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International Resume Writing Tips

How to write an American resume and what to avoid

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spanish resume

Russian resume.

Writing a CV when English is your second language

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

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

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International resume introduction & writing a resume for international jobs

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

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

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

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

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

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

The American resume

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

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

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

An American resume typically follows the format of:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are the 4 C's of resume writing?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When listing your jobs, include:

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

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

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

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

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

When detailing your education, list:

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

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

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

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

What are the 3 F's of resume writing?

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

Items you should not include in your resume are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let's keep it simple.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The content of this type of British CV is:

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

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

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

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

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

The Asian resume

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

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

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

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

What are the three main types of resumes?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Writing a resume or CV when English is a second language

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

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

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

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

Writing resumes for different cultures and countries

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

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

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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.

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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.

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.

How to Write a Letter of Interest (With Examples)

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11 min read

Write a Resume for a Job Abroad in 7 Simple Steps

Updated: Feb 23

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

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

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

7-Step Resume Guide for a Job Abroad

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

Understand the local job market

Adapt the formatting and structure

Tailor the language and tone

Add contact information

Include key resume sections

Customize each job application

Proofread and edit

#1 : Understand the Local Job Market

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

Research the Job Market in Your Desired Country

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

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

Identify the Key Skills and Qualifications in Demand

Photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash

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

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

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

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

#2 : Adapt the Formatting and Structure

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

Follow these guidelines to ensure your resume stands out:

Choose the Right Resume Format

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

Find Out the Expected Resume Length

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

Photo by João Ferrão on Unsplash

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

United States and Canada:

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

Australia and New Zealand:

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

Middle East and Asia:

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

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

Special mentions:

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

United Kingdom:

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

Use the Local Date Format

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

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

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

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

#3 : Tailor the Language and Tone

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

Tailor Your Resume to the Local Language

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

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

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

Use Action Verbs to Describe Your Achievements

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

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

Keep the Tone Professional and Positive

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

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

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

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

#4 : Add Contact Information

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

Include Your Full (Legal) Name and Contact Information

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

Photo by Pavan Trikutam on Unsplash

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

As an expat, you should also do this:

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

Consider adding phonetical pronounciation of your name to your resume.

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

Add a Professional Email Address and Phone Number

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

Provide Links to Your Online Portfolio or LinkedIn Profile

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

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

#5 : Add Key Resume Sections

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

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

1. Contact Details

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

2. Career Summary or Personal Profile

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

3. Work Experience and Achievements

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

4. Education and Certifications

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

5. Skills, Languages, Volunteer Work or Extracurricular Activities

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

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

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

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

#6 : Customize for Each Job Application

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

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

Tailor Your Resume to Match the Job Description

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

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

Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience

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

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

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

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

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

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

#7 : Proofread and Edit

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

Do this to ensure your resume is error-free:

Check for Spelling and Grammar Errors

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

Ensure Consistency in Formatting

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

Get Feedback from Native Speakers or Professionals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tailor the language and tone to the job description.

Add contact information , so employers can easily reach you.

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

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

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

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

Matilda Patsou & Ana Colak-Fustin

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

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

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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.

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.

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International Curriculum Vitae Resume Format for Overseas Jobs

Resumes for dummies.

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The international curriculum vitae resume is typically a six- to eight-page excruciatingly detailed resume. Although the international curriculum vitae (CV) resume solicits private information that’s outlawed in the United States, such as your health status, the international CV is favored in some nations as a kind of global ticket to employment.

Formality prevails with the international CV. England has a suggested CV form, which is more like the American resume than not. Following are some tips to consider when using this format:

If you’re applying in a non-English-speaking country, have your CV translated into the appropriate foreign language. Send both the English and the native-language version.

Unless it’s untrue, mention in the personal section that you have excellent health.

Suggest by appropriate hobbies and personal interests that you’ll easily adapt to an overseas environment.

If you’re submitting your international CV on paper, handwrite the cover letter that goes with it — Europeans use handwriting analysis as a screening device. If your handwriting is iffy, enclose a word-processed version as well.

Make sure that your cover letter shows a sincere desire to be in the country of choice.

Consider the international CV resume as an option when applying for international jobs.

Click here to view this resume.

The international CV is usually a reverse chronological format that includes your contact information, qualifications summary, professional background, education, and personal information. Some European countries prefer the (non-reverse) chronological format, which lists education and work experience from the farthest back to the present.

Americans should remember that when working overseas for a native employer, they are not protected by Equal Employment Opportunity laws.

Strengths and weaknesses of this resume format

International employment experts say that if you don’t use the international curriculum vitae resume format, foreign recruiters may think you’re hiding something. But keep in mind that the international CV format intrudes into private areas of your life.

Who should (and shouldn't) use this resume format

Use this format if you’re seeking an overseas job and don’t object to revealing information that may subject you to discriminatory hiring practices. Individuals who feel strongly about invasions of privacy or fear of identity theft or who aren’t willing to be rejected out of hand because of gender, religion, race, age, or marital status should avoid this format.

If you want an overseas job and you don’t use this format, you may be out of luck unless you’re working through an American recruiter. The recruiter can interpret your concerns and negotiate for a bare minimum of personal information. Nationals of countries other than the United States can also use this technique.

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This article can be found in the category:.

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Compare and Contrast the 3 Main Resume Formats
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They Are Different From Domestic Resumes

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

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

Three Big Differences in International Resumes

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

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

Show Your Professional Personality

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

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

Sell Your Cross-Cultural Skills

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

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

Address Other Differences

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

A Last Word

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

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



© 1997-2024 Transitions Abroad Publishing, Inc.

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13+ Sample International Curriculum Vitae

Recruitment processes differ between local business entities and global industries due to differences in governing laws and standards. The job application would entail much more pressing requirements to be demanded from an applicant. When applying for an international job, a resume templates would not be enough to impress a foreign employer.

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How to Write an International Curriculum Vitae

Start with a profile. A format of resume , as depicted in the examples, is preferably started with a summary of your work experience otherwise called a profile. By devising a catchy profile, you can grab the attention of the foreign employer in just a few seconds.
Enumerate your skills. List the skills which would apply to the qualifications required for the job position. Enumerate them with a little bit of explanation as to the context of the skills you listed.
Detail your professional career history. Elaborate on your professional experience before applying for the international job position as shown on the basic resume / curriculum vitae format . The usual requirement for the professional experience of an applicant for international jobs is three to five years of experience in the field related to the job.
Indicate recent educational attainment. Like the IT professional resume / curriculum vitae sample, state at the end of your curriculum vitae, the educational background you acquired in relation to the international job position you are applying for.

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Hints for an Effective International Curriculum Vitae

Create a curriculum vitae in two languages. Submit one English language and one suitable foreign language of the curriculum vitae if the country of the job position you are applying for is designated in a non-English-speaking country.
Inform the employer that you adapt easily. Stress out your hobbies and personal interests in order for the foreign employer to see that you can adapt easily to any location. The curriculum vitae samples show examples of this information.
Align your curriculum vitae with a cover letter. Similar to a custom resume, a curriculum vitae, such as the Business Resume / Curriculum Vitae, must be drafted along with the sample cover letters . The contents of the simple cover letter must be in line with the information you wrote in the curriculum vitae.

