How to Write an International Resume for a Job Abroad

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In This Guide:

What is an international resume, specific sections for an international resume, should i translate my international resume.

Do you struggle to create a resume for an international company?

Many people face trouble with international resumes, so we wanted to offer resume tips and help you make an ideal resume to stand out.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • What an international resume is.
  • The sections you need to add to a resume.
  • If you should adjust the length or translate your resume.

If you use this guide, you can make your resume stand out and secure an international job. You need to understand the main points and apply them to your resume if you want to succeed.

how to make resume for job abroad

An international resume refers to a resume you make for another country.

For example, if you live in England, any resume you create to secure a position outside of your home country counts as an international resume format.

You still include essential information , such as your education, but you adjust the information based on the country’s standards.

Is your international resume good enough?

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

If you want to master the international resume format, you must understand the necessary sections .

While you need to include the standard information about your certifications and work experience, you must add the following sections to offer more information.

Language skills section

As you work on your international CV format, you need to include a language skills section and mention it in your summary and resume objective .

Countries want to know if you speak other languages to communicate with companies, so mention any additional languages you speak.

Further reading

  • Language Skills on Resume: How to Explain Proficiency & Fluency

Specific skills/software knowledge

Creating a functional resume includes mentioning unique skills and software knowledge . Do some research and see what skills and software the country expects you to understand.

The skills and knowledge you need in an international resume format vary, so see what other countries expect from someone in your industry.

Personal info (header sections)

When you create a resume in the international CV format, you may need to include personal information. Some countries want you to have your name, birth date, and even a picture.

Include a header section with action verbs to make yourself stand out while you personalize your resume.

Although the US prefers one-page resumes , some countries want longer ones. Make sure you look up resume templates for the country to determine the expected size.

Using Enhancv’s resume builder you can choose between A4 and Letter Size style.

If you have too much experience and information to cover, you need to try a combination resume or reverse chronological resume to meet the length requirements.

More from Enhancv

Whether you translate your resume depends on the circumstance. If you plan to apply for a company where everyone speaks English, you may not need to translate it.

Usually, international companies will tell you what language they require on resumes.

If you plan to work as a translator or speak another language, you should write a resume in that language.

As you create an international resume, remember the key sections. Doing so will help you figure out how to craft your resume and if you need to translate it.

If you need help creating a resume for an international position, you can try Enhancv’s resume builder to craft the perfect application.

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International Resume Writing Tips

Rolf Bax

How to write an American resume and what to avoid

The purpose of an american resume, general guidelines for an american resume, the structure of an american resume, things to avoid in an american resume, american resume: final thoughts, how to write a british cv when applying for a job in the united kingdom, the british cv, short format british cv, additional british cv advice.

If you are going for a job abroad and wonder whether international hiring managers have different expectations, you would be right to ask the question. 

While the recruitment process will ask many of the same questions and request the same information in every country, some of the terminology can be confusing.

There are also a few subtle differences within certain countries, so let's explore some international resume writing tips in more detail.

This blog discusses the most common types of international resume rules, challenges, and tips, including:

  • International resume introduction
  • Why it matters to customize your resume for certain countries or cultures
  • American resume
  • the British CV
  • Asian resume

Spanish resume

Russian resume.

  • Writing a CV when English is your second language

Depending on the location of the job you’re applying for, you may want to understand more about an international resume. For example, if you are applying for a job in the United Kingdom, the United States, or Asia there are specific rules to follow and customs that are expected of job applicants. The same is true for Russia or Spain.

Another challenge is if languages like English or Spanish are your second language, then there are aspects of creating an international resume that should be followed in order to improve your chances of getting an interview.

The world's best companies to work for (2011-2019)

Employee satisfaction affects how well a company can attract and retain top talent. Using Great Place to Work's annual list of the "World's Best Multinational Workplaces" this graphic charts how companies rated from 2011 to 2019

International resume introduction & writing a resume for international jobs

The first thing that you should do when applying internationally is to understand the expectations.

An international resume isn't so much a format, but rather a strategy to follow for aligning your resume with the local expectations and resume standards. The key to writing for an international audience is understanding more about expectations — what format do they prefer, do they want it translated, do they require references, a professional photo, or a portfolio?

There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for an international resume, so be sure to check out the specifics below, do your research, and don't be afraid to ask locals for advice.

Tone is also very important depending on which country you’re applying in. For instance, American-style resumes are expected to be more self-promoting, whereas in other countries, like China, you’re expected to be more modest.

International resume tip — More than any other resume, if you’re applying to a foreign country you need to be clear on your resume about your nationality, visa status, and language abilities. Whereas this isn’t important if you’re applying in your own country, this is critical information for international resumes.

What are some tips for a good resume? The most important tip for a resume is to tailor it towards the role that you are applying for. Every sentence and achievement has to add to your case that you are the person for this specific job. The more irrelevant details there are, the less attention an employer will pay to what else is there.

The American resume

Modern American resumes are now done digitally, typically found in PDF or Microsoft Word format in order to easily upload and email.

Some people believe that an American style resume can only be one page, but that’s not necessarily true. If you have more than 5-7 years of relevant experience or are in an executive function, your resume should be two pages.

The most common form of American resume is the chronological resume , which follows along a structured style starting with your most recent position.

An American resume typically follows the format of:

  • Personal information
  • Professional summary statement
  • Work history (in reverse chronological order)
  • Hobbies (optional)
  • Certifications (optional)
  • References (optional)

American resume tip — Make sure to understand the power of keywords. Many hiring processes and applications in the United States now involve the use of an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). An ATS helps employers organize and screen the hundreds of candidates who usually apply. Companies with high volumes of candidates use their ATS to automatically screen candidate resumes looking for certain keywords and phrases.

Rules, examples, and tips for writing an American resume when applying for a job in the United States. Convert your CV to an American resume following these resume tips and templates for the USA.

While most of the world uses a CV when looking for a job, in America the document most commonly used is a resume.  An American resume differs from a CV in that it is a summary of a person’s work history, skills, education and other items an employer may be interested in.  A CV , in the American sense, is very detailed and chronicles the person’s entire career with details about their achievements, publications, education and other items that are relevant to the job they are applying for. For the rest of the world, a CV is the same as an American Resume.

The only exception to using a resume in America is if you are applying for a job that is in either a technical or academic field. In these cases, you would default to a longer American CV.

In this guide, we will discuss the following critical components of writing an American resume:

  • Differences between a resume and a CV
  • The purpose of a resume
  • How to organize
  • Formatting an American resume
  • What items you should and shouldn’t include.
  • The individual components of an American resume
  • How to optimize your resume

When creating a resume, keep in mind its purpose. A resume will not get you a job, rather it is intended to generate enough interest in you to get you invited to an interview .  Surveys indicate that recruiters spend about 6 seconds reviewing a resume. Therefore, it is important that you capture the reader’s attention quickly and make the resume interesting enough so that they will want to continue reading it.

A good way to determine how much of your resume a recruiter will read before they decide about you is to fold the first page in half. This is the most important real estate on your resume, and you need to use it to communicate your qualifications as concisely and clearly as possible.

What are the 4 C's of resume writing?

  • Creativity. Every job requires you to make something from nothing every now and again.
  • Communication. Getting stuff done with others needs excellent oral and written communication.
  • Collaboration. Knowing how to achieve results as a team is key to so many careers.
  • Critical thinking. Every problem has multiple solutions - finding the right one is rarely simple.

An American resume is constructed on Letter size, 8.5”x11” paper, in the portrait orientation. Modern American resumes are now done digitally , and are typically found in PDF format in order to easily upload and email.

Typically American resumes are either 1 to 2 pages, based on the length of your career.  New graduates or people with limited experience can easily use just one page to describe their qualifications. People with more experience may need two or even three pages to cover their complete job history, accomplishments , education, skills, and certifications.

A CEO will have a much longer resume than an intern. Simple as that.

When considering the content to include in your resume, a good guideline to follow is that if the information isn’t relevant to the job you are interested in then it should not be in your resume. Employers hire people for one of four reasons.

  • You will make them money
  • You will save them money
  • You will save them time
  • You will fix a problem

Keep these in mind when you are writing your resume. Another tip is to include some type of metric (i.e., $, #, %) in every 2-3 sentences. This captures the reader's attention and helps them recognize your contributions, with the assumption that you can do the same for them. There’s nothing worse than a recruiter reading some generic statement, like “Contributed to overall department success and team collaboration.”

What does that mean? What did you contribute and what were the results? What specifically did you do to promote teamwork? Be as specific as possible.

You can find resources that will help you when writing your resume across the internet. These will provide you with  examples of effective resumes and  templates you can follow while constructing your resume.

Contact Information — The first thing in your resume should be your name and contact information. This should be at the top of the page, should be large enough to be easily seen, and should contain the following.

  • Telephone number where you can best be reached, usually your mobile
  • E-mail address — preferably your first & last name @ domain.com – don’t use cute or funny emails
  • LinkedIn profile

Do not include a home address or links to your other social media pages. You can either put this information on the top of the first page or, better yet, include it as a heading so that it will show up on all the pages

Title — The next part of your resume is the title. This should be the same as the position you’re applying for. It lets the recruiter know exactly what position you’re interested in and sets the tone as they are reviewing the resume.

Summary — It is good to start your resume with a 2 to 3 sentence summary if your skills, experience, or education related to the job you’re applying for. This allows the recruiter to quickly recognize your qualifications and encourages them to read the remainder of the resume.

Professional Experience — You then turn to your employment experience. The section will contain details about the jobs you have worked at during the last 10 to 15 years.  Even if you have more experience, this is all you need to include because anything prior to this is either no longer relevant or has already been discussed in other job descriptions. The jobs should be detailed in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent first.

When listing your jobs, include:

  • Position or title
  • Employer – Location (City, State) – Dates Employed (Month/Year – Month/Year)

You then provide a 1 to 2 sentence summary of your responsibilities and major achievements. This is followed by 3 to 4 bullets that describe significant achievements, key contributions, or specific duties related to the position you’re applying for. If your job title is self-explanatory, then you can skip the 1 to 2-sentence summary and focus on the bullet points.

Skills — After your experience, you can list your skills relevant to the job. These are usually bulleted in the side column of the resume. Modern resumes will display skills in a way that won’t increase the size of your resume and be visually appealing to the hiring manager. Check out this resume for a Financial Advisor as an example .

Include both hard skills related to the job and soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. The hard skills are usually stated in the job description as requirements. The soft skills enhance your qualifications and distinguish you from other applicants.

Education — You’ll next describe your formal, informal, and continuing education. Start with the most advanced degree and work backward listing other degrees. If your formal education occurred some time ago, you can start with recent certifications you have been awarded or informal training you have that enhances your qualifications for the job.

When detailing your education, list:

  • Degree attained (i.e., MBA, BS, AS) and your major and any minors
  • The school or institution attended
  • Additional activities such as clubs, athletic teams, publications, major projects or internships

Make sure you also include information about any continuing education courses, or certifications you have received, and which are relevant to the job you are applying for.

Hobbies — This is an important section of your resume, and you should be adding them in. Hobbies show the hiring manager more about your personality and personal life, and can also help develop a connection between you and the hiring manager. List out any achievements linked to your hobbies, and provide a little bit of detail instead of blandly listing a one-word hobby.

Listing your interests on your resume

By listing your personal interests on your resume, you can add a personal touch about what makes you you. In this article, we’ll discuss why it’s sometimes advisable to list interests on your resume.

What are the 3 F's of resume writing?

  • Form. Format and style your resume so that it is easy to read and digest.
  • Function. Make the resume functional by keeping it relevant and not going back too far in time.
  • Effectiveness. An effective resume includes everything to help a hiring manager make their decision.

Items you should not include in your resume are:

Personal information : Examples of these are age, gender, race, or family status. Employers cannot ask about these due to restrictions related to job discrimination. Putting them in your resume could disqualify you from being interviewed, or waste the recruiter's time who reads them.

References : Unlike CVs that are used throughout the world, American resumes do not typically include references. If an employer needs references prior to hiring you, they will request them after you have progressed through the interview process and are being considered as one of the final candidates.

Writing an effective American resume is easy if you follow the guidelines provided. You need to write with the purpose of convincing the employer you can contribute to helping them achieve their business objectives. The objective is to create enough interest in you to incent the recruiter to invite you to an interview.

Following the recommended format and structure of an American resume makes it easy to read and provides a flow. Using the valuable space at the top half of the first page to summarize your qualifications is critical. This gets the balance of the resume read and increases your chances for an interview. Including metrics throughout your resume will keep it interesting and help the employer understand how you can help them to “make money, save money or save time.”

Avoid any mention of personal information in a resume. This may result in automatic rejection, even though you may be one of the better candidates for the job. You should also not include references. These aren’t expected in America and will be requested later in the interview process if the employer needs them.

Finally, remember to write your American resume keeping the job requirements in mind. Any content that isn’t relevant to these may distract the reader from your key message and shouldn’t be included.

Which are red flags on a resume? There are certain things on any resume that may make a hiring manager stop reading immediately. Be careful if your resume contains the following:

  • Too many long (and unexplained) employment gaps
  • Typos, mistakes, grammatical and formatting errors
  • Lack of career progression or evidence of job hopping
  • Too much personal information seems unprofessional
  • A career path that doesn't fit the vacancy in question
  • Inconsistency between your resume and LinkedIn profile

Every country is different! Here is a comprehensive guide that includes tips, tools, and examples for writing an amazing British CV

Tips, tools, and examples for writing a British CV that lands an interview. If you're looking for a job in the UK, the expectations are slightly different than other countries—there are specific rules to follow with a British CV, and we cover all of them in this comprehensive guide.

As mentioned, the British use CV to denote the same as the U.S. resume. In academic circles (in both countries) CV can also be used to denote a longer form documents with lots of information about your education and professional experience, including additional training, papers you’ve written, conferences you attended, projects you’ve been involved in, and other details which demonstrate your qualifications.

British CV tip — Include references in your CV when applying for jobs in the UK, but don't include their contact details as this goes against data protection legislation. 

If you are looking for work in the UK, a CV will be a key part of your job search process. Any document you use to detail your qualifications is called a Curriculum Vitae, or CV. This also applies to most of Europe and even the Middle East.

Let's keep it simple.

A CV in the UK is the equivalent of a resume in the United States. 

It may have one or two pages, and all of the sections that you would expect in a resume should be present. This is not the academic document that Americans call a CV. In this comprehensive guide, we will show you how to write an effective British CV that helps you land an interview, by outlining:

  • An introduction to the British CV
  • The components of a British CV
  • The short form British CV
  • Additional advice when drafting your CV

If you want to tell your ‘life story’ with lots of details about your education and professional experience, including additional training, papers you’ve written, conferences you attended, projects you’ve been involved in and other details which will demonstrate your qualifications, then you should opt for the long format, or detailed CV.

This document can be as long as necessary to include the details of your life which are applicable to the position you are applying to. Keep in mind that modern job applicants bring in over 200 applicants, and hiring managers spend about 7 seconds reviewing each application. So choose a CV carefully, because the time you have to impress the hiring manager is limited.

The content of the long format CV will include the following:

  • Name − full name, title, degree (e.g. Ph.D., etc.)
  • Contact information - phone, email, LinkedIn profile, personal web page (no social media or home address)
  • Summary − a brief description of what you have achieved in your education and profession
  • Academic qualifications − your academic qualification; degree(s) (descending, with most advanced first). Include key courses studied, GPA, papers written, studies performed
  • Additional training – work-related instruction or courses, conferences attended
  • Additional knowledge − skills you have acquired as part of your profession
  • Soft skills − collaboration, communication, teaming, etc.
  • Languages – native plus any foreign languages you are fluent in, if applicable
  • Software tools − applications you use in your profession (Microsoft, Google, CRM tools, etc.)
  • Operating system platforms − Windows, Mac, Linux
  • Database management system – Oracle, SAP, Siebel
  • Experience breakdown − summarized explanation of your experience – employers, title, dates, location, role, and a brief (1-2 sentence) summary of responsibilities
  • Achievements – any significant achievements in professional life
  • Awards and honors
  • A declaration − stating all information provided about the applicant as true
  • References – 2-3 references with names, titles, organization, phone, email and the role they played in your professional career (i.e., manager, customer, peer)

The short format or business CV should be 1-2 pages long (A4 format). It only consists of facts, dates, and numbers. The reasons for applying and a summary of your skills which qualify you for the position can be detailed in a cover letter. Remember, recruiters only spend 7 seconds reviewing this type of resume before deciding about your qualifications, so you want to capture their interest.

