Future of Work | Build a CV or Resume that lands you that callback
Updated: Nov 29, 2021
Employers in Singapore tend to regard the terms ‘CV’ and ‘Resume’ as synonyms, but they’re not the same. Find out the differences between a CV and resume, and how you can craft a job-winning document that helps you get closer to landing your dream job.
A year has come and gone since Singapore was put on circuit breaker to stop the spread of COVID-19. The devastation of the pandemic is still very much evident today. Those who were rendered obsolete have been crippled by waves of retrenchment exercises. Meanwhile, the graduating class of 2020 and 2021 continue to struggle when it comes to securing a job.
While the Singapore government has worked tirelessly to support workers through expansionary fiscal policies (see the recent Budget 2021), whether an individual is able to bag the job is still up to them.
Let’s take you back to the basics of the job hunting process, starting with the resume.
Long gone are the days when job hunts involved the intense scouring of newspapers for advertisements, or handwritten applications painstakingly posted to every company.
On one hand, the digitalisation of talent acquisition has paved the way for the abundance of opportunities. Now, jobseekers can simply go on Google and type in the desired keywords. Almost instantly, the engine is able to churn out a selection of jobs matching their interests and competencies.
At the same time, competition has never been stiffer. We get how nerve-racking it can be to see the sheer number of applicants who are trying for the same job as you (Yes, we are talking about you, LinkedIn and MyCareersFuture).
Should I bother to apply? Will they even notice me?
They tell you to “never judge a book by its cover” but it really does boil down to how impressive your CV or Resume looks to even get to your first round of online interviews. To craft a stellar personal pitch and stand out in a sea of candidates is no easy feat, but let us do what we can to help.
The International Uses of CVs and Resumes
As of September 2020, there are 203,500 Singaporeans who are working overseas. If you’re planning to join them, it’s important to be well-acquainted with the different expectations foreign employers have when it comes to using the two sets of documents.
In the UK, Ireland, most European countries, CVs are the default document to send for recruitment processes. In fact, most countries in the European Union require candidates to use the Europass CV template created in 2005 to provide a transparent and standardised framework for jobseekers to showcase their qualifications and competencies (though, there remains some contention as to its effectiveness).
In the US and Canada, resumes are most commonly requested. The only exception is when the nature of the job is geared towards academia or research roles.
In Asian Countries, Australia, and South Africa, the terms ‘CV’ and ‘Resume’ are used interchangeably. For the most part, they are similar in style to the US where resumes are more commonly requested, with CVs being exclusively requested for academic positions.
Differences between a CV vs Resume
The most discerning difference is that while a CV is all-encompassing, a resume is customised for a specific job role.
For CVs, experiences and qualifications are incrementally added on as individuals acquire them – without the need for any alterations to the existing document. On the other hand, an individual can have multiple versions of a resume depending on the nature of the jobs or fields they are applying to.
Still confused? Here is a side-by-side comparison of the two documents:
What is a CV?
Curriculum vitae, or more commonly referred to as CV, means ‘the course of one’s life’. As its Latin roots highlight, it’s an extensive piece of document that covers an individual’s complete professional and academic history. Though it does not have a stipulated number of pages, it usually runs over the course of 2-4 pages for entry-level applicants. CVs of more experienced personnel with richer experiences could go up to 10 pages.
Different uses of CVs require a range tactics to excel. In the context of this article, you will be taught how to write a successful non-academic CV.
CVs for academic roles
For who | CVs are usually used to screen candidates for jobs in academic positions or research fields (Ph.D., Masters, Professors, Researchers etc). This is because these roles often require deep expertise, hence requiring recruiters to verify an applicant’s specific knowledge and skills. Certain scholarship programs, grant applications and bursaries may request for your CVs as well. The role of CVs in this context is to help the review committee assess a student’s quality to be awarded through their exemplary standards in personal and academic achievements.
Different uses of CVs require a range of tactics to excel. In the context of this article, you will be taught how to write a successful non-academic CV.
CVs for non-academic roles
In Singapore, most employers are looking out for resumes even if they asked for your CVs. Besides its use for predominantly academic roles, CVs are also required to apply to accredited positions such as doctors and lawyers.
But even if you’re not planning to pursue these fields, building your own CV has its merits.
A CV is meant to be a comprehensive overview of your entire experience, regardless of its relevance to any job. Having a CV thus guides the process of crafting your tailored resume as you pick out the most relevant experiences for the specific job. If not for the thoroughly documented summary of all experiences, some competencies may have been long forgotten. Consequently, this allows you to present yourself in the most compelling light to prospective employers.
Writing a Successful CV
Let’s run through the key components of any CV, and tips on how you can turn every element into a persuasive pitch.
