Resume-Writing Tips : A Guide to Landing Your First Job

Entering the job market can be both exciting and overwhelming. With minimal professional experience and increasing competition, your CV (curriculum vitae) becomes a powerful tool for showcasing your strengths. A well-crafted resume or CV highlights not only your qualifications but also your potential.

If you're wondering how to write a resume that gets noticed, here are expert tips to help you write a CV that appeals to both recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS) in the international job market.

What’s the Difference Between a CV and a Resume?

In the UK and many Commonwealth countries, the terms CV and resume are often used interchangeably, but there are important distinctions to understand, especially if you’re considering opportunities abroad or in academia.

Feature	UK Employment CV / US Resume	Academic CV (UK/US)
Length	1–2 pages	No set limit (often longer)
Content	Tailored to each job, focuses on relevant skills and experience	Comprehensive record of academic and professional achievements, including publications and research
Purpose	Used for most job applications in the private and public sectors	Used for academic, research, or teaching roles, and for grant or fellowship applications
Geographic Use	In the UK, “CV” is standard for job applications; “resume” is rarely used	In the US, “resume” is standard for jobs, “CV” for academic roles
Detail	Concise, only relevant information	Detailed, includes full career history
References	Usually omitted unless requested	Often included
Content	Tailored to each job, focuses on relevant skills and experience	Comprehensive record of academic and professional achievements, including publications and research

Tip: If you're applying for jobs in different countries, use the format and terminology suitable for that region.

1. Start With a Strong Personal Statement

Write a short paragraph at the top of your CV that summarises who you are, what you're studying, and what kind of role you’re aiming for. Keep it focused on your strengths and career goals.

Example: “Final-year Marketing student with hands-on experience in social media management, content creation, and campaign planning. Eager to contribute creative thinking and data-driven strategies to a dynamic marketing team.”

2. Tailor Your CV for Each Job Application

Avoid sending the same CV to every employer. Carefully read the job description and align your experience, skills, and language to match the role. Use keywords from the job listing to help you pass ATS and improve your chances of being shortlisted.

3. Highlight Internships and Part-Time Jobs

Even if the job wasn’t directly related to your field, it still demonstrates transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and reliability. Employers value real-world experience.

4. Showcase Academic Projects and Relevant Coursework

List any coursework, dissertations, or group projects relevant to the role you’re applying for. Include tools or techniques you used, such as software, frameworks, or data analysis methods.

Example: “Led a group project developing a digital marketing plan for a local start-up; utilised Google Analytics and Canva to support campaign design and reporting.”

5. Include Technical and Soft Skills

List software tools, programming languages, or platforms you're proficient in. Also, don’t forget soft skills like leadership, collaboration, or time management, especially if you’ve demonstrated these in clubs, volunteering, events, or student leadership roles.

6. Use Action Verbs and Metrics

Start bullet points with strong action verbs like “led,” “created,” “designed,” “organised,” or “analysed.” Whenever possible, quantify your results to add credibility.

Example: “Organised three fundraising events, raising over RM1,000 for local charities.”

7. Keep It to One Page

Unless you have extensive experience, aim to keep your CV concise and focused - ideally one A4 page. Use bullet points, clear headings, consistent formatting and a clean design to keep it easy to read.

8. Proofread Carefully and Seek Feedback

Spelling or grammar mistakes can undermine your professionalism. Always proofread, and consider asking a careers adviser, tutor, or friend to review your CV for clarity and effectiveness.

Bonus Tip: Add a LinkedIn Profile or Portfolio Link

If you’ve done freelance work, built a website, written articles, or created design samples, include a link to your online portfolio, LinkedIn profile or personal website. This allows employers to see more of your work and digital presence.

Writing your first CV might feel intimidating, but it’s a skill that improves with practice. Focus on your strengths, tailor your resume to each opportunity, and keep refining it as you grow. With the right approach, that first job offer will be just around the corner.