International Resume For Job Interview

Write a resume for a job abroad


Are you planning to broaden your horizons and apply for a job abroad? Then, you need a resume that aligns with the resume practices and standards of your target country. The traditional American-style resume created to market yourself to a target employer may not sit too well with an international audience.

First, pick your target country

There is no such thing as a resume customized for the whole world. Your resume needs to be tailored to the preferences and expectations of your target audience. To do that, you must first determine your target country and industry.

Understand the differences

The typical domestic resume consists of a detailed account of your career, with no mention of personal information. However, if you are applying for a job in Asia, you will need to add a lot of personal information to your resume.

Do your research

Just like you would do for a domestic job application, you will need to spend quite a bit of time researching employers for your international job application. Understand the kind of skills employers are looking for in an ideal candidate. There will be many other common qualifications demanded by employers for a particular job title.

Read sample resumes

There are tons of sample resumes on the internet. Find and read a few sample resumes from your target industry in the country you want to work in. Note the language used by each resume writer, the common phrases, and the tone. You will need to follow the same style of writing for your resume.

Focus on the right skills

International resumes usually mention relevant technical skills and cross-cultural skills. Cross-cultural skills can vary from language skills to cultural awareness. The right technical skills are essential for your resume when you want to get noticed by an international employer.

Get the right length

While the typical American resume is about one to two pages long, other countries have different preferred resume lengths. Some European countries have resumes that read five pages or longer. In most Asian regions too, resumes are longer.

Exclude or include personal info

It is customary to leave out personal information when writing a domestic resume. However, not all countries have the same practice. In some European and Asian countries, personal information is crucial for a resume. But it is illegal to include personal information in resumes you write for some nations to avoid potential discrimination.

Make the decision: CV or resume

There are many differences between a CV and a resume. While a resume is a common marketing document in America, many other countries use a CV for job applications. A CV is a slightly longer version of your resume, with all your past work experiences and qualifications listed. In some Asian and European countries, it is a common practice to add a headshot to the CV.

Mention the right contact information

Create a header for your name and contact information on the new resume. For the location, you can either include your current city and state, or the city that you are planning to migrate to. Remember to add the international dialing code to your phone number when listing it on the resume.

By Resume Mansion

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