I think it depends on who you are handing in your resume to. If your resume is already very close to exceeding two pages, just insert a simple line that says "References will be provided upon request" or something like that.

I think it is perfectly fine but being able to provide all your information on 2 pages while keeping it neat and precise is a skill which HR recruiters look at as well. Some information need not need to be included in the main area such as your personal information can be slotted into the header sections which allows more space for your resume.

Another tip is to use phrases like "referrals will be provided upon request" or anything for that matter so that you do not waste space writing out your referral's contact details.

In my opinion, I would go for two pages. It shows that you are not that long winded.

If you want to include in your part time employment history, include in the relevant experience you gained through them that you think might be useful for the company you are applying for.

For example,

Usually I wouldn't want to put the subjects I took or what marks I scored on them. I usually just put my final marks but you may mention certain projects or assignments that may be relevant to the job you are applying for.

Skills and languages should be included as they are fairly important especially if you include programming skills, computing skills, knowledge with the basic microsoft office tools or cullinary skills, it all depend on your job scope.

As for references, its good to have them but you do not really need to include them all in your resume. As I have mentioned, a simple line such as "References will be provided upon request" would definitely help you save space as well as inform the HR recruiter that you do have them as well.

Might I suggest that you also include in of how you picture yourself, such as integrity, professionalism, team work abilities, and others.

Usually employers might ask you to include your resume, academic transcripts and copy of your degree. Before going for an interview just make sure that you have all the necessary stuff.

Request from your university/college for a hardcopy of your transcripts together with the university chop or logo (for verification purposes). Also you can request for copies of it and get your university to verify the copy with a logo or chop as well.

Since you haven't completed your studies yet but still want to send out your resume early, do not forget to include in your expected results. Usually this should be the first item under the education section of your resume.

I think it should cover what you expect to get on your overall degree. You can put in your expected CGPA as well but usually go with the classes such as First Class Honours, Second Class Lower, etc..etc..

It is alright to write in what you expect. Because by the time you are in your final year, you can roughly gauge how well you might do. If you think that you might get a 1st Class Honours (1:1) then by all means put in expected results, 1st Class Honours. If you expect to get a 2nd Class Lower, then by all means put your expected results such as 2nd Class Lower (2:2).

This is to allow the recruiter to see how you have been fairing. You might want to include in some of your previous years results if there is enough space. Because you haven't graduated, its a good way to tell them what you expect.

If for any reason you didn't get what you expected and your qualification is below the company's requirement, then negotiate with the recruiter.

To clarify things, here is what the degree classification is like for the UK university system.

(1:1) First Class (could mean with or without honours)
(2:1) Second Class Upper (could mean with or without honours)
(2:2) Second Class Lower (could mean with or without honours)
(3) Third Class (could mean with or without honours)
(GP) General Pass

Also Dreamer, if you made clear your question such as the one below,



I am sure everyone would be more than happy to explain to you. Don't expect to just ask "What does this mean" and expect everyone to know what are you referring to. No offense meant, just want to clear things up with everyone.



This post has been edited by Mavik: Jan 1 2006, 12:48 PM

Yes you can and expect to be trained a little as well. If you think that you were a poor student during your university days, you have to work hard now to prove your worth.

Include your past job experiences in your resume although it may not seem relevant but believe me, any type of working experience can be handy and useful. Even if it was for a waiter/waitress or even a librarian. For example working as a waiter allows you to learn proper communication skills when communicating with customers, librarian allows you to practice efficiency, etc..etc..Never underestimate your work experiences.

Also include in the programming languages you can work with or other type of applications you are well versed in.

This can be true for certain cases. But as the more working experience you get and the more relevant you see those experience is to the company you are applying to, generally you would want to include those experiences in. By doing so you would definitely need at least 2 pages.

Do not be an idiot and use super small fonts or cram everything into 1 page without any margins at the sides and using single line spacing for every other section. A well laid out resume shows how professional you can be.

To be honest your biodata shouldn't take up so much space. As for me, all of my personal information such as address, email, IC and others are located on the header section of the document. This really saves me a lot of space and I can go into details such as personal achievements and other stuff.

Having a cover letter actually allows you to communicate with your hopeful employer as it gives you a chance to articulate your point accross to them. By just handing in your resume, there is little that the employer might know how you would present yourself because nowadays there are so many example resumes. I think the cover letter itself can help differentiate you from others. But then again there are a lot of sample cover letters on the web as well...

You could always write your core values such as integrity, teamwork, excellence, etc. etc..Instances where you showed all these values (e.g holding leadership positions in clubs/societies).

Hobbies and interests, affiliation with any societies (Salvation Army), professional bodies (Institute of Engineers Malaysia).

You could also include in your referrals such as your university lecturer or past employer.

I think it all boils down on the job you are applying for. If you are applying for a creative position, why not?

But you are right when it comes to employers being neat and picky. A well printed out document does show some form of professionalism though.



I had a friend who did just that. He forgot to change the company name and he sent all of them out. He didn't get any replies at all....

What if you used a handwriting font for your cover letter? A little bit more interesting wouldn't you think so?

But somehow, I would think that it would be rather tacky depending on how the letter is written. To be frank, it would take a lot of time and you would need high quality paper so that the letter isn't too transparent and each time your hand sweats and it spoils the paper it would be difficult.

LOL, I don't really have sweaty palms but I remembered this guy from my school the last time who had a bad case. His exercise books were always wrinkled up due to his sweaty palms when he wrote on them I think it may be a medical condition. As for me, I believe my handwriting sucks haha and I think it would take me rather long to write one out properly. I think I would rather spend the time thinking of what to write rather than spending time writing it nicely haha But of course if I was reading cover letters, I would definitely pay more attention to an applicant who wrote his/her letter personally because it would just stand out.

Yes, I agree that when sending out applications, I don't really believe in having a template for cover letters. I think each one would be tailored to suit the company that I am applying for.

I had the same fear as you did last time when I was applying for positions especially through JobStreet. The funny thing about JobStreet was that none of the companies which I applied through JobStreet got back to me but all those that I applied straight to their HR email or through snail mail or even both, they got back to me.

I usually find out the address of the company through JobStreet and then I send an email, apply throught JobStreet and send out a hardcopy as well.

Besides just academic and experience items, you can always put in your interests and your own personal values (integrity, professionalism, open minded, ready for change, etc..etc..). There is nothing wrong with that and it also allow the company you are applying to see a little bit of who you are besides in just an academic viewpoint.

It is pretty much the same as writing your normal resume. Put in your qualifications there, other learning experiences and work experiences. Since most of your qualifications are on another page, you can take this opportunity to write more about yourself there.