A lot of workers spend hours writing their CV — then wonder why nobody calls back.

More often than not, the problem isn't experience. It's structure. Employers look at dozens of CVs a day. If yours is hard to read, missing key information, or filled with things that don't matter — it gets skipped.

Here's exactly what to put in your CV, in the right order.

The 5 Things Every CV Needs

1. Your Contact Information (Top of the Page)

This sounds obvious — but many people forget to include everything.

Make sure you have:

• Full name
• Phone number (with country code if applying internationally)
• Email address (use a professional one — not a nickname from 10 years ago)
• Location (just your area, e.g. "Jurong West, Singapore")

You don't need your full home address. Keep it simple.

2. A One-Line Summary

Right below your contact info, write 1–2 sentences about who you are professionally.

Example:

"Experienced warehouse operator with 4 years of experience in inventory management and forklift operations. Looking for a full-time role in logistics or supply chain."

Short. Clear. Tells the employer exactly who you are before they read anything else.

3. Work Experience (Most Recent First)

List your jobs starting from the most recent. For each role, include:

• Job title
• Company name
• Dates (month and year is fine)
• 2–4 bullet points of what you actually did

What to write in the bullet points: Don't just say "responsible for warehouse duties." Be specific.

✓ "Operated forklift to move and stack goods in a 5,000 sqft warehouse"
✓ "Packed and labelled 200–300 orders per shift accurately"
✓ "Trained 2 new team members on safety procedures"

Specifics make you memorable. Vague descriptions don't.

4. Skills

List 5–8 skills that are relevant to the jobs you're applying for.

Examples:

• Forklift operation (Counterbalance, Reach)
• Inventory management
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Excel, WMS systems)
• Safety procedures (WSQ certified)
• Team supervision

Only list skills you actually have. You may be asked about them in an interview.

5. Education & Certifications

Keep this brief. List your highest education level, and any certifications relevant to your work — safety courses, trade certifications, industry licences, etc.

If you have a WSQ certification, a CSOC, or any MOM-recognised licence — include it. These carry real weight with Singapore employers.

What to Leave Out

• A photo — not required in Singapore and can create bias
• Your religion, race, or marital status — not relevant and not required
• References — just write "Available upon request" if needed
• Long paragraphs — bullet points are easier to scan
• Jobs from 10+ years ago — unless they're directly relevant

One Page or Two?

• Less than 5 years of experience: one page
• More than 5 years: two pages max

Employers are not reading a biography. They want to quickly understand what you've done and whether you're right for the role.

Final Check Before You Send

Before sending your CV, ask yourself:

• Can someone read this in under 60 seconds and understand what I do?
• Is my contact info easy to find?
• Are my most recent and relevant jobs listed first?
• Are there any spelling mistakes?

If yes to all four — you're ready.

Looking for your next opportunity? Upload your CV on Jobshine and let employers find you.

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