how to write international work experience in resume

• Resume Tips

How to Write an International Resume in 2024

17 min read

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.

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.

Our resume services get results.

We’ve helped change over 30,000 careers.

Get a free resume review today

Our experts will review your resume’s grammar, layout, and ability to pass ATS — all free and delivered straight to your inbox.

How to Write an International Resume for a Job Abroad

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.

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.

• Resume Guides

300+ Industry-Specific Soft Skills to Include in Your Resume in 2024

5 essential notes to take before your next interview (with tips to succeed), how to do your references on resume: is it important, how to write a cover letter for an internship, stay or go: navigating the gray area of quitting a new job, graduate with honors resume.

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Examples
• Resume Templates
• AI Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• AI Resume Review
• Resume Skills
• How to Write a Resume
• Modern Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Cover Letter Guides
• Job Interview Guides
• Job Interview Questions
• Career Resources
• Meet our customers
• Career resources
• English (UK)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

2024 Ultimate International Resume Guide for 30+ Countries

Applying for jobs in other countries can be tough because of unfamiliar rules and not having enough local know-how. This can make it hard to show off skills and achievements well enough. It also gets challenging to know what to highlight and when.

That’s why we wrote this guide to help you apply to international jobs with confidence, no matter the country!

• What is an International Resume?

An international resume is a tailored document optimized for job applications abroad. It's crafted to align with the specific requirements of employers globally, aiming to enhance visibility and competitiveness in international job markets.

We also have country specific international resume guides for creating the following resumes:

• Australia resume
• Belgium resume
• Canada resume
• China resume
• Dubai resume
• Finland resume
• France resume
• Germany resume
• India resume
• Ireland resume
• Israel resume
• Italy resume
• Japan resume
• Korea resume
• Kuwait resume
• Malaysia resume
• Netherlands resume
• New Zealand resume
• Norway resume
• Oman resume
• Philippines resume
• Portugal resume
• Qatar resume
• Russia resume
• Singapore resume
• Spain resume
• Sweden resume
• Switzerland resume
• Taiwan resume
• Thailand resume

Key Components of an International Resume

When crafting an international resume, it's crucial to tailor it to appeal to a global audience. Here are key components to consider:

• Clear Contact Information: Ensure your contact details are updated and include international dialing codes if necessary.
• Language Proficiency: Highlight language skills relevant to the country you're applying to, especially if it's not your native language.
• Global Experience: Emphasize any international work experience, cross-cultural skills, or projects that demonstrate your adaptability.
• Education Credentials: Clearly outline your educational qualifications and any international certifications or degrees obtained.
• Visa or Work Authorization Status: Mention your visa status or eligibility to work in the target country if applicable.
• Industry Standards and Formats: Tailor your resume format to match industry standards in the country you're targeting.
• Language Skills in an International Resume

When you're making a resume for jobs around the world, it's important to talk about your language skills clearly. Here's how you can do it:

• Explain Your Level: Say how good you are at speaking each language.
• Choose the Right Languages: List the languages that matter most for the job you want.
• Show Proof: If you have certificates or took tests for your language skills, mention them.
• Give Examples: Talk about times when you used your language skills at work.
• Understand Different Cultures: Show that you can understand and work well with people from different backgrounds.
• Know Different Languages: If you know more than one language, say so.
• Match Your Skills to the Job: Make sure to talk about the languages that are most important for the job you're applying for.
• Keep Learning: Let them know if you're still learning more languages.

These tips will help your language skills shine on your international resume. And, list your language skills in a separate section.

How do I indicate my language proficiency level on my resume?

Use standardized language proficiency scales such as CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) or ILR (Interagency Language Roundtable) to indicate your proficiency level for each language.

• Example of How to List Language Skills on an International Resume

Sure, here are some examples of how you might tailor your language skills section for different international locations.

Example 1: Applying for a Job in Japan

Language Skills:

• Japanese: Fluent (JLPT N2 Certification)
• English: Proficient

Example 2: Applying for a Job in France

• French: Native
• English: Fluent

Example 3: Applying for a Job in Brazil

• Portuguese: Native
• Spanish: Fluent
• English: Intermediate

Example 4: Applying for a Job in Germany

• German: Proficient (Goethe-Zertifikat B2)

Example 5: Applying for a Job in China

• Mandarin Chinese: Fluent (HSK Level 5 Certification)
• How to List Skills on Your International Resume

As an expert in international resume writing, I recommend a smart approach to listing your skills. Here's how to do it effectively:

• Smart Grouping: Arrange your skills into clear categories that match the job you're after. This makes it easy for employers to see what you bring to the table.
• Put the Best First: Highlight your most important skills right at the top. This grabs attention and shows off your strengths right away.
• Be Clear and Specific: Describe each skill clearly. Avoid using fancy words when simple ones will do. For example, instead of saying "problem-solving," just say how you're good at fixing things.
• Show What You've Achieved: Add numbers or examples to show how good you are. For instance, instead of just saying you're good at something, say how you made things better, like increasing sales by 20%.
• Talk About Languages: If you speak more than one language, say so clearly. Show how well you speak each one using easy-to-understand levels like "beginner," "intermediate," or "advanced."
• Highlight Your Tech Skills: If the job needs specific computer skills, make sure to list them. Add any certifications or training you've done to show you know your stuff.
• Soft Skills Matter Too: Don't forget to talk about your people skills, like being a good team player or a good listener. Give examples of when you've used these skills at work.
• Tailor Your Skills for Each Job: Change your skills section depending on the job you're applying for. Focus on what matters most for that job.
• Use the Right Words: Use words from the job description to help your resume get noticed. This makes sure your resume gets past computer systems that scan for keywords.
• Check Everything Twice: Before sending your resume, double-check for mistakes. A clean, error-free resume looks more professional and makes a better impression.
• Personal Information Considerations

Personal information requirements for international resumes can vary by country. If relevant, include your full name, contact details, and professional social media profiles.

Some countries might also expect details like your date of birth or a photograph. Always check the specific norms for the country you are applying to before sending out your resume.

• Internationally Acceptable Resume Length by Country

Here’s the list of 30 popular international job locations and the average acceptable resume length:

• United States: 1-2 pages
• United Kingdom: 2 pages
• Australia: 2-3 pages
• Canada: 1-2 pages
• Germany: 2 pages
• France: 1-2 pages
• Japan: 1-2 pages
• Brazil: 1-2 pages
• China: 1-2 pages
• India: 1-2 pages
• Spain: 1-2 pages
• Italy: 1-2 pages
• Mexico: 1-2 pages
• Netherlands: 1-2 pages
• South Korea: 1-2 pages
• Singapore: 1-2 pages
• Switzerland: 1-2 pages
• Sweden: 1-2 pages
• Norway: 1-2 pages
• Denmark: 1-2 pages
• Belgium: 1-2 pages
• Finland: 1-2 pages
• Austria: 1-2 pages
• Russia: 1-2 pages
• Ireland: 1-2 pages
• New Zealand: 2-3 pages
• South Africa: 1-2 pages
• Portugal: 1-2 pages
• Argentina: 1-2 pages
• United Arab Emirates: 1-2 pages
• When to Translate Your International Resume?

