes. If you need more time, you can book another appointment, but it is better to come prepared with a specific question.
Can I email my resume to UTS Careers for feedback?
No, UTS Careers does not accept resume reviews by email. You must either book an online appointment (which is done via video call) or attend a drop-in session. The online resume checker is the only automated tool.
Does UTS help with cover letters too?
Yes, the same consultants can review your cover letter, and there are templates and guides on the website. In a one-on-one appointment, you can ask for feedback on both your resume and cover letter if time allows.
Is the UTS resume template the best one to use?
It is a good starting point, but you can adapt it. Employers care more about content than the exact template. The UTS templates are clean and ATS-friendly, which means they are easy for applicant tracking systems to read.
Template
Resume Template (blank)
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Name | _________________________ |
| Phone | _________________________ |
| _________________________ | |
| LinkedIn (optional) | _________________________ |
| Professional Summary | _________________________ |
| Education | Degree, University, Year |
| Work Experience | Job Title, Company, Dates |
| Skills | List relevant skills |
| Certifications | Name, Issuer, Year |
Sample (fictional): Name: Alex Johnson; Phone: 0400 000 000; Email: alex.johnson@email.com; Summary: Recent UTS graduate in IT with experience in customer support; Education: Bachelor of IT, UTS, 2025; Work Experience: IT Support Intern, TechCo, 2024; Skills: Python, SQL, Troubleshooting.
If your situation is more complex—for example, you have a career gap, a disability, or a criminal record—the UTS Careers team can still help, but they are not legal or financial advisors. For those specific concerns, ask a qualified professional.