A Malaysian resume is usually one or two pages in English, or in Bahasa Malaysia when the employer asks. It lists contact details, a short objective, work experience, education with CGPA, skills and languages. A photo is common. Graduates often include SPM or STPM results, and MUET band for English.
These are common practices, not legal rules, and employers differ. Every example is fictional; replace each [bracketed] detail with your own, and follow the job posting when it asks for something specific.
Section headings in English and Bahasa Malaysia
| English | Bahasa Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Personal details | Maklumat Peribadi |
| Career objective | Objektif Kerjaya |
| Work experience | Pengalaman Kerja |
| Education | Pendidikan / Kelayakan Akademik |
| Skills | Kemahiran |
| Languages | Bahasa |
| References | Rujukan |
How to list education and English level
- Degree or diploma: programme, institution, year and CGPA (for example CGPA 3.45/4.00) if it is strong.
- STPM or foundation: include if you are a recent graduate.
- SPM: list the number of credits or key subjects if you are a school leaver or fresh graduate.
- English: give your MUET band, or IELTS score, if you have one.
Languages and expected salary
Many Malaysian roles value several languages. List each with a level, such as Bahasa Malaysia (fluent), English (fluent), Mandarin (conversational). Many job ads and application forms also ask for expected salary; give it in the form if requested, rather than on the resume itself.
Malaysian resume sample (fictional)
[Photo] [Your Name] — [Position]
[+60 phone] · [Email] · [City, State]
OBJECTIVE: [Degree] graduate seeking a [position] role; completed [internship / latihan industri] at [company].
EXPERIENCE: [Job title / Intern], [Company], [City] — [Month Year]–[Month Year]
• [Task you did], [for whom], [result].
EDUCATION: [Bachelor / Diploma of ...], [University], [Year] — CGPA [x.xx/4.00]
SPM: [number] A's / credits ([Year]) · MUET: Band [x]
LANGUAGES: Bahasa Malaysia (fluent), English (fluent), [language] ([level])
- Should my resume be in English or Malay?
- English for most private-sector jobs. Use Bahasa Malaysia when the employer or a government role asks for it.
- Do I include SPM results on my resume?
- Include them if you are a school leaver or recent graduate. With a degree and a few years of experience, the degree is enough.
- What is latihan industri on a resume?
- It is industrial training or an internship. List it like a job, with the company, dates and what you did.
See how other countries differ in the CV format by country guide, and build yours in the resume builder.