Translate your resume if you are applying to a company where the primary business language differs from your own. This step is crucial for positions requiring fluent communication in the local language.

• Should I include my language skills on my international resume?

Yes, including language skills is crucial for international resumes, especially if applying for roles that involve cross-border communication or multilingual environments.

• Is it necessary to translate my resume into the language of the country I am applying to?

It can be advantageous to have a translated resume, especially if applying to a country where the primary language differs from your own. However, in many cases, submitting a well-written resume in English may suffice, particularly for international roles.

• How long should my international resume be?

The acceptable resume length varies by country and industry. In general, aim for 1-2 pages, but be aware of specific expectations in the country where you're applying.

• Should I include my nationality or citizenship status on my international resume?

It's generally not necessary to include this information unless explicitly requested by the employer or relevant to the job application (e.g., for visa sponsorship purposes).

• How do I format my international resume to cater to different cultural preferences?

Research cultural norms and preferences regarding resume formatting in the country where you're applying. Tailor your resume layout, content, and language to align with local expectations.

• Can I use the same international resume for different countries?

While you can use a general international resume template, it's essential to customize your resume for each specific country and job application. This ensures that your resume effectively resonates with the cultural and professional expectations of the target audience, increasing your chances of success in the international job market.

Madison Norton

VP Marketing & Resume Expert

Madison is the VP Marketing and General Manager at VisualCV . He's a seasoned marketing leader, resume writing and career marketing expert and now helping people grow their own career marketing strategies to build a career they love.

Madison on LinkedIn

Our 2023 Free Resume Writing Guide is filled with quality job search tips, resume examples and information you need to know before writing your resume or CV.

January 30, 2023

Many people have several different jobs at the same company over the course of their career. Here's how to display that information on your resume.

December 17, 2022

Community Success Manager & CV Writing Expert

Discover how to describe and list your language proficiency on your resume with accuracy and clarity. Stand out to employers by showcasing your language skills.

September 13, 2023

Content Manager & Resume Expert

Copyright © 2024 Workstory Inc.

Select Your Language:

International Study Centre

• Student life
• Accommodation
• About the University of Huddersfield
• International Foundation Year
• International Year One
• Pre-Master's
• Pre-courses
• Entry requirements
• Fees, accommodation and living costs
• Scholarships
• Visa information
• Before you arrive
• Enquire now

Tips for writing an impressive international resume

• Link copied!

In an increasingly interconnected world, the importance of international experience in a resume cannot be overstated. And with the rise of the global job market, candidates with cross-cultural skills are seen as valuable additions to any business. They bring a unique blend of adaptability and global awareness, essential for developing cooperation and understanding in diverse workplaces.

But how do you add this international experience to your resume in a way that will impress future employers? What should (and shouldn’t you) include? Do employers even care? The good news is that yes, they do, and leveraging your international experiences is a great way to stand out from the crowd.

With that in mind, here are 8 ways you can enhance your international experience resume.

8 steps to incorporate your international experience into your resume

So how do you prepare your resume? These tips will help you get noticed both locally and around the world:

• Write a strong summary: Start your resume with a summary that highlights your international experiences. Outline your accomplishments, skills learned while overseas, and your adaptability in diverse settings. This offers potential employers a glimpse into your global perspective right from the start.
• List international education and relevant coursework: Detail any international courses or degrees you've done. Highlighting studies from renowned global institutions or specialised courses that focus on international relations, global business, or cultural studies can emphasise your global academic skillset.
• Highlight language skills and cultural competencies: In a globalised world, speaking multiple languages is a prized asset. List the languages you speak, specifying proficiency levels (fluent, intermediate, beginner). Additionally, mention any cultural immersion programmes or workshops you've attended that enhanced your understanding of global etiquettes and customs.
• Incorporate international work experience: Detail the roles you held abroad, specifying the duration, key responsibilities, and the company's global significance. Talk about challenges you overcame, emphasising how these roles helped you develop as a professional.
• Talk about accomplishments in each role: Real world achievements resonate more with employers. What have you achieved? How did you achieve it? What was the impact of it? Employers want to see what you have accomplished and whether this will help their business succeed further.
• Include international publications, presentations, or research projects: If you've written articles for journals, presented at a conference, or been a part of global research projects, highlight them. Such experiences highlight your continued professional development.
• Highlight global awards or recognitions: If you've received an award on an international platform, be it academic or professional, make sure to include it!
• Use industry-standard terminology and avoid slang: While writing an international experience resume, it must be universally compatible. Stay away from local terminology, idioms, or acronyms that might not be understood globally. Stick to terms that are known across borders, ensuring clarity for recruiters from any part of the world.

Discover study abroad opportunities at the University of Huddersfield

The University of Huddersfield is renowned for preparing international students through its specialised pathway programmes . These programmes not only provide English language training but also hone academic skills, ensuring you are globally competitive and ready for an international career. If you’re interested, the entry requirements and tuition fees are a great place to get started to learn more about what you need.

What sets the University of Huddersfield apart is its commitment to student employability. Recognised with the best university employability strategy award (National Graduate Recruitment Awards, 2021), Huddersfield ensures students attain more than just a degree - they're equipped for the global workforce.

The University of Huddersfield is in the top 20 in the UK for placement years in industry, too (HESA Student Record, 2021/22). This means you’ll have plenty of chances to take everything you’ve learned and apply it in real world, meaningful contexts. Check out Omar’s blog post , where he talks about his placement year experience.

With opportunities for work experience, volunteering, placement years, and as the only UK university offering the unique Global Professional Award, Huddersfield's students get a head start on building an impressive international resume that sets them apart from the rest.

Every Huddersfield graduate benefits from career advice for life. The Careers and Employability Service offers ongoing support, ensuring that every student, past or present, has the resources they need for a successful career. You can access advice and support around career planning and direction, help with CVs, applications and interviews and search hundreds of graduate level roles.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Does international experience look good on a resume.

Yes, international experience enhances your resume, demonstrating adaptability and global awareness.

How do I make a good international resume?

To create an effective international resume, highlight cross-cultural skills, the languages you speak, and relevant international achievements.

Why do you need international work experience?

While it’s not essential, international work experience is a great asset to have. It shows your adaptability, ability to make quick decisions and resilience. These are skills that employers look for when recruiting.

3 Clicks Artist

Resume Crafter

Resume Checker

Resume Optimizer

Home / Blog / how-to-write-an-international-resume

How To Write An International Resume And What Should Be Included?