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International Resume Formats for International Jobs

Sashika Dilshan

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

Introduction to International Resume Formats

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

How to write an International Resume?

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

Sample International Resume with a Comparison

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

Resume Format Sections	In Indian Resume Format	In Canadian Resume Format
Photo	Yes / Included	No
Profesional Summary	Yes	Yes
Name and contact information	Yes	Yes
Personal details	Yes	No
Personal Summary	Yes	No
Work Experience	Yes	Yes
Education	Yes	Yes
Other sections	Yes	Optional
References	Yes	Not Mandatory
References - Optional	Yes	Optional

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

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

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

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

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

Cresuma resume builder app create resume view

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

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

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

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Finding a Job

International Curriculum Vitae Example and Writing Tips

If you're seeking a job outside of the United States, be aware that many employers will ask you for a curriculum vitae (CV), perhaps with an accompanying profile, rather than for a resume. In the U.S. this can be confusing because CVs are used almost exclusively for jobs in academia , scientific research fields, and the medical professions.

U.S. CVs are credential-based, using functional categories to list one’s education, publications, honors and awards, research experience, training, and professional appointments. International CVs, though, are structured more like resumes , with a few important differences.

International Curriculum Vitae Requirements

Depending upon the country to which you're applying, you may be required to provide personal information. In the U.S. it's illegal for employers to solicit certain information because of age discrimination and other EEOC employment laws .

The types of information you might need to provide include your date and place of birth, nationality, gender, your marital status, number of children and their ages, your language skills, religion, health status, and your passport number. Many international employers also require candidates to include pictures on their resumes.

Tips for Writing an International Curriculum Vitae

Preparing an international CV will take more research and effort than drafting a U.S. resume or CV. Fortunately, there are resources which can help you. Here are important steps to follow.

Do your research : Before you start writing your international CV, find out what the particular requirements are for the country you're targeting. One good source is VisualCV , which lists the elements required not only for regions (North America, Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia, and South America), but also for a few of the individual countries within those regions.

For specific country information, your best bet may be to simply Google a phrase like “Portugal CV requirements.”

Determine optimal page length : Different countries have different expectations for the length of CVs. In Germany and Greece, five-page CVs are common and in the U.K., two is the norm.

Decide upon your format : Most international CVs, like U.S. resumes, are structured using a reverse chronological format , beginning with your most recent job. However, it can also be effective to use a functional format when you want to emphasize your skills and expertise (either because you lack real job experience or because you're making a significant change in career field).

Think about tone: In western countries, resumes are typically personal marketing documents where you're expected to “toot your own horn,” showcasing the professional and personal strengths and achievements that allow you to rise above your competition. In some eastern countries like China, however, job candidates are expected to write more modestly.

Translate your CV: Although not all international jobs require that you speak the language of the country where you’ll be working and residing, many do. The best way to prove your linguistic competency is to translate your CV into the language spoken by the employer. If you doubt your proficiency, have a native or advanced speaker proofread your translated CV for errors.

Spring for a professional headshot : If you're submitting a CV to an employer that requires a photograph, have a professional one taken.

Sample International CV

This is an example of an international CV. Download the international CV template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Sample International CV (Text Version)

Francisco Applicant Rua Main, Porto, Portugal francisco.applicant@email.com 000.123.4567 (Cell) Gender: M DOB: 13 August 1990, Porto, Portugal Nationality: Portuguese Married

My cosmopolitan background and analytical interests in other cultures together with a command of several European languages allow me to manage multinational workforces that require the reconciliation of different national approaches to the performance arts. A proven leader with deep expertise in operations, production, and human management techniques, I quickly adapt to new challenges and easily motivate production project consensus, approval, coordination, funding, staging, and launch.

Graduate in History, LUSIADA UNIVERSITY OF LISBON, Lisbon, Portugal Key coursework : Portuguese History, Medieval History, Renaissance History, Portuguese Explorers, Spanish History, Italian History, History of the Papacy

Training in General Music Studies, GREGORIAN INSTITUTE OF LISBON, Lisbon, Portugal Subject areas : History of Music, Gregorian Chants, Music Composition, Musical Notation, Musical Theatre, Symphonic Composers, Orchestral Music

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Casa da Música Concert-Hall, Porto, Portugal Head of Public and Building Services (September 2017-Present)

Coordinated and managed 500 front-of-house, back-of-house, administrative, maintenance, and marketing staff.
Initiated new digital marketing campaign that increased average audience sizes by 40%.
Supervised planning for €1.5M renovation of historic building premises.

Casa da Música Concert-Hall, Porto, Portugal Production and Operational Director (April 2015-August 2017)

Coordinated Contemporary Music performances by high-profile groups from the United Kingdom, Japan, Africa, and South America.
Negotiated cost-effective contracts for new stage lighting and audio equipment.
Liaised effectively with major media outlets and social media influencers to increase public awareness of concert hall events.

HONORS / AWARDS

RIBA European Award, 2018 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture, 2017 Musicians’ Association Award, 2017

Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, and Italian

COMPUTER SKILLS

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook) and Adobe Creative Suite

CULTURAL INTERESTS AND PHYSICAL RECREATION

History, music, sociology, psychology, theatre, symphonic music, tennis, and swimming

More About CVs

More Sample Curriculum Vitae Sample international, academic, and general curriculum vitae including additional templates , samples, and examples.

Writing a Curriculum Vitae Here are details on when to use a curriculum vitae , rather than a resume, what to include, and how to write it.

FAQ: Curriculum Vitae or Resume? Here are some frequently asked questions about the difference between CVs and resumes.

International Recruitment Resume Sample

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Work Experience

Lead an international recruitment team, manage international recruitment territories, develop relationships with international counselors, and cultivate interest with candidates to expand the international enrollment at the College, while enhancing Wheaton’s presence abroad
Serve as a highly visible liaison to key members of our community, including faculty representatives, the Office of Global Education, the President and President’s Council, and on College-wide Committees, as necessary
Valid driver’s license and passport
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and ability to review others’ work and provide constructive feedback
Conceptualizes and implements strategic targeted recruiting initiatives for both graduate and undergraduate students, including marketing efforts (e.g., in marketing, provides input and assists with marketing efforts such as publications, advertising and web site information, social media; evaluates effectiveness and makes modifications)
Identifies strategic recruitment markets, makes recommendations on partnerships, collaborates with members of the admissions staff with international admissions responsibilities, plans international inquiry and yield events, etc.
Designs and sustains effective and highly automated international admission processes that could maintain very high team efficiency and admission effectiveness
Assume leadership for developing and implementing a strategic plan for Comprehensive Internationalization
Cultivate relationships with overseas representatives, educational institutions, embassies, overseas advising offices and international partners
Work with Admissions and Recruitment team to ensuring effective visit opportunities for diverse populations of students
Monitor recruitment travel and associated expenditures to create annual reports that evaluate recruitment effectiveness
Develop and maintain admissions tracking reports
Make recommendations regarding the web site and publications to promote Lamar University
Collaborate with marketing to develop integrated communications plan to engage prospective students through print, email, web, social media, texting and in-person outreach
Oversee the timely and accurate management of prospective student data
Plans, organizes and executes necessary travel needed to recruit international students and maintains and develops international partnerships (e.g., high schools, universities, EducationUSA Offices, and funding agencies abroad as deemed necessary)
Creates and implements articulation agreements for targeted geographic regions and areas of study
Incorporates constituency groups in international recruitment: current students, faculty, staff, and alumni; including follow-up
Prepare annual budget for international recruitment travel
Develop, manage and evaluate admissions and recruitment strategies to achieve enrollment goals
Manage current and develop new Study Abroad programs
Oversee budget creation and risk management of education abroad activities
Establish and maintain international partnerships and contracts including but not limited to academic articulation agreements
Engage and collaborate with faculty and staff on international recruitment and Study Abroad initiatives