The content of this type of British CV is:

  • Personal information – Name, phone, email, LinkedIn URL and location (not an address)
  • Professional summary – key skills, experience, and soft skills aligned with the job you are applying for
  • Working experience – title, employer, location, and dates, starting with the most recent job. Include a brief description of the role, followed by a bulleted list of contributions and achievements for each position
  • Formal education & training - university, dates, and places, but no grades or courses
  • Languages, skills, proficiencies related to the job you are applying for

Both types of CVs include your personal information, education and qualifications, work experience, interests and achievements, skills, and references. The additional information in the long format CV provides details important to recruiters and hiring managers in professions where specific coursework, publications, software skills, and other, more detailed experience and education and work experience is key to selecting a candidate.  Make sure you provide as much detail as possible when constructing a long format CV.

Also, you should always tailor your CV to the job you are applying for. Use a modern but professional format. Few if any graphic elements; these aren’t effective and will confuse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

It is important to consider including references in your CV when applying for a position in the UK. Employers expect these and a significant majority of them take the time to contact the references you provide. It’s best to provide at least 2 references. As an alternative, you can write "references available on request."

Prior to adding someone's name and information to your CV, you should contact the person to ask their permission to use them as a reference. It is also considerate of you to provide them with a copy of your CV and discuss your job search objectives with them. Remind them of what you did when you worked together and discuss a few contributions you made while there.

The Asian resume

Similar to the long-form British CV, resumes in Asia tend be longer than the traditional American and European resume. The best practices here are to include all the information you normally would: personal information, contact details, work history, academics, skills, languages, and references.

But, you should also include a professional photo. Unlike the United States where it's common to add a photo to your resume only in certain industries, in Asia it is generally expected that you include a photo across every industry. Also include two copies of your resume — one in English, and another in the native language of that country.

Resumes in Asia are expected to be more personal in nature, where you will include your age, gender, marital status, interests, nationality, and visa status. As with a long-form CV, you should expect to be more detailed about your skills and work experience than you would in a short-form American style resume.

Asian resume tip — Even if you don’t know the native language, showing some cultural knowledge and sensitivity by including some wording or greeting will always be appreciated.

What are the three main types of resumes?

  • Reverse-chronological. Lists work experience in reverse order with the more recent job first.
  • Functional. A resume that focuses on functional skills, with only employers and employment dates listed.
  • Combined. An initial section for function skills with a normal chronological work experience afterwards.

Spanish resumes are similar to British ones, but require you to be more clear about your language abilities. This should be front and center in your resume.

If Spanish is your second language, be sure to use templates and examples designed for a Spanish-speaking audience. Generally, Spanish resumes are 1-2 pages and include the following information:

  • Contact information
  • A professional summary
  • Education and GPA information — both high school and post-secondary
  • Work experience in bullet points
  • Skills and languages (be clear about your native language)

Spanish resume tip — It is important to have someone who is a native speaker read over your resume before you send it to an employer to ensure there are no grammatical or language errors.

Russian resumes are similar to resumes in Europe, in that they include all the basic information such as contact details, a professional summary, work history, education, skills, languages, and references.

Here are a few additional tips for writing a resume to apply for a job in Russia:

  • Do not exceed 2 pages in length.
  • Place the education section above work experience—this is a common expectation in Russia.
  • As with most other countries, it is suggested to list your work experience in reverse chronological order.
  • It is common to send along a translated version of your resume with a cover letter to Russian companies or an English version to an international company working within Russia.
  • Unless requested, do not include references on your Russian resume.

Russian resume tip — Photos are not required or encouraged when submitting a resume in Russia. Unless it’s specifically requested, do not include a photo.

Writing a resume or CV when English is a second language

Writing an international resume is challenging enough, so writing a resume or CV in English when you're not a native speaker makes it even more difficult. To begin writing your resume in English, you should gather all relevant information so you are well organized. This includes:

  • A copy of your current CV in your native language
  • Any additional information you need to update your CV
  • A description of the job(s) you are applying for so you can understand the types of language and keywords used
  • An English dictionary, thesaurus, and / or Google Translate
  • Templates to work with or a resume builder

Once you have all these resources, you can start translating. Check out resume examples for inspiration and research to find the right language and wording to use. Make sure to include the keywords that you collected in the job description you are applying for.

Writing a CV in English is different than writing a CV in your native language. English has several nuances that you must be aware of and the sentence structure is often different than what you are used to. However, once you are aware of these differences it is easy to translate your current CV into English.  

Writing resumes for different cultures and countries

What’s good for the UK, isn’t necessarily correct for the US, and what’s best practice in Russia, may not go over well in China. Find out as much about the local job application preferences as possible before you use an international resume to apply to a job.

If at all possible connect with a native person in your industry and ask them for feedback on your resume before you send it to an employer. It's even better if you can connect with a local person in your industry who speaks your native language too. Most often local residents are more than happy to help you get acclimated to a new job market and welcomed to their country.

12 Resume mistakes and how to avoid them

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Write a Resume for a Job Abroad in 7 Simple Steps

Updated: Feb 23

Dreaming of combining your ambition and wanderlust by working in another country? A place where you can build a fulfilling career that also offers a chance to absorb a new culture, language, and lifestyle? Well, you're not alone!

Matilda and I have done it... more than once . As expats and career coaches with over 18 years of combined HR experience in 5+ countries, we know that one of the key steps to landing that perfect job abroad is crafting an effective resume.

This isn't your usual resume, though. It's tailored to international opportunities and it shows the universal value you bring to the table. And guess what? We've put together the EXACT step-by-step process that helps you write it. Check it out below.

7-Step Resume Guide for a Job Abroad

Writing a resume for a job abroad? Follow this simple 7-step guide to tailor your resume to the local job market and ensure your resume gets you a step closer to your dream of living and working abroad. Here's the overview:

Understand the local job market

Adapt the formatting and structure

Tailor the language and tone

Add contact information

Include key resume sections

Customize each job application

Proofread and edit

#1 : Understand the Local Job Market

When searching for jobs abroad, it is crucial to have a solid understanding of the international job market. This knowledge will not only help you identify the right opportunities but also prepare you to meet the demands of the job market in your desired country.

Research the Job Market in Your Desired Country

Start by conducting thorough research on the job market in your desired country. Look for reliable sources of information such as government websites, industry reports, and job portals specific to that country. Pay attention to the current economic conditions, employment trends, and growth sectors.

Understanding the job market will give you insight into the industries that are thriving and the ones that might have limited opportunities. This knowledge will help you tailor your resume and focus on the sectors with higher demand.

Identify the Key Skills and Qualifications in Demand

how to make resume for job abroad

Photo by Jason Goodman  on Unsplash

Once you have a good grasp of the job market, it's time to identify the key skills and qualifications that are in demand. Look for job descriptions of the roles you are interested in and make note of the common requirements and preferred qualifications.

Consider the specific skills, certifications, and educational background that employers seek in your desired country. For example, some countries may value language proficiency, while others may prioritize technical skills or cross-cultural experience.

By identifying these key skills and qualifications, you can tailor your resume to highlight your strengths and align with the expectations of potential employers in the international job market.

Remember, each country may have its own unique job market dynamics, so it's essential to adapt your resume and job search strategy accordingly to increase your chances of success.

#2 : Adapt the Formatting and Structure

Creating a well-formatted and structured resume is crucial when applying for jobs abroad.

Follow these guidelines to ensure your resume stands out:

Choose the Right Resume Format

Selecting the appropriate resume format is essential in showcasing your skills and experiences effectively. Consider using a chronological, functional, or combination format depending on your career goals and work history.

Find Out the Expected Resume Length

Paper resume on MacBook, highlighting the need to check local resume length requirements.

Photo by João Ferrão  on Unsplash

Determining the ideal resume length varies across countries and regions, and understanding the local preferences can significantly impact your job application. Here are some practical tips to help you tailor your resume length to your target country:

United States and Canada:

These countries generally prefer concise and focused resumes. Ideally, aim for a one-page resume , especially if you're a recent graduate or have less than 10 years of work experience. Highlight key achievements and skills relevant to the job.

Australia and New Zealand:

Resumes in Australia and New Zealand are often around two pages . Highlight your key accomplishments and tailor your resume to match the specific requirements of the job.

Middle East and Asia:

In countries like the UAE or Singapore, a one to two-page resume is generally acceptable . Focus on showcasing your skills, qualifications, and any international experience. Tailor your resume to match the cultural expectations of the specific country.

European countries may have varied preferences, but a standard resume length is usually around two pages. Prioritize relevant information and consider including a professional summary to capture the recruiter's attention.

Special mentions:

Resumes in Germany often include detailed information. It's common to have a two to three-page resume  that provides a comprehensive overview of your education, work experience, and skills. Use a chronological format and include any relevant certifications. (Fun fact: Some industries in Germany prefer what they call "Lebenslauf." Literall translation is "book of life" and it's often a 10+ pages long document with every single detail from your education and work history.)

United Kingdom:

Resumes in the UK can be slightly longer than the U.S. or Canada. Keep it within two pages , focusing on relevant work experience and skills. Use a clear and straightforward format, emphasizing achievements and qualifications.

Use the Local Date Format

When adapting your resume to a specific country, integrating the local date format is a subtle yet essential detail that reflects cultural awareness. For instance:

If you're applying for positions in the United States, use the month-day-year format, such as "January 27, 2024."

In Europe, the day-month-year format is commonly employed, as in "27 January 2024."

Employers appreciate this attention to detail, as it not only conforms to local norms but also helps avoid any confusion. Go beyond the basics: Read the full guide on tailoring a resume to the local job market .

#3 : Tailor the Language and Tone

Language and tone in your resume matter. By translating your resume to the local language if needed , using action verbs to describe your achievements, and maintaining a professional and positive tone, you can significantly enhance your chances of landing a job abroad.

Tailor Your Resume to the Local Language

When applying for jobs abroad, it's crucial to adapt your resume to the local language. Take the time to research the preferred terminology and vocabulary used in the country where you're applying. Highlight your language skills and showcase your ability to communicate effectively in the local language. This demonstrates your cultural adaptability and shows potential employers that you are serious about integrating into their work environment.

However, it's important to note that this is not a universal rule. In some cases, employers explicitly request resumes in English, regardless of the local language. Always follow the instructions provided in the job listing to ensure your application is in line with the employer's preferences.

Here's another tip: unless specified otherwise, tailor your resume to the language of the job advertisement. If the job posting is in German for example, submit a resume in German; if it's in English, submit an English version. Adhering to these guidelines helps you align with the employer's expectations and increases your chances of standing out in the application process.

Use Action Verbs to Describe Your Achievements

Some resume best practices are universal. Here's one of them: Employers are interested in what you have accomplished in your previous roles.

So, to make your resume stand out, use action verbs to describe your achievements. Words like "achieved," "managed," "created," and "implemented" are powerful and demonstrate your proactive approach to work. Be specific and provide quantifiable results whenever possible. This helps potential employers understand the value you can bring to their organization.

Keep the Tone Professional and Positive

While it's important to showcase your personality through your resume, it's equally important to maintain a professional and positive tone. Avoid using overly casual language or slang terms. Instead, focus on presenting yourself as a qualified and motivated candidate. Use positive language to communicate your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. This creates a favorable impression and increases the likelihood of being considered for the job.

A person in front of laptop symbolizing the importance of tailoring the length and tone of your international resume.

Photo by Christin Hume  on Unsplash

These strategies will help you create a resume that captures the attention of potential employers and increases your chances of securing a job abroad.

#4 : Add Contact Information

Next step: letting employers know how they can contact you. The key things to add? Your name and contact details. Let's see how to do it right when writing a resume for a job abroad:

Include Your Full (Legal) Name and Contact Information

Old phones image, emphasizing adding contact details to your resume for effective communication in job searches.

Photo by Pavan Trikutam  on Unsplash

Start by including your full name at the top of your resume. This will help employers easily identify you and remember your application.

As an expat, you should also do this:

Ensure the name on your resume matches the name on your legal documents to avoid any inconvenience in the later stages of the hiring process.

Consider adding phonetical pronounciation of your name to your resume.

Be mindful of any special symbols or diacritics in your name, as some Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) may not handle them well. Simplifying complex characters can prevent technical issues and ensure that your resume is processed accurately by automated systems.

Add a Professional Email Address and Phone Number

Make sure to provide an email address and phone number that you check regularly. This will ensure that potential employers can reach out to you easily and promptly. Choose an email address that is simple and professional, preferably based on your name or occupation. Additionally, include a phone number that you can be reached at during business hours. Since employers will call you from abroad, remember to add country code to your phone number, so they know exactly how to reach you.

Provide Links to Your Online Portfolio or LinkedIn Profile

Another valuable addition to your resume is including links to your online portfolio or LinkedIn profile. This allows potential employers to review your work samples, projects, and professional background in more detail.

Ensure that your online portfolio or LinkedIn profile is up to date and showcases your skills, achievements, and experiences relevant to the job you are applying for.

#5 : Add Key Resume Sections

When applying for jobs abroad, it's crucial to have a well-structured resume that showcases your qualifications and experiences.

Here are five essential sections you should include in your resume to make a strong impression on potential employers.

how to make resume for job abroad

1. Contact Details

As discussed. in the previous section, including contact details on your resume is crucial as it allows potential employers to easily reach you. Ensure to include accurate and professional contact information, such as your phone number and email address.

2. Career Summary or Personal Profile

A personal profile or career summary is a concise paragraph at the beginning of your resume that highlights your career goals and summarizes your relevant skills and experiences. It gives employers a quick overview of who you are and what you can bring to their organization.

3. Work Experience and Achievements

Your work experience and achievements section is where you detail your past employment history, including job titles, company names, dates of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities and accomplishments. Use action verbs and quantify your achievements whenever possible to make your resume stand out. Plus, as an aspiring expat, your international background is your strength. Learn how to highlight your international experience on your resume.

4. Education and Certifications

List your educational background, including degrees earned, universities attended, and relevant certifications or training programs completed. Highlight any academic honors or awards you received that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

5. Skills, Languages, Volunteer Work or Extracurricular Activities

Showcase your skills and language proficiency in this section. Include both hard skills (technical abilities specific to the job) and soft skills (transferable skills like communication and teamwork). If you are multilingual, mention the languages you speak and your level of fluency. Btw, don't miss the local language, even if you're just a beginner—employers will be curious about it.

Highlight any volunteer work or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment, leadership, and teamwork skills. This section can help you stand out and show potential employers that you are well-rounded and actively involved in your community.

A photo of 2 volunteers cleaning the beach, showing the importance of adding volunteering info on your international resume.

Photo by OCG Saving The Ocean  on Unsplash Take it a step further: Follow these 5 essential tips for an expat resume and ensure your resume ends up at the top of the candidate list.

#6 : Customize for Each Job Application

This is a universal resume best practice: To stand out, you should customize your resume for each specific application. This shows employers that you've taken the time and effort to align your skills and experiences with their requirements.

Here are two key steps to help you tailor your resume effectively , without wasting HOURS doing it:

Tailor Your Resume to Match the Job Description

Start by carefully analyzing the job description and understanding the employer's needs. Pay close attention to the keywords and phrases used, as they often indicate the desired qualifications. Sprinkle these keywords naturally over your resume, especially in the skills and experience sections.

For example, if the job description emphasizes the need for "strong project management skills," be sure to highlight any relevant project management experience you have. Use the phrase "project management" in the skills section. Plus, share details about the projects you managed in the work experience section and career summary at the top of your resume. This ensures that your resume aligns with the employer's expectations and increases your chances of making a positive impression.

Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience

When customizing your resume, focus on showcasing the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. Remove any information that is not directly related to the position or industry, as it can distract the employer from your key qualifications.

Use bullet points to clearly outline your relevant skills and accomplishments. This makes it easier for the hiring manager to quickly scan and identify the strengths you bring to the table. Remember to quantify your achievements whenever possible to provide concrete evidence of your capabilities.

A typewriter to highlight the importance of customizing your international resume to each job application.

Photo by Markus Winkler  on Unsplash

Customize your resume for each job application to effectively demonstrate your alignment with the employer's requirements and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Did you know that not tailoring a resume is one of the most common resume mistakes expats make? Explore all 10 expat resume mistakes and learn how to avoid them.

#7 : Proofread and Edit

Before submitting your resume for jobs abroad, thoroughly proofread and edit your document.

