Your Resume is YOU. Here's HOW & WHY

Dear graduates,

There are so many format of resume out there..

How do you know which one to use?

YOU CAN USE ANY FORMAT/DESIGN. JUST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE BASIC INFORMATION AND CATEGORIES OF DETAILS. 

Here is a good tip from Mahalo.com on how to make sure you got your resume CORRECT and PERFECT.

"Before you begin constructing a resume, take the time to think about your experience and what type of job you're looking for.

1. If you're re-entering the workforce, you may pick a different format than someone who's been working continuously.
2. A recent college graduate will focus more on educational background than an experienced worker.
3. If you're changing careers, you may opt for a different format than someone who is remaining in his current field"

Got it?

Got it.

Now you understand why there a lot of ways of presenting who you are in a piece of paper.

Let's go through the basic categories of details in a resume.

* PERSONAL DETAILS

*EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

* WORKING (AND TRAINING) EXPERIENCE

*SKILLS AND ABILITIES

*EXTRA CURRICULAR HIGHLIGHTS (optional)

*REFERENCES

What should be written in each categories?

PERSONAL DETAILS

Your personal information of course.

If you present your NAME, ADDRESS, and CONTACT NUMBERS as the header of your resume..Make sure you still make the PERSONAL DETAILS category as the first category of info..not the last one.

Trust me, your employer would want to know who you are, demographically and socially first..before looking at your education info.

EDUCATION BACKGROUND

Make this one as the second category of info. Just to be safe. 

Some employers would have their first impression on you based on where you studied.

Welcome to the real world.

So..put your latest/highest education level first..followed by your SPM. 

Thats it.

No PMR or UPSR result.

example:

Diplome in Leisure Management

AlmaCrest International College, Kota Kinabalu

(2001 - 2002)

* do not put your current CGPA unless you want them to judge you academically.

WORKING (AND TRAINING) EXPERIENCE.

If you have a lotttttts of working experiences..put it nicely in bullet form or a schedule.

To make your employer make sense of your resume - easily.

example:

Nexus Resort Karambunai, Sepanggar.

Recreation Assistant

( June 2002 - September 2002)

*only put in your job descriptions/task IF you can describe it in correct ENGLISH.

if not..leave it.

The above example is more than enough.

You will be asked about your past experiences during your interview anyway.

;)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Okay. This is where you input your skills in using computer application, the languages that you speak and any other additional info that you want to highlight.

EXTRA CURRICULAR HIGHLIGHTS

This category is only used if you are a FRESH GRADUATE and have less or no working experience.

Bear in mind to only put your curriculum activities during your highest level of study.

eg, in college only.

Too many highlights? Choose the best..

REFERENCES

Make sure the person you have chosen to be your references KNOWS ABOUT IT.

Some employers will call your references to really know you.

AND. 

Make sure your references STILL WORK IN THE PLACE YOU MENTIONED.

Choose at least TWO references.

ENOUGH.

Thank you for your attention..my dear graduates.

If you need a comment on your current resume..feel free to email me..or better, meet me at the college premise whenever you are free.

Do inform me first if you want to drop by.

email me your resume at 

esperanza258@yahoo.com

or call me at

019 5305320

Bah..good luck.

Yours sincerely..

Ms. Nancy Peter.

Student Career Development Unit.

cum Lecturer

AlmaCrest International College