Learn how to craft an effective international resume with our comprehensive guide. Discover tips for creating a standout resume.

Table of Contents

In today’s globalized world, job opportunities are no longer confined to one’s home country. With companies operating across borders and industries reaching out to international markets, there is a growing demand for professionals who can work in an international setting. 

This stresses on the need for an international resume, a strategic tool that presents your skills, experiences, and qualifications in a manner that resonates with employers around the globe.

An international resume is not just a document; it’s your passport to the international job market. It needs to be crafted carefully, taking into consideration the unique requirements of different countries and cultures.

The Concept Of An International Resume

An international resume is a document that has been meticulously tailored to meet the specific requirements of international employers. 

This process often involves adjusting the layout, altering the content, and sometimes translating the document into another language. The ultimate aim is to create a resume that appeals to hiring managers, irrespective of their geographical location.

Different countries have different preferences when it comes to resumes. While US employers usually prefer short, one-page resumes, many other nations appreciate detailed, multiple-page CVs. 

European countries tend to favor the more concise format or business CV, which should ideally be 1-2 pages long (A4 format) and consist primarily of facts, dates, and numbers.

Crafting A Compelling International Resume

The first step in creating an impressive international resume is to begin with a strong summary. This should be a concise overview of your skills, experiences, and education that are relevant to the job you’re seeking. It’s an opportunity to highlight your international experiences and showcase your accomplishments.

When crafting an international resume, it’s crucial to include specific sections for an international resume that highlight your uniqueness. These might consist of “Areas of Interest,” “Major Projects,” and a summary of qualifications that underscores your relevant professional and academic achievement.

Learn best modern resume templates & Examples in 2023 .

Introduction To International Resume Formats

International resume formats refer to the standardized guidelines and conventions used for creating resumes that are suitable for job applications in multiple countries and regions around the world. 

These formats are designed to ensure that your resume is easily understood and well-received by employers and recruiters in various global markets.

In the creation process, there are specific sections for an international resume that must be included to ensure its effectiveness. 

These sections form the cornerstone of your resume and provide a comprehensive overview of your qualifications, experiences, and skills.

• Resume Summary (Or Objective)

This is a critical section that appears at the beginning of your resume. It’s a brief statement that encapsulates your career aspirations and highlights your most significant achievements. 

The purpose of this section is to immediately catch the attention of hiring managers by showcasing your suitability for the position. 

This summary should not be generic; instead, it should be tailored to each job application, reflecting the specific skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the position. It’s essentially your elevator pitch, briefly summarizing why you’re the best fit for the role.

This is where you detail your academic background comprehensively. It should include specifics such as your degrees, the names of the institutions where you studied, and your graduation dates. 

However, in an international resume, it’s also important to highlight any international exposure you’ve had in your education. If you’ve had the opportunity to study abroad or participate in an exchange program, be sure to mention these experiences. 

They add value to your profile, demonstrating your ability to adapt to different cultures and educational systems.

• Work Experience

This section provides a chronological account of your previous roles, with descriptions of your responsibilities and accomplishments in each position. 

When detailing your work experience on an international resume, you should focus on roles and tasks that have global relevance or demonstrate your ability to work in diverse teams. 

This could include projects where you liaised with overseas clients or teams, roles where you navigated international regulations or positions that required cultural sensitivity. The idea is to showcase your versatility and global perspective.

• Skills/Extracurricular Activities

This section highlights any additional skills or hobbies that might be relevant to the job. In an international context, language skills are particularly important. If you’re bilingual or multilingual, this is a significant plus point and should definitely be highlighted. 

Moreover, if you’ve been involved in any extracurricular activities, especially those with an international dimension, they can add further weight to your resume. This could include involvement in international clubs, volunteering for overseas causes, or participation in global competitions.

In essence, these sections provide a comprehensive picture of your qualifications, experiences, and skills from an international perspective. 

They aim to convince potential employers that you are not only qualified for the job but also equipped to handle the challenges of working in a global environment.

Click to learn 10 Best Skills To Put On A Resume .

Essential Tips For Writing An International Resume

Writing an international resume requires strategic planning. Here are some vital tips for writing an international resume:

• Use Action Verbs

To make your accomplishments stand out, using certain action verbs such as “managed,” “led,” “coordinated,” and “developed” are essential. They give a dynamic tone to your resume and effectively convey your roles and responsibilities.

Check Out: The perfect number of resume action words for maximum impact .

• Tailor Your Resume

A successful international resume is often tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. This could involve adjusting the layout, modifying the content, or even translating the document into another language. Understand the company’s culture and the country’s norms to customize your resume effectively.

• Understand Cultural Norms

Different countries have different expectations when it comes to resumes. Researching these can help ensure your resume aligns with cultural norms and professional expectations, making it more appealing to potential employers in that country.

Learn The 5 Best Resume Formats to Use in 2023 (Top Templates) .

Role Of Resume Builders 

Resume builders can work wonders when it comes to creating an international resume. They provide pre-designed templates that conform to international standards, enabling you to generate a professional resume effortlessly.

Among the myriad of resume builders available online, Resume Forrest, the best resume builder , has earned a reputation as one of the best. It offers modern resume templates and examples for 2023, ensuring your CV remains up-to-date and impactful. 

Moreover, it includes an ATS resume checker , which ensures your resume is optimized for the automated systems that many employers use to filter resumes.

Learn how to download resumes from resume builders for free .

Frequently Asked Questions About International Resumes

• What Is An International Resume? 

An international resume is a version of your resume tailored to international standards. It often includes extra details relevant for global roles such as language skills, international experience, and understanding of different cultures.

• Should I translate My International Resume? 

If the job posting is in another language and you’re fluent in that language, translating your resume can demonstrate your language skills and respect for the local culture.

• How To Make CV For UAE Jobs? 

Include standard sections like work experience and education, but also a language skills section if you’re proficient in Arabic. Highlight any Middle Eastern experience.

Wrapping Up

Creating an international resume might appear daunting at first. However, with careful planning, the right tools, and a focus on showcasing your skills and experiences in a way that appeals to global employers, you can create a robust document that stands out. 

As the global job market continues to grow and become more interconnected, the ability to craft a well-structured international resume is a valuable skill. 

By following the guidelines and adapting your resume to suit the preferences of the region you’re targeting, you can enhance your chances of securing the job you desire, making a successful transition to a new professional environment, and showcasing your qualifications and experience effectively on a global scale

Make your move!

Your resume is an extension of yourself. Make one that's truly you.

ResumeForrest, a SaaS career operating system, features tools for creating, transforming, optimizing, and scoring resumes to enhance job application success.

