How to Write a Killer Resume - Tips and Layout

Writing a resume or Curriculum Vitae to search for a job can consume a lot of energy and also take a lot of time. PNG Insight shares some killer tips for writing a good resume and getting shortlisted for current job vacancies in PNG.  

Check out the layout and use it.

But, first what is a resume or CV? Both documents are used for job applications. 

UPDATED: An updated version of this post looks at how you can write a CV that delivers scores for the job for you. It provides detailed information on writing a CV to get shortlisted for an Interview and taking control of your first interview. Read it here

Tips for writing a Killer Resume

The three differences are: 

• Length, 
• Purpose and
• Layout

A resume is short usually 1 to 2 pages, concise and laid out with bullet points. Whereas CV can span up to 3 or 4 pages, detailed. 

In a good number of PNG job vacancies, the employers specify the number of pages. 

If the employers (recruitment agents) ask for 1 or 2 pages they are probably asking for your resume, instead of a CV.

IMPORTANT: Ensure only details relevant to the job you are applying for are included: must be condensed, concise and informative. 

Layout of a Killer Resume [SAMPLE]

Here is an example of a layout of a resume. (Hints for writing a good cover letter will be available here shortly)

Contact detail here)

Career overview  (in bold) 

Briefly state your career profile. For example ‘An administration support staff with nine years of work experience in both public and private sectors. Last employed at Giveme More Ltd in Port Moresby. Have strong computer and social skills. Determined to make a difference. Currently pursuing a Diploma in Business Administration'.

Career history, key responsibilities and achievements   (in bold)                           

Year, Job, Company/Organisation (In italics)

Key responsibilities: (relating to the job advertised)

• ·                …………………..
• ·                …………………..
• ·                ………………….

Achievements: (the additional task you've done for employers, note that meeting a target is not an achievement. Doing the 'extra' is)

• ·                ………………….
• ·                …………………..
• ·                ………………….

(List the other key responsibilities and achievements)

Education and qualification 

Contact referees                                   

(Don’t have to attach reference unless asked for, instead write 'references available upon request')

Additional information

• ·                ………………
• ·                ………………

Hobbies

• ·                ………………
• 
  
• ·                ………………

Related Job Search Tips

Writing a good resume requires skill. Yet, it's only the start of your job-searching journey. The next step is to expect a call-up for the interview. 

Here are some articles that will help you differentiate between a CV and a resume, write a good CV and nail the job interview. Check them out:

1. How to Write a Powerful VC
2. Grammarly corrects your spelling mistakes and grammar
3. Earn Money Online - YouTube & Writing
4. Graduate Development Programs in PNG

Good luck with your job search. 

Grammarly Online Editor Spelling and Grammar Checks

Students leaving universities (or colleges) may find correcting spelling and grammar daunting. In the series ‘PNG Students Blogging Guide’ PNG Insight mentioned 5 online tools student writers can use to correct spelling and grammar. 

In this post, you'll find out about Grammarly, an online Spelling and Grammar-check tool, you can use. 

Why use check spelling and grammar?

Well-written assessments, resumes/CVs and articles produce positive results. Ponder these 5 quick questions:

• 1. Are you doing your school work in English?  
• 2. Is English your second language? 
• 3. Do you find correcting spelling and grammar errors tricky? 
• 4. Have you often identify errors in your submitted work after it was marked? 
• 5.Do you want your final work to be error free?

If the answer to the five questions is YES, read on to find out why the tool can help you improve the overall outcome of your work. 

Spelling and Grammar check

Grammarly is an online Spelling and Grammar check tool. That means that you have to have access to the Internet to use it. 

Many institutions have ‘blocker’ installed in their network gateways which may not allow you to use Grammarly. But there is a way around it – you can use ‘data’ tethering. Connect your laptop to your smartphone. 

Checking for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes using Grammarly is, in fact, a better way to eliminate any errors in your final work before submitting or publishing it. 

Grammarly is a *free* online tool. You simply have to open an account and start using it. The spelling and grammar tool identifies errors and prompts you to correct the errors. 

Try it and see how many errors you may have missed whilst proofreading your work.

Grammarly Online Editor Spelling and Grammar Checks

English as a second language 

English is not the first language is 'the' reason why I decided to include this post in the series PNG Students Blogging Guide’. 

From experience, English as a second language comes with some levels of difficulty when thinking and writing in it. 