Professional Skills

Excellent IT skills including the use of word-processing, presentation, database and spreadsheets
Excellent computer skills, including MS Office proficiency
Excellent skills both written and spoken in English and French or German
Excellent Administration skills, attention to detail and ability to handle several tasks simultaneously
Proven experience in developing systems and strategies and making data-driven decisions
Demonstrated ability to effectively lead, motivate and supervise a team of diverse individuals, including young early-career professionals
Maintain strong work ethic and handle high volume of work, execute projects simultaneously, set priorities and meet deadlines

How to write International Recruitment Resume

International Recruitment role is responsible for travel, administration, database, immigration, government, events, education, design, recruiting, training. To write great resume for international recruitment job, your resume must include:

Your contact information
Work experience
Skill listing

Contact Information For International Recruitment Resume

The section contact information is important in your international recruitment resume. The recruiter has to be able to contact you ASAP if they like to offer you the job. This is why you need to provide your:

First and last name
Telephone number

Work Experience in Your International Recruitment Resume

The section work experience is an essential part of your international recruitment resume. It’s the one thing the recruiter really cares about and pays the most attention to. This section, however, is not just a list of your previous international recruitment responsibilities. It's meant to present you as a wholesome candidate by showcasing your relevant accomplishments and should be tailored specifically to the particular international recruitment position you're applying to. The work experience section should be the detailed summary of your latest 3 or 4 positions.

Representative International Recruitment resume experience can include:

Maintains competency and professional currency through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as requested by office leadership
Strong data-analysis skills; demonstrable ability to use metrics and data to support critical thinking and improvement of the function
Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness in solving problems throughout the recruiting process - from building pipeline to closing
Understanding procedures and policies surrounding I-20s, DS2019s, visas and citizenship and residency assignments are followed
Understanding of recent developments affecting international student recruitment in higher education
Understanding of the education system in China

Education on an International Recruitment Resume

Make sure to make education a priority on your international recruitment resume. If you’ve been working for a few years and have a few solid positions to show, put your education after your international recruitment experience. For example, if you have a Ph.D in Neuroscience and a Master's in the same sphere, just list your Ph.D. Besides the doctorate, Master’s degrees go next, followed by Bachelor’s and finally, Associate’s degree.

Additional details to include:

School you graduated from
Major/ minor
Year of graduation
Location of school

These are the four additional pieces of information you should mention when listing your education on your resume.

Professional Skills in International Recruitment Resume

When listing skills on your international recruitment resume, remember always to be honest about your level of ability. Include the Skills section after experience.

Present the most important skills in your resume, there's a list of typical international recruitment skills:

Experience living or working outside of the United States
Skilful and persuasive communicator, orally and in writing with good grammar
Prioritise a busy workload and manage competing deadlines
Experience with International travel and living abroad
Five years of progressively responsible international admissions, recruitment and study abroad experience required
Direct experience with international recruitment and outreach efforts at the undergraduate level

List of Typical Experience For an International Recruitment Resume

Experience for director of international recruitment resume.

Utilizes basic recruitment subject matter knowledge to provide support to HR/business supervisors and individuals on HR Services/Operations issues/activities
Post positions on internal career site and external recruitment portals as well as social media channels
Liaise with agencies and provide support to candidates and third parties in the use of the recruitment system and career site

List of Typical Skills For an International Recruitment Resume

Skills for director of international recruitment resume.

International travel or residence experience
Proven ability to supervise a team and evaluate the work of others
Demonstrated ability to express complex ideas for oral presentations and in written documents
Strong analytic and creative abilities
US university administrative experience, especially in a public university
Working knowledge of CRM lead/prospect management systems

Skills For International Recruitment Coordinator With French Resume

Participate in the overall planning of The University of Scranton’s comprehensive international enrollment strategy
Communicate and work with a variety of people of varying backgrounds; ability to counsel students and their families
Adapt to changing technologies, processes and procedures
Familiarity with immigration regulations governing enrollment of international students
Convene and lead regular staff meetings, maintaining a culture of collaboration, transparency and excellence
Policy and legal requirements for a specific region/country/state
Serve as a highly visible liaison to key members of our community
Provide leadership for controlled growth in international enrollment

Skills For International Recruitment Coordinator Resume

Fluent written and spoken Mandarin Chinese and English
Assist the International Recruitment Team in determining the most effective ways to improve the diversity of the University’s international student body through recruitment, outreach and yield events
Maintain currency in the educational and political climates of international countries and in the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services’ rules and regulations regarding international students and scholars
EXECUTE RECRUITMENT PROGRAMS & PROCESSES
Knowledge of country specific employment laws

Skills For Senior Program Coordinator of International Recruitment Resume

Prepared to work beyond normal office hours and overseas
Knowledge of U.S. institutions’ admission policies, higher education policies and practices, F and J immigration regulations
Knowledgeable in all aspect of the department’s assigned tasks
Includes Policy and legal requirements for U.S
Knowledge of international student immigration regulations
Cultural sensitivity and knowledge of common international business practices
Attend various functions that merit Lamar University’s attendance (i.e. community events)

Skills For Head of International Recruitment Resume

Develop an international recruitment and yield strategy plan annually within the confines of set budget
Travel overseas 1-2 times per year
Serve as a resource and contact for colleges and departments, ISSS, and others with questions about international recruitment
Represent the Illinois undergraduate admissions office in assigned domestic and/or international regions, and create and implement recruitment and outreach plans for those areas
Manage a primary recruitment territory and develop comprehensive plans for travel and outreach based on the Illinois strategy of recruiting a highly diverse and talented applicant pool
Reach out and encourage prospective students to explore and eventually matriculate at Illinois through staffing on-campus programs, scheduling personal visits to secondary schools, attending college fair programs, and engaging in correspondence, email, and/or telephone contact
Read and evaluate admissions applications; apply discretion and independent judgment in evaluating and comparing applications and gathering information in preparation for admission consideration; and make admissions decisions based on campus enrollment goals; chair a review committee as assigned

