“People tend to undersell themselves in their resumes, it’s really difficult to get all your skills on a page,” she said. 

Carmel’s business Proven Resume Results, which she runs with her sister Bernadette Innes, is nominated for best regional business and best micro-business in the Victorian Telstra Business Awards. 

Carmel opened the Ballarat office in 2012, following three years of success in Werribee. She also runs a twice-monthly free resume-writing session at the Ballarat Library, where she helps mostly students, people changing careers and people new to Australia with their CVs and interview skills. 

She said the most rewarding part was helping people realise their potential, like a young Ballarat man who recently moved up the corporate ladder. 

“He was an assistant to a very high-level position, but it was actually him doing all the work. I helped write documents for him for a high-level position at a (large Ballarat employer) and he got it. He knew that he had those abilities but he was never recognised for them.” 

The awards will be announced on July 8 in Melbourne. 

Carmel said it would be “phenomenal” to win, and is also excited for the event. 

“It’s at the Crown Palladium, it’ll be like we’re at the Brownlow,” she said.