Do this to ensure your resume is error-free:

Check for Spelling and Grammar Errors

One of the most common mistakes in resumes is spelling and grammar errors. Use spell-check tools to catch any obvious mistakes, but also review your resume manually to identify any errors the tool might miss. Pay attention to punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure to ensure your resume reads smoothly.

Ensure Consistency in Formatting

A well-formatted resume creates a positive impression. Ensure consistency in font usage, such as using the same font style, size, and color throughout your resume. Additionally, maintain uniformity in formatting, such as bullet points, indentation, and spacing. Consistency enhances readability and professionalism.

Get Feedback from Native Speakers or Professionals

Obtaining feedback from native speakers or professionals in the industry can significantly enhance the quality of your resume. They can identify any awkward phrasing, grammatical errors, or unclear statements that you might have missed. Their input can help you refine and polish your resume, making it more impactful.

A magnifying glass near laptop to show the importance of proofreading and spellchecking your international resume for a job abroad.

Photo by Agence Olloweb  on Unsplash Everything perfect? Double-check with this 10-minute resume checklist for jobs abroad .

TL;DR — How to Write a Resume for a Job Abroad?

Having a well-crafted resume is crucial when applying for jobs abroad. To do it right, follow this simple 7-step resume writing guide:

Understand the local job market to know exactly what employers expect.

Adapt the formatting and structure to the local requirements, making sure you know the preferred resume format, length, and date format.

Tailor the language and tone to the job description.

Add contact information , so employers can easily reach you.

Include key resume sections , from contact details to education and work experience.

Customize each job application to incorporate and highlight the most relevant pieces of information.

Proofread and edit your resume to avoid any typos or mistakes.

And that's about it! With that, you'll have your resume ready to go and win over employers worldwide.

Headshot of two female expats and career coaches in a circle on purple background.

Matilda Patsou & Ana Colak-Fustin

Hi there! We're Matilda and Ana — founders of MoreThanCareers , expats, international corporate recruiters, and HR professionals with 18+ years of combined HR experience. Since 2018, our career-building techniques, tools, and resources have helped over 500 coaching clients and 8,000 individuals worldwide land new, more fulfilling, higher-paying, career-changing jobs.

Now it's your turn. And More ThanCareers is here to help!

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Resumes From Around the World: How To Write a Resume For Working Abroad

  • Katka Mrvova , 
  • Updated January 23, 2024 9 min read

Do you want to work abroad? Then maybe you were already thinking about how to adjust your resume so it meets your dream country's criteria.

This is important because a resume that would get you a job in the US might easily land you in trash straight away in France.

Well, not necessarily, but let's not try to run before we can walk.

Here's some practical stuff to know before you apply for an international job.

Country-specific vs. company-specific resume

First of all, you should ask yourself whether this job position requires you to send over a country-specific or a company-specific resume.

This means you have to distinguish between an international company/organization in a foreign country and a local company/organization based in that foreign country.

Because there’s no point in writing a country-specific resume if the company is American (say you’re applying for a job at IBM in South Korea).

Large multinational corporations usually have their own resume standards that are set according to the country of origin. Much depends on the work environment.

If the majority of employees are internationals, or "expats", it's more than likely you don't have to bother with a country-specific resume.

On the other hand, if you're applying for a job in a local company/organization, you will have to adjust your resume to that country's resume standards.

But it's not always as easy as that. Research the company and the position carefully before writing a resume because the company itself might be international, but if it's a local branch that operates separately from the headquarters, you'd better make your resume country-specific. Tricky, we know.

International resume vs. domestic resume

Second thing you have to be aware of is that regardless of what kind of company it is, resume for a job abroad is always different than a domestic resume.  

In international resume, you have to put more emphasis on your personality  than when you’re applying for a domestic job.

Because even more than your knowledge and skills, the recruiter is interested in your adaptability to the international environment.

You're asking how to do it?

  • Put a short career objective or a summary on your resume . Say what you think you're excellent at and why you're passionate about your profession.
  • If you are a fresh graduate and you don’t have much experience to show, be more specific when describing your education. Tell about interesting projects you were part of, clubs or societies you were a member of or your greatest academic achievements.
  • Mention your international experience, for instance, Erasmus, exchange programs, international internships. If you don't have any of that, emphasize your passion for traveling.
  • Focus on traits that would make you a good candidate to work in an international environment.

How to write a country-specific resume

To put it simply, a resume, curriculum vitae or CV is a summary of your education, skills and previous work experience everywhere in the world.

However, some countries may have their specifics when it comes to writing style, formatting or info provided in a resume.

We have collected for you some useful info about what resume specifics are there in different countries:

The United States

In the US, most job applicants send resumes , because an American CV is a longer, sometimes around 10 pages long, document only used for the purpose of academic, medical or research jobs.

  • A standard US resume is usually one page long.
  • Personal information such as age, nationality or marital status on a resume or cover letter is considered unprofessional.
  • Unless it's relevant to the position you're applying to, you don't need to list any hobbies or personal interests.
  • You shouldn't bother with putting a photo on your resume . This is to prevent bias and discrimination. Of course, acting or modeling jobs are exceptions.
  • In the United States, you should basically take yourself as a product and your resume as your advertisement.
  • You should emphasize your qualifications, achievements and relevant experience in a bold and sharp manner. Remember that the competition is tough so your resume is your opportunity to shine. Do use a lot of "power words" that show passion, commitment and action, such as efficient, determined, skilled, achieved, responsible etc.

When applying for a job in Canada, it is very important to have a resume formatted in a Canadian style.

Before applying, make sure you are aware of some minor differences between the English-speaking and French-speaking areas in Canada. Here are some universal tips:

  • Keep your resume short - two pages are maximum. If you are a fresh graduate without much experience it is recommended to keep it to one page only.
  • Contact information (email and a cell phone number) should go at the top of your resume. Also, in Canada it is quite common to include links to your social media accounts on your resume. Your LinkedIn profile should be enough.
  • Below the contact info, write a short career objective. Use short and dynamic sentences full of power words and verbs implying action. Emphasize your qualities and value to the company.
  • In the work experience section state any kind of work you have done - even internships and volunteer work count.
  • Your resume must be well organized. Canadians are perfectionists so make sure your formatting and style are perfect. Use bullet points and headings.
  • In the work experience and education sections keep the sentences indefinite,don't write in first person.

In Europe, you call resume a Curriculum Vitae  or a CV. In most European countries a CV is 1-2 pages long. In Europe there are still countries where there it is accepted, even welcome, to include photos on a CV, though it's  slowly becoming outdated. 

The United Kingdom

  • A British CV is usually one page long only.
  • In the UK, it is quite usual to state also your secondary education on your CV even if you have a college degree. This is because A Levels and O Levels tests prove the level of proficiency in specific subjects. As a foreigner looking for a job in the UK , you can but don't have to state it. 
  • Write a  CV in full sentences, not just bullet points. For example: "In this job position, I was managing social media and was responsible for creating and managing adverts on Facebook and Twitter."
  • Leave the photo and your date of birth out of your resume.
  • It's common to provide at least two references with the contact details at the end of your CV.
  • French CV should be short and concise unless you've got years of experience or published plenty of articles/publications.
  • It is okay to include a photo on a French resume but it should be a professional headshot.
  • It is common to add a short description of your skills and/or short-term career goals at the beginning of your resume.
  • In the education section, you should only state the highest diplomas you have obtained. Of course, this is only if the previous education is not particularly relevant in terms of certain skills or knowledge.
  • With regards to language skills, it is advised to give details (fluency level) .
  • Germans call a CV "Lebenslauf" which could be translated as "the course of life".
  • Germans are very strict when it comes to job applications. If the CV isn't easy to read and navigate, it will most likely be thrown out.
  • Put your professional passport-style photograph in the top right corner of your CV.
  • A German Lebenslauf is very factual, hence, it should contain only factual data. No embellished sentences or elaborate statements.
  • There should be no gaps in your CV. Even if you didn't work for a period of time, state why and what it was you were doing.
  • It is common to enclose copies of supporting documents with your Lebenslauf. 
  • Generally, finding a job in Germany if you don't speak German is a tough one. There are exceptions of course, but at least a basic level of German would help you a great deal.
  • Typically, you do include a photo on a Japanese resume. It has to be a professional photo and the smarter you look, the better.
  • Your resume should be written in Japanese.
  • Japanese resume contains very detailed personal information such as gender, date of birth, nationality and address.
  • Being a foreigner, it's best to have some acquaintances in the company you're applying for. Japanese tend to be quite suspicious when it comes to foreigners, but still it's not impossible to find a job in Japan as a foreigner .
  • Even though Singapore is a former British colony, the term resume is used instead of CV.
  • Detailed personal info and contact details should be stated at the beginning of your resume. A photo is a great asset.
  • Singaporean resume should be reasonably conservative - keep it neat and factual.
  • Put a short career objective before the education and work experience section.
  • You should put two references with contact details at the end of your resume.
  • An Indian CV never includes a photo and info such as place of birth, race or religion.
  • Keep it relevant. Indians do not really care about your hobbies, interests or minor successes.
  • In India it's more common to use a functional format instead of reversed chronological format. You would typically put a summary of your skills and expertise at the beginning. You should also list your most important career achievements.
  • It is quite common to put an executive summary at the beginning of your resume where you state all the most relevant info about you in a nutshell.

UNITED ARAB E MIRATES

  • It is quite common to have a really long CV in UAE - typically up to four pages long. Hiring managers are very thorough in scrutinizing the applicants so make sure your CV is detailed.
  • There aren't any anti-discrimination laws in UAE. Hence, including a photo is a must. Employers want to see how you look like and will consider your CV more trustworthy if it includes a photo.
  • Write very detailed personal information and contact details. In UAE, recruiters want to know everything!
  • Feel free to exaggerate and embellish. We don't advise you to lie, but a UAE CV should be action-packed and a bit dramatic. Emphasize you take the job very seriously.
  • Make sure your CV stands out from the crowd. Everything about United Arab Emirates is fancy and stylish. So should be your CV.

Australian resume is a bit different from a European or American style resume so when applying for a job in this country, make sure you'll adjust yours to Australian standards. Australian resume is generally very clear and concise, written in a reversed chronological format with bullet points and around two pages long.

  • It's recommended to include a mission statement or your career objective at the beginning. Two or three sentences will do.
  • You should not have any gaps in your resume. In case there's a gap in between your previous employments, state what you were doing in the meantime.
  • Less is more. Keep the design simple - no fancy fonts or colors. Regarding the content, avoid revealing too much about yourself.
  • Make your resume achievement oriented - don't just state your work experience but make sure you highlight your special abilities and your notable achievements.
  • If you haven't had much previous experience, focus on your extracurricular activities and things you did beyond your given responsibilities.
  • Clearly state in what way the company can benefit from hiring you. Highlight your strong points and value you would bring to the workplace.
  • List some of your most interesting hobbies and interests at the end. Try to bring as much of your personality to the resume as it gets.
  • Never include an age, race or religion info in your resume. And no photos!

In case you want a few more tips which will ease your job hunting process, check our guide on how to find a job in Australia .

Let's put your global ambitions into action! With a single click, turn your LinkedIn profile into an exceptional resume sure to impress international employers.

Author of Kickresume's popular ebook "The Jobseeker's Guide to the Galaxy". Avid traveller, photographer and recently also a fashion designer. The first writer to ever contribute to Kickresume's blog.

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How to Write an International Resume in 2024

how to make resume for job abroad

17 min read

How to Write an International Resume in 2023

Working for a foreign employer has become more accessible than ever, we’ll show you how!

It’s become more common than ever to work for an international company or a company that is headquartered in a different country. This has been a desired route for many professionals for decades, but in years past, those individuals were required to travel or relocate to the country’s home base. However, when the pandemic forced the global workforce into the digital sphere, it became more accessible to work for any company in the world. 

Working for an international company comes with a lot of perks and versatility. If it’s something you’d like to pursue, you need to show recruiters that you have what it takes. The best way to do that is by creating an international resume that you can use for job applications around the world.. 

In this article we’ll discuss:

The difference between a CV and a resume.

What to consider when applying to a company abroad.

The elements to include in an international resume that are different from a standard American resume.

What makes a resume international?

Every country in the world has its own nuances to the hiring process, salary and benefits, and norms of the workforce at large. An international resume aims to cater to the likes of many different countries’ norms. 

In the US, there is a very specific set of guidelines that job seekers follow in making their resumes. But if you were to apply to a position based out of another country, your resume would likely be missing some crucial information. 

The areas that we see the biggest discrepancies on a resume are contact information, format, education, and use of language and vocabulary. 

We’ll get into everything you need to know about those details so you can write an excellent international resume. 

Resume vs CV

Many Americans go their entire career without ever hearing the term ‘CV’. In the US, the document of work experience is strictly referred to as a resume. 

CV stands for curriculum vitae. For many countries around the world, the term CV is used instead of resume , but the purpose of the two documents is essentially the same. 

It should be noted though that the way the documents look and function are not identical. If a job application asks you to submit a CV, you should not submit your normal resume. 

Is the term ‘CV’ more common than ‘Resume’ in American English?

No, in American English, the word resume is used instead of CV. In fact, if you were to say CV to most Americans, they would not intuitively understand what was being referenced. 

In Canadian English, the words can be interchangeable, with resume being somewhat favored. And with other Commonwealth English-speaking countries, the term CV is used most of the time. 

What countries use a CV instead of a resume?

Aside from Canada which uses both, all commonwealth countries use a CV, including Australia and New Zealand. In Europe, CVs are also widely used, including in countries like France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, and Scandinavia. CVs are also the standard in most African, South Asian, and Middle Eastern countries. 

In addition to the US and Canada , most of Asia and Southeast Asia use a resume format, some Middle Eastern and European countries, Latin America, Central America, and Mexico do as well. 

Is there a standard international resume format?

The short answer is no, there is no universal format for a resume that applies to every industry and country in the world. Sometimes it can seem like the US job market has an influence over the world too, but that’s simply not the case. Just because it’s relevant in the US workforce does not mean it’s relevant elsewhere. 

If you are a US citizen interested in applying for work in another country, it could discredit you to submit a document that is geared toward the US markets. It shows that you don’t have an international lens on and that you didn’t take the time to learn the standards of the country you’re hoping to enter. 

Conversely, if an American submitted the perfect resume for another country, it can speak volumes to their ability to adapt to the country’s workforce and standards. In this article, we’ll show you how to do just that!

How to write an international resume

For the following resume examples, we are going to highlight some of the most prevalent countries and what they look for. We are intending this for US jobseekers, so a US resume will not be included. For tips on how to write the best US resume in 2024, visit our website!

How to write a UK resume

The biggest differences between US and UK resumes are related to contact information and the correct use of the English language. Formatting in the UK is similar to the US, in which you use one to two pages of clear and direct information to achieve a uniform function. 

In the UK, a professional summary or personal statement is encouraged to add at the beginning of your resume, towards your contact information. In this, briefly but concisely describe the skill set that you will be bringing to the team.

It’s also important for American jobseekers in the UK to be conscious about using British English. You can look up lists of words that are commonly misspelled when switching between American and British English. A couple of examples are “color/colour” and “theater/theatre”. 

Lastly, UK resumes should not include a photo or graphic. There are some European countries that do request photos in your personal information section, so be sure to look up the specifics of each country you apply to. 

How to write a Singapore resume

It’s important to do research on each company and industry that you apply for in Singapore and other Asian countries. Especially for Americans, displaying cultural awareness can be a way to show respect. Singapore resumes should be aesthetically clean, use concise and direct language, and be easy to navigate. 

Unless stated otherwise, you can feel free to use American English. There will likely be some communication barriers along the way, but Singapore is a very diverse country with four official languages, including Malay, Singapore Mandarin, Tamil, and Singapore English. 

In Singapore, it is not necessary to include a photo, your age, marital status, religion, or other personal information in your contact info section. If you like, you can include a section about personal interests, where you list your hobby and interests in your personal life, so long as they somehow showcase skills that could be applicable in your professional life. 

How to write a Mexico resume

Of all the countries listed here, Mexico will actually support a resume with the most differences from the US. 

If you are applying for a position in Mexico, your resume should be in Spanish. For the most part, Mexican employment will require a proficient use of the Spanish language. When Americans apply for jobs in Mexico, it is imperative to offer respect by using the appropriate language and keeping a keen eye out for grammatical errors. If you’re not bilingual, you can let the recruiter know that and see if they are open to you submitting a resume in English. For the most part, though, it will greatly benefit you to pursue the language of the country you are considering working in if English is not heavily integrated into that society. 