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Deletion Page

• Resume templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Resume examples Nurse Student Internship Teacher Accountant View all
• Resume Builder
• Cover Letter Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Cover letter examples Nursing Administrative Assistant Internship Graduate Teacher View all
• Cover Letter Builder
• Resume Help

How to Write Work Experience on a Resume

Writing the work experience section

Writing the resume work experience section is one of the most influential and often trickiest resume sections to get right. Some employers will even cut right past the summary at the top of a resume and scan the employers, job titles and work dates to see if the resume is worth reading in detail. How much text you include for each section will also create a significant first impression. A lot can be understood during that mythical 6-second scan.

The work experience/job history on a resume is where past job descriptions and professional experiences give credibility to an application or interview. All the other information and sections on a resume, from hobbies to the personal statement , frame the list of relevant work experience over the last 10 - 15 years. So, how do I describe my work experience on a resume?

This guide will show you everything you need to know about including work experience on a resume, including:

• Why the work experience in cv matters
• What to include (and not include) in work experience on a resume
• The best format to follow for describing your work history
• Examples of work experience in cv across industries
• Practical tips for resume work experience
• How to list your current job and previous positions

The five-word rule. Think about five words that would be sum up your career. How would you describe your experience? Those five words should then come across incredibly strongly in the work experience on a resume. A hiring manager is not going to remember the sentences that you write, but if they stop reading with those five words (or more) in their minds, your resume will have done its job.

Why is work experience on your resume so important?

Before we jump in to the ins and outs of writing work experience on a resume, here is why it matters. A hiring manager or employer looks at a resume to answer one question:

Does this person’s work experience qualify them for this job?

The work experience section of your resume is the foundation that either qualifies you or disqualifies you for an interview or the next step in the hiring process. This resume section uses the last 10 - 15 years of relevant career history to tell a prospective employer whether you have the work experience in your cv that will fit the requirements of the role. The work experience section gives credibility to your application and should compliment every other aspect of your application materials (other sections in the resume, cover letter, portfolio, etc).

Be careful not to write your work experience section like a list of job responsibilities , though. The hiring manager knows what they want you to do. They are far more interested in evidence from your previous work experiences that you have what it takes to perform and take your next employer forward. Focus on offering compelling accomplishments, plenty of context and quantifiable results that your competition will not be able to match.

How do I add experience to my resume: What to include

In most cases, choosing which jobs to include on your resume should depend on your work history and the type of job you’re applying for. In general, work in a backward chronological order (in a resume format often known as reverse chronological format ) starting with your most recent position at the top of the page and include the last 10-15 years of employment history. The backward chronological order works best for most job seekers.

If you have a scattered work history, don’t stress. Job hopping is both more common and more widely accepted today, especially among the younger workforce. Including short part-time stints and side projects is good if those professional experiences directly relate to the job or feature skills that overlap with the position. Be prepared to answer questions about your career choices while considering work experience in cv, have a confident answer about your career path, and be forthcoming about the level of commitment you’re looking for. Once you’ve chosen the positions, let’s dive into the specific bullet points about work experience in a cv. Each one should include:

• Results-focused facts: The hiring manager already knows the basics. These bullet points should focus on how you specifically managed the position with innovation.
• Action Verbs: Strong action verbs hook in the reader. Negotiated! Pioneered! Transformed! This also keeps you away from falling down the adjective rabbit hole.
• Quantitative information: Numbers stand out to a hiring manager. They are specific and tangible. You grew a client’s reader base by 300% or managed 200 silent auction items. Let your accomplishments shine!
• On-Site Training: Weave skills and certifications gained on the job. This shows initiative and otherwise overlooked abilities.
• Awards and honors: If you were called out on the job for great work, go ahead and brag. Your work experience resume examples should be designed to impress.

Ideally, each position should include a mix of free-flowing text and achievement-led bullet points. The bullets will catch the eye, but you can only really tell a deeper story when you are not constrained by the width of the page.

How do I write a student CV? A student CV for a first job should contain full details on your education (as that will testify to your ability to focus and achieve) and ideally also contain details on any student jobs or volunteer work that you have done while you were studying. It doesn't matter how menial this work was, the most important thing is that you understand the responsibility of doing a paid day's work.

Volunteer work can be a wonderful way to feature a variety of valuable skills, Here's a list of how to add volunteer work to your resume.

Work experience on a resume: what to avoid

Always assume that your reader — in this case, the hiring manager — doesn’t need anything explained. You also have very little room to ramble on your resume. They will assume more about you than you think - especially if you have worked for a while in their industry.

Free up some space by not including:

• What the organization does: your resume is about you. The hiring manager doesn’t need to hear about the company.
• The basic requirements of your position: this is implied in your job title and will shine through your result-focused bullet points.
• Filler words: For the most part, save space by cutting out words like “I” and “the.”
• Anything irrelevant: If you have smaller responsibilities in a position that do not relate to the new job, leave them out. Every bullet point and every word takes up precious real estate on your resume - make them count.
• Chaired a project team through a change process, trimming 5% of our cost base.
• Outperformed sales team in quarterly new business attraction by 67%.
• Executed the software rollout to twelve departments within two months.
• Resolved a company-record 150 customer complaints a week.
• Rectified a list of outstanding issues that had been dormant for more than a year.

If you are a recent graduate with little or no work experience , you can consider adding your GPA or cum laude on your resume. As you acquire work experience over the years, you should replace your GPA or cum laude with relevant work experience. 

What is the most effective format for work experience on a resume?

On a basic level, the work experience layout typically includes:

• Job title, company name, location of employment
• Month and year started and left the position
• Between three and six bullet points briefly outlining your impact at the company

Work experience/job history on a resume should also include:

• Clear and concise bullet points that demonstrate the positive results of your work
• Powerful verbs
• Clear numbers and facts
• Growth between positions
• Specific keywords pulled from job description

Examples of work experience on a resume

Here are a few examples of work experience on a resume to see the differences between a first draft and the final draft. How do you describe your experience in the most succinct way possible?

Example #1: Work Experience in CV for a Teacher . Let’s say you’re applying to be a middle school science teacher at a popular independent school. The new job description emphasizes the importance of involvement outside the classroom. They specified that they’re looking for teachers looking to grow through professional development throughout their time there.

First Draft:

• I taught 5th-grade science classes
• I advised students outside of class
• I attended a conference on social-emotional learning

Final Draft:

• Developed and carried out a student-driven curriculum in three sections of Earth Science
• Annually advised 20 students to track growth and address individual challenges and strengths
• Invited to attend NAIS annual conference to develop modern social-emotional learning classroom tactics

Example #2: Work Experience in CV for Content Marketing Manager . Content Marketing Managers encompass a very wide range of responsibilities. The recruiter will have a general sense of your job experience — no need to start from scratch — but results-based, specific bullet points will thrive here.