Skills For Specialist, International Recruitment Resume

Assist with hiring, training, and mentoring new staff hires
Analyze data to inform decisions on international recruitment
Collaborate with the communication staff to establish campaigns specifically for international populations
Serve on professional development committees, and present at both regional and national conferences
Ability and willingness to travel to domestic and international locations
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Banner, and Slate systems

Skills For Manager of International Recruitment Resume

Lift and move heavy boxes of materials
Develop collaborative relationships with key partners across the organisations to understand their hiring objectives and develop sourcing strategies to hit goals
Define, design and implement recruiting programs for a variety of Sales, Channel, Customer Experience, Marketing, Communications, Legal and Finance positions. This includes understanding and mapping the talent landscape, internal calibration and referrals, and matching those data points with the external talent supply
Craft and execute unusual and effective sourcing strategies and techniques to find and engage passive talent including talent supply mapping and employer branding
Collaborate with key leaders to deliver results that support constantly changing day-to-day business needs
Be a key member of our regional leadership team
Champion the team as ambassadors of our culture and experts in “what great looks like”, helping them articulate the risks and benefits of candidates, and make good hiring decisions
A sound sense of affinity with the rapid pace of a growing and dynamic company
Eligibility to work in the E.U

Related to International Recruitment Resume Samples

Manager recruitment resume sample, recruitment marketing resume sample, student recruitment resume sample, executive recruiting resume sample, coordinator / recruitment resume sample, coordinator recruiting resume sample, resume builder.

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Resume Samples

Your resume is your golden ticket to landing an interview at your dream job- this means creating it must be a top priority! Not all resumes are created equal, as some are better than others. To get your resume placed at the top of the stack, it's important that it reflects your own achievements and goals within the industry you are trying to pursue. If you need help getting started, find the profession below that closest matches yours and get top-notch examples of what your resume should convey.

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Student Samples

Sample resumes for students applying to college, graduate school or internship positions. Since your work experience may be limited, be sure to highlight your extracurricular activities including volunteer positions, leadership roles,awards you’ve received, and organizations you’ve participated in. Be sure to include your education along with your GPA and test scores if they are above average.

Entry Level Samples

Sample resumes for entry level positions, including new graduates and people transitioning into new fields at an entry level. Keep your resume to one page in length, tailoring your experiences to the qualifications listed on the job post. This will be used to show the company exactly why they should hire you!

Professional Samples

Sample resumes and cover letters for career professionals, including specialized resumes for musicians, accountants, lawyers, and more. Your cover letter and resume both serve to make your first impression to your potential employer so it’s important to take the time to craft a well thought-out application. Be as specific and numerical as possible to demonstrate why they should hire you!

If you're looking for the old resume samples, we apologize that they're no longer available from Resume Edge. We are in the process of replacing all of the samples with current and up to date examples, so please check back frequently as we get everything refreshed!

You might also find these General Essay Writing Tips useful.

Resume Guidelines and Samples

Resume Samples

Purpose of resume (overview), resume header, education section of resume, experience section of resume, skills section of resume, resume checklist.

Download resume guidelines as a pdf List of resume action verb How to write effective resume bullets

How to have your resume reviewed

4 Resume Samples (PDF format)
Sasha Cazenove
Seona Bates
Sierra Tower
Sophie McAfee

Your resume is generally a one-page document that clearly presents your current and past experiences and accomplishments so that your reader can understand the unique value that you bring to the table. As you begin to draft your resume, consider the following. Your resume is:

Your first opportunity to make an impression. Step back from the details to consider what story you want to communicate.
Foremost, about the content and demonstrating your experiences. Begin by writing your resume in Google docs or Word, and avoid using templates that focus on form over content.
A living document that you will tailor to specific positions and will evolve throughout your career.
Not a laundry list of every experience; it is a carefully curated list of relevant experiences.
Easy to read. Consider font type and size, formatting, and a balance of text and white space.
Shared with potential employers as a pdf document.

The header provides your full name and contact information (email address & telephone number). This section should not include personal information (e.g., sex, date of birth, marital status). Items that may be included in your header:

Wellesley and/or home address: If you choose both, be sure to label each address accordingly.
Personal website, links to professional social media (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn)

If you are a current student or recent alumna, the education section should be just below the heading, with the most recent education listed first. Generally, you should not include your high school on your resume; however, first-year college students may include relevant high school experiences. Necessary information includes:

Your institution and its location (City/Town and State)
Your degree (Bachelor of Arts), any major(s) and/or minor(s)
Expected graduation date.
Optional: Study abroad programs and institutions where you cross-registered for classes.

In this section, provide details about your various experiences, highlighting accomplishments, learning outcomes, and transferable skills. “Experience” is broadly defined and can include full- or part-time work, summer jobs, internships, research, academic projects, campus leadership, volunteer opportunities, etc. Describe your experiences using strong, specific verbs, and emphasize the results and impact of your work. You can create separate and distinct Experience sections to highlight those positions or skills (e.g., Research, Leadership, Extracurricular, or Volunteer).

List experiences in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
Include name and location of the organization where this experience took place and the title of your role.
Include start and end date for your experience. If it is ongoing, list your end date as “Present.”
Describe your experience in accomplishment statements, using short phrases starting with a strong verb. Be specific and quantify your experiences whenever you can.
Create 2-5 accomplishment statements for each experience.

This section provides an immediate view of the kinds of tasks you are ready to undertake. While you will want to be selective and only list relevant skills, these might range from technical skills, like expertise using a digital tool, to experience-based skills, like project management or database design. This section can also include certifications, languages, etc. In general, it’s best to avoid general skills like people skills, time management or critical thinking. As this section grows, you may divide it into several distinct skills sections, like Software Expertise, Language Skills, Teaching Skills, Design Skills, etc.

Is your resume...

☐ Easy to read?

☐ Simple, clean font (e.g. Times, Arial, Garamond)

☐ 10 to 12 pt. font

☐ 0.5 to 1 in. margins

☐ Error free (grammar & spelling)?

☐ Devoid of personal pronouns (I, me, my, we)?

☐ Concise?

☐ Reverse chronological?

☐ Tailored to the type(s) of opportunities you are seeking?

Does your resume…

☐ Effectively communicate your relevant skills and experience?

☐ Effectively communicate your personal brand?

☐ Use consistent formatting for dates, job accomplishments, etc.?

☐ Display your strongest or most relevant qualifications near the top of the page or section?

☐ Highlight all your related/transferable experience?

☐ Utilize action verbs and results-oriented language to describe your experience?

☐ Display on the screen without formatting errors as a pdf attachment?

Related resources

Job Search Tips

7 Must-Have Resume Headers and Sections: Perfect Your Resume!

12 min read

Structure your resume for success!

Writing an awesome resume is hard! With a blank page staring at you, it’s difficult to even know where to begin. Don’t panic – we’re here to help.

Just getting a basic structure in place makes it much easier to write the information you need, so start with some straightforward resume headers and sections. In this article, we’ll share some ways to organize your resume and discuss the perfect resume headers and sections to stand out.

