Resume guide
How to Write a Resume for Singapore Internships
A step-by-step guide to writing a CV that gets shortlisted by Singapore employers. Covers format, content, common mistakes, and templates for different industries.
How to Write a Resume for Singapore Internships
Your CV is the first thing a recruiter sees. In Singapore, most internship applications are screened in under 10 seconds. This guide shows you exactly what to include — and what to cut.
Singapore CV vs Western Resume
Singapore employers generally prefer a clean, structured 1-page CV without a photo (unless applying to media or creative roles). This differs from some Asian markets where photos are standard.
Do not include:
- Photo (for most corporate roles)
- Date of birth / IC number
- Marital status
- Religion
Do include:
- Full name, email, phone, LinkedIn
- GitHub (for tech roles)
- GPA (if 3.5+ or equivalent)
The Right Format
Use a simple single-column or two-column layout. Avoid tables, text boxes, and graphics — these break applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Recommended order:
- Contact information
- Education
- Work Experience / Internships
- Projects (especially for tech roles)
- Leadership & Activities
- Skills
Section-by-Section Guide
1. Contact Information
Keep it simple:
Jane Tan
jane.tan@gmail.com | +65 9123 4567 | linkedin.com/in/janetan | github.com/janetan
2. Education
List your most recent degree first.
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Bachelor of Computing (Computer Science), Expected May 2027
GPA: 4.2/5.0 | Dean's List AY2024/25
Relevant modules: Data Structures, Algorithms, Database Systems, Machine Learning
Include: GPA (if strong), awards, relevant modules, exchange programmes Exclude: Secondary school (unless applying to a pre-university programme)
3. Work Experience
This is the most important section. Use the CAR framework: Challenge, Action, Result.
Weak:
Assisted in data analysis tasks and prepared reports
Strong:
Analysed 2 years of customer transaction data using Python and SQL, identifying a churn pattern that led to a targeted retention campaign reaching 15,000 users
Formula for each bullet: [Action verb] + [what you did] + [how/with what] + [result/impact]
Strong action verbs: Built, Designed, Led, Analysed, Developed, Reduced, Increased, Automated, Managed, Launched
4. Projects
Essential for tech students with limited work experience.
Personal Finance Tracker | React, Node.js, PostgreSQL | github.com/janetan/fintrack
- Built a full-stack web app enabling users to track expenses across 5 categories
- Implemented JWT authentication and deployed on Vercel with CI/CD via GitHub Actions
- 200+ active users within 3 months of launch
5. Leadership & Activities
- Club positions (President, VP, etc.)
- Competitions and hackathons
- Volunteer work
- Case competitions
6. Skills
List tools and technologies specifically relevant to the role.
Tech: Python, Java, React, SQL, AWS, Docker, Tableau Finance: Excel (financial modelling), Bloomberg, PowerPoint, VBA General: Mandarin (fluent), Malay (conversational)
Tailoring for Different Industries
Finance / Banking
- Emphasise Excel, financial modelling, Bloomberg
- Include relevant finance coursework (Corporate Finance, Valuation)
- Mention CFA Level 1 if completed
- Quantify everything in dollar terms if possible
Technology
- GitHub link is essential
- List languages and frameworks first in Skills
- Projects section should be prominent
- Include any open-source contributions
Consulting
- Emphasise leadership, teamwork, analytical projects
- Case competition results are highly valued
- Communication and presentation skills should shine
- Keep descriptions concise and structured
Government / Stat Boards
- Highlight community involvement and national service (NS) leadership for male applicants
- Emphasise analytical skills and policy-relevant coursework
- Soft skills (communication, teamwork) matter more here than in IB
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Too long 1 page is the standard for students. 2 pages only if you have 5+ years of experience (you don't).
2. Passive language "Responsible for" and "assisted with" are weak. Use active verbs.
3. No metrics "Managed social media" → "Grew Instagram following from 500 to 8,000 in 6 months through weekly content strategy"
4. Spelling errors One typo can get you rejected. Proofread 3 times and use Grammarly.
5. Generic objective statements Cut "Highly motivated student seeking to gain experience in a dynamic organisation." Recruiters have seen it 10,000 times.
6. Inconsistent formatting Same font, same date format, same bullet style throughout.
ATS Optimisation
Most large companies use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). To pass:
- Use standard section headings (Education, Experience, Skills)
- Include keywords from the job description
- Avoid tables, text boxes, columns, and headers/footers
- Save as PDF unless instructed otherwise
Final Checklist
Before submitting, verify:
- 1 page only
- No typos or grammatical errors
- All dates are consistent (Month Year format)
- Quantified achievements wherever possible
- LinkedIn URL is included and profile is up to date
- File name is "FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf"
- Tailored keywords match the job description
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