Another big difference is relating to the type of information provided in your personal information section. In Mexico, it’s common practice to include details like your age, marital status, and specific address. It’s also not uncommon for candidates to include a professional headshot photo on the front page of their resume. This is oftentimes a small photo either in the center or upper corners of their resume. 

Where to add visa information and work authorization on an international resume

With all of the above examples of resumes from around the world, there should be a space saved for information relating to your current visa status and work authorization. 

The world of international work is incredibly bureaucratic, and in many cases, you’ll come across conflicting pieces of instruction while trying to learn about each country’s visa process. And that’s just it; every country has a different process. If you are considering applying for jobs abroad, don’t submit anything until you have a thorough understanding of what work authorization looks like, because it will come up. 

What kind of information to add

For any foreign national seeking a job abroad, it’s essential to provide information relating to your visa status. 

Because not all employers can support a foreign worker, and it will save everyone a lot of time to address it openly and with transparency.

Navigating immigration laws and work permits is layered. If a candidate doesn’t have the authorization to work in that country, the company could face major backlash for hiring them. It also adds work for the employer, because they have to ensure your information is correct, your authorization is active, and that they can feel safe in your hiring. So it's best to be upfront with that kind of information. 

On your international resume, add a section near the top titled “Visa Status” or “Work Authorization”. In the following field, clearly write out your status. 

What is sponsorship

There are two camps of foreign workers: those who have an independent visa or work authorization, and those who get it through their jobs. 

Sponsorship refers to the latter. 

A foreigner typically cannot just enter a country on a tourist or temporary visa and be legally hired by a company. Being employed within most countries in the world requires you to have special permission from the government. When the government deems you qualified to be granted that permission, they issue you a work visa. With a work visa, you and the company can both legally move forward with hiring. Without a visa, you could risk being banned from the country or jailed, and the company can lose its licensing and have to pay steep fines. Bottom line, if you want to work abroad, you have to get the appropriate government-issued visa. 

Often, when a company is seeking out international candidates for a role, they will offer to help them in obtaining the visa. This is called sponsorship. 

When looking at international job boards, most job postings have some kind of reference to sponsorship, either offering it or stating that they cannot. There are eligibility criteria that both the company and the candidate have to meet to be able to offer such support. The company has to comply with regulations and immigration laws, as well as meet the markers for company size, financial stability, and compliance with local labor and sanitation laws. 

Of course, this list will vary depending on the country. Research work visa eligibility for whatever country you are hoping to become employed in. 

If you’re seeking a job for visa access

Often, employers who offer visa sponsorship reach out to candidates that they desire and are able to support relocation. But there are just as many people who know they want to live in a certain country or work within a certain market and they will seek out employers and ask if they can support sponsorship. 

If you fall into this category, know that it’s essential to be transparent about your current work authorization during communication with a prospective employer. 

One way to do this is to have it on your international resume. You can include it in your resume objective or professional summary, or you can include a section titled, “Visa Status.” When you describe your current situation, remain direct and concise. Try saying something like, “Seeking a Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) visa as a condition of hiring.”

What do different countries call their work-sponsored visas

If you’re interested in pursuing a work-sponsored visa in another country, it’s important to know what terminology to use. Here are what some popular countries call their work visas.

What some popular countries call their work visas.

Do you have to get a work visa to work remotely for an international company?

The answer to this question is somewhat nuanced and also varies greatly from country to country. 

In a lot of cases, if an American citizen is living in the US while working remotely for a company that is based in another country, they are not required to obtain a work visa for that country. There are exceptions though, so always do your own research. 

If you are navigating this type of situation, it’s best to consult with a legal and tax professional, because there may be other US-based obligations that you'll need to comply with. 

Is it OK to have different resumes for different jobs?

Yes and, in fact, it’s encouraged. With the current trends in hiring throughout the global workforce, relevance is everything. When you have multiple resumes for different industries, you’re able to tailor the whole thing for relevance. By using keywords from the job posting and similar postings, you will increase the relevance of your resume tenfold. 

Applying for work internationally adds another layer. Each country has a slightly different take on what information they’d like to see on a resume. It’s recommended that you have a modified resume for each country, industry, and position that you apply for. 

How do you make a non-traditional resume?

In the last five to ten years, there has been rising popularity in the use of non-traditional resumes. These include resumes with graphics, digital resumes, and video or social media resumes. 

If you are making a resume intended for international use, you should be certain that it is appropriate for the industry you are working in. In most cases, it is not recommended to use a non-traditional resume when applying for jobs abroad. This is mostly due to the already-nuanced cultural awareness that needs to be considered when making an international resume. You would not want to be discredited because you used a resume style that is appropriate in one country, but not in another. Play it safe by sticking to a clean, professional, and standardized resume format. 

The one exception to non-traditional resumes is the use of a personal portfolio website. These are online websites owned and updated by an individual professional to showcase their skills. The benefits of using a personal website are you can include visuals to go along with your descriptions. This is particularly useful when describing projects you’ve worked on. It’s also easy to send to a recruiter, but it’s personal enough that they can get a sense of who you are before engaging in an interview. 

It should be noted that even if you send a recruiter a link to your website, you should still also include a traditional resume along with it.  

Does international experience look good on a resume?

International work isn’t for everyone. Employers take a big leap of faith when hiring a foreign worker. So if you have previous international work experience, it’s a great idea to include it on your resume. It shows the employer that you are capable of living abroad and are experienced in navigating new cultural norms. 

How do you show international experience on a resume?

The best way to showcase your international experience is through integrative descriptions of your work experience. 

International experience is not in and of itself a professional qualification. While it can help improve your candidacy, it should not be a stand-alone item. 

When you are writing out your work experience, each company you’ve worked for should have a coordinating location. For domestic work, you can simply write out the city and state. To highlight the international component, you can also add the country code. 

More importantly, though, is describing your ability to work in a foreign market in the details of the position. Anyone who has worked in a foreign country knows the basic hurdles that one faces. Describe it. How many people were a part of your team? Was it a mix of people from all over the world or local to the country of location? What language was spoken? Did you engage in negotiations or leadership roles? 

Being able to answer these questions helps to paint a picture of how easy your transition to a new country will be, while also speaking to the professional skills you possess. Cultural awareness also plays a role here. Being able to show an understanding and respect for professional etiquette in different countries is a great plus. 

Language section on an international resume

One of the biggest barriers to international work is language. Even if a company accepts applicants from abroad, they might not be prone to hiring people who don’t speak the national language. 

There are some industries where a language barrier might not affect business, such as IT and tech. However, in most positions where you work with customers or colleagues, language will be very important. 

You can add your language(s) to your resume in two places: your personal information and professional summary,  or as a separate section titled “Language.” 

Here, you can highlight the languages you speak, and the level of accuracy with which you speak them. 

Languages: English (fluent), Spanish (fluent), Portuguese (conversational), French (novice)

How do I write my resume if I am bilingual?

If you are bilingual and applying for a job that uses both of your fluent languages, which one should you write your resume in? Use these tips for deciding which route to go.

Review the job posting

First, look back at the job posting to see what language it is written in. If it’s written in English, does it read as though there might be a different language spoken primarily? You can also review the requirements or qualifications section. If a company is hiring international candidates, they will likely indicate which languages are crucial to the role. 

Consider the location, industry, and intended audience

Like we talked about earlier, some countries have multiple national languages. Always look up the primary language used in the workforce of the country you’re applying within. Also, is the company based in a large global city? If so, they might use one of the dominant professional languages, including English, Mandarin, or Russian when conducting business. 

A similar sentiment can be extended to considering the industry and audience of the company’s products or services. 

For example, a travel company in Thailand might desire candidates who speak German or English, with less importance on speaking Thai, because most of its clientele will be speaking those languages.

Write a bilingual resume

You also have the option of writing a bilingual resume if the company displays an even split in languages spoken. There are a couple of ways to do this. 

The first is to write a truly bilingual resume, in which everything is written in both languages, and the two languages are displayed side by side. This is a great way to spotlight your bilingualism, but it could also take away from highlighting your other professional skills because of how much space it takes up.

The second approach is to use bilingual titles to highlight important features of your resume while using the language that the job posting was written in for the main body of your resume. 

For example:

Perfil Profesional (Professional Profile)

Bringing 15 years of experience as a Registered Nurse (RN), specializing in the critical care unit ( la unidad de cuidados intensivos ) response and performing over 200 sutures per day.

Experiencia Laboral (Work Experience)

Hospital San Javier – Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX

2012-present

What are the best resume writing services for international jobs?

There are a lot of considerations to make when writing an international resume. It’s even more challenging for those who don’t have a specific company or country in mind. Turning to a professional resume writing company can help take some of that burden off of you. 

Resume writers are trained to write documents that will excel in any industry or country. They know what different nuances are between English variations and understand how cultural respect is crucial for an international resume. 

Speak to a professional resume writer to ask about your specific situation. Be clear and concise about what type of help you’re looking for, and ask questions to gauge if they will be able to offer you appropriate guidance. 

Don’t know where to start? Upload your international resume here for a free resume review by one of our trusted experts in the field. 

Recommended reading:

Canada Resume Format: Best Tips & Examples

ATS Resume Test: Free ATS Checker &Formatting Examples

19 Essential Skills for Resumes: Examples Included

Emma Elizabeth, Resume Writer, Emma Elizabeth, Resume Writer

Emma is a certified employment specialist with over 6 years of experience in career mentorship and employment training. With an affinity for technical writing, Emma is passionate about developing training, policy, and procedure manuals. In 2020 she helped design Colorado’s first state-certified training program for people with disabilities entering the workforce.

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How to Apply for Jobs Abroad

Searching for and applying to international jobs can be an intimidating task. here are 3 useful steps to find and secure work abroad..

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Finding a job and relocating to another country isn't like any travel you're used to -- and that's a good thing! Living and working overseas is an exciting experience and can promote both personal and professional growth.

Ready to start working abroad ? We’ll show you how to find and apply for jobs overseas in three simple steps.

1. Search for positions abroad

Finding the perfect position can be tough, especially if there is a specific country you'd like to work in. Fortunately, there are plenty of different ways to find jobs abroad!

Use International job boards

International job boards are a major tool for finding work abroad!

Start by narrowing your search to the desired location you'd like to find work in. Some websites even have a filter to help you search for companies looking for US citizens or English speakers specifically.

Once you find a position of interest to you, check if they sponsor international workers. Certain jobs will say in their description that they're open to sponsorship.

You can also explore the Go Overseas Job Board and find open positions with companies around the globe!

Try networking

Finding online groups with similar career interests is a fantastic place to start making contacts internationally and may even land you your first overseas job.

Start by joining groups on social media sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter. You'll find communities of digital nomads and international job seekers, plus companies looking to hire.

Create a profile that stands out, and showcase your passions, experiences, and goals. But don't just sit back and watch - be proactive. Reach out to hiring managers at prospective companies abroad and connect with other international workers in the field.

You can also network in the location you're planning to travel to! If you're a digital nomad looking for more potential remote work, staying at a hostel or co-working space with other travelers may be a great way to expand your professional circle and even find new work!

If you graduated from university, you can also use your alumni association to create contacts. See what the rest of your fellow alums are doing, and reach out to those living in countries where you'd be interested in working. Alumni events can also be a valuable way to grow your list of professional contacts.

Apply for US companies with global offices

Rather than just applying straight through, say a UK company, in hopes of moving to London, apply for jobs with US companies that have offices around the globe. Companies like Wells Fargo, Carnival, Hilton, and Conde Nast, to name a few, have offices and roles worldwide. They're looking for people willing to travel and move abroad in an array of positions too.

This method is especially perfect for those who want to work in the hospitality field, such as hotels. American hotel companies like to hire English speakers who know the company and how it works. Plus, most major chains have locations all around the world!

Use an international recruiter

Entire agencies exist that work on behalf of international companies to find workers from around the world. Going through a recruitment agency cuts the hassle of looking for positions abroad and companies willing to sponsor, but it comes at a price. Make sure you thoroughly read any contract you sign with a recruitment agency as they will sometimes require a percentage of your future paychecks for finding you a job abroad. It might not be a lot, but be aware of it.

A chart showing popular destinations and industries for US citizens.

2. Send an application tailored to your destination country

Once you find a position that you know you're right for, start applying. Easy as that, right? Not exactly. .

Even if you speak the same language as the country where you're applying for jobs, not everything runs that same way, so do some research to make sure your application aligns with what the company is looking for. Otherwise, your application will go straight to the bottom of the pile.

The following tips can help you as your prepare your application:

  • Check your spelling: The UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Canada for instance have different spelling rules (defense vs. defence and honor vs. honour).
  • Add the country's popular contact methods: Sign up for Whatsapp, Zoom, and Skype, so you're prepared to do an interview online whenever that company contacts you.
  • Research the company and tailor your resume for each job: Before applying, review the company's website (especially its mission statement and about us page) to better understand its core values. This will help you better connect with the hiring manager!
  • Write a strong, personal cover letter: This is your time to let them know what makes you stand out, and what will you bring to that job. You can also talk about your love for the specific field or industry, their company, and why you want to join their staff. Nothing excites an employer like someone who understands their company and believes in it.

3. Apply for a visa!

Visas and work permits can take quite a lot of time (and money) to process. You may be asked to submit medical exams, police records, and more. You'll have to have a passport, obviously, and you might have to visit the embassy for an interview. Consult your destination country's consulate website to find out exactly what you need. Websites like VisaGuide.World can also give you a good idea of the requirements.

It's good to know the visa process and which forms you'll need, before searching for jobs abroad. Once you find a job that is able to sponsor you, make sure you stay on top of the visa process and get everything done as soon as possible.

Read more : The American's Guide to Working Holiday Visas

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The dream of working abroad may seem like a challenge, but it's possible! By breaking down the process into smaller steps like those mentioned in this article, it will be way less overwhelming and, trust us, so worth it!

Ready to find your dream job abroad? Sign up for email alerts to be the first to know when a new job is posted on our global job board !

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How to prepare a European-style resume

Ah, the thrill of the hunt. The job hunt , that is. There’s nothing quite like it, especially when your residency in a foreign country depends on it. High stakes or go home! That’s a motto to live by, amiright?

When I first moved to Germany, I was more or less recruited without so much as a glance at my CV (they needed a computer scientist who knew Latin – it’s safe to say the competition was not stiff) – but the second job search was a bit more…involved. A lot more research, applications, interviews, and even a few rejections. But what’s worse than a rejection? A SILENT rejection (here’s looking at you, Google Paris). Not even getting an interview in the first place is way worse.

A compelling CV the first step in helping your potential employer see themselves hiring a foreign national, with all the extra hoops and paperwork it entails. You have to fight against local candidates with familiar credentials and better networking opportunities – to say it’s an uphill battle would be an understatement.

Here are some tips for brushing up your résumé for an international audience, lessons I learned when applying for jobs in Europe, and what I want to see when I’m looking at applications at my company.

Brushing up your résumé for an international audience

Loosley speaking, a résumé is a single page and a CV is more than one page. In the American sense of the world, a CV contains every tiny detail of your life: every job you’ve had since you were sixteen, every award you won in high school, every time you blew your nose – it’s all in there.

Europeans, however, take a middle ground between the American résumé in all its brevity and the American CV in all its verbosity. The result is a CV that is no more than two pages in length, unless you’re a fancy with papers spilling over onto a third page. This document should detail not only work experience, but all the other qualities you bring to the table. Oh, and a couple of extra personal details .

1. Add your picture

Although it’s not legally required, most employers would like to see a picture of you. This picture should:

  • Go in the top corner of the first page of your CV, and measure about an inch by an inch.
  • Be of professional quality, passport style, in color.
  • No selfies, no party photos to appear “fun”. This is business!*

* - Full disclosure, my CV has a Photobooth selfie and I’ve had plenty of success with it. In retrospect though, it’s a bit embarrassing 😅

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2. Include the languages you speak

Well, if you speak any foreign languages, chances are you’ve been putting it on your résumé for a long time as a badge of honor! But now that you’re moving to another country, it’s good to demonstrate some interest (and better yet, proficiency ) in the local language. Even if you can’t speak it fluently, you can still list your proficiency level using Common European Framework of Reference for Languages .

My languages are listed on my CV like this:

English (native — US Citizen), German (conversational)

Which brings me to the next point…

3. Indicate your country of citizenship

Tell them where you’re from! People are applying for jobs in Europe from all over the world, and just because you studied at an American university doesn’t automatically mean that you’re a US citizen.

