Singapore resume format: length, photo, NRIC, work status and a free template

Singapore resumes follow the usual reverse-chronological structure, with a few local points: fair-hiring guidance that discourages personal details, a habit of stating your work status, and sources that disagree about photos. There is no single official format. These are conventions, and the places where sources differ are marked.

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A convention, not an official rule

There is no single official CV format for Singapore. This page describes what employers commonly expect. Some public-sector and government applications, such as US federal jobs or EU institutions, do set a required format. If a job post gives one, follow it.

At a glance

Length	One page for fresh graduates and one to two pages for most others. A university career service recommends one page for graduates. Mid-level and management resumes often run two to three pages, according to a job-portal guide.
Photo	Sources disagree. Singapore's fair-hiring guidance says employers' application forms should not ask for a photograph, and a photo is not required. Some recruiters say a professional photo is common or standard. Leave it out unless the job post asks for one.
Personal details	Leave out date of birth, age, gender, race, religion, marital status and family details. The fair-hiring guidance tells employers not to ask for them on application forms.
NRIC, FIN, passport	Leave out every ID number. The guidance says that if an employer needs an NRIC number, it should ask at the job offer stage.
Work status	Many guides suggest one line stating citizenship or work-pass status, because employers check eligibility early. The official guidance does not cover nationality, and another guide says to add visa status only when it is relevant or requested. Sources differ, so keep it to one factual line.
Contact line	Name, mobile number, professional email and a LinkedIn link. A full home address is not needed.
Salary and notice period	State expected salary only if the job ad asks for it. A notice period line is common and optional.
Spelling	British spelling is the usual convention: organisation, programme, colour.

What to include

Header. Name, mobile number, professional email, LinkedIn. Add your area or city if it helps.
Work status (one line). For example Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, or the pass you hold. If you need an employer to sponsor a pass, say so plainly.
Professional summary. Three or four lines: your role, years of experience, two or three strengths that match the job, and one result.
Key skills. Tools and skills on a few labelled lines, using the wording of the job ad.
Work experience. Reverse-chronological. Job title, employer, city and country, dates, and bullets that show results with numbers where you can.
Education and certifications. Degree, institution and year. Certifications and languages are optional.

What to leave out

NRIC, FIN or passport numbers. Employers can ask at the offer stage.
Date of birth, age, gender, race, religion, marital status and children.
A photo, unless the job post or the employer asks for one.
A declaration paragraph, and "references available on request". If an employer asks for references, give them as a separate list.
Expected salary, unless the job ad asks for it.

If your resume was written for India

Remove the photo, date of birth, marital status, religion, father's name, address block and any declaration paragraph.
Add one work-status line, for example "Indian national, requires work pass sponsorship", if that is your situation. Check the current pass rules on the official Ministry of Manpower site before you apply.
Cut Class 10 and 12 marks if you have a degree and work experience. Keep your degree and any ranking or honours.
Turn paragraphs of duties into bullets with results and numbers.
Use British spelling, and keep to one to two pages unless you are in a senior role.
If you apply through MyCareersFuture, keep your profile and your resume consistent.

Template for Singapore

A plain single-column template that follows these conventions. Replace the bracketed parts with your own details, and delete any optional line you do not need.

Singapore resume format template (plain text) Download .docx Download .txt

[Your Full Name]
[Mobile with +65 or country code] | [Professional email] | [LinkedIn URL] | [Area or city, optional]
Work status: [for example: Singapore Citizen / Permanent Resident / Employment Pass holder / Indian national, requires work pass sponsorship. Delete this line if not needed.]
Notice period: [for example: 1 month, or available immediately] (optional)

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
[Three or four lines: your job title, years of experience, two or three strengths that match the job, and one result.]

KEY SKILLS
[Skill category]: [tool], [tool], [tool]
[Skill category]: [tool], [tool], [tool]

WORK EXPERIENCE
[Job title], [Employer], [City, Country]
[Month Year] to [Month Year or Present]
- [Action verb] [what you did] [result, with a number if you have one].
- [Action verb] [what you did] [result, with a number if you have one].
- [Action verb] [what you did] [result, with a number if you have one].

[Job title], [Employer], [City, Country]
[Month Year] to [Month Year]
- [Action verb] [what you did] [result, with a number if you have one].
- [Action verb] [what you did] [result, with a number if you have one].

EDUCATION
[Degree], [Institution], [City, Country], [Year]

CERTIFICATIONS (optional)
[Certification name], [Issuer], [Year]

LANGUAGES (optional)
[Language] ([level]), [Language] ([level])

Check your resume against these rules

The checker has a setting for Singapore that flags the items on this page in your pasted or uploaded resume.

Check my resume for Singapore

Common questions

Should I include a photo?

It is not required, and the fair-hiring guidance says employers should not ask for one on application forms. Some recruiters say a photo is common, so sources differ. Leave it out unless the job post or the employer asks.

Should I put my NRIC number on my resume?

No. The fair-hiring guidance says an NRIC number can reveal age and should be requested at the job offer stage, if it is needed at all. Employers can use other identification, such as a passport number, later.

Do I need to state my nationality or work pass?

Many guides suggest one line stating citizenship or work status, since employers screen for eligibility. The official guidance does not cover nationality, so it is a convention. If you need sponsorship, saying so plainly saves time for both sides.

How long should my resume be?

One page for fresh graduates, one to two pages for most others, and two to three pages for management roles according to one job-portal guide.

Should I write my expected salary?

Only when the job ad asks for it. A notice period line is common and optional.