Why are resume headers so important?

Hiring managers depend heavily on your resume layout to find the information that’s relevant to them, so an easy-to-read layout will greatly improve your chances of securing an interview. In short, the more intuitively your resume is organized, the easier it is for hiring managers to decipher the information and pick out the details they’re looking for.

There are certain things to keep in mind when drafting your resume. In particular, you’ll need to decide where to put information and how to label it. When hiring managers have just a few seconds to glance over your resume, it’s important that you organize it so they can easily find the key information.

The way you organize the information on your resume is almost as important as the content itself. These are just some of the reasons:

Your resume will likely be scanned by an applicant tracking system

If your information is not labeled correctly, the ATS won’t know how to categorize it. Applicant tracking systems scan through your information using page markers like headers. If you have easily navigable resume headers and sections, the ATS is more likely to interpret your resume accurately.

If your resume is not well structured, however, the applicant tracking system will have a hard time locating relevant details. It will present the employer with jumbled information.

In short, a well-organized resume will make it easy for the ATS to identify keywords and categorize your information, bringing you one step closer to winning an interview and landing the job.

Your resume will be scanned by a hiring manager – but only for a few seconds

Most hiring managers are tasked with going through dozens, sometimes hundreds, of resumes in a short period of time. Because of this high demand, most hiring managers spend only a few seconds scanning each resume. Of course, that’s not even close to enough time to actually read the whole resume.

So, how can we guide the eyes of the employer to the information we absolutely need them to see?

With clear and concise resume section headers, of course!

Let’s expand on the role of the hiring manager and look more closely at how they spend these precious seconds analyzing each resume.

Ladders analyzed recruiter tendencies, and the results speak volumes about what the most important aspects of a successful resume are (you can check out the full report here ). In short, they found the average hiring manager spends just 7.4 seconds looking at each resume.

To make you seem professional

Your resume is the first impression you’ll make on the hiring manager, so it needs to look smart and professional. You could present a long, rambling essay on your experience and skills, but what they’re expecting, and what looks infinitely more professional, is a well-presented, concise summary of your suitability for the role.

A well-laid-out resume shows you know what’s expected and can present an attractive, structured, and relevant document that makes a compelling argument for your candidacy. Resume headers play a key role in achieving that.

Now that we've established why concise resume organization is essential to success let’s dive into the details of how you can effectively use resume headers and sections to structure your resume.

Headers for your resume

First, determine which information is likely to be most important to the employer. Usually, it’s things that prove your suitability for the role, such as experience, skills, and qualifications. Then, clearly label that information and format it clearly. The most important sections include:

1. Resume title and header section

Let’s start with the first of the resume headers, the header for your entire resume. This main header section (also called the resume title) is going to be more robust than the others as it serves as an overall introduction to the resume and provides some basic information about you. Position it at the very top of your resume. It doesn’t need to take up much space – a couple of lines should suffice.

The essentials that you absolutely must include in your professional resume header are:

Name - in a larger font than the rest of your resume, at the very top of the page.

Email address and phone number - make it as easy as possible for recruiters to contact you!

Location - just city, state, and zip code will suffice

The following details are optional but really helpful if you've spent time optimizing them – they can add that little extra zing that other candidates may not provide.

Personal website: Depending on the industry you’re going into, a personal website can give you a huge advantage over the competition and help your resume header stand out. For example, an Artist or Graphic Designer can leverage a portfolio website to show off their expertise.

LinkedIn: Most hiring managers will check your LinkedIn profile, so if you have one, make sure you include a link. You can check out our post on how to include a LinkedIn URL on a resume. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile yet, it’s worth setting one up to support your job search. It’s free and could help you land a job quicker !

2. The resume summary

Including a professional resume summary will help you catch the attention of a hiring manager. There’s an example above to give you inspiration on how to format the resume summary. As the first information that a hiring manager will read about you, it’s important this section is jam-packed with keywords and reasons for them to hire you. There’s no need to label this section as long as you stick to paragraph form. If you do wish to give it a header, choose something simple, such as:

Professional Profile

Professional Summary

Personal Statement

Expert tip: Look upon the resume summary as your elevator pitch and include the most compelling and convincing information, skills, experience relevant to your target role.

3. Key Skills

A key skills section is very useful for highlighting keywords relevant to the role and capturing the attention of a hiring manager with snappy, relevant bullet points. For more information, read our post on choosing the right core competencies for your resume . You could choose one of the following headers:

Core Competencies

Areas of Expertise

4. Work Experience

The work experience section should take up the bulk of your resume. You could add “Key Achievements” subheadings for each job, too, to really highlight the value you bring to an organization.

You may want to create a separate header for voluntary work, although it’s perfectly fine to include volunteering within your career history if you prefer – particularly if it will cover a career gap.

Resume headers for this section could include:

Career Summary

Work Experience

Professional History

Employment History

Professional Experience

Voluntary Roles

Internships

5. Education

This is another important category that’s often part of the recruiter’s initial scan. You can also be more specific and divide it into academic and work-related learning. Key information to add within this section is the level of qualification, subject title, and year of completion. A simple header here is perfect, such as:

Qualifications

Academic Background

Professional Development

Certifications

This post has more details on listing education on a resume.

6. Technical Skills

Having a technical skills section is optional if your industry doesn't require a lot of technical skills – but we don't recommend completely eliminating any relevant skills you have. If you don’t feel a whole Technical Skills section is worth it for the roles you’re aiming at, you can include the skills in your Core Competencies section instead.

However, if you’re applying in an industry where specific hard skills are valued, it’s helpful to create a dedicated section. For example, you could directly address the requirements of the job listing with headers like:

IT Proficiency

Technical Skills

For more information on drafting the perfect skills section, check out our blog post that covers what skills you should put on your resume .

7. Achievements

Ideally, you’ll list career-related achievements as part of every job you include. But if you feel a bit light on achievements, or you have a handful of knockout achievements that you really want to highlight, or you have some personal achievements that don’t sit comfortably anywhere else on the resume, you may want to create a separate achievements section. This will draw the readers’ eye to details you’re particularly keen to show off, whether that’s a professional achievement, such as saving the company $5 million, or a personal achievement, such as raising $10,000 for a charity.

Personal achievements should be positioned at the end of the resume, whilst professional achievements should be positioned much more prominently. Bear in mind the rule that the most critical information you want to convey to a recruiter should be clear within the top third of the first page.

Header ideas for this section include:

Key Achievements

Personal Achievements

Contributions

Accomplishments

8. Optional sections

These other resume header examples are not strictly necessary unless you want to highlight a personal selling point that is highly relevant to the role you’re applying for. You could consider including:

Affiliations, such as memberships of professional bodies

Projects - personal or professional

Research and Publications

Activities and Interests

Resume headers and section examples

Use these examples of resume headers to get you started:

Main resume header and contact details

Key Skills

Professional Experience

Qualifications

Technical Skills

Personal Achievements

With this structure in place, you’ll be ready to guide your thoughts and start writing so that you can get the key information down on the page. Then, you’ll be ready to tweak and tailor it to perfectly fit the role you’re applying for.

