Creating your CV Back

Although ATRFegan do not ask to view CVs until the interview stage for on-farm roles, we do generally ask for CVs at the initial stages of recruitment for Agribusiness. Many employers also use them at the start of their recruitment process to decide who they wish to interview. That makes your CV an important document as you want to give a good first impression and increase your chances of being placed in the ‘Yes' pile.

We understand that with so much variation in how CV's are written and presented it can get a little confusing. Although there is no right or wrong way there are some key things worth considering.

Cover Letter
The purpose of this document is to provide a summary of your skills and the value you can bring to the business. Key points:

  • The covering letter should go in front of your CV and be addressed to the potential employer
  • State your personal details including name and contact details at the top
  • State the position you are applying for and why you applied
  • Provide a brief summary of the attributes you would bring to the position and use your work experience and qualifications to back this up (1-2 paragraphs). The advertisement may identify desired attributes and so can be used as a guide.
  • It is good to be positive but avoid being over-confident eg: telling the employer ‘I am the one for the job, look no further'.
  • Finish off by offering the reader the opportunity to contact you if they have any questions.

CV Presentation

  • Ensure the layout is clear, simple and has enough space to allow for easy reading. Don't cram everything together to achieve a two page CV if it means the reader can't tell one subject area from the next.
  • Check spelling and grammar. Get a friend or family member to proof read it, as very often when you have spent time writing something you won't see the spelling mistakes or notice poor grammar.

CV Subject Areas

Personal Details -

Should be either on the front cover or first page and should include your name, phone number/s and email address. Also include your partner's details if appropriate.

Objectives -

This is an outline of your goals, not only for your next role but also 3-5yrs from now.

Work Experience -

  • Start with the most recent and work backwards, providing more information for the most recent positions.
  • Provide start and finish dates (month/year) for each position. Where there is a gap in your employment account for it.
  • Rather than just listing each job title, give a brief outline of the business or farm, your responsibilities and any achievements of note you contributed to. 
  •  Include non-farming jobs. Every job you do develops skills.

Qualifications/Achievements/Licenses -

  • Start with the most recent, working back.
  • Include qualifications that were not completed or those currently being undertaken.
  • Include workshops and seminars attended and participation in discussion groups or industry competitions eg: Young Farmers.
  • Include non-farming qualifications.

Farm Performance Summary -

This is relevant for more senior roles where you have had influence over the business's outcomes eg: Management, Sharemilking. Provide information on the most recent position first. This can be clearly presented in a table and may include:

  • Stock numbers
  • Effective area (hectares)
  • Production achieved eg: kgMS, lambing % or kg Beef/ha.
  • Stock deaths (%)
  • Milk quality eg: grade free

We would not advise including unfavorable information at this stage. It is better to provide this at the interview stage when you have the opportunity to explain eg: received three milk grades - due to a malfunctioning chiller.

Ensure you get permission from the Employer/Owner when providing confidential information!

Interests/Hobbies -

This information is useful to help the reader get an idea of how you might fit into the community, to demonstrate you are able to manage a work-life balance and that you actively seek to participate and extend yourself.

Referees -

  • Obtain the referee's permission before putting their name down.  As a matter of courtesy, advise them when you apply for a job.
  • Provide the referees name, phone numbers and relationship to you.
  • Provide a minimum of three, preferably current and previous employers. If you do not have three employers, choose referees who are neutral/impartial. This could include the Farm Consultant, Vet, Tutor or Rugby Coach.

Optional Information-

Dairy Farmers - If you have plant/machinery of your own to bring to the job you may wish to list these items and if you are Sharemilking you may wish to provide information on your herd eg:PW, BW, age of animals.

Sheep & Beef - You may wish to detail your team of dogs eg: age, breed.

Although we do not offer a CV writing service, if you wish to discuss the content above or ask questions we are happy to help.  Click below to download a CV template - either the Sharemilking Template or General On-Farm Template.

 Download Sharemilking CV

Download General CV