Some countries are easier to hire from than others. Disclosing your citizenship is important so the hiring manager knows up front what kind of effort it’ll take to get you there and how soon they have to set the process in motion.

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4. Get your résumé translated

This one heavily depends on the type of work and work environment you are getting yourself into. Most workplaces populated with expats will be English-friendly, and therefore an English-language CV is important.

Chances are that if your résumé needs to be translated, you’re going to have to learn to work in a foreign language. In France, for example, the startup scene is criticized for being very French-focused, making it difficult for them to successfully import foreign talent. Therefore, CVs for French companies should absolutely be in French, and you’re pretty darn likely to find yourself learning French on the job to keep up. Germany, on the other hand, is pretty forgiving if you don’t know German – sure, they might expect you to learn it, but most of the time, international companies and startups are perfectly content with an English CV.

That said, if you do translate your CV, have it proofread by a native speaker . Even if you’re feeling plucky after dominating your introductory French class, nothing looks less professional than obvious typos or grammatical errors on a CV.

5. Use A4 format

We Americans like to do things differently. We like our feet, fahrenheit, and (American) football – and our paper sizes are no exception. Especially if you’re applying somewhere where bureaucracy has a strong foothold, paper format is critical , because your CV is definitely going to end up in a European-sized folder somewhere. Make sure it fits, use an A4 format for your CV.

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6. Go over two pages – if you need it

While more than two pages for an American résumé is an unforgivable sin , the same is not true for a European-style CV. A second page is warranted so long as your first page can hold the readers’ attention long enough to bring them to the second page. Presentations, publications, skills, hobbies, languages spoken, and professional internet presence are all good candidates for getting bumped to page two.

What I look for in an applicant

From time to time, I’m involved in the hiring process for web developers at my company. Our immediate team comprises people from five countries and a huge range of educational and professional backgrounds. Here are the some things that I look for from all applicants on their CVs:

  • Well-proofread, grammatically correct CV in English. – Since English is the business language of the company, being comfortable working in English is critical. Plus, an error-ridden CV is a sure sign of sloppiness.
  • Genuine expression of intent from the candidate. – Hiring international applicants can take a long time, especially if they’re not from the EU, and even more especially if they’re from a tricker country like Russia or Egypt. There’s no use expending the extra effort if the applicant isn’t going to commit.
  • What is their current living situation, and what will it take to get them here. – Do they have a work permit? Are they in Europe? When can they relocate?

These things tell me that an applicant is serious off the bat, and worth the time to evaluate their skills and work history. Communicating that you are not only qualified for the job but prepared to start in a reasonable time frame is very appealing!

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With all of that said – don’t stress about it!

Having the perfect, European format résumé might be important for fancy financial jobs at Umbrella Corp, but most places won’t expect a foreigner to format their CV perfectly like a local. Focus instead on compelling content and organizing the information clearly, and you’ve got a better shot of getting the attention of someone who spends way too much time poring over résumés.

Additional resources

  • Dutch First Impressions: Cover Letters and CVs in the Netherlands
  • American Resume vs. European CV
  • Ten tips for writing the perfect French CV
  • How to write a German Lebenslauf

What’s your experience applying for work overseas?

How did you have to adapt your CV for an international audience? Were there any weird things your employer wanted to know before putting pen to paper? Share it in the comments!

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Author

About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

Follow along on Instagram , Twitter , Bloglovin , & Facebook .

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They Are Different From Domestic Resumes

Writing an international resume often involves using the same tools as a domestic resume, but the form and content can be different in important ways.

Whether you are looking for your first professional international job after graduating with a master's degree, or you are applying for your first internship or volunteer position abroad you should be aware that international resumes are different from domestic resumes. For many, the idea of understanding international resumes is to figure out how to write a country specific resume, such as a Korean resume, a Portuguese resume, or an Italian resume. This idea is based on a false premise. You will rarely be applying for international work with an employer based in a foreign country. Ninety-five percent of the international jobs open to entry-level North American university students looking for professional international work will be with North American based employers or international organizations. These employers understand North American resumes styles. But there is a twist.

Three Big Differences in International Resumes

International resumes are different from domestic resumes because international employers place more emphasis on your personality. They focus on your international I.Q. They want to know that you will be effective in an international work environment. They are often less concerned with your technical skills.

There are three building blocks to an international resume: First, you have to build a resume that shows your personality and is organized to match the employer's "ideal profile." Second, you need to emphasize your cross-cultural skills, especially in terms of the cross-cultural work environment. And last, there are a host of smaller details — other differences that are unique to international resumes.

Show Your Professional Personality

International resumes highlight your skills and group information so that you do the analytical work for the recruiter. In this way nothing is left to chance. Employers will see you the way you want them to. Here are a few specific strategies to put personality into your resume.

  • Career Objective: This fundamental statement about what you want to do and what you like to do suggests what you will most likely excel at. Everything that follows in a resume is written to support this objective.
  • Personal and Professional Traits: This breakdown helps international employers know who you are and why you are good at your work. Make sure each trait is backed up with concrete examples in your job descriptions. This tactic is especially useful for those who are new to the job market and may not have enough material or experience to write a full 1-page Skills Summary.
  • Skills Summary: This grouping is the most powerful tool you have. It gives you full control to tell employers who you are. It takes lots of self-analysis. Work hard on choosing subtitles. Write efficiently.
  • Education: If you are just graduating and have few professional work experiences, write up your education as if it were a job, listing three or four points under your degree. Tell employers who you are by first listing "Areas of Interest" (not courses taken). Write then about "Major Projects," the ones you excelled at. Write also about befriending international students and working in multicultural student work teams. You could also list tutoring, study abroad, and language learning.
  • Professional Work Experience: By separating your professional jobs from non-professional work, you get to highlight jobs that support your objective, which employers appreciate. Write at least one third of a page on each of these important jobs.
  • Job Descriptions: Include skills in your job descriptions, and for important jobs, consider grouping the description into functional areas. Example: "Marketing," "Administration," and "Writing." For each job, always list one item that states "why you were successful" or "what you were known for." This tells the employer tons about who you are and what makes you tick.
  • Other Sections: Show your personality in other sections of your resume. Examples: for awards based on merit state why you received the award; for volunteer experience state what you accomplished; for travel provide details (e.g., "Enjoyed the challenges of getting around and interacting with officials while visiting Romania and Albania.").
  • Order Within Sections: There are many lists within your resume. Always sort these by order of importance as to how they support your career objectives, with the most supportive item at the top. Thus in the details of your job description do not make the mistake of first listing the last task assigned or even the largest task; rather, list the task that best supports your objective.
  • Group International Experience Together: By grouping your international experience under one section, you are increasing its impact and minimizing the chances that some of your international experience is missed. Under the subtitle "International Expertise and Understanding" list: international education or courses, cross-cultural and international experiences in North America and abroad (volunteering, interning, or working), language abilities, and international travel.
  • Length of Resume: An international resume can be longer since it includes more information about your personality. A 3- to 4-page resume is normal. But don't forget every word must count (no gobbledygook please, efficient writing only!); and everything must be formatted to allow for speed-reading (subtitle your skills inventory, use functional job titles, break down long jobs into functional areas).

Sell Your Cross-Cultural Skills

Let employers know that you are aware of the unique set of skills required to be successful in a cross-cultural work environment. Here are a few examples on where and how to mention these skills.

  • Skills Summary: Enjoys cross-cultural work environments; Adept and attracted to multi-cultural environments, both socially and at work.
  • Job Descriptions: Positive attitude toward change and new environments; Sensitive to the dynamics of a cross-cultural work place; Ability to relate to people of different personalities and backgrounds; Tolerant, curious, and appreciative of different work patterns while remaining committed to deadlines.
  • Education: Completed many projects within a multi-ethnic student team in order to gain cross-cultural work experience.
  • Volunteer Experience: Lived with a local family and successfully adapted to cultural changes.
  • Language: Ability to learn languages quickly when traveling.
  • Travel: Adept at building relationships while remaining street wise when traveling in developing countries.

Address Other Differences

There are a host of small differences to watch out for in an international resume. Obviously, language and travel descriptions need to be more detailed. But what about listing citizenship, especially if you have a foreign sounding name. List marital status if you are single, have no dependents, and are available for travel. List your spouse's occupation if he or she has a mobile career such as teaching or nursing. Take care to provide a permanent email address since international employers sometime contact applicants many months after applying.

A Last Word

It is most powerful to write an international resume with a career objective. While the objective can be broadly based, it has a specific career focus. You will be successful if you build each section and write each description to support your objective.

Jean-Marc Hachey is recognized across North America for his practical career advice and encyclopaedic compilation of resources on all aspects of international careers. A writer, consultant, and public speaker, Hachey has helped launch thousands to international lives overseas.

 
 
© 1997-2024 Transitions Abroad Publishing, Inc.

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Finding a Job

How to tailor your CV for different countries

Learn how to tailor your CV depending on where you live and land an interview for your dream job with this helpful guide.

CV

By Sophie Pettit

Updated 15-5-2024

Knowing how to tailor your CV or resume when applying for jobs abroad can be a real challenge, especially given that every country has its own preference when it comes to format and style. While the core content of a resume is essentially the same wherever you are in the world, the way that you present your skills, experience, and achievements makes all the difference between landing an interview and getting lost in a pile of applications.

So, to help you create a resume that appeals to your prospective employer and makes a dazzling first impression, here are some key guidelines on how to tailor your resume in the following locations:

First things first: CV or resume?

Structure and format, a final word of advice.

Trying to land the job that will take you on your next big adventure? Make sure your application is top of the pile with Resume.io’s online resume builder. They provide resume templates, cover letter help, and more, making job applications effortless. Make it to the next round with Resume.io.

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Before we get started, it is important to understand the difference between the terms ‘CV’ and ‘resume’, which you are likely to come across during your job search. Depending on where you are in the world, these can actually mean different things. In the US, for example, a resume is a short document about the candidate, whereas a CV is a long and more detailed version of their credentials. To the rest of the world, however, the two words mean the same thing and are used interchangeably.

Resumes in the United States

Generally speaking, Americans like their resumes (also spelled résumé) to be short, simple, and straight to the point. There is no need to include any personal information such as hobbies or interests, nor is it necessary to include a photo of yourself. This is largely due to the nation’s strict privacy laws that protect candidates from discrimination.

Busy Times Square

It is also important to know that the term ‘resume’ is used more commonly than ‘CV’ in the US. As mentioned before, these terms also refer to two different things.

When applying for jobs in the US, a two-page resume is sufficient. The only time you would need to submit a longer, more detailed CV is if you are applying for roles in academia. These positions tend to require more detailed background information on your skills and qualifications. So, unless you are a very experienced job-seeker applying for a specialist role, keep it to two pages. If you graduated within the past few years, then a one-page resume is perfectly acceptable.

Make sure you use standard American English when creating your resume in the US. If you are not familiar with the spelling rules, such as swapping the ‘s’ for ‘z’ in words such as ‘prioritize’, and dropping the u in words like ‘color’ and ‘flavor’, then it’s a good idea to change the spell check language settings to American English on your laptop or computer.

The general structure of your US resume should be as follows:

  • Personal information: your name, address, and contact details. You can also include links to your LinkedIn or social media profiles if you feel they present you in a positive and professional way. Just make sure they are up to date.
  • Personal profile: a short and punchy summary of your history and skillset. This is a great way to sell yourself and grab the attention of the prospective employer in as little space as possible.
  • Work experience: provide details of your work experience in reverse chronological order; i.e., your most recent position at the top. Focus on your key achievements, rather than your responsibilities, and highlight quantifiable information wherever you can. You should tailor this section to meet the requirements of the job you are applying for.
  • Education: list your educational achievements in reverse chronological order. Again, highlight those which apply directly to the job, for example, show that you have a degree in English if you are applying for a writing role.
  • Other sections: other details that you might want to include are skills. Again, try and focus on those which relate to the role you are applying for. You could also include things like volunteer experience to help convey your personality.
  • References: you aren’t actually required to include these in your US resume, and it is perfectly acceptable to supply them only when an employer requests them.

CVs in the United Kingdom

In terms of format and style, a UK CV is not very different from a US resume.

Workers in London

The main distinction is that you are freer to share personal information such as your hobbies and interests, in order to convey your personality.

The recommended length for a UK CV is two pages. If it does overflow on to three pages, this isn’t too much of a problem, but try to avoid having only one or two lines on the final page as this looks messy. Either edit your CV to fit two pages, or revise the content so that it fills out every page. Of course, you only want to include relevant information, so don’t add more just for the sake of making it longer. It is also common practice in the UK to write and send a cover letter with your CV when you apply for a job. The purpose of this letter is to demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate for the role, explaining how your skills and experience match those outlined in the job description.

You should write your CV in British English and use the correct spelling. The easiest way to do this is to change your spell check settings. It is also important to make sure that you use the appropriate phrases. For example, in the UK an unpaid internship is referred to as ‘work experience’ and what Americans might call school is referred to as ‘university’ or ‘college’.

The general structure of your UK CV should be as follows:

  • Personal information: this should include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address at the top. Details such as your age or marital status are not required (like in some other countries) and there is no need to include a photo of yourself unless specifically requested by an employer.
  • Personal profile: begin your CV with a one-paragraph summary of your skills, aspirations, and career goals. This is basically an opportunity for you to show what you can offer an employer and shine above other candidates.
  • Education: list your educational achievements in reverse chronological order, with the most recent one first. Again, try and highlight those which apply directly to the job.
  • Employment history: provide information on all relevant work experience and outline your key responsibilities and achievements for each position in a small paragraph or list of bullet points that are easy to read. Make sure you include the name of the employer, their location, your job title, and the dates that you were employed.
  • Related interests (optional): although it is not compulsory, some people include a section on their hobbies and interests outside of work. This helps to show their personality and can often provide a good talking point in interviews. If you choose to include this on your CV, try to cover interests that relate to the position you are applying for.

CVs across Europe

Unlike the US and UK, Europeans are generally fairly creative when it comes to writing their CVs. These are often visually pleasing and include colors as well as a photo of the candidate; in addition to the core information required, of course. You might even say that CVs in Europe are more human and less rigid than in other stricter regions.

Commuter cycling

That said, there are certain expectations to bear in mind, depending on the country you are applying to. Male applicants in Italy, for example, are required to state if they have served in the military; a duty that is mandatory in some European nations.

In general, CVs in Europe consist of one or two pages, although it isn’t uncommon to cover three pages in the UK, France, and Portugal, and even up to five in Greece, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Jobseekers usually include a photo of themselves at the top, although this is not common practice in the UK, Italy, Ireland, and Denmark. It is always a good idea to check the CV criteria of the country you are applying to before you get started.

When writing your CV in Europe, you should generally stick to using British English.

As mentioned, depending on where you are in the world, there are slightly different rules in terms of the information you need to include in your CV. For instance, unlike in some countries, companies in the Netherlands tend to place a lot of importance on hobbies and interests during the interview stage. Therefore, you might want to include these details in your CV.

Despite these various rules, the general structure of your European CV should be as follows:

  • Personal information: this should include your name, address, and contact details at the top.
  • Education: list your educational achievements in reverse chronological order, with the most recent one first.
  • Working experience: in addition to your previous positions, include any military and social service (if required to state in the country you are applying within).
  • Skills (optional): although this is not a mandatory section, having it gives you the perfect opportunity to convey skills such as any foreign languages you are able to speak and write, which can often give you an advantage over other candidates when applying for jobs in Europe.
  • Hobbies and interests (country dependant): only include this if it is culturally acceptable and encouraged.

CVs in South Africa

Generally speaking, South Africans prefer seeing who they may potentially hire upfront, so if your CV does not provide enough information, an employer may resort to searching for you online before they offer you an interview. Be warned.

Commuters in Cape Town

There are specific things you need to bear in mind when writing your CV in South Africa. For example, the South African government website suggests that you list your marital status, ID number, country of birth, and driver’s license. There is a debate, however, over whether this opens the door for prejudice. Therefore it is best to keep to just relevant personal details. It is also not mandatory to include a photo of yourself.

There are two types of CV employers expect to receive in South Africa; a Brief Profile, which is a one-page CV and similar to a resume; and a Comprehensive CV, which provides more in-depth information regarding your education, work experience, and relevant skills.