• I manage a team of freelance copywriters at a major NYC marketing agency and ensure they got their work in on time
• I talked to clients and figured out what would be best for their brand
• Before everything was published, I proofread it all
• Oversaw a team of 25 freelance writers and streamlined content pipeline from ideation to publication
• Advised clients on both short- and long-term content strategy tactics while clarifying their personalized brand voice
• Edited and polished copy to maintain content consistency across multiple channels

When you have moved up the career ladder at a previous employer, you should be proud to showcase it on a resume. But how can you display multiple positions for the same company?

Example #3: Work Experience on a Resume for a Waiter . Food service moves quickly. Anything that cut a manager’s search time in half is more likely to land you the job. Be sure to look for keywords in the job posting such as “craft cocktail bartending experience” or “fine dining.” Sure, you can learn — and will learn — on the job, but restaurants have minimal time to train you on the basics. Be confident and clear about your background.

• I waited tables at a busy NYC Midtown restaurant
• Most of the time, I tended bar on nights and weekends
• Trained a few hosts
• Served lunch and dinner for four years in a Michelin-star-rated Midtown brasserie
• Acted as primary bartender during peak weekend and evening hours, specializing in craft cocktail creation
• Managed and streamlined training methods for new hosts and servers

Example #4: Work Experience Resume Example for an Executive Assistant . Personality plays such a large role in calmly managing a busy executive’s schedule and lifestyle. The tone of your resume should be both level-headed and confident in what is expected of an EA. Try to always be a step ahead of what your boss needs before you even begin the job.

• I made travel plans on behalf of executive team
• Budgeted for the office and managed expenses
• I trained other assistants and helped with hiring
• Managed complex domestic and international travel for five, C-level executives
• Decreased expense management costs by 35% and perfected expense tracking system for all office management accounts
• Hired, trained, and guided a team of five team assistants including a seasonal team of sales interns

Example #5: Work Experience Resume Sample for Sales Rep . Provable facts and figures are your largest asset as a sales representative. Did your last position measure your personal or team sales growth? Dig up these numbers to work them into your work experience section. Then, explain the methods you applied in the job itself to make it happen. This work experience resume example offers some ideas:

• Grew sales revenue every month
• I signed several new clients
• I changed the way we talked about our product
• Exponentially increased monthly sales revenue, surpassing 150% growth for the department after just 6 months
• Developed and signed 10 new key clients by researching previously undiscovered corners of our industry
• Redeveloped brand voice and sale representative script for efficient and personalized customer care

What skills do I put on a resume? when you are considering the work experience in a resume, you should aim to make the best possible use of space. There will always be a separate skills section where you can list one-word hard and soft skills , so make sure that this is related to the experience that you have mentioned with each employer, but it should add to the overall picture rather than simple repeat it. If you add an interesting skill that you have not mentioned in the work experience section, an employer is bound to ask about it at interview.

Grammar tips for listing job history on a resume

Do you write sentences? Phrases? Declarations? Writing resumes for first job? Here are some nitty-gritty grammar rules for writing your work experience bullet points.

• Write in phrases, often beginning with a strong verb. No need to write “I” to start off the sentence — that is implied and work experience in a CV is often conveyed in the third person as this is more professional.
• Tense : If you are still at your current position completing the work described, use present tense. For past positions or completed projects, choose past tense.
• Don’t be afraid to break out the thesaurus — especially for synonyms of “lead, managed and trained” — but stick to words you’d use yourself. No need to ace the SAT verbal section.

Filling your resume with exclusively truthful statements about your career is harder than you might think. Lying on a resume can take many forms. Don’t give in to temptation.

Tailoring job history on a resume for each application

Instead of mass applying to every job ad on the internet with the same resume, take the time to tailor it. The work experience section might require the least tailoring (as it will tick the boxes of most jobs if you are targeted in your approach), but there may be a few accomplishments that you may want to include for certain roles and exclude for others. View yourself as a meticulous editor cutting and pasting your career story to make it as attractive as possible.

Besides the fact that 36% of hiring managers throw out resumes that don’t seem personalized for a particular role, a tailored resume and application:

• Shows the hiring manager you took the time to apply and their job wasn’t one of 50 different places you sent your resume.
• Get past the automatic keyword filtering larger companies might use to automatically screen candidates in their Applicant Tracking System (ATS) . Your work experience samples need to be scanned by the machines first.
• Tweak diverse experiences to focus on the most relevant experience for a particular job. For example if you’ve ever had a job “wearing many hats” unless you’re applying for another “many hats” position, this strategy gives you a chance to focus your work experience on the hats that are most relevant for the new role.

Restarting this process every time you apply for a new job may seem excessive. Ideally, the more time you put into tailoring your resume, the less jobs you’ll need to apply to.

• Ignited a fire under the management team to deliver an extra $950k sales.
• Scrutinized the market and doubled market share by launching a new product.
• Implemented a new software solution that shrunk build time by 34%
• Initiated a recruitment drive that hired fifteen people within three months.
• Minimized surgery wait times by 15 mins, increasing patient satisfaction by 25%

How far back should your resume work experience go?

Your resume work experience should contain every piece of information that is relevant to you securing the role. This will dictate the amount of work experience in a CV that you might include. 

If you have a 30-year career, you might choose simply to list the employers for the first 10-15 years and use your precious resume space to describe the most recent resume experiences. However, if your career is 15 years or less, you should definitely include resume work experience about everything. 

In terms of the amount of work experience on your resume, try to give more information on the more recent roles. Make use of bullet points and solid text after your have listed the employer and date details - as you can see in our many resume samples .

Including a list of roles that were more than 15 years old might be possible, but only include the headlines. It is interesting for some business leaders to see where a senior manager spent their early career, so while you may not be asked about this much during an interview, it does add a certain depth to your application.

Should I put seminars on my CV? Typically, a one or two-day seminar would not be included on work experience in a CV. If the training or educational event has a certain prestige or lasts more than a week, then you might consider including it in the education section, but as anyone can attend a seminar, it will not give a huge indication as to your individual level of suitability for the role. You will certainly have more important information to share.

Your transition out of the military requires a resume that expresses your talents in a way that civilian employers will understand. The blog below offers tips for making the most of your service in your post-military resume.

Key takeaways

• Focus on results of your job history in the past. Only list work experience on a resume that is relevant to the job you’re applying to.
• Stand out with strong action verbs
• Get specific: use numbers, facts, and figures
• Speak in the past tense when the job is complete, present when you’re still doing the work.
• Cut out unnecessary filler words or adjectives.
• Align your job history bullet points to match the job description.
• Make sure that the work experience in CV goes back an appropriate amount of time

Work experience on a great resume helps employers know in 10 seconds or less if you are qualified for the job. It should sound a lot like the description in the job post. If the work experience in CV doesn’t sound like the job description or follow these rules, be prepared to pull out some creativity to get noticed. For example, use a resume builder to build a perfect resume in the exact format potential employers are looking for.

