Resumes and CVs
Learn the difference between a resume, CV, and LinkedIn profile, and get practical tips to craft a strong resume for internships, jobs, or university applications.
Resumes and CVs
No matter how widely used LinkedIn is, it still cannot replace a traditional resume. Most companies will still request for a resume and you should put extra effort into doing up a good one. Do NOT ask employers to view your LinkedIn profile in replacement of the resume!
You will likely need to submit a resume if you are applying for internships or part-time jobs after graduating from JC. Some universities also require you to submit a resume.
Resume vs CV vs LinkedIn
Resume | CV | |
|---|---|---|
Sent to employer for job application. | Sent to employer for job application. | Online profile for public viewing. |
Can be chronological or functional or a combination of both. | In chronological order. | Mostly chronological order. |
Only include experiences relevant for the job. | Not customised for job application. | Not customised. |
1-2 pages. Condensed version, customised for your employer. | It is a full profile of your job history. | You should have only one Linkedin profile, so its better to put down all significant experiences. |
Need not include photograph. | Need not include photograph. | You should include a professional photograph. |
Formal document. | Formal document. | More informal in tone. |
Fixed once you sent to your employer. | Fixed once you sent to your employer. | Dynamic. Always evolving as you add more experiences under your belt. |
You can customise the theme and format and make your resume stand out. | You can customise the theme and format and make your CV stand out. | You cannot customise the theme and format. |
Mostly words. | Mostly words. | More visual. You can include pictures and videos of your experiences. |
Some tips for your resume
Use a professional email address
Do not use your school-generated email or your personal email. You do not wish to create negative first impressions due to an inappropriate-sounding email address.
Create a professional email specially for university applications.
Example of a professional email address will be "Your name / initials" followed by a well-known email provider e.g. gmail
Include details that cannot be found on your LinkedIn profile
If you are applying for an MNC, you should include details like your nationality and your country code together with your mobile number.
Include links to your LinkedIn profile and personal website if any.
It is alright to have a one-page resume
You are a student with relatively little experiences. It is understandable if your resume is short. You do NOT have to fill up two pages with irrelevant experiences.
Font type and font size should be clear and readable e.g. Arial, font size 12
Focus on customising your resume with the organisation in mind
A recent study conducted shows that the average recruiter takes a look at a resume for no longer than six seconds and will only look for any longer period of time if the six-second glance was worth it. So what you choose to include at the top of the page is of utmost importance.
Write a compelling resume objective which summarises your key strengths and how you can contribute to the organisation that you are applying for. Your objective sets the stage for the experiences that you choose to include in your resume.
Example:
Hard-working student (L1R5 : 6, 70 rank points for Prelims) who is driven and can meet strict deadlines. Seeking to apply my critical thinking and analytical skills to the internship at your law firm.
Be concise and focus on impact and skills demonstrated
Focus on experiences most relevant for the organisation that you are applying for and outline your responsibilities in a concise manner
Always include numbers, the key impact you made and skills you demonstrated
Example
Instead of writing, “Responsible for taking inventory and ordering supplies for CCA,” a Quarter Master should write, “Developed new inventory process, increased efficiency of stock-taking and reduced costs of supplies by 15%”
Include a list of relevant skills
Skills can be hard skills or soft skills. Research your organisation and focus on the most relevant skills.
Always check for grammar and typo
Any grammatical error or typo is a reflection of the kind of person you are. Remember the 6 second rule!
Get someone to comment on your resume
You may approach your teachers to look through your resume.
Mr Lee Liang Lin and Mr Chin De Shun from the ECG Committee are also available to vet your resume.
Read up more:
When should one write a cover letter?
A cover letter is a letter to the hiring manager that accompanies the resume as part of your job application. It is submitted either as the first page of your resume or included as an accompanying attachment. You should always write a cover letter unless it is specifically stated that you should not submit one.
You can read up more on cover letters here: