Hello folks, now, this time, i would like to talk about writing a resume. Well, i am no expert in writing a resume, but, through my not-so-much-of-an-experience, i can safely and moderately say that i master this field like the back of my hand. So, allow me to be a Resume Guru for a while, ha?
Below is the simple guideline of writing a resume for idiots and dummies, in Malaysia. I have carefully design this article and if you follow the steps outlined below, then Insha Allah, you will get your dream job. Amen.
Okay, first things first! What the hell is a resume? how is it different from a CV? A resume is a document describing your current affairs of your life. Notice the word, current. (for the Malay, current means the latest, not karan as in electricity...durh!). So, in a resume, you need to sum up the current detail of your life.
Now, one thing to note: THERE IS NO SPECIFIC FORMAT FOR A RESUME. It depends on your creativity. However, there is a limit to every resume: that it is generally and usually confined to a maximum of two pages. You do not need thirty-million pages to describe about yourself. Two pages is enough.
Now, i usually advise my friends to design their resume in the chronological order, that is to say, in accordance with their life's timeline.
Now, here's what i propose the things that should be included in my friend's resume:
1. Cover letter. NEVER, EVER, send a resume without a cover letter. Cover letter is mandatory and must be attached together with the resume. A cover letter is a simple letter of application for a desired job. You can "google" it on the net to find the cover letter that suits you. Do follow the latest format of a formal letter. Ensure that prior to submitting the letter that you have signed the letter. The letter should generally be addressed to the Human Resource Manager, or otherwise any relevant officer. If possible, before submitting the letter, do some background studies on who the letter should be addressed to: either the President, Head of Department, or Human Resource Manager. Use the web to do the research for the company that you wished to join in.
2. Name, address, phone numbers & email address. Now, if you're thinking of sending your resume overseas, please don't forget to include the IDD code. For Malaysia, it is +60. Next, if your email address. Have a decent name please. Don't put childish name such as baby_lurve@yahoo.com or hot_chick@email.com. It doesn't work in the job-hunting process, but it will work if you wanna flirt around the net!
3. Objective. Do include a clear, concise and precise objective. You DO NOT need a point form. Just a sentence is enough. Perhaps, you could write "to obtain a challenging and dynamic position in a progressive company where my analytical, technical, interpersonal and communication skills will be fully utilized". That's enough. There is no need to write five or ten objectives in your resume, okay?
4. Experience. This is a necessary. Write down your experience, if you have one. Now, let me tell ya something. If you're looking for a position as an engineer, then there is NO NEED to write your experience of having work at McDonald's. That experience is totally irrelevant, okay? If you want the job, you either (a) write relevant experience of which you can relate to the job that you're seeking or (b) write none and skip this step and move to the next step. Got it?
5. Educational background. Well, this is the most interesting part. You need to write the MOST RECENT education of which you've obtained. State the name of the degree, the university which confers you the degree, the date which you received your scroll and if possible, your CGPA. Now, if your CGPA is below than 3, then i suggest that you DO NOT write your CGPA. It is not that you're hiding your CGPA, but it can be a little bit biased. The truth is, nowadays, every employers are looking for candidates whose CGPA is higher than 3.0. So, if your CGPA is below than 3, then don't, and i must say, DONT even dream of puttin it on your resume. No offense. Sorry. Owh, don't forget to write the subject that you learnt during your studies. This may be helpful for the employers reading your resume.
6. Awards & Honours. If you've ever received any awards, do state them here. Oh, remember, there is NO NEED to write down the award that you received when you were in the kindergarten, yeah? be mature when writing your resume, not stupid!
7. Skills & Abilities. This section is a must. You must state what are the skills that you have which may enable you to ge this job. And please don't BLUFF. Just write relevant skills only.
Things to consider:
Soft skills - communication, presentation.
Technical skills - AutoCAD, C++, Matlab, Mathematica, Maple etc
Language - English, Malay, Chinese, Mandarin
Computer skills - Word, Excel, Power Point, Axcess
8. Referees. A referee is a person who is willing to testify for you. This should be your friends, lecturers, former employers, girlfriend; but it should NOT be your parents or relatives. And if you're thinking of including a referee in your resume, then make sure that you've informed them first. Otherwise, when your future employer calls them, they may not know it, and decided to tell the "whole truth" about yourself, instead of the "planned truth". He he he. ;-)
9. References. A reference is a piece of document in which someone write in (a) testifying that you're a good person and able to do any tasks assigned to you, and (b) recommending you for the position. Usually, people will tend to look for lecturers, CEOs, politicians etc when writing a reference for them. For beginners, i suggest that you find and contact your lecturer to write you a reference. And make sure the reference is printed on a letter-head, complete with stamps and signatures.
Now, watch out for:
1. Errors. Oh dear, in this era, you CANNOT afford to make the tiniest error on your resume. Errors on your resume are considered to be the most stupidest and disgraceful error. So, make sure before you print, that you've checked your spellings and grammar. If you can't do it, then let someone do it for you.
2. Font. I tend to go for traditional font: Arial, Verdana, Times New Roman or Trebuchet. Now, this is a point blank: NEVER WRITE YOUR RESUME BY USING COMIC SANS MS font. This is a big NO-NO. Use the fonts as describe above.
3. Font Size. Now, after choosing the most suitable font, then you need to determine the right size. Usually, size 11 and 12 are acceptable. Do not use any size larger than 12, or else you would be told by the employer that "i'm not blind, you moron!".
4. Layout. Make sure that you adjust your resume accordingly. Do not squeeze the word too close. Leave some space for your resume. Use "tab" effectively when even-out the colons. Your margin should be 1" from all sides (top, bottom, left & right).
5. Paper size. Well darling, a normal Malaysian will print their resume on A4 paper. Do not attempt to set a Malaysian Record for printing your resume on any paper size othern than A4, ya? And please, keep the colour of the paper white. Don't try to be so abstract and creative by printing on papers other than white. It looks ugly. Urgggh, i wanna puke on those resumes, if i ever find one!
6. Print. Print your resume by using laser printer. Now, don't give a damn excuse that "i dont have enough money to print on lase printer!" That is unacceptable. it is okay sayang to invest on resume, rather than on something else. because, you ask? well, because it is rewarding la...and one more thing! NEVER photocopy your resume. you can photocopy your certs and stuff, but not your resume. Don't be a tight-ass, ha? And you don't wanna be seen as a cheap-skate.
7. Personal information. I find it strange that some quarters of Malaysians like to include information which i deemed and considered as personal, private and confidential. I mean, is it really necessary that you write on your resume that you're 181cm tall, 63kg, married, slim, and have a green eyes? hello...you do not want your employer to have pre-conceive ideas about u. This is not some flirt shows. So, out of all the things on earth, you do not need to disclose this private and confidential information. if you did disclose them, then the next time: DON'T. It may lead to prejudice and bias. So guys, no more personal and private information on your resume. And oh, you don't need to write your IC or birth certificate or plce of certificate on your resume. The employer is interested to know about your education and what you can contribute to the company...not about your life!
8. Choice of words. Now, when writing your resume, you are always reminded to be simple. Your resume should be concise, precise, simple, yet elegant. Now, it would be better if you use "some" bombastic words that clearly stands out. Notice the word "some", not "most". What i mean by "bombastic words" is the words that can shake people's knee, and then they'll started to compliment you by making them impressive. Now, use only bombastic word, not literary of flowery words. In this age, you do not want to find your resume to sounds poetic like that of Emily Dickison, Shakespeares and whatnot. So, watch out for the language.
9. Pictures. I think that in Malaysia, wherever you go, and whatever the things that you applied, especially for becoming memberships of any societies and whatnot, you'll be required to produce a passport size picture. This, i think is the current trend. In keeping abreast with this trend, i strongly suggest that you include your picture in your resume. By picture, i mean, only passport size picture. Not an A3 picture of yourself. Now, when taking the passport picture, make sure that you skin colour matches to that of your clothes. If you want to have a constrasting colours, that is also fine. And do some touch-up to your face before being photograph. If possible, cover all those zits and acnes with foundations. And only take a professional picture of yourself. Don't try to act like a cute guy/girl in front of the camera. this is not a modelling session. this is a job-hunting session. Either you be professional, or you lose the job that you dreamt of. You decicide!
10. Certificates & relevant documents. In Malaysia, if you don't arm yourself with relevant certificate, then you'll probably ended up not getting the job. So, make your resume handy by attaching relevant documents and certificates. And make sure that all certificates and the documents have been "certified true copied" by relevant parties. Arrange them in chronological order and then include them with your resume & cover letter. If the supporting documents are bulky, then consider comb-binding them.
Excellent resume will attract the employer to employ you!
I assure you that if you follow the above step, then your reward will definitely be sastifying!
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