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. How to Talk About Your Experience Abroad in Your Job Hunt Recently, I received an email from a friend who had been living abroad: After three years of living in Cambodia, I’ve decided I need a change, and I’ve been applying to jobs back home. I get the feeling that my resume seems thin, and my time teaching here doesn’t seem relevant to the job posts I am seeing. What do you think I should do? I get these types of emails often, especially from colleagues who are trying to transition home after living abroad for a few years. They often feel that they had such a powerful learning experience, but that it can’t always be summarized on a resume or thrown into an elevator pitch during interviews. And it’s not just expats who feel this way: I also hear from students who want to frame their study abroad programs appropriately and professionals who have a lot of international work experience but simply don’t know how to market it. The core of my work, too, usually takes place while I am traveling abroad, and over time I’ve learned how to contextualize global experiences and make them relevant back home. While “World Explorer” may not yet be a resume-worthy job title, here are a few ways to make your skills and experiences from travel applicable to your career. 1. Don’t Downplay Your Experience I can’t tell you how many times I hear friends say, “I lived abroad, but I was only teaching English,” or, “Oh, I was just volunteering.” But whether you were managing a classroom full of kids or organizing programs, both types of commitments require preparation, deliverables, and a long-term plan of goals and outcomes . Why downplay it, or come off that you don’t take your time abroad seriously? Instead of dismissing your work, be confident, and know your insight and experiences are valuable. Whatever your job was, it likely had some relevancy to your career goals—so think about key experiences and accomplishments that could translate to future positions. For example, if you were a medical volunteer in India or the Caribbean, you may have been able to work with unique cases such as tuberculosis, malaria, or parasitic infections, diseases that you would have never normally encountered in the United States. This kind of international knowledge and understanding can offer new perspectives and contexts for working in the medical or public health fields. On Your Resume Even if you were employed for a short period or you were volunteering, definitely put your position in the “Work Experience” section of your resume. Highlight three or four major accomplishments in your bullet points, using clear, universal language that hiring managers in your field would understand. In an Interview Discuss your time abroad in the same way you would as if you had the same job experience in the United States—describing your objectives and achievements and showcasing your skills. Think about your two biggest accomplishments, and prepare talking points about them for the hiring manager. 2. Identify the Skills You Used in Daily Life If you live abroad, it’s easy to forget that you are constantly learning and picking up new skills, sometimes very quickly. Did you have to learn a different language or business style while you were abroad? Basic things like negotiating prices, navigating bureaucracy, or organizing events or meetings are really important skills, and it’s pretty interesting to have mastered them in a different country. Working in another culture and language shows great strength and flexibility—and you can definitely use that to showcase why you’re a great candidate. Add a “Skills” section to your resume detailing any special abilities you’ve picked up. If you’ve gained language skills, include them in a separate section, listing each language you speak and your level of fluency. Discuss the skills you gained in your daily life and how you applied them to your work. Better yet, explain how you still use the skills you learned abroad today—or could use them in your future workplace. 3. Be Prepared With Anecdotes (But Choose Them Wisely) Stories and anecdotes are a great way to illustrate your growth and accomplishments during your experiences—saying you know how to plan a curriculum in Cambodia is one thing, but telling the story of how you helped your students and teachers enter essay competitions and find jobs using those English skills really brings it to life. Do, though, remember that not all experiences will translate. Though we all have funny travel stories and miscommunications, try to avoid anything that might make you come off as aloof or silly, like the time your whole class drew beautiful pictures of you (their teacher) in lieu of doing their homework—or the time you tried snake whiskey. And before you tell a story, make sure you’re giving your audience proper context and can follow the point. If it makes sense for the jobs you’re applying to, try using brief and relevant anecdotes that display your skills and capabilities in your cover letter. Frame your experience in a way that shows you deliver (e.g., "My experience in fundraising launched when I raised over $2,000 for a new school in the village I was working in"). Just make sure it's a lead-in to the skills you have—and not the full content of your cover letter. Prepare a few examples from your experiences that are interesting and won’t require a lot of context to explain to the interviewer. Make sure you can summarize these stories in a minute or less. 4. Link the Global and the Local Think about what current events, global issues, or local policies are relevant to your international experience and how that links to your career trajectory back home. For example, maybe you saw how the operations of a big multinational company worked in another country while you were abroad, or maybe there’s a link between manufacturing initiatives in your home country and the country you were working in. This is a great way to show how your experience translates (and what you bring to the table above other candidates), so where you can make these connections, do! Highlight any writing, lectures, or follow-up initiatives you launched when you got back home, and include any cultural associations, clubs, or societies you are affiliated with that have an international focus. Organizations like the Rotary Club, Amnesty International USA, Oxfam, or United Nations Foundation offer direct country-based issues and opportunities to get involved. Discuss how your work abroad links to your work back home, and relate your work to current issues, or share how your time abroad has given you the perspective to consider major global problems in a new light. Use examples of innovation, resource use, and funding you have tried in the field (whether they were successes or failures) to discuss your focus and skill set. What strategies worked for you abroad, how they could be successful back home? International experience shouldn’t be a hurdle in your job hunt—in fact, it can highlight your unique skills and strengths and give you an extra edge in the job search. Depending on how you market your experience, you can stand out from the crowd, add a fresh perspective, and show how your valuable international outlook makes you the right person for the job. Photo courtesy of  GuoZhongHua / Shutterstock. Stack Exchange Network Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow , the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Q&A for work Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. How should I list foreign business experience on my resume? In today's Global Marketplace, many companies are looking for employees with "International Experience". If you have worked overseas, the company description will show what country the company was located in, for instance: Acme Widgets Junvember 2020 - Marchtober 2027 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia For jobs where there were many overseas business trips, how should that experience be listed? For instance, as a subset of a job description (which will break up the list of countries if you have international experience spanning multiple jobs): Led sales visits to Laos, Cambodia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan Or as a section in skills next to languages (which will disassociate the country from the job you visited it for): Experienced with business in Laos, Cambodia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan The goal is to show that while you were stationed in country X, you also conducted business with countries A, B, and C. As a company looking for global staff (or a successful applicant with international experience to a company looking for global staff), what method works for you (not limited to the examples above)? international 2 I'm not sure why this is collecting close votes, it seems clear that you are asking how to show that certain work was international, which seems both clear and on-topic. Close voters, would you mind dropping into The Workplace Chat and perhaps clarifying? –  user5305 Commented Jun 28, 2013 at 8:09 5 Answers 5 This is a great question. I have reviewed resumés where people want to be considered for international assignments but bury this sort of experience hopelessly. Does your title have "International" or "Global" in it? Change the focus