When you apply for a position, you usually send your Brief Profile first; this includes your personal information and contact details, education, and employment history in reverse chronological order. You should also send a cover letter with this. Then follow up your application with a phone call to confirm that they have received it. The cover letter should include three to four paragraphs and it should highlight why you are suitable for the job. You usually send the Comprehensive CV at the second stage, on request; this provides your potential employer with more information about your skills and experience.

In South Africa, a CV should be short and to the point; ideally no more than one or two pages. It is important to remember that employers decide which applicants they want to interview for the job based on the CVs that they receive. Therefore, you should emphasize certain skills and experience that will make you stand out from the competition.

Make sure that you use UK English, not US English, when writing your CV in South Africa; remember to change your spell check settings accordingly. This will also help you to avoid making any spelling mistakes and major grammatical errors.

The overall structure of your South African CV should be as follows:

  • Personal information: as mentioned before, it’s best to keep to relevant personal details only. Include your full name, address, and contact details. Only include additional information that is essential for the specific job application at hand.
  • Professional summary: again, this is a chance to really sell yourself to your potential employer. Write two to three sentences outlining your talents, professional background, and career goals.
  • Employment history: include all relevant positions, including part-time jobs as well as volunteer work. Make sure you present the company name, job title, and duration are neatly and visibly. Include one or two bullet points describing your achievements in each position, quantifying wherever possible.
  • Education: only include education history that relates to the job you are applying for. Be specific and add one or two bullet points which highlight your key achievements too.
  • Skills: use this section to outline, ideally in two columns, any specific skills you have that make you suitable for the role. You can include things like computer skills, languages you are able to speak and write. You can also include more personal attributes such as leadership and management skills.
  • Other: if you have any additional information you wish to add, such as references, place this at the end of your CV.

Whatever country you are applying to, the best advice is to do your homework before you send that all-important CV. Find out what is appropriate according to the corporate culture, country culture, and the culture of the person making the hiring decision. After all, the CV you would send to a large, well-established firm in Germany will look quite different from the one you would submit to a creative startup based in Spain.

The safest way to ensure that your CV ticks all the right boxes and helps you land an interview is to do ample research. Make sure you review as many examples from that country as possible. Wherever you’re applying, make sure it’s accurate, up-to-date, and follows a clear layout. You could use an online graphic design platform to make it look extra professional, or try out a resume builder like Resume.io to speed up the process. And, of course, follow the helpful guidelines above to get you off to a flying start. The rest is up to you. Good luck!

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woman looking at how to build her cv resume in english

How to build your CV or resume for work abroad

by Adriana Stein

Published on March 10, 2021 / Updated on November 7, 2022

You’re learning a new language , and you want to make the leap to find a job abroad. How do you build your CV to look attractive for jobs in other countries? 

What is a CV, and is it different than a resume?

The term ‘CV’ is short for the Latin phrase ‘curriculum vitae’, course of life, and resume is French for summary. In Canada and the US , resume is the standard term, whereas in Europe, CV is the standard. While it sounds like the resume would be shorter, in my personal experience these are interchangeable terms for essentially the same document. It’s more important to check what the local standards are for this document, than get hung up on the literal meaning of the words. 

How to write a cover letter that’ll get you hired

Be up front and honest about language skills

It’s good news for employers if you can speak another language, but don’t inflate your skills. If you’re applying to a job that says you need to be fluent in German, don’t pretend your A2 is really a C2. If you’re actively taking lessons, be clear about that too. Even beginner language skills are worth mentioning. Unless you’re fluent, it’s generally not a good idea to get your CV translated. 

Find out how locals write their CV

Do some research about what the local CV expectations are, because they might be quite different. Some countries still expect photos attached to your CV, your education details first or last, a one-page document or a full job history. In some countries, it’s expected that your references will be on your CV, and in others it is not required until after the interview process. Check job postings as well, to make sure you’re clear on what job titles mean in your destination country. Does ‘associate’ mean entry level or a department director? Adjust your own CV with the equivalent local job titles so your CV will show up in searches, or pass muster with CV-scanning software. 

How to find English speaking jobs in Germany

Check your qualifications 

Before posting your CV publicly or sending it out to employers, double check your qualifications carry over internationally. Certifications can be country specific – fields like nursing, pharmacy, optometry, and accounting all need local certification. This doesn’t necessarily mean starting from scratch however – check if your destination country has agreements in place for transferring certifications. Sometimes it means a course or two to bring you in line with the local industry. Search out local professional organisations for your industry ahead of time, and join if you can – this might give you access to better job postings as well as show international employers you are in touch with the local industry. 

Learn a language online and boost your career

Use international language

It’s amazing how easy it is to use jargon that only makes sense in your home country. Review your CV for acronyms and incomplete place names. What may be self-evident if you’re applying in one country may be totally incomprehensible in another. Fully spell out organisations, and give the full place names including country for schools and previous employers. One sentence explaining the industry and size of the company will give international employers a sense of your work history quickly. 

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Highlight international experience and willingness to relocate

If you’ve worked in different countries before, be sure to mention this. Having experience working across cultures is important for international organisations. It shows you know how to cope when there are languages flying around you might not fully understand, and how to be sensitive and open with different cultural approaches to a situation. Be clear with what citizenship you hold, and any visas you would need help obtaining. If you’re willing to relocate and also have clearance to work in the destination country, that’s a big plus for any employer. 

how to make resume for job abroad

Adriana Stein

Adriana Stein is an Online Marketing Consultant based in Hamburg, Germany. Originally from a small town in Oregon, USA, she decided to move to Hamburg in early 2016 after falling in love with the city during a study abroad.

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how to make resume for job abroad

Work Abroad

Study abroad.

  • Citizenship

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Basically, resume format matters in all parts of the world. Your resume is to be easy-to-read, truthful and catchy, so you`ll need to use best resume font , which is sans serif of minimum size 10. Keep in mind that a recruiter from another part of the world can`t see how great you are, but he has your resume to understand what type of a human you are. Thus wise pick the style of a resume , which represents yourself. However, do not overdo, - the style doesn`t have to distract the reader from the vital info on the page. Also avoid using over-used words in your resume.

Think about summary sentence

Here your task is to convince the reader that you`re a perfect fit for the company and that you`re able to bring fresh blood into the life of the firm. The other thing to highlight in the summary is your prior goal, however do not go for long-winded explanation, two-three sentences are enough.

Discover appropriate resume/ CV length

You`d better watch it as there are various length preferences across the globe, for instance, in the USA a resume should be 1 page long. It has to be precise, short and relevant to the particular vacancy. However, if you have 15+ years of experience, this size can be extended up to two pages. In the rest of the world the general standard is more flexible, usually 2-4 sheets.

Understand a photo usage in resume

This issue is a dubious one. In European and Asian countries you can`t write a resume without a portrait in it. On the other hand, in the USA and the UK they traditionally avoid including a photo into one`s outline as it may be regarded as violation of the laws, which prohibit previewing an applicant`s appearance.

Line up your education and International working experience

You may face the difficulty of the expected amount of information you are to share in a certain place. A good example in this case is America, where a resume typically has only data about university and graduate`s school. Contrastingly, in most parts of the rest of the world it is preferred to list only basic secondary school information.

List your personal information

The diversity here lies in cultural matters. In such high contact cultures as Asian and European applicants commonly include their marital status, age, gender and nationality, however in the USA that`ll be really odd.

Don`t forget to write a cover letter

Creating a cover letter is a sure-fire decision for those, who want to be represented as problem solving and active worker. A cover letter shows to a hiring manager a candidate`s performance in action. The best advice here is to discuss current challenges of the company you apply for and offer ways to solve these problems. This will be your ace in the hole.

Always use LinkedIn

Social media are vital these days, however LinkedIn is the best one in the process of job search as it not only shows your professional activity and skills, but also gives a recruiter an inside look into your interests and preferences. That`s why you are to make sure that your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date. It`s also advantageous to follow top companies in the field of your work, comment trendy career discussions and make connections with experts of your sphere.

Tips To Score Bonus Points On Your Resume

A resume aims to create a good impact or impression on the recruiter. But how can you score bonus points on your resume when applying for work overseas? Check out the following tips:

  • Prove Your Linguistic Skills
  • Mention Your Tech-Savvy Skills

Many companies consider tech-savviness as an essential skill when hiring new employees. So, don't miss the chance to capture their attention with a list of technical skills you possess, such as using different types of software programs and applications. Other examples of technical skills include coding or programming, data analytics, system design, graphic design, and scrum and agile proficiency. 

  • Takeaway 

You can create an impactful resume to apply for a job overseas with the tips shared above. Aside from highlighting your educational background and work experience, make sure to include the relevant skills you have to increase your likelihood of landing your dream job abroad.  

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how to make resume for job abroad

HelpGoAbroad Ltd.

HelpGoAbroad - an online directory of opportunities to study abroad, teach abroad, volunteer abroad, and internships abroad, including reviews from past program alumni.

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International Resume Formats for International Jobs

Sashika Dilshan

Sashika Dilshan

Not all the countries have the same standards and behaviors. They share different values and cultures. So why shouldn’t it be  different when it comes to resumes or CVs. Makes sense right? That’s exactly why the we need to consider of an international resume format; a resume format that is adapted to the international country that you are going to apply for job. Don’t worry, here we will talk everything about the international resume format creation, why it is important and what we can do about it.

Introduction to International Resume Formats

Recruiters in different countries look for different things on resumes. Basically because, they want to have the candidates that fit their culture, work environment, their legal environment,  organizational policies and ethics,  and so many other factors. For instance, Europe shares a unique culture in which your outer appearance is not a factor that helps you score more in selection whereas in South Asia has bit of a chance when your nice professional face is revealed. This is only one. There are so many other factors that vary from country to country. If you know how to adapt your resume/cv to different countries considering these factors unique to the relevant countries, then you know how to write an international resume. Well, perhaps you might still wonder why an international resume? Well, knowing the prime advantage of having an international resume will probably clear your doubts. the prime advantage of writing an international resume is that helps you land jobs faster than earlier. Because, you have adapted your resume to the country you are going to apply for. You have exactly understood what the recruiters in that country are looking at. And you know how to exactly utilize the limited resume space to market yourself.

How to write an International Resume?

Well, this needs bit of a research on your part. If you are interested in knowing how to write an international resume in 2024, you will have to look for the things that recruiters in the relevant country look for. What they would like to see on your resume and all. For instance, if you are going to apply for a job in Canada, you need to know that photo upload is not recommended unless otherwise they have asked you to. And it is not necessary to mention your references etc. In order to get a better idea about this, find the sample international format below.

Sample International Resume with a Comparison

Below is the sample resume format and unique inclusions for Indian Jobs and Canadian jobs.

Resume Format Sections

In Indian Resume Format

In Canadian Resume Format

Photo

Yes / Included

No

Profesional Summary

Yes

Yes

Name and contact information

Yes

Yes

Personal details

Yes

No

Personal Summary

Yes

No

Work Experience

Yes

Yes

Education

Yes

Yes

Other sections

Yes

Optional

References

Yes

Not Mandatory

References - Optional

Yes

Optional

However, researching of these take time. And there is a higher chance that you kill your interest to build your own resume freely because, you have lot to do even before writing the first of word of your resume; researching the resume format.

Then what to do? Well, Having understood this problem, Cresuma Online Resume Builder app has added a feature to allow you select the country you are going to apply for. Once selected, you get redirected to the exact recommended international resume format for the country you selected. Example, you selected Australia. Once selected and confirmed, you get the Australian Resume format to fill.

Step Guide to Building an International Resume Format in Cresuma Resume Builder

  • Go to https://cresuma.com (home page) or hit on “Build Resume Now” below
  • If you already have an account, give your credentials and sign in. If not, tap Create account here, link below and register with your email.

Cresuma resume builder app sign in view

2.  Once signed in, you will be redirected to a building board as below. Here, select “Create Resume”

Cresuma resume builder app create resume view

3. Once selected, you will be redirected to the below window. Insert the Name of the resume in the box (This could be your name, name with position you are applying for, a friend’s if you are creating on behalf of your friend or any that can be easily recognized by your),  and then click on “CREATE RESUME”. The Slug will be automatically added there, which you can edit as per your preference.

Cresuma resume builder app view 1

4. Then you will see the dashboard to create your resume along with a set of templates as stated below, where you can select a preferred template which can be changed later if needed.

Cresuma resume builder app view 2

Well done! You are just there. Now enjoy building your international resume with Cresuma.

The people who read this also read:

How to write a perfect resume Australian Resume Format UAE/Dubai Resume Format Canadian Resume Format

              

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Home » Job Tips » Career Advice » How To Get A Job Overseas

How to Get a Job Overseas: A Comprehensive Guide

Working abroad has become an increasingly popular choice for professionals seeking new experiences and opportunities. Getting a job in another country requires strategic efforts and offers numerous benefits. It can enhance your career growth, provide exposure to diverse professional practices, and help you develop valuable skills highly in demand in today’s global job market. Additionally, many industries offer higher salaries for skilled professionals willing to work abroad, especially in fields with global demand. This can boost your earning potential significantly. However, securing a job in a foreign country requires considerate efforts. This blog explores how to get a job overseas, where to look for opportunities, and major factors to consider while applying.

Table of Contents

How to Start Looking for a Job Overseas?

Identify your career goals, assess your skills, and do research before beginning your international job search. Here are the key steps and strategies on how to find work overseas. 

1. Assess Your Career Interests and Skills

The first step before diving into the job search is to reflect on your professional strengths, passions, and areas of expertise. Conduct a thorough self-assessment by reviewing your educational background, work experience, certifications, and achievements. Evaluate these areas to identify positions that align with your abilities. 

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2. Identify High-Earning Professions

The next step is to research and identify professions in high demand that offer lucrative opportunities in your desired destination country. Some fields that consistently offer lucrative opportunities include finance, technology, healthcare, engineering, medicine, and others. Explore job market trends, salary ranges, and growth projections to identify the most promising career paths within that industry. 

3. Choose Your Preferred Country

One of the most crucial steps in our guide on how to get a job abroad discusses the importance of knowing the country where you want to work. Identifying the country or region where you would like to work is important, as it will determine the entire job search process and your overall experience abroad. Consider factors such as the cost of living, cultural compatibility, job market conditions, quality of life, and personal preferences.

Research the local job portals, industry news, and economic trends to determine the potential opportunities in your desired location. Additionally, explore the local customs, language barriers, and visa requirements to ensure a smooth transition.

4. Search for Job Opportunities

Once you have identified your target country and profession, start your job search by using various resources. Explore international job boards, company websites, and professional networking platforms to find relevant job listings.

  • Leverage International Job Portals: Create accounts on portals that offer international jobs, like Internshala , Indeed, LinkedIn, and industry-specific platforms. Other dedicated international job boards, such as GoOverseas.com, GoAbroad.com, and JobsAbroad.com, are also useful resources for finding job opportunities worldwide.  These platforms often allow you to filter job listings based on your desired location, industry, job type, and specific criteria like language requirements or visa sponsorship. Set up job alerts and search filters based on your desired location, job title, and keywords.
  • Visit a Company’s Career Page: Regularly check company websites, especially those of multinational corporations with offices in your target country.
  • Attend Job Fairs: To explore job opportunities abroad, search for job fairs that attract international employers. These events provide a chance to connect with company representatives from around the world and find potential overseas opportunities. Utilize online resources to discover upcoming job fairs that align with your career goals.
  • Utilize Job Search Apps: Download and utilize job search apps to stay updated on the go. These apps offer features like job alerts and the ability to apply directly from your mobile device.

5. Obtain Necessary Work Documentation

Now that you know how to find jobs abroad and which country you wish to work in, get started on the paperwork by applying for a work permit. Most countries require specific visas or work permits for foreigners to work legally. You should thoroughly research and understand the visa and work permit requirements for your desired location before applying for a job.

Understand specific regulations and processes for obtaining the necessary documentation, which can vary based on your nationality, profession, and the nature of the job. Also, familiarize yourself with the application process, required documents, fees, and processing times. You can also find a professional job consultant to help you fully understand the work permit requirements and documentation.

6. Modify Your Resume to Meet Local Standards

Different countries have varying expectations when it comes to resume formatting, content, and styles. Your resume should reflect the cultural and professional norms of the country in which you are applying. Research the common resume formats , language preferences, and the level of detail expected. 

Additionally, ensure that your qualifications and experiences are accurately translated and presented in a way that resonates with local employers. Seek guidance from native speakers or professional resume writers familiar with the local job market to ensure your resume is properly formatted. 

