Resume samples
 

A resume is a vital document that determines your chances of getting the job you want. From an employer’s point of view, the purpose of a resume is to help him/her evaluate if you are suited for the job. Thus, it is important to highlight aspects of yourself that are impressive and relevant to the job that you are applying for in a presentable manner.

If you have never written your own resume before, fret not. Below are two examples modified from actual resumes by jobseekers, which should give you an idea of what you should and should not do.

A positive example of a resume

  • As this resume shows, the use of consistent formatting, bold text, subheads and bullet points results in a neat document that allows an employer to quickly obtain the information he needs.
  • Crucial details such as contact information, education and working experience should be displayed upfront, while the inclusion of voluntary work, hobbies and past achievements later on will help to differentiate you from other jobseekers.
  • A photo helps an employer to put a face to your application, but if you decide to include one, make sure that the photo is professionally-taken and displayed at the top right or top left corner of your resume.
  • 2 pages is an ideal length for the resume of a fresh graduate who may not have much working experience. Counter this by elaborating on internships, part-time jobs, school projects or extra-curricular activities that you may have been involved in thus far.
  • An employer will want to know your expected salary and date of availability. It is advisable to state your expected salary as “Negotiable” in your resume, and if you are listing down referees, make sure that they are aware of you doing so before submitting your resume.


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A negative example of a resume

  • In comparison, this 1 page resume provides too little information about the job applicant. For instance, no explanation is given for the gap in working experience between May 2008 and June 2009, which could be a cause of concern for employers.
  • No elaboration is provided under the Work Experience section as well, which does not help an employer to accurately determine the applicant’s capabilities. The reason for leaving BrightMinds Motor Company is also negative in tone and inappropriate.
  • The photo is unfortunate due to how it’s obviously cropped and taken in a casual setting. The objective included is unnecessarily long and contains grammatical errors, which is a major boo-boo for any resume.
  • Under Education, the applicant only states the years where she studied at JobsFactory University, but fails to do so for the other two schools. Such inconsistency and lack of basic background information reflects poorly on the applicant.
  • The gap between the current and expected salary is a 27% increase of $700, which is a tad unrealistic. Indicating “negotiable” next to your expected salary will also increase your chances of being considered by employers.
  • Important information about date of availability and achievements beyond academic and working experiences are also lacking, which might indicate to an employer that the applicant has not put in much effort in the resume at all.
  • Ultimately, a resume should not contain too little or too much information. Remember that relevance is key, and that how a resume is packaged can speak volumes about your communication skills, eye for detail and ability to impress.