from company to title. International Sales Director Acme Widgets, Podunkville USA Managed global sales team in Laos, Cambodia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan to sell X widgets/per year Led international development team for implementing technology yyyy (50% international travel) Worked with international team to develop Z Either way, you want to highlight the international experience so it's immediately obvious to someone skimming your resumé, a title really helps with this, but even phrasing bullets such as the above can make it clear it was an assignment with considerable international experience. If you don't have as easy as a title, make sure you put this information where your eyes naturally go when skimming a resume. Don't bury it in the middle of paragraphs, etc. This question has made me rethink how I list similar experiences on my own resumé, wonderful! What an interesting question! I'll throw some ideas out there, in the interest of broadening the answer field, but I admit, international experience is not my forte. Start with the Job I think that "international experience" is broad enough that you want to make sure you are tuning the resume to fit the type of job you're thinking of, and pursuing jobs that fit your goals, first off. For example, International Work could include: The ability and willingness to relocated permanently or semi-permanently Willingness to do intense travel for long periods Fluency in languages Comfort working with foreign cultures Awareness of international laws and regulations Experience and vision for a global marketplace Not every international job is right for a person, nor is a person with international experience right for any job. I'd start with the position, and make sure to highlight from there. General Resume Format & Tuning Generally applications include: a cover letter education & skills section And I think you can highlight international compatibility in any of them. The Cover Letter can certainly cover your interest and willingness to do travel and relocation. The Skills/Education could and should include: foriegn languages international education certification/accreditation in international credentials and organizations And then the experience section can highligh your international impact. I don't want steal entirely from Enderland's answer, but that's the perfect example. I think it's particularly important to figure out the key points and sum up. Doing a thoughtless listing of international bullet points is as unlikely to yeild results as any other thoughtless listing. The experience section is always open ended, so how you write it and how the reader interprets that writing are key. I would think the following guidelines would be a place to start: Highlight work with a single country or collection of countries when the experience is deep, summarize when the experience is broad - ie, "Was the account manager for all India-based accounts" or "Was the regional account manager for all of SE Asia" Show an awareness of using the international market to its advantage - if you've basically done the same steps in each location, it hardly matters that it was international - highlight areas where an understanding of the uniqueness of each locale really mattered and where you can speak to victories in the interview Clarify the nature of the contact - if you regularly traveled before, the assumption is that you will again - find a way to drop it in there. "Did XYZ through regular remote communication and a series of monthly on location meetings" The first emphasis needs to be on what you did, then on where you did it. What were you selling, in the cases above, and who was it for? Were you selling soda pop or fighter planes? I heard the following story from a work associate: he was invited to work in the Ukraine for a year, this in the mid 1990s after the Berlin Wall fell. They would pay him in a 'freight car load of steel' delivered to Germany. In short, they didn't have cash, so they would pay him in whatever they could get for a fixed quantity of goods at the loading dock of the customer. If your activities involved such trades, particularly if they turned out successfully, there are people that would find that interesting. 'Experienced with business' is too vague. It might be a euphemism for dealing with corrupt officials, and as such might raise alarms. Where you a buyer, a seller, or both? What were you trading, and who was/were your counterparty(ies)? In small countries one is often dealing with the someone very senior in the government, this particularly true in Laos. One of the ways people will know you're real is by explaining how money was moved around for payment, letters of credit, etc. I understand that what I did is more important (and have no intention in leaving it off). The question I want to ask is what is the most effective way to point out that you've dealt with business in many different countries/cultures/languages? Regardless of whether I was selling fighter planes or soda pop, knowing how to do business in the Ukraine is a skill that can be applied to other areas. I want to know how best to represent that skill on a resume (just as I would want to appropriately list languages on my resume). –  jmac Commented Jun 28, 2013 at 5:11 My first thought is to use a table. I like tables in resumes because they make things easy for the reader, by communicating structured data clearly. With free text, the person who reads the resume has to do some extra work to parse the text and then build an overall picture of the structure and how the data fits within it. There is some flexibility about the kind of data you can place in cells, and obviously my example isn't prescriptive (you could for example list the company you worked for in each base country). There are also some reasons why a table might not work, e.g. there are lots of countries you visited over all your bases, but you only visited a few from each base country. This would be great if you worked for a single company doing the same job with different assignments. Not so great if you shifted jobs, positions, or don't have a simple aggregate thing (like sales volume) to put in the table. –  jmac Commented Jul 4, 2013 at 23:46 @jmac OK, just to be clear, I meant one table for the whole resume, not one table per job. As I trivial example, I use a table on mine to list my education: dates, institutions, grades etc. I wasn't sure whether a table would be suitable in your case. Without getting a much better feel for how your data is, I find it hard to help. –  TooTone Commented Jul 5, 2013 at 8:30 Yes, but if I've been doing different international-related jobs, a single table would be tough to throw together. Let's say I worked in Country A for the past 10 years, but my first job was supply chain management for the middle east, the second was b2b sales for Europe, and the third was door-to-door fundraising in Micronesia, how am I going to throw that together as more than an, "I've been these places" sort of thing? –  jmac Commented Jul 5, 2013 at 8:37 @jmac I can see if e.g. you're in different continents for each job it would be difficult to do because the table ends up being sparse. I would have kept separate sections for each job as well as a summary table, but you might run out of room (you're looking at one page for a resume I believe, whereas we get two pages for a CV in Europe). –  TooTone Commented Jul 5, 2013 at 8:45 I wouldn't specifically list the countries, because that information should be clarified during the interview-process. That said, I prefer this method: Over the latter one. It looks better. Mainly because the phrase "business experience" is too loose. I'm not sure. I mean, Who knows the significance of visiting country X vs. country Y in terms of international-business experience? What about duration and the specifics? In any case , you need to make a note to emphasize it during interview or in other non-resume ways, a la cover letter or during interview . A resume is more a global view of it all. 2 So if I spent 50% of my time traveling overseas to over 10 countries on business, that would be filler? Many people I know do not feel comfortable doing whirlwind tours of the globe, navigating dramatically different hotels, airports, restaurants, languages and customers. I most certainly have a different perspective of an applicant who has done business in Qatar than one who has done business in Chicago in the sense of their international experience. My question is, how do I express this on a resume? –  jmac Commented Jul 2, 2013 at 3:06 You must log in to answer this question. Not the answer you're looking for browse other questions tagged resume international .. Featured on Meta Site maintenance - Mon, Sept 16 2024, 21:00 UTC to Tue, Sept 17 2024, 2:00... User activation: Learnings and opportunities Join Stack Overflow’s CEO and me for the first Stack IRL Community Event in... Hot Network Questions Is it possible to draw this picture without lifting the pen? (I actually want to hang string lights this way in a gazebo without doubling up) Copyright Fair Use: Is using the phrase "Courtesy of" legally acceptable when no permission has been given? Fast leap year check Latin lyrics to "Far away" Is Sagittarius A* smaller than we might expect given the mass of the Milky Way? How to avoid bringing paper silverfish home from a vacation place? How in the world do I fix this anciently old slop sink? I am okay even with a temporary fix Is it true that before European modernity, there were no "nations"? Should I be careful about setting levels too high at one point in a track? Would a scientific theory of everything be falsifiable? Do black holes convert 100% of their mass into energy via hawking radiation? Looking for a short story on chess, maybe published in Playboy decades ago? What is the action-cost of grabbing spell components? Ubuntu 22.04.5 - Final Point Release The meaning of an implication with the existential quantifier Why does counterattacking lead to a more drawish and less dynamic position than defending？ History of the migration of ERA from AMS to AIMS in 2007 Do carbon fiber wings need a wing spar? Should I change advisors because mine doesn't object to publishing at MDPI? Is it ok for a plugin to extend a class in some other module without declaring the other module as a dependency? Why does a capacitor act as an open circuit under a DC circuit? Is it really a "space walk" (EVA proper) if you don't get your feet wet (in space)? Understanding symmetry in a double integral Offset+Length vs 2 Offsets Resume Writing Resume Examples Cover Letter Remote Work Famous Resumes Try Kickresume 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. Related Posts These 7 student resume samples can help you get a better summer job, 5 quick tips to fit your resume on one page, share this article, join our newsletter. Every month, we’ll send you resume advice, job search tips, career hacks and more in pithy, bite-sized chunks. Sounds good? 494 IMAGES International Curriculum Vitae Example and Writing Tips The Best International Resume for Senior Managers How to Make Your Resume Stand Out to Recruiters a professional resume with an orange border How to Include International Experience on Your Resume RESUME EXAMPLES FOR INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE Education Drexel University VIDEO Refine Your Work Experience points in ChatGPT: the 3-column Table Method #resumewritingtips #chatgpt Don't miss this opportunity 150,000 + How to Write a Resume That Will Get You Hired How international work experience can benefit your future career How to create Resume in 2024 How to Write a Resume With 0 to 5 yr Work Experience COMMENTS 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 ... How to Include International Experience on Your Resume 10 steps to include abroad experience on your resume. Now you know that international work experience doesn't need to be a hindrance to your future career and can even add significant value to it, follow these 10 steps to find out how to include international experience on a resume like a pro: 1. Be selective. 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 ... Professional International Resume Examples How to Write the International Work Experience Section As mentioned above and illustrated by the international resume samples in this collection, your work experience section can be presented in any one of three formats: You can use the chronological format , the functional format , or a hybrid that blends the qualities of these two styles. 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. 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. 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. 2024 Ultimate International Resume Guide for 30+ Countries Here's the list of 30 popular international job locations and the average acceptable resume length: United States: 1-2 pages. United Kingdom: 2 pages. Australia: 2-3 pages. Canada: 1-2 pages. Germany: 2 pages. France: 1-2 pages. Tips for writing an impressive international resume Use industry-standard terminology and avoid slang: While writing an international experience resume, it must be universally compatible. Stay away from local terminology, idioms, or acronyms that might not be understood globally. Stick to terms that are known across borders, ensuring clarity for recruiters from any part of the world. How To Write An International Resume And What Should Be Included? Writing an international resume requires strategic planning. Here are some vital tips for writing an international resume: Use Action Verbs. To make your accomplishments stand out, using certain action verbs such as "managed," "led," "coordinated," and "developed" are essential. They give a dynamic tone to your resume and ... How to Add Work Experience to Your Resume (With Examples) First, choose an appropriate title like "professional experience" or "work experience" for the section of your resume where you'll list your past jobs. For each job, include the following information: Here's a template showing how your work experience should be formatted: 2. List your most recent work experience first. How to Write an International Resume (With an Example) How to write an international resume. Here are seven steps for how to write an effective resume when applying abroad: 1. Consider your formatting. 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. Different countries may have specific ... How to Include Your International Experience on Your Resume Programs. Volunteer Abroad. International Internships. TEFL Certification. Spanish Immersion. Gap Year. Summer Camp. Immersing yourself in another culture takes real guts. But you did it. Now comes the tough part: how do you get an employer to realize how international experience adds to your qualifications? How to Write your Work Experience on a Resume [+ Examples] On a basic level, the work experience layout typically includes: Job title, company name, location of employment. Month and year started and left the position. Between three and six bullet points briefly outlining your impact at the company. Work experience/job history on a resume should also include: Your Resume's Work Experience Section: A Complete Guide Account Management Jobs 8. Healthcare Jobs. Your past experience takes up the bulk of your resume and tells future employers what you've done up until now that qualifies you for your next job. So when it comes time to write about your experience on your resume, the pressure is admittedly a bit high. Determining what, exactly, belongs in there ... How to Write an Effective International Resume 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. ... It is most powerful to write an international resume with a career objective. While the ... How To Include Study Abroad Experience on Your Resume 3. Choose where to put it. Your study abroad experience can go in three different sections: Education: In the education section of your resume, list where you studied abroad underneath your current school. Include the name of the school, the city and country of the school, your length of study and relevant coursework and honors. Writing An International Resume Format (With Template) Here are some steps when creating an international resume format: 1. Research the resume style. The first step is researching templates for the specific country to find out what items to include on the resume. For instance, some countries request a translated version of your resume into the country's primary language. How to Talk About Your Experience Abroad in Your Job Hunt Discuss your time abroad in the same way you would as if you had the same job experience in the United States—describing your objectives and achievements and showcasing your skills. Think about your two biggest accomplishments, and prepare talking points about them for the hiring manager. 2. Identify the Skills You Used in Daily Life. How should I list foreign business experience on my resume? Awareness of international laws and regulations; Experience and vision for a global marketplace; Not every international job is right for a person, nor is a person with international experience right for any job. I'd start with the position, and make sure to highlight from there. General Resume Format & Tuning. Generally applications include: a ... How To Write a Resume For Working Abroad 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 ... International Relations Specialist Resume Examples International Relations Specialist. 5/1/2016 - 7/1/2019. Company Name. City, State. Assisted a firm's expansion into Western Europe. Analyzed business strategies from globally-informed perspectives. Provided in-depth research and market focus from a foreign perspective. Completed well-informed foreign policy analysis for international ... Hotel Receptionist CV Example & Writing Tips for 2024 Eager to bring my customer service and hospitality experience to your esteemed team. 2. Highlight your hospitality experience. To impress hotel employers, use your work experience section to demonstrate your expertise in managing reception duties, including both guest interactions and administrative tasks. 6 Great Online Grocery Associate Resume Examples Online Grocery Associate resume work experience examples. One of the most important sections in any resume is the work experience. Writing a work experience section that demonstrates you have what it takes to thrive in the job is crucial to writing a good resume. Recruiters want to see your unique achievements, so leave the generic job duties out. assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review thesis