Resume Writing
  2 September 2003

Writing a resume or CV is an art. It is very difficult to write an impressive one. If that cannot be achieved, you can resolve to a 'truthful and effective' one. Most professional resumes are brief and short. It should not be more than one page in length. However, this is just a rule of thumb. Some technical and academic resumes can be 2-3 pages long, with publications, awards and achievements listed.

The most important details on your resume are your name and contact details, education and work experiences. From the resume below, objective, interests and reference are included. They are 'garnish', not as essential as your education background. Other fields can be added. Some examples besides that already mentioned above are personal data, extra curricular activities, voluntary activities, special talents and other qualifications.
MANA MEESAK

OBJECTIVE                                                                                  
  Analyst Programmer  
 

EXPERIENCE                                                                               
  2001-present AIA Insurance
Technical Support Officer
  • Developed and maintained website, online services with INSURE/90
  • Gave support and training for life and non-life insurance systems (CAPSIL).
  • Current Salary: 15,000 baht.
    		• Bangkok, Thailand
     
    2001-2002 Muang Thail Life
    Part-Time Sales Trainnee
  • Worked for online buying helpdesk and inquiries.

    • Bangkok, Thailand
     

    EDUCATION                                                                               
      1997-2001 Thammasat University
  • B.A., Business Administration and Computer Science.
  • GPA: 3.20.
    		• Bangkok, Thailand
     

    INTERESTS                                                                               
      Computers, football, autos and horse racing..  
     

    REFERENCE:                                                                               
      Excellent references furnished upon requests..  
     





    PAYATHAI MANTION APPT 5 PAYATHAI SOI 3, BANGKOK 10400
    TEL : (662) 256-1750
    EMAIL : MANA.MEESAK@HOTMAIL.COM

    Name and Contact Details:
    There is no exact rule as where to put them; however, they should be noticeable. You can put your address and telephone number on the header or footer. Your name may also appear in Personal Data.

    Personal Data:
    Here is some information that you can include in your resume to give a personal touch:

    Personal Data  
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
    Name: Mana Meesak Nationality: Thai
    Date of Birth: 20 March 1980 Religion: Buddhism
    Gender: Male Health: Excellent

    If you are a model or a sportsperson, you might need to include information on your height and measurements as well.

    Your personal data are personal. Disclose as much as you like about yourself. If you think that certain details are irrelevant to the job, do not include them. For example, the fact that Mana is a Thai male has nothing to do with his credentials as a candidate for the analyst programmer position. On the other hand, you will have to include your height if you are applying for the job of a flight attendant.

    Objective:
    An objective is the position for which you would like to apply. This can be omitted if the organization you are sending it to has many possible openings for you. For example, you do not need to add objective if your resume is for an employment agency. But in general, it is always a good idea to include it if you know the position title.

    Employment:
    List your most recent work experiences first. State the period, name of company, location, and your job title. Give a short summary of your responsibilities. The information on your current salary is usually not included. But in Mana's resume, it is because the advertisement requests candidates to give that information.
    If you are a fresh graduate, you might want to include your part-time or voluntary work experiences. Although they are not very impressive, it definitely sounds better than 'no previous employment history'.

    Education:
    Like your employment, list the highest qualifications first. Give the title of the degree, name of institution and general location (city and country). If you do not have a good GPA, do not include it on your resume.

    If you wish to include other training, qualifications, awards, list them in chronological order with the most recent ones first.

    Interests:
    This detail is not very important, but it gives your resume a personal touch. What's more, you can stress on your non-academic or non-career achievements here. Social life is as important as working life. Some companies like their employees to be 'interesting', for instance, playing some musical instruments or sports, to contribute in work social events. Do not include shopping, sleeping or watching TV as your 'interests'.

    Reference:
    You can include your references on your resume. Generally give two names and contact details of respectable people you know. They can be your former or current boss or your supervisor from university. Make sure these people like you and will give you positive reference. Do not ask someone you barely know to do the job. For example, a big general who is a good friend of your father or a rich and successful banker boyfriend of yours are not good references. Someone familiar with your performance and achievements is ideal.
    You should not include letters from your referee. If your perspective employer requires your reference, they will be in direct contact. When reference is not essential, you can put 'Excellent references upon requests'.
    That is all I can tell you. I will have to leave the rest to your discretion and imagination.