How to write a resume for jobs in Singapore

The Singapore resume at a glance

• Called a resume, sometimes a CV. One to two pages.
• A short profile at the top, then experience in reverse-chronological order.
• Education with your qualification, institution and year.
• Skills and languages, since many roles value more than one language.
• Contact details: name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn if you have one.

Fair employment and personal details

Singapore’s Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices (promoted by TAFEP) ask employers to hire on merit, and job ads shouldn’t ask for age, race, religion or marital status unless the job genuinely needs it. The Workplace Fairness Act, passed in 2025, is expected to put these protections into law around the end of 2027. Either way, you don’t need these details on your resume.

• Leave off: a photo, date of birth, race, religion and marital status.
• Leave off your NRIC or FIN number. Organisations should only collect it when they genuinely need to, such as when you’re hired.

Work pass status

Many employers need to know early whether you’re a Singapore Citizen, a Permanent Resident or will need a work pass (such as an Employment Pass or S Pass). A short line under your contact details avoids delays.

Salary questions

Applications in Singapore often ask for your current and expected salary. Research the market rate for the role, and give a realistic range when asked rather than on your resume.

Tailor it to each job

• Search MyCareersFuture, LinkedIn and JobStreet.
• Match the ad’s wording for skills you genuinely have; many employers use ATS software.
• State your notice period, since employers often plan start dates around it.
• Quantify results; recruiters scan quickly.

Cover letter

Cover letters are often optional in Singapore. When you write one, keep it to a few short paragraphs on why you fit the role, and mention your work pass status if relevant.

Common mistakes

• Leaving your work pass status unclear.
• Including your NRIC number or a photo by default.
• Resumes longer than two pages for early-career roles.
• Putting expected salary on the resume instead of in the application form.

Sample resume

A fictional example in the local format. Use it as a pattern, not a script.

Why it works

• Work status and notice period in one line under the contact details.
• Results with tools, audience and time saved.
• Languages listed, since many roles value them.
• No NRIC, photo, date of birth or expected salary.

Example: turning a duty into a result

Junior data analyst

Tools, audience and time saved: concrete evidence for a busy Singapore recruiter.

By career stage

Graduate or first job

One page. Lead with your degree, internships and projects, with the tools you used and a result for each.

Changing careers

Name the target role in your profile, and list SkillsFuture or other courses and certificates for it.

Experienced

Up to two pages. Lead with results that match the ad, and keep your notice period and work status clear.

Resume keywords for ATS

Applicant tracking systems and recruiters search for the skills a posting names. Examples for common roles; use only the ones that are true for you, in the posting’s own words.

Data analyst

SQL, Excel, Power BI or Tableau, Python, dashboards, stakeholder reporting

Accounts executive

full set of accounts, GST, reconciliations, Xero or SAP, month-end closing

Software engineer

Java, Python, React, AWS, microservices, CI/CD

Questions