Resume Checker

Young female student using iPad and pen in open air courtyard

Resume Checker is an online tool that provides AI-based feedback on your resume, allowing you to create a new or update an existing resume.

Resume Checker enables you to:

  • Get an objective score on your resume based on recruiter criteria.
  • Improve the score by making edits based on targeted recommendations on aspects like Presentation, Language, and Skills.
  • Obtain targeted suggestions for various bullets on the resume.

You can upload your resume ten times (per academic year) to access feedback and example suggestions for improving your resume.

Use Resume Checker to create your resume draft before booking a one-on-one Career Advice Appointment with a Career Coach, to get more out of the consultation!

Resume Checker is provided for free for UNSW current students by UNSW Careers.

  • Use our resources or attend a seminar on Writing an Effective Resume and Cover Letter to get started on your first resume or if it's been a while between resume updates.

  • Log onto the Resume Checker using your zID and password. When prompted, choose your Faculty. If you are completing a double degree, choose the Faculty that aligns with your future career.

    Upload your resume in PDF format to VMock. You will receive instant feedback across 3 sections ~ Impact, Presentation, and Competencies. Leverage the SMART Edit functionality within the system feedback page to auto-convert your resume to the UNSW template. Continue to make the required edits and follow instructions to enhance your bullets. Once ready, hit the Re-Score button. Alternatively, you may leverage the ‘Create New’ functionality in case you don’t have an existing draft of your resume using SMART Editor.

  • Book a one-on-one Career Coaching Session with a Career Coach to take your resume to the next level and further tailor your resume for specific industries, jobs, and opportunities.

Frequently asked questions

  • Choose the Faculty that best aligns with your future career.

  • Yes, you can upload any PDF version of your resume, however, if you have not followed the recommended UNSW template the system may not recognise that you have all of the information in your resume. This means the overall score given to your resume will be low even if you have the right information included. You can still use the feedback to improve the content of your resume. Alternatively, you can create a new resume from scratch on VMock platform using SMART Editor.

  • Not at this stage. It is best to have the Resume Checker platform and your resume open at the same time to switch between the two documents to incorporate the feedback.

  • Yes, you can edit your resume on Resume Checker using SMART Editor module. Go to Detailed Feedback > SMART Edit.

  • Green = a score above 85 which means you have included many of the key elements.

    Yellow = a score between 31and 85, which means you are missing many of the key elements.

    Red = a score below 30 means that you have a lot of elements missing from your resume and will need to incorporate the feedback to improve your score and overall resume.

  • X = mandatory section – you can increase the overall score of your resume by making sure you complete all mandatory sections

    ! = optional section – include these items if relevant

    ✓ = complete – you have done a good job in these sections

  • Presentation is an important component of your resume and you want to make sure you are putting your best foot forward and communicating in a professional manner.

  • Careers and Employment recommend that you follow the suggested date format, however, if you have a good reason for using another format, that is OK as long as you are consistent throughout your document. If you keep your original date formatting, your overall score will be reduced.

  • Filler words are words that the system has identified as unnecessary and can potentially be removed for a more succinct document. This feedback can be reviewed with a Career Coach in your appointment. 

  • Avoided words are words that the system has identified as unnecessary and can potentially be removed for a more succinct document. This feedback can be reviewed with a Career Coach in your appointment. 

  • No, you can say “Available upon request”, but you do need to use the title “Referees” (don’t forget the “s”).

  • No, it doesn’t. You should complete your grammar check outside of the system. The Learning & Career Hub is also a good place of support with excellent resources to help improve your grammar.

  • To maintain privacy, you can remove your name, phone and email address from your resume before uploading to Resume Checker.