How to style your resume headers

Good resume headers stand out from the rest of the text but don't go over the top. A larger and bolder font will do the trick. You may also want to consider underlining headers in a resume to separate them from the body of the text – although not in such a way that they’re mistaken for hyperlinks. You've done a good job if it’s clear at first glance where the headers are located.

Make the text in the headers short and specific. Don't get too creative with these section headers, either. They're signposts to identify how you've organized your resume; they shouldn’t distract the reader from the valuable content within each section!

The following is a good example of a resume header format by the professional writers here at ZipJob :

Creative Strategist Resume Example Employment Only

Creative resume headings

While we’re all in favor of creativity and individuality, we really can’t recommend using creative headers. Whether that’s in terms of wording (such as “What you need to know about me”) or format (such as graphics and text boxes), creative headers are generally not the way forward. The keys are to remain professional, to make the reader’s job easier by giving them what they expect, and to present a resume that is scanned accurately by an ATS.

Resume sections for students

While students will need the same resume sections as an experienced professional, they may be presented in a different order. If you have no work experience relevant to your desired role, position your education section above the experience section and elaborate more on the skills and knowledge you gained at university.

Your experience section can then be much shorter and focus on part-time roles, internships, volunteering, and seasonal work. You’ll still be able to show a great work ethic and transferable skills by including them, even if they’re not directly applicable to your chosen career.

Should my resume have headers and footers?

So far, in this article, we’ve focused on section headings for your resume. But what about using the Header and Footer functions in Word? It’s tempting to use the Header function for your name and contact details and the Footer function to duplicate the information on the second and subsequent pages, but we’d strongly advise against it. Some ATS can’t read the information in headers and footers, so although a human will be able to see the details as you intended, the information may get missed when your resume is scanned.

Use headers as signposts to get the YES you’re waiting for

Your resume headers and sections are a guide for the hiring manager and applicant tracking systems to find your information. With the correct resume header format, your resume is one step closer to landing you that elusive interview.

We wish you lots of luck in your job search. When you’ve written your resume, why not submit it for a free review from our team of resume experts?

This post was originally written in 2016 and was updated in 2021, 2023 and 2024.

Jen David, Editor & Content Writer, Jen David, Editor & Content Writer

Jen David has been writing CVs since 2010 and is the founder of CV Shed . She has worked with clients in numerous industries and at all stages of their careers, from students through to senior executives of global businesses. She loves producing polished, focused CVs that appeal to both human recruiters and applicant tracking systems, enabling her clients to take the next step in their careers. Jen has written and edited numerous articles for publication on industry-leading job boards.

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Chief Executive Officer Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

Chief Executive OfficerResume Templates and Examples (Download in App)
Resume Text Examples

How To Write a Chief Executive Officer Resume

Chief executive officer resume templates and examples (download in app).

Entry-Level
Senior-Level

Chief Executive Officer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Hospital CEO
Construction CEO

Aliya Jackson (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio New York, NY 12345

A hospital CEO with 10 years of experience, specializing in health care management, organizational development, and program management. A strong history of defining strategies to refine clinical operations, drive positive patient outcomes, and reduce operating costs for major hospitals with over $400 million in assets.

Professional Experience

Chief Executive Officer , St. Mark’s Hospital, New York, NY | March 2019 – present

Oversee all aspects of business, clinical, and finance operations for a premiere hospital with 300 beds and over $400 million in assets
Collaborate effectively with C-suite executives to define strategic direction for the hospital and lead initiatives to drive profitability through enhanced resource allocation, resulting in a $25 million cost reduction over five years
Identify opportunities to enhance the delivery of patient-centered care in coordination with physicians and nursing teams, resulting in a 17% increase in patient satisfaction

Executive Director , Brooklyn Medical Center, New York, NY | June 2014 – March 2018

Managed all aspects of daily operations and clinical programs for a 250-bed hospital, which included developing and allocating a $100 million-dollar operating budget
Supervised 150 personnel and identified opportunities to improve clinical efficiency, resulting in a 16% reduction in patient wait times
Coordinated with C-level executives and department leaders to evaluate staffing needs, recruit top talent, and establish an inclusive, forward-thinking work culture, resulting in 60 new hires and a 15% increase in employee retention

Certifications

Certified Healthcare Executive (CHE), FACHE | 2015
Six Sigma Greenbelt | 2014
Clinical operations
Hospital administration
Operations management
Program management
Strategy development

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Healthcare Administration University of Syracuse, New York, NY | September 2014 – June 2016

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Healthcare Administration University of Syracuse, New York, NY | September 2012 – June 2014

John Bergsen (123) 456-7890 [email protected] Philadelphia, PA 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

A dynamic and forward-thinking CEO with 12 years of experience building multi-million dollar companies within the construction industry. A proven track record of managing and scaling residential and commercial construction businesses. Adept at defining long-term growth strategies and building successful project management organizations.

Chief Executive Officer , Bergsen Construction Co., Philadelphia, PA | May 2017 – present

Manage, scale, and build a residential and commercial construction company from the ground up, including hiring over 100 personnel, developing multi-million dollar budgets, driving new business development
Define high-impact growth strategies and develop strategic partnerships to scale the business from pre-revenue to $32 million in gross revenue over seven years
Liaise with project managers, architects, and client stakeholders to ensure alignment with business requirements, safety standards, and local and state regulations

Project Management Director , Highland Construction, Philadelphia, PA | June 2012 – May 2017

Oversaw over 50 residential and commercial construction projects valued at $3 million to $25 million, managed all aspects of project delivery, and ensured strict compliance with OSHA safety regulations and building codes
Implemented a new Agile-Waterfall hybrid methodology to improve resource allocation, eliminate roadblocks, and improve on-time delivery rates to 92%
Interfaced with the C-suite and senior leadership teams to define strategic objectives and develop a $10 million operating budget
Agile methodology
Construction management
Organizational development
Project management
Strategic planning
Project Management Professional (PMP), 2012
Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP), 2012

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | September 2012 – June 2014

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Project Management Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | September 2008 – June 2012

Allison Rosenberg (123) 456-7890 [email protected] Seattle, WA 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

A CEO with 10 years of experience within the banking industry, specializing in change management, business strategy, and portfolio management. A proven track record of delivering executive leadership to major banks with over $200 million in assets.

