To grads and to-be grads:

You should start applying for jobs before you graduate. Just put down your latest results if you don't have the final results out yet. Many companies will give you a conditional/unconditional offer that start after you've completed your degree. I'd advise against the idea of putting in expected salary as a fresh graduate. Usually, companies have a standard pay for fresh graduates. If you're not happy with it and you have a good reason on why you should deserve more, you should negotiate verbally after you've obtained an initial offer.

When you write you CV or cover letter, other than the usual advice that you should make sure it's error free and neat, you should make sure that it's presented in a why-should-you-hire-me tone. Listing accomplishments, skills learnt and responsibilities given that are above peers would help. Don't waste space with information that will not help to highlight your strength. It is also not true that fresh graduates have nothing to write in their CV. It will be a strong added advantage if you have something more than just CGPA to show, like internships, work experience during Uni will play a major role when it comes to assessing candidates. For cover letter, customize as much as possible to make yourself sound relevant to the company/industry.

You have to take a third party view to assess yourself and extract the best bits to present them. You're the sales person for yourself. Don't be discouraged if you have something less than impressive like a lower CGPA. You just have to make sure that you have some other skills to compensate it. If you don't have any, then try to aim for a less demanding job for now and hopefully you will gain enough experience to move to a better job in the future. Most people get their jobs based on merit, few are lucky. Don't count on luck, how often can you have it on your side.

In malaysia, it is better that you put Research Assistant or Research Associate if you're a freshie. I think that's the right term. Research analyst position is more likely suited for people with a couple of years of exp.

Yes. My answer was specifically for equity research.

Just put your average score or XX class. Highlight awards or scholarship. Don't list down every single subject.

Answer the question of why should they hire you instead of other people. Structure it properly. Error free English. Perfect format.

I think you should because it shows that you're good at something. To be good at anything, it takes a certain quality and you should mention in your cover letter that it has demonstrated your ability to strategize etc etc and know how to work in a team environment. IMO, this is a great selling point.

If your interviewer is open minded and he/she is trying to find someone who has the quality to care and excel in something. This is a bonus for me.

I dont think we should too. But having been in the working world, a lot of local companies will ask for photos. Managers will pay special attention to photos.... so....

But if you don't want to be selected or not selected for interview because of your photo then don't attach it unless you are asked to.

You can't stop ppl from discriminating candidates based on looks because eventually you'll have to attend an interview.

The best way is to get help from friends' friends. But if you dont have the network, go through HR or look for the department head emails. Some are kind enough to forward them to HR.

Filling in the blanks tediously is part of job application process for most companies if you dont have a contact person.

This post has been edited by fletcherwind: Apr 7 2014, 04:04 PM

I'd personally exclude details like expected salary unless i was asked to provide that. I'd leave out race (usually your name tells it all) but would put in nationality. It's a close job market here and there's a quota system on gov's affirmative action. Job opportunities are not equal for everybody.