7. Submit Job Applications

Once you have identified potential job opportunities, carefully tailor your application materials, including your resume and cover letter , to each specific position. With your tailored resume and cover letter ready, submit applications to relevant job postings. Ensure to prepare for interviews , which may be conducted via video conferencing or phone. During the application and interview process, be transparent about your work permit status and potential relocation requirements. 

How to Get a Job Overseas?

Knowing how to get a job in a foreign country can be an exciting process, as it opens up new career opportunities and allows you to experience different cultures. Here are some effective strategies that you can employ to increase your chances of success and stand out. 

1. Network Globally

Building a strong professional network can open doors to job opportunities that may not be publicly advertised. Use social media platforms like IS Clubs , LinkedIn, and Facebook to connect with industry professionals and recruiters in your target country.

Join relevant groups and engage in discussions to establish your expertise and showcase your interest in the local job market. Attend virtual or in-person networking events, join professional associations, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your connections for advice, referrals, or potential job leads.

2. Engage with International Recruiters

Many companies, particularly multinational corporations, work with international recruitment agencies to source talent globally. Connecting with these agencies can streamline your job search process and open the way forward to getting the right opportunity. These professionals have extensive knowledge of local job markets, employer preferences, hiring processes, etc.

Working with a reputable recruiter can provide insider information, personalized guidance, and access to exclusive job opportunities that may not be widely advertised. They can assist with resume optimization, interview preparation, and much more.

3. Seek Referrals from Family and Friends Abroad

If you have family members or friends living and working in your desired country, ask them for potential job leads. Also, ask for introductions to individuals who can provide valuable insights or connections. Your contacts may be aware of unadvertised job openings, upcoming projects, or companies actively seeking international talent. Additionally, your connections can offer advice on how to get work abroad and relocate to a new country.

4. Explore Company Transfer and Relocation Programs

If you currently work for a multinational company, consider inquiring about relocation opportunities. Many large corporations have offices and operations worldwide and may be willing to assist with international relocations for skilled and dedicated employees. This approach can be especially beneficial as it avoids the need for an extensive job search and visa application process.

Moreover, inquire about any relocation assistance programs or benefits provided by the company, such as temporary housing, language training, or cultural orientation programs. These resources can significantly aid in your transition to a new country and role.

5. Start Working Remotely/Relocate

In today’s digital age, remote work has become increasingly common, allowing professionals to work from virtually anywhere in the world. If you have the opportunity to work remotely, consider relocating to the country where the company is based while maintaining your employment. This approach allows you to understand the company culture before making a move, potentially opening doors to future job opportunities within the country.

Important Things to Consider Before Working Abroad

While the prospect of working overseas can be exciting, it’s crucial to be aware of the considerations that come with this decision. Proper preparation and awareness can help you navigate these obstacles more effectively. Here are some factors to consider when deciding how to work abroad: 

1. Language Barriers

Depending on your destination country, language barriers can pose significant challenges in both your professional and personal life. While many international companies may use English as the primary language of business, being proficient in the local language can greatly enhance your communication. It can also increase your confidence and effectiveness in meetings and interactions with colleagues and clients. Additionally, being fluent in the local language can open up more job opportunities. 

Assess your language proficiency and consider taking language courses to improve your skills before relocating. Some of the most popular language courses you might consider taking are:

  • French Language Course
  • English Speaking Course 
  • Spanish Language Course

2. Interview Formats

Be prepared for unconventional interview formats, such as telephone or video interviews, as many employers may conduct initial screening processes remotely. Familiarize yourself with the technology and apps used for online interviews to ensure a professional experience. 

Ensure proper lighting, eliminate background noise, and maintain eye contact with the camera. Additionally, be mindful of potential time zone differences and plan accordingly to avoid scheduling conflicts or technical issues.

3. Local Holidays

Each country has its own national and cultural holidays, which may differ from your home country. Research and familiarize yourself with the local holidays and plan your work commitments and personal travel accordingly. Try to understand the significance of local holidays to engage with the locals and learn about their cultures and traditions. It is also respectful to acknowledge and participate in local celebrations.

4. New Culture, Economy, and Politics

Be prepared to experience a new culture, economy, and political environment. Be open-minded, respectful, and willing to adapt to new customs and practices. Learn about local social norms, values, and workplace behaviors to build better professional relationships. Engage in cultural awareness training to better understand the local cultural expectations. This can help you avoid unintentional mistakes or misunderstandings in the workplace and social settings.

Securing a job abroad is a rewarding journey that requires careful planning and a willingness to adapt to new environments and cultures. This blog covers everything about landing a job overseas, where to find jobs, strategies to secure a job, and important things to consider before working abroad. By following the techniques outlined in this comprehensive guide, you’ll better understand how to get a job overseas and increase your chances of landing your dream job abroad.

If you want to learn more about the most lucrative professions globally, check out our blog on the ‘ highest-paying jobs in the world .’ This comprehensive guide covers the top-earning careers, job responsibilities, requirements, and earning potential. 

Answer: Some of the most in-demand professions for finding overseas jobs include:  – Healthcare Professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.) – Engineers – IT Specialists – Teachers (especially English teachers) – Finance Professionals

Answer: While speaking the local language can be advantageous, it is not always a strict requirement. Many multinational companies and international organizations operate in English or offer language training programs. However, having basic language skills can enhance your job search.

Answer: The process of obtaining a work visa or permit varies depending on the country and your profession. In many cases, you will need a job offer from a local employer to apply for a work permit. Research the specific visa requirements and application processes for your destination country.

Answer: To prepare for an overseas job interview, research common interview questions. Also, practice answering questions related to your motivation for working abroad. Familiarize yourself with the company’s background and values. Additionally, prepare questions to ask the interviewer to demonstrate your interest in and understanding of the role and organization.

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how to make resume for job abroad

Harshita is an English Literature graduate from the University of Delhi with 3 years of experience in Content Writing and Editing. Dedicated to her craft, she loves creating magic with words. She is a big fan of hoarding cute planners and journals and can be seen watching FRIENDS (almost EVERYTIME) in her spare time. Her meticulous attention to detail makes her stand out from the crowd. A typo epidemic is her worst nightmare!

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What Is An ATS? 8 Things You Need to Know About Applicant Tracking Systems

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You spend hours perfecting your resume, making sure it outlines your skills and experience in the best possible light. After all, when it comes to job hunting, your resume is your most important tool.

But after all that work, you’re  still  not getting enough interviews, even for jobs you know you’re qualified for. Why not?

What you might not realize is that your resume usually doesn’t go to a human being after you submit it – it goes to a computer. In fact, there’s a good chance a real person will  never see  your resume!

That’s because more and more employers are using  applicant tracking systems  (ATS) to screen resumes. 

What is an ATS? It’s computer software designed to scan resumes for certain keywords and weed out the ones that don’t match the job description.

So if you want your resume to actually make it into the hands of a human being, you need to make sure it’s optimized for the ATS.

In this article, we’re going to teach you 8 things you need to know about applicant tracking systems, including what they are, how they work, and especially how you can “beat” them!

1. What is an ATS?

The hiring process can be a time-consuming and frustrating experience for employers as well as job seekers. To streamline the process, many companies have started using applicant tracking systems (ATS).

An ATS is a computer software program that manages the hiring process. It does this by collecting and sorting thousands of resumes. 

Hiring managers can then screen candidates using the ATS, as well as track their progress through the hiring process. By digitizing the hiring process in this way, an ATS saves employers time and money. 

2. How applicant tracking systems work

There are 4 basic steps to how an applicant tracking system works:

  • A job requisition enters into the ATS. This requisition includes information about the position, such as the job title, desired skills, and required experience.
  • The ATS then uses this information to create a profile for the ideal candidate.
  • As applicants submit their resumes, the ATS parses, sorts, and ranks them based on how well they match the profile.
  • Hiring managers then quickly identify the most qualified candidates and move them forward in the hiring process. 

What’s especially important to understand is that recruiters often filter resumes by searching for key skills and job titles .

“ Recruiters often filter resumes by searching for key skills and job titles .”

For example, if a recruiter is hiring for an Administrative Assistant position and there are 500 resumes, their first step will probably be to search for “Administrative Assistant.” This isolates candidates that have done the exact job before. 

Anyone that doesn’t have that exact term in their resume is out of luck!

A search can contain multiple terms. For example, recruiters might perform a complex search that contains a combination of job titles and skills: Administrative Assistant AND data entry AND payroll…

This means that if you can predict the resume keywords that recruiters will use in their search, you’ll greatly increase your chances of moving on in the hiring process. But you don’t have to guess which keywords to use. All you have to do is analyze the job description to find them. 

Jobscan’s resume scanner automates this process by using AI technology to analyze your resume against the job description. It then provides you with a score that shows how well your resume matches the job description.

It also tells you exactly how to increase your score by adding those resume skills and keywords that are missing from your resume. Here’s an example of a report produced by the resume scanner:

A section of Jobscan's match report showing the resume score and missing hard skills.

By adding the highlighted keywords to your resume you’ll increase your score. The higher your score the more likely a hiring manager will find your resume and invite you for an interview. You can try the resume scanner for free here .

3. What’s the difference between an ATS and a CRM?

When it comes to recruiting software, there are two main types of systems: 

  • Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
  • Candidate Relationship Management (CRM) Systems 

Let’s quickly look at each system.

ATS software is typically used during the hiring process, and includes features such as resume parsing, candidate screening, and assessment tools. The downside to ATS software is that it only tracks job candidates that have already applied to your company. 

Top employers hire for several jobs at a time and receive hundreds of resumes for any given opening. Because applying for a job online is easier than ever, many of these applicants are unqualified and figured “it was worth a try.”

CRM systems, on the other hand, are used during the recruitment process to target potential candidates who haven’t yet applied to your company. CRM features include email marketing, scheduling, and communication tools to build relationships with possible candidates.

Whereas ATS only give you data that candidates input themselves, CRMs allow you to input information that you discover about prospective talent. In other words, ATS are more reactive, while CRMs are more proactive. 

You don’t necessarily have to choose between the two systems. Many companies use both!

4. Key features of an applicant tracking system

Applicant tracking systems make it easy for people to apply for a position on any device, without having to log in. This means that companies benefit from a larger pool of applicants.

Because there are so many applicants, companies use ATS software to automatically surface and highlight top candidates. Here’s an example of what the ATS looks like to the hiring manager:

Screenshot of an ATS.

Some other key features of ATS software include:

  • Resume parsing – This is the process of extracting data from resumes, such as contact information, work history , educational background , and skills . 
  • Advanced search – This enables you to filter applications by specific keywords, job titles, skills, experience, education, and more. 
  • Candidate sourcing – This allows you to actively search for, identify, and reach out to potential candidates for open positions.
  • Multi-channel candidate sourcing – This lets you search for potential candidates using multiple channels, including job boards, social media, and employee referrals.
  • In-built CRM software – Some ATS also feature CRM software to cover all your needs in one platform. 
  • Email templates –  Most ATS offer email templates to ensure that all your correspondence with candidates is consistent and professional. 
  • Advanced analytics and reporting –  This allows you to generate detailed reports on job seekers, hiring trends, and other data. 
  • Various integrations – This means the ATS can connect with different types of software, such as email marketing software, accounting software, and CRM systems.
  • Ability to schedule interviews – By automating interviews, you won’t have to waste time rescheduling, sending out reminders, or coordinating multiple calendars.
  • Real-time collaboration -This allows people from different parts of the organization to get involved in the sourcing, screening, and decision-making regarding new hires.
  • Automation based on certain events and conditions – This means your ATS will only be triggered to do something if a specific scenario occurs.

5. How accurate is ATS software?

While it is true that ATS can save recruiters time and effort in the hiring process, the reality is that these systems are far from perfect . 

A study by Harvard Business Review revealed that 88 percent of recruiters felt that qualified candidates were ignored by an ATS because they “did not match the exact criteria established by the job description.” 

This suggests that ATS places too much emphasis on keywords and fails to take into account a candidate’s skills, experience, or qualifications. As a result, many qualified candidates are overlooked simply because their resumes don’t contain the right keywords!

“ Many qualified candidates are overlooked because their resumes don’t contain the right keywords. “

However, you can take advantage of this situation by making sure your resume contains the exact keywords that employers are searching for. 

6. Who uses ATS?

Jobscan research found that over 97% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS while a Kelly OCG survey estimated that 66% of large companies and 35% of small organizations rely on recruitment software. And these numbers continue to grow.

If you’re applying to a large organization, you’ll most likely face an ATS. 

If you’re applying through any online form, you’re applying through an ATS. 

Even job sites like Indeed and LinkedIn have their own built-in ATS.

It’s clear that ATS is here to stay. That’s why it’s so important to use the right keywords and format your resume in a way that makes it easy for ATS software to read.

7. Why employers use applicant tracking systems

When you think about it, today’s employers are faced with a daunting task when it comes to hiring new employees. This is because the internet has made it easy for job seekers to submit applications, so they submit a lot of them . Many of these applicants are unqualified and figured “it was worth a try.”

The result is that corporate recruiters now receive hundreds and sometimes even thousands of resumes for every job opening. This is why they need an ATS. These automated systems simplify and speed up the hiring process, saving businesses time and money.

“ ATS software simplifies and speeds up the hiring process, saving businesses time and money. “

The top ATS feature many benefits, including:

  • Easier communication among hiring managers
  • Faster applicant screening 
  • Reduced time spent on repetitive tasks 
  • Improved net hiring score
  • Increased candidate engagement 
  • Better overview of applications 
  • Easy job posting
  • Improved cost per hire 
  • Improved quality of hire

As a result of these benefits, ATS have become an essential part of the modern recruiting process.

8. The future of applicant tracking systems

There’s no question that artificial intelligence ( AI ) is rapidly changing the world of recruitment. Already, AI-powered applicant tracking systems (ATS) are screening resumes, identifying potential candidates, and even conducting initial interviews. As AI continues to evolve, it’s likely that ATS software will become even more sophisticated.

“ As AI continues to evolve, it’s likely that ATS software will become even more sophisticated. ” 

In the future, these systems are expected to be more fully integrated with social media platforms like LinkedIn. This will enable them to identify both active and passive candidates who are a good match for open positions. 

Additionally, AI-powered chatbots could be used to answer questions and provide information about the application process. 

Ultimately, AI is poised to transform the recruiting landscape in a number of ways, making the process faster, easier, and more efficient for everyone involved.

What is an ATS optimized resume?

There is no universal trick to “beating” applicant tracking systems. Getting past an ATS and landing a job interview requires a well-written resume that is mindful of ATS algorithms as well as the people pushing the buttons.

Here’s our simplest advice for how to optimize your resume for an ATS :

  • Carefully tailor your resume to the job description every single time you apply.
  • Optimize for ATS search and ranking algorithms by matching your resume keywords to the job description.
  • Use both the long-form and acronym version of keywords (e.g. “Master of Business Administration (MBA)” or “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)”) for maximum searchability.
  • Use a chronological or hybrid resume format (avoid the functional resume format ).
  • Use a traditional resume font like Helvetica, Garamond, or Georgia.
  • Don’t use headers or footers as the information might get lost or cause a parsing error.
  • Use standard resume section headings like “Work Experience” rather than being cute or clever (“Where I’ve Been”).
  • Use an ATS-friendly resume builder to create your resume.

You can automate a lot of this process by using Jobscan’s resume scanner , which quickly tells you how to optimize your resume to get the best results. 

Our resume scanner includes Power Edit , an AI-powered resume editor that has six built-in ATS-friendly templates for you to choose from.

A screenshot of Jobscan's Power Edit showing the resume templates.

Read more : How to Write a Resume for Today’s Job Market

All ATS recognize Word documents. Some of them are also compatible with PDF files.

The best way to see if your resume is ATS friendly is to use a resume scanner like Jobscan’s. Try it now for free .

The adoption rate for small companies is low, but growing quickly. Last year, it was estimated that 35% of small organizations use an ATS.

Yes, there are. When writing your resume, keep the following in mind: • Keywords : Tailor your resume to include relevant keywords from the job description. ATS systems often scan resumes for keywords to determine their relevance to the position. • Formatting : Use a resume format with standard margins . Stick to standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, and avoid complex graphics that may confuse the ATS. • File type : Submit your resume in a universally readable format, such as a Microsoft Word document or a PDF file. • Avoid special characters : Some ATS systems may have difficulty reading special characters, symbols, or non-standard fonts. Read more : You Need to Avoid These ATS Resume Formatting Mistakes

Applicant tracking systems themselves do not reject resumes. People do. The purpose of an ATS is to identify resumes that best match the specific job requirements and qualifications. Resumes that do not meet the predetermined criteria set by the ATS may be ranked lower or filtered out. However, the final decision on whether to reject or consider a candidate rests with the human decision-makers involved in the hiring process

When writing your resume, always try to mirror the job description. In other words, use the same language that the job description uses. In addition to the work experience section, the resume summary is a great place to include relevant keywords and action verbs .