Chief Executive Officer , First Financial Bank, Seattle, WA | March 2018 – present

Oversee all aspects of banking operations across seven branch locations and define long-term investment and business strategies in collaboration with the board of directors for a bank with over $200 million in assets
Manage relationships with key stakeholders and evaluate and approve loan multi-million dollar loan applications for businesses, school districts, and local governments
Spearhead change management initiatives to transform the bank’s culture with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and public service initiatives

Senior Investment Banker , Starlight Credit Union, Seattle, WA | June 2014 – March 2018

Developed successful investment strategies for client portfolios valued at up to $25 million and delivered presentations to stakeholders
Built relationships with corporate leaders and facilitated meetings between C-level executives and investors throughout the due diligence process
Executive leadership
Banking operations
Investment banking
Change management
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), CFA Institute | 2014

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) University of Washington, Seattle, WA | September 2012 – June 2014

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Economics University of Washington, Seattle, WA | September 2008 – June 2012

To write a truly great CEO resume, capture what makes you successful as a thought leader within your industry. As a CEO, every aspect of business operations is your responsibility. Whether it’s hiring team members, building strategic partnerships, or defining the long-term vision of the company, organizations turn to you for leadership. We’ll provide expert tips to translate your career into a CEO resume that sets you apart from other executives.

1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications

First impressions play a critical role in the hiring process, especially when applying for C-level positions at higher-end companies. Your opening summary needs to illustrate the most impressive and relevant aspects of your career in a succinct yet compelling manner.

Start with a sentence that captures your title, years of industry experience, and key areas of expertise. Use the remainder of the paragraph to highlight one or two stunning career achievements.

For example, if you built a multi-million-dollar company from the ground up, feature this accomplishment in your profile to demonstrate your track record of successfully managing and scaling businesses. Showcase these types of unique insights in your profile to differentiate yourself from the competition.

Strong Profile Example

Weak profile example.

An experienced hospital CEO with advanced solution-finding and leadership skills. Skilled in managing large hospitals and clinical teams. Seeking a position with St. Mark’s Hospital to continue growth as a leader in the health care field.

2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section

The professional experience section serves as the focal point of your CEO resume. This is where you’ll paint a clear and compelling image of your career achievements. Quantifying your accomplishments with monetary figures is important, as this is the best way to establish a sense of scope for the reader. Also, provide context for how you achieved these results to demonstrate your industry expertise.

For example, say you successfully scaled a business and grew revenue by $5 million. What strategies did you implement to generate this increase? How did you navigate the market landscape? How did you hire top talent and drive new business development while maintaining profitability? This information helps to brand you as a thought leader and strategic executive who can bring genuine value to potential organizations.

Strong Professional Experience Example

Chief Executive Officer, St. Mark’s Hospital, New York, NY | March 2019 – present

Weak Professional Experience Example

Responsible for managing the daily operations of a large hospital, including solving complex business problems and improving process efficiency
Work with executives to create strategies and manage high-value budgets
Strive to improve the quality of patient-care delivery during tenure

3. Include relevant education and certifications

Although your work history will play the largest role in whether or not you receive an interview, CEOs are usually expected to have particular certifications and degrees depending on the industry. Many employers will be looking for an MBA when reviewing applicants, so it’s worth pursuing if you only have a bachelor’s degree. The value of a certification will vary depending on the industry.

For example, if you were pursuing a CEO position at a construction company, having a Project Management Professional (PMP) could be valuable even though you won’t be directly managing projects. In this situation, having a comprehensive understanding of project management gives you a nuanced perspective when developing high-level business plans and strategies.

[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Healthcare Administration
University of Syracuse, New York, NY | September 2015 – June 2017
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Healthcare Administration
University of Syracuse, New York, NY | September 2011 – June 2015
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]

4. List pertinent key skills

At the executive level, you might already have a formal introduction or connection at the company you’re targeting, allowing you to bypass an applicant tracking system (ATS).

Even if this is the case, feature keywords and skill sets that match the organization’s needs. Provide a mix of leadership, business, and industry-related skill sets to convey the full breadth of your capabilities as a CEO. Below, you’ll find a list of potential keywords you may encounter during the job search:

Key Skills and Proficiencies
Business development	Business strategy
Change management	Cross-functional leadership
C-Suite relations	Data-driven decision-making
Executive leadership	Growth strategy
Health care management	Operations management
Organizational development	Profit and loss (P&L) management
Program management	Project management
Public relations	Sales leadership
Stakeholder management	Strategic planning
Strategy development	Talent acquisition

How To Pick the Best Chief Executive Officer Resume Template

As a CEO, you need a professional resume template that captures your personal brand and conveys your experience in an accessible manner. Be conservative in your usage of color, graphics, and logos unless they serve a distinct purpose. At the end of the day, organizations will be far more interested in learning about your career achievements, so prioritize the readability of your content over visual elements.

Frequently Asked Questions: Chief Executive Officer Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for chief executive officer resumes -.

A CEO is expected to take the lead in all aspects of the organization. Your bullet points need to reflect that through proactive language and action verbs. For example, “Responsible for leading initiatives” is far less compelling than “spearheaded change management initiatives,” despite the minor alterations in word choice. Below, you’ll find a list of action verbs to craft the professional experience section of your CEO resume:

Action Verbs
Built	Collaborated
Coordinated	Created
Developed	Drove
Enhanced	Evaluated
Executed	Generated
Identified	Implemented
Improved	Increased
Led	Managed
Optimized	Oversaw
Partnered	Spearheaded

How do you align your resume with a chief executive officer job description? -

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the average median income for chief executives was $258,900 in 2023. Due to the lucrative nature of C-level positions and the stakes at play for the company, it’s important to tactically align your resume with the position you’re applying for.

For example, say you were targeting a hospital that needs a CEO who can help transform the organization’s culture. In this situation, you would emphasize change management initiatives you’d led and demonstrate how they improved work environments, employee retention, and clinical effectiveness. Applying this strategy will immediately communicate the value you can bring to potential employers and organizations.

What is the best chief executive officer resume format? -

Reverse chronological is the best format for a CEO resume. As a C-level executive, your professional experience needs to be prioritized. This approach places your most recent and relevant work history towards the top of your document. A combination or functional resume format should always be avoided, as your skills and certifications should never take precedence over your career achievements.

Craft your perfect resume in minutes

Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!

Once you’ve completed your CEO resume, consider adding a strong cover letter to help strengthen your job application. Provide additional insights regarding how your leadership expertise and industry knowledge would be a valuable asset to the organization you’re targeting. For more information, visit our executive cover letter guide .

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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Letter of Introduction: What Is It & How to Write One (+Templates)

Klara Cervenanska ,
Updated August 13, 2024 8 min read

Ever heard of a letter of introduction? If not, you’re not alone. While most people are familiar with resumes, cover letters, and even motivation letters, the letter of introduction remains a bit of a hidden gem in the professional world.

And that’s exactly why it could be your secret weapon .

Because it’s less common, sending one can really make you stand out and leave a lasting impression.

Writing a letter of introduction isn’t quite like drafting other career documents, but don’t worry—we’ll walk you through it step-by-step and share some examples you can use for yourself .

Click on a section to skip

What is a letter of introduction?

Letter of introduction vs. cover letter vs. motivation letter, when should you write a letter of introduction , how to write a letter of introduction (7 simple steps), letter of introduction example, letter of introduction template, key takeaways: letter of introduction.

A letter of introduction is a brief letter used to introduce yourself or someone else to a third party, whether that’s a potential employer, business contact, or client.

It's a simple yet powerful tool that often flies under the radar in the professional world.

