AU
Hong Kong/Singaporean CVs
How long?
Two pages.
Layout?
Emma Charnock, regional director of Hays in Hong Kong, recommends compiling a CV in the following order:
· Personal information including name, date of birth/age, address, email and telephone number
· Summary of your education in chronological order (most recent first)
· List of qualifications and an outline of key skills
· List work experience in chronological order (most recent first)
Should you include your photo?
No.
Should you include your age?
Yes, this is very important information to include, especially in Hong Kong (and mainland China).
Does the CV need to be in Chinese?
No, apart from positions at Chinese banks in mainland China. But of course if you have Mandarin language skills, mention these prominently on your CV.
Anything else to note?
It’s very common to include a summary of key strengths at the top of a CV.
Middle Eastern CVs
How long?
Never more than two pages. Be ruthless and only include absolutely relevant information, even if your experience is vast. Include a deal list as an appendix as well as any addition information if necessary.
Layout?
As a general rule – start with a personal statement, followed by personal information, education then experience with most recent position first.
Should you include your photo?
Increasingly so – it adds a human element to your application and can also help get a foot in the door. One headhunter describes how a candidate once wooed HR with a photo that “made them look like a young Michael Douglas, when the reality was a short Andy Serkis“.
Should you include your age?
A definite yes in the Middle East.
“In western markets, people are concerned about age discrimination, particularly if you’re over 40,” says Peter Greaves, director, head of financial markets at headhunters McArthur Murray in Dubai. “In the Gulf, a lot of experience is generally viewed as a plus point, so most people include their age. It only becomes an issue if you’re over 60.”
Does the CV need to be in Arabic?
No, in English. While it’s an advantage to be able to speak Arabic, investment banks generally do business in English and employers want to see a good grasp of the language on a CV.
Anything else to note?
Weirdly, perhaps, local banks are interested in gaining a little information about your family situation. Putting in your marital status, and even a little about your children could serve to your advantage.
It’s interesting that you mentioned that photo should not include a photo and yet the majority of job ads asks for it, particularly in Singapore.
That’s all fine, but I am applying for roles in Asia now and my education covers half a page in itself (as a list with minimal information). Add to this my professional memberships, profile, personal details and key skills and then I am left with about 1/2 a page for experience. This would give me room for organisation, job title and dates only.
This seems a little too light for comfort.
Further to StephenC’s comment, indeed the majority of resumes I received while recruiting in Singapore had a photo. I’d like to think it didn’t make a difference to me, but if that’s the local norm then you’d be well advised to follow it by including a photo.