One disadvantage is that candidates who haven’t tailored their resumes to include the right keywords may be overlooked, even if they possess the necessary skills and experience. In addition, resumes that have intricate designs, bright colors , fancy graphics, or non-standard fonts may not be parsed correctly by ATS, resulting in rejection.

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. This is software that is used by employers to manage job applications and to streamline the hiring process. It automates the process of posting job listings, receiving applications, sorting through candidates, and assisting in the selection of suitable candidates for employment.

ATS is used in human resource departments to streamline the recruitment process. ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System, a software tool that helps in organizing, filtering, and managing large volumes of job applications.

Some of the most popular ATS include Lever , Greenhouse , Taleo , and iCIMS .

Key takeaways

Let’s quickly sum up what we’ve learned:

  • Employers receive hundreds of resumes for every job opening.
  • An ATS is a computer software program that simplifies and speeds up the hiring process. 
  • Over 97% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS while 66% of large companies and 35% of small organizations rely on them.
  • As AI continues to evolve, it’s likely that ATS software will become even more sophisticated. 
  • Recruiters often filter resumes by searching for key skills and titles.
  • The problem with ATS is that qualified candidates are overlooked because their resumes don’t contain the right keywords.

If you want to make sure your resume gets past the ATS and into the hands of a recruiter, you need to optimize it . Jobscan’s resume scanner is an easy way to do this. 

Simply upload your resume and the scanner will show you where you need to improve your keywords so that your resume stands out from the rest.

Don’t let a computer decide your future – use Jobscan today and start getting more job interviews!

jobscan has helped over 1 million users build and optimize their resume

Robert Henderson, CPRW, is a career advice writer and a resume expert at Jobscan.

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Resume tips.

Before applying, be sure to update your resume to best reflect your experience and qualifications related to the job you are applying for.

  • Include experience – include your work history and lived experience that is relevant to the position. Highlight roles and responsibilities that are related to the qualifications on the job announcement.
  • Include relevant skills – provide a clear overview of your skills and how they fit the job.
  • Include training/education – describe any coursework that matches the job requirements.
  • Include any personal details in your resume that do not relate to the job. Examples include gender, ethnicity, photos, or political party.

Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)

A letter of qualifications is a document which highlights specific examples of your experience and/or training as they relate to each of the required and preferred qualifications listed in the position description.

Example: The job that you are applying for includes experience in planning and teaching educational programs and ability to work cooperatively with other agencies and community-based organizations. In your letter of qualifications, you would list these details:

  • My experience in planning and teaching educational programs is….
  • Examples of work I have performed that include planning and teaching educational programs are….
  • My experience working cooperatively with community-based organizations is….
  • Examples of work I have performed in cooperation with community-based organizations include….

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What will a robot make of your résumé? The bias problem with using AI in job recruitment

how to make resume for job abroad

Senior Data Analyst, Massey University

how to make resume for job abroad

Senior Lecturer in Management, The University of Queensland

how to make resume for job abroad

Professor, Technology Management, Massey University

how to make resume for job abroad

Professor, School of Management, Massey University

Disclosure statement

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution has begun , spreading to almost every facet of people’s professional and personal lives – including job recruitment.

While artists fear copyright breaches or simply being replaced, business and management are becoming increasingly aware to the possibilities of greater efficiencies in areas as diverse as supply chain management, customer service, product development and human resources (HR) management.

Soon all business areas and operations will be under pressure to adopt AI in some form or another. But the very nature of AI – and the data behind its processes and outputs – mean human biases are being embedded in the technology.

Our research looked at the use of AI in recruitment and hiring – a field that has already widely adopted AI to automate the screening of résumés and to rate video interviews by job applicants.

AI in recruitment promises greater objectivity and efficiency during the hiring process by eliminating human biases and enhancing fairness and consistency in decision making.

But our research shows AI can subtly – and at times overtly – heighten biases. And the involvement of HR professionals may worsen rather than alleviate these effects. This challenges our belief that human oversight can contain and moderate AI.

Magnifying human bias

Although one of the reasons for using AI in recruitment is that it is meant to be to be more objective and consistent, multiple studies have found the technology is, in fact, very likely to be biased . This happens because AI learns from the datasets used to train it. If the data is flawed , the AI will be too.

Biases in data can be made worse by the human-created algorithms supporting AI, which often contain human biases in their design .

In interviews with 22 HR professionals, we identified two common biases in hiring: “stereotype bias” and “similar-to-me bias”.

Stereotype bias occurs when decisions are influenced by stereotypes about certain groups, such as preferring candidates of the same gender, leading to gender inequality.

“Similar-to-me” bias happens when recruiters favour candidates who share similar backgrounds or interests to them.

These biases, which can significantly affect the fairness of the hiring process, are embedded in the historical hiring data which are then used to train the AI systems. This leads to biased AI.

So, if past hiring practices favoured certain demographics, the AI will continue to do so. Mitigating these biases is challenging because algorithms can infer personal information based on hidden data from other correlated information.

For example, in countries with different lengths of military service for men and women, an AI might deduce gender based on service duration.

This persistence of bias underscores the need for careful planning and monitoring to ensure fairness in both human and AI-driven recruitment processes.

Can humans help?

As well as HR professionals, we also interviewed 17 AI developers. We wanted to investigate how an AI recruitment system could be developed that would mitigate rather than exacerbate hiring bias.

Based on the interviews, we developed a model wherein HR professionals and AI programmers would go back and forth in exchanging information and questioning preconceptions as they examined data sets and developed algorithms.

However, our findings reveal the difficulty in implementing such a model lies in the educational, professional and demographic differences that exist between HR professionals and AI developers.

These differences impede effective communication, cooperation and even the ability to understand each other. While HR professionals are traditionally trained in people management and organisational behaviour, AI developers are skilled in data science and technology.

These different backgrounds can lead to misunderstandings and misalignment when working together. This is particularly a problem in smaller countries such as New Zealand, where resources are limited and professional networks are less diverse.

how to make resume for job abroad

Connecting HR and AI

If companies and the HR profession want to address the issue of bias in AI-based recruitment, several changes need to be made.

Firstly, the implementation of a structured training programme for HR professionals focused on information system development and AI is crucial. This training should cover the fundamentals of AI, the identification of biases in AI systems, and strategies for mitigating these biases.

Additionally, fostering better collaboration between HR professionals and AI developers is also important. Companies should be looking to create teams that include both HR and AI specialists. These can help bridge the communication gap and better align their efforts.

Moreover, developing culturally relevant datasets is vital for reducing biases in AI systems. HR professionals and AI developers need to work together to ensure the data used in AI-driven recruitment processes are diverse and representative of different demographic groups. This will help create more equitable hiring practices.

Lastly, countries need guidelines and ethical standards for the use of AI in recruitment that can help build trust and ensure fairness. Organisations should implement policies that promote transparency and accountability in AI-driven decision-making processes.

By taking these steps, we can create a more inclusive and fair recruitment system that leverages the strengths of both HR professionals and AI developers.

  • Artificial intelligence (AI)
  • New Zealand
  • Artificial intelligence and jobs
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) bias
  • Human resources (HR)

how to make resume for job abroad

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how to make resume for job abroad

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IMAGES

  1. Sample Resume Format For Applying Abroad

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  2. Resume Abroad

    how to make resume for job abroad

  3. How to Write a Resume Applying For a Job Overseas

    how to make resume for job abroad

  4. FREE 71+ Resume Samples in PDF

    how to make resume for job abroad

  5. Resume format for Abroad Job

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  6. Resume Format For Job Application Abroad

    how to make resume for job abroad

VIDEO

  1. How to find Engineering Job Abroad

  2. Resume for Jobs Abroad #resume #workabroad

  3. How to Make your CV for Europe Canada Australia and New Zealand

  4. LinkedIn for jobs abroad

  5. How to Make a Resume for a Job: Expert Tips and Examples

  6. JOBS ABROAD JUNE 1-7, 2024

COMMENTS

  1. How to Write an International Resume for a Job Abroad

    Personal info (header sections) When you create a resume in the international CV format, you may need to include personal information. Some countries want you to have your name, birth date, and even a picture. Include a header section with action verbs to make yourself stand out while you personalize your resume.

  2. How To Write an International Resume

    2. Create a header. At the top of your resume, type your full name in large font. Below, include your current address and country of residence, phone number with international dialing code and email address. International resumes may also include your gender, date of birth, marital status and nationality in this section depending on the country ...

  3. International Resume/CV Tips for Writing a Job Application

    Russian resumes are similar to resumes in Europe, in that they include all the basic information such as contact details, a professional summary, work history, education, skills, languages, and references. Here are a few additional tips for writing a resume to apply for a job in Russia: Do not exceed 2 pages in length.

  4. How to Write an International Resume (With an Example)

    Here are seven steps for how to write an effective resume when applying abroad: 1. Consider your formatting. Good formatting is an important part of preparing an effective job application. When you format your resume in the style the receiving country expects, it often makes it easier for the hiring manager to find the information they need.

  5. Write a Resume for a Job Abroad in 7 Simple Steps

    Follow this simple 7-step guide to tailor your resume to the local job market and ensure your resume gets you a step closer to your dream of living and working abroad. Here's the overview: Understand the local job market. Adapt the formatting and structure. Tailor the language and tone.

  6. How To Write a Resume For Working Abroad

    Australian resume is generally very clear and concise, written in a reversed chronological format with bullet points and around two pages long. It's recommended to include a mission statement or your career objective at the beginning. Two or three sentences will do. You should not have any gaps in your resume.

  7. How to Write an International Resume in 2024

    For domestic work, you can simply write out the city and state. To highlight the international component, you can also add the country code. More importantly, though, is describing your ability to work in a foreign market in the details of the position.

  8. How to Write a Resume for an International Job

    3. Highlight your international skills and experience. Be the first to add your personal experience. 4. Format your resume professionally. Be the first to add your personal experience. 5. Adapt ...

  9. Writing An International Resume Format (With Template)

    When you are looking for a job outside your country and want to create a document highlighting your skills, learning the resume standards other countries follow can be beneficial. Consider elements like the target audience and the amount of personal information to include on the resume. Learning how to write a resume for various countries may help improve your chances of earning a role abroad.

  10. Professional International Resume Examples

    If you're searching for work overseas with the Foreign Service, looking for a job as a foreign exchange specialist, or searching for any job with a US government agency or corporation on foreign soil, you'll need a resume, just as you would for a domestic position.. And as you begin creating your resume, you'll have two options: You can use pre-existing templates and sophisticated online ...

  11. How to Apply for Jobs Abroad

    Email. Step 1. Search for positions through networking, job fairs, or online job boards. Step 2. Tailor your resume or CV to the destination country. Step 3. Apply for a visa. Step 4. Hit the road!

  12. How to prepare a European-style resume

    1. Add your picture. Although it's not legally required, most employers would like to see a picture of you. This picture should: Go in the top corner of the first page of your CV, and measure about an inch by an inch. Be of professional quality, passport style, in color. No selfies, no party photos to appear "fun".

  13. How to Successfully Apply to an International Job

    The information you include in your application will largely depend on the needs of the employer, but generally speaking you should personalize the following areas with keywords and skills that are most relevant to the job which you're applying: Summary/Personal Statement. Education. Employment history. Skills, certifications, and credentials.

  14. How to Write an Effective International Resume

    There are three building blocks to an international resume: First, you have to build a resume that shows your personality and is organized to match the employer's "ideal profile." Second, you need to emphasize your cross-cultural skills, especially in terms of the cross-cultural work environment.

  15. How to tailor your CV or resume for different countries

    Make sure you review as many examples from that country as possible. Wherever you're applying, make sure it's accurate, up-to-date, and follows a clear layout. You could use an online graphic design platform to make it look extra professional, or try out a resume builder like Resume.io to speed up the process. And, of course, follow the ...

  16. Resumes from Around the World: How To Write a Resume For Working Abroad

    EUROPE. In Europe, you call resume a Curriculum Vitae or a CV.In most European countries a CV is 1-2 pages long. In Europe there are still countries where there it is accepted, even welcome, to ...

  17. How to Build Your CV or Resume for Work Abroad

    Italian resources. Learning materials. Culture. How to build your CV or resume for work abroad. by Adriana Stein. Published on March 10, 2021 / Updated on November 7, 2022. Facebook. Post. You're learning a new language, and you want to make the leap to find a job abroad. How do you build your CV to look attractive for jobs in other countries?

  18. How to Write an International Resume: CV for Foreign Jobs

    Include all of your schoolings, including all degrees and certificates. Work Experience: List all of the jobs you have held, including the dates and locations of each. Be sure to describe each position in detail. Skills: List any skills you possess that make you an asset to a company or could help you in a new career.

  19. How to Include International Experience on Your Resume

    Here's how to include international experience on a resume, including ways to communicate the value of international work experience. Have a global resume! By using our site you agree to our use of cookies. Read our Cookie Policy for details. Choose Experience. Online Programs. How it Works Help Me ...

  20. Write A Resume with International Experience

    You would incorporate international study experience on your resume as follows: University of Barcelona, 2013. Bachelor of Science, Economics. International Internships. If you completed any international internships, that experience should be referenced under your "work experience" section since an internship is essentially an unpaid job ...

  21. How to Write a Resume Applying For a Job Overseas

    For example, if you plan to go to Croatia, you can add on your resume that you're taking Croatian language lessons. This particular skill will definitely set you apart from other foreign candidates. Mention Your Tech-Savvy Skills. Many companies consider tech-savviness as an essential skill when hiring new employees.

  22. International Resume Formats for International Jobs

    3. Once selected, you will be redirected to the below window. Insert the Name of the resume in the box (This could be your name, name with position you are applying for, a friend's if you are creating on behalf of your friend or any that can be easily recognized by your), and then click on "CREATE RESUME".

  23. Turn Study Abroad Into a Job With These Resume Tips

    Here's how: Enter your study abroad experience on a new line underneath the name of the university or college you attended, or. Create a separate entry in your education section with the name of the study abroad institution. List the city and country in which you studied. List the name of the university you studied at, the name of the study ...

  24. How to Get a Job Overseas: A Comprehensive Guide

    Additionally, ensure that your qualifications and experiences are accurately translated and presented in a way that resonates with local employers. Seek guidance from native speakers or professional resume writers familiar with the local job market to ensure your resume is properly formatted. 7. Submit Job Applications

  25. Best Resume Formats for 2024 [8+ Professional Examples]

    The chronological resume format is the most common type of resume. Think of it as the "default" format - it's what everyone learns to write when they start looking for work. The highlight of a chronological resume is your work experience, with your most recent position at the top. All other sections of your resume are smaller and ...

  26. Free instant feedback on your resume and LinkedIn profile

    Out of those, your resume might get you 5 interviews, and out of those, you may end up getting one job offer. Resume Worded optimizes this job search funnel. With LinkedIn Review, you'll get contacted by more recruiters for more jobs on LinkedIn, thus widening the top part of the funnel.

  27. What is an ATS? 8 Things You Need to Know

    Products. Resume Score Score your resume in seconds; Resume Bullet Points Generator Generate tailored statements about your skills; AI Resume Tool Use AI to create your best resume.; Job Tracker Board Track and manage your job applications and interviews.; Jobs Get your personalized job listings directly within Jobscan.; Resume Power Edit Edit your resume with AI-powered software.

  28. Careers at UW-Madison Extension

    Before applying, be sure to update your resume to best reflect your experience and qualifications related to the job you are applying for. Do: Include experience - include your work history and lived experience that is relevant to the position. Highlight roles and responsibilities that are related to the qualifications on the job announcement.

  29. 5 Easy-to-Use Online Resume Tools to Make Better CVs and Land Jobs

    3. Chat Career (Web): AI-Crafted Resume Tailored for Job Postings . One of the essential tips for a winning resume is to tweak it slightly for each job that you're applying for. It shows you have ...

  30. What will a robot make of your résumé? The bias problem with using AI

    Magnifying human bias. Although one of the reasons for using AI in recruitment is that it is meant to be to be more objective and consistent, multiple studies have found the technology is, in fact ...