Unlike a cover letter or resume , a letter of introduction isn’t tied to a specific job application.

Instead, it’s more about opening doors and starting conversations. Think of it as a way to make connections that can lead to new opportunities, without the formalities that come with other career documents.

You might feel it sounds a bit similar to a cover letter or even a motivation letter .

While there are many similarities between these documents, the key difference lies in their purpose, main focus, and the target audience.

While a cover letter serves as an extension of your resume and is tailored to a specific job posting, a motivation letter is typically used in academic settings, such as when applying for educational programs or scholarships.

In contrast, a letter of introduction is primarily used for connecting and networking , without the immediate goal of securing a specific job or degree.

Let's take a closer look at what these documents are, when you should write them, and to whom:

Cover letter

Purpose: Accompanies your resume to express interest in a specific job.
Main focus: Adds more details to what’s already in your resume. Use it to explain why you’re the right fit for the job, highlight your skills, and achievements.
Target audience: Employers, HR managers.

And if you want to learn more about writing a good cover letter, here's the only cover letter guide you'll ever need.

Letter of introduction

Purpose: Introduces yourself or someone else to a company, potential client, or business partner without a specific job in mind.
Main focus: Introduces your skills and experience to build a connection and make a positive first impression. If written for someone else, it highlights their qualifications and explains why they’re worth connecting with. This letter is flexible, useful for exploring job opportunities or business partnerships.
Target audience: Potential employer, client, business partner, or collaborator.

Motivation letter

Purpose: Explains why you're applying for a specific job, scholarship, or university program.
Main focus: Focuses on your passions, goals, and reasons why you're interested in this job or educational programme. Highlights why this opportunity would enrich your work life and enhance your skills.
Target audience: Academic institutions, NGOs, or employers.

A letter of introduction serves a different purpose compared to other career documents like a cover letter or a resume.

Whether you’re looking to introduce yourself to a company, recommend someone else, or explore new professional relationships, there are several situations where a letter of introduction is the ideal tool.

Here are some key scenarios when you might consider writing one:

You want to reach new clients and customers. Writing a letter of introduction for customers or new clients helps build a personal connection. It also explains how your products or services can meet their needs.
You're looking for a new job. It helps you introduce yourself to a potential employer, show your interest and enthusiasm for the company, and highlight how your skills could be a good fit. Even if there's no job opening posted.
You just started a new job. When you start a new job, a letter of introduction helps your coworkers or teammates get to know you. Your manager might also send a letter to introduce you to the team.
You're looking for a business partner/collaborator. An introduction letter is often used as the first point of contact with a potential business partner or collaborator who shares your interests or industry. Its goal is to expand your network, which could lead to mutually beneficial opportunities, such as joint ventures, partnerships, or new projects.
Someone you know recommended you. If someone you know recommends you to others, an introduction letter can be a great way to follow up and explore collaboration or job opportunities.
Someone asked you to recommend them. You would introduce the person to your team or employer trying to highlight their skills and qualifications. The goal is to create a connection between your company or team and the person you’re introducing.

Depending on the scenario, a letter of introduction can vary in tone and content, but the core structure remains the same.

These 7 simple steps will guide you in writing a clear and effective letter, no matter the situation:

Start with a header that includes your contact details—it's an obvious but important step. Make sure to list your name, address, phone number, and email at the top of the letter. You can also add the date and the recipient's information, like their name, company, and address.

Always address the recipient. If you're addressing someone you already know or who knows of you, start with a warm, friendly greeting. Typically, you’d use "Dear [Name],". If you don’t know the recipient, "Dear Sir/Madam," works just fine.

Start with introducing yourself and explaining why you're writing. Share who you are, why the company is relevant to you, and why you decided to reach out. Mention how you found out about the company or who referred you, and briefly introduce the person who connected you.

This is where you get straight to the point. Explain why the company or work is important to you and what you hope to achieve from this connection. Highlight the benefits and the potential value this relationship could bring.

Mention your previous work to show your credibility and what you can bring to the table. You should also briefly highlight your accomplishments. Understanding your background can help you stand out and be seen as a valuable candidate for the job.

End your letter with a polite conclusion, suggesting further communication. Highlight how excited you are to talk again and share when you have time to meet.

Now, all you have to do is sign off. Professionally, of course. A simple “ Looking forward to hearing from you ” does the trick every time.

We’ve covered the 7 key steps to writing a letter of introduction in theory.

Now, let’s take a look at an example that brings all these steps together.

BTW, this example was created using Kickresume’s cover letter builder tool . Even though it’s meant for writing cover letters, you can use it to write your letter of introduction, instead. The tool won't mind :)

We also prepared a few letter of introduction templates you can copy & paste and personalize.

Just pick one that suits your situation the best.

#1 For when you want to reach new clients and customers

#1 letter of introduction template.

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is [Your Name] , and I’m reaching out because I believe [Recipient’s Company Name] could benefit from the products I offer. I recently came across your company on social media and was impressed by the work you’re doing in [mention the industry or a specific area of interest].

At [Your Company Name] , we specialize in [briefly describe your product or service], and we’ve had great success helping businesses like yours [mention a specific benefit or outcome, e.g., “increase efficiency,” “enhance customer satisfaction,” “save time and money,” etc.] . I’m confident that what we offer could add real value to your operations.

I’d love the opportunity to discuss how we can work together and explore ways my product can support your business goals. If you’re interested in learning more, I’m available for a quick chat at your convenience.

Thank you for considering this, and I look forward to the possibility of collaborating with you.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Your Company Name]

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

#2 For when you just started a new job

#2 letter of introduction template.

Subject: Excited to join the team!

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name] , and I’m thrilled to be joining [Company Name] as the new [Your Job Title] . I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and say how excited I am to work with all of you.

A bit about me: I come from [mention your previous company or industry if relevant] , where I [briefly describe your previous role or experience] . I’m really passionate about [mention something relevant to your new role] , and I’m eager to contribute to the great work being done here.

I’ve heard wonderful things about the team, and I’m looking forward to getting to know each of you and learning from your experiences. Collaboration is something I value deeply, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything I can help with or if you just want to chat.

Looking forward to meeting everyone and working together to achieve our goals!

Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Job Title] [Your Contact Information if needed]

#3 When someone you know recommended you

#3 letter of introduction template.

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Phone Number] [Email Address] [Date]

[Recipient’s Name] [Recipient’s Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Recipient’s Name] ,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name] , and I’m reaching out because [Mutual Contact’s Name] spoke highly of you and your work in [mention the field or industry] . Given our shared interests and expertise, I’m excited about the possibility of collaborating.

At [Your Company or Your Current Position] , I’ve been focused on [briefly describe your work or area of expertise ], and I believe there’s significant potential for us to create something impactful together. [Mutual Contact’s Name] mentioned that you’re also passionate about [mention a specific area or project relevant to both] , and I think we could really complement each other’s skills and experiences.

I’d love to explore how we might work together on [mention a specific type of project, collaboration idea, or area of mutual interest] . If you’re interested, I’d