Obviously, many students in PNG also have English as a third or even fourth language!

So, it is important to use tools and aids that are now available to make writing appealing to teachers and other readers. 

Using the free version of Grammarly is one way you can polish your writing and CV/resume and make readers admire your work.

Grammarly Online Editor Spelling and Grammar Checks

As mentioned earlier and also in Part 2 of ‘PNG Students Blogging Guide’, Grammarly is easy to use. Use your email, Gmail or social media accounts to open a Grammarly account. 

There are two ways to use it: as an add-on on Chrome browser or saved URL in the ‘favourite’ folder and use it when you need it.

When you have opened an account, simply copy your work and paste it into the Grammarly task-pane. Spelling and Grammar checks will automatically show the stats of errors and suggest corrections to be made.  That’s it!

Do Spelling and Grammar Checks

Grammarly is a free online tool you can use to make your important work stand out.

You may also be interested to take a look at PNG Insight’s Guide to Students’ Blogging:

• 1. PNG Students Blogging Guide Part 1: How to Start a Blog and Grow Your Writing Potential
• 2. PNG Students Blogging Guide Part 2: Five Free Online Tools For Creating Stunning Blog

How to write a Powerful CV

The two steps to securing a job are not usually taught at universities - writing a CV or resume and job interviews. In fact, the two skills are often learnt by doing them. If you are a new job searcher, undergraduate or graduate these tips will put you in the right direction.

From writing a curriculum vitae (CV) or to interview, always bear these tips in mind. For more guided tips, refer to the recommended reading at the end of this post.

MAGE: PNG INSIGHT: READ MORE - CLICK ON THE IMAGE

Find out whether the job advertisement asks for your CV or resume before writing your job application.

The content of a CV should reflect the position you are applying for.

Ensure only details relevant to the job you are applying for are included: must be condensed, concise and informative.

Use the ‘punchline’ in your written CV that you believe is selling you well and emphasise it with specific examples.

Be honest, measured, cool, calm and collected. It is the first impression that matters.

Be on time for the interview and show that your really want the job. Good luck.

Recommended reading How to write a CV with Strong Punchline

Top Performing Schools in PNG 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Since 2016, the National Department of Education has taken pride in announcing the ranks of the Top Performing Schools in PNG. Each school in the country ranks according to its performance in the national examination. 

Ranking the Top Performing Schools in PNG

The education department ranks the schools as the top 10 performing schools based on how well the students perform in the exams. Also, the department recognises schools that have signs of improvement over the years. 

A school can rank among the top-performing schools or as the most improved school. 

 Mean Rating Index, MRI,

The department uses what is called the Mean Rating Index, MRI, to convert students' Grades to percentages  (out of 100%) or decimals (out of 1.0). 

In simple terms, the more As (in Grade 12) or Distinctions (in Grade 10) the higher the MRI a school gets. 

The schools are then sorted in order to pick out the top-performing schools in the country.

The list of 2023 top performing schools available here.

Most improved schools 

The most improved schools are those that show signs of improvement as compared to their past performances. 

It is a good indicator of improved teaching and learning introduced recently. It is done to acknowledge and recognise a school's achievements.

Top 10 Secondary Schools and National High Schools in PNG in 2022

Here is the latest update on the top-performing Secondary Schools in PNG in 2022. 

Top Performing Secondary and National High Schools in 2021 (Grade 12)

PNG Insight created a summary table of the Top 10 Schools in PNG on our main website - check it out. 

Top Performing High and Secondary Schools in 2021 (Grade 10)

You can also find the summary table of the schools that produce the top Grade 10 students in the country on our main website. 

Follow this link for the latest updates

Grade 11 Selections 2024

The Grade 11 selections will take place as soon as the selection committee from the provinces get the exam results. 

Reassuringly, the 2023 results are out on the 8th of December 2023. That means that the selection should be starting now. 

It may take up to 2 weeks to complete the Grade 11 selection. Check this article for more info.

DHERST National Online Selection 2024

DHERST announced the dates for selections and release of acceptance lists on its website. Here is a brief of the dates:

• 2024 academic year admission selection list 2023 publication – Saturday 23rd December 2023
•  Launching of 2023 Selection for 2024 academic year - Thursday 21st December, 2023
• NOAS Grace period – Tuesday 12th December- Friday 15th December, 2023

Check this article for more info on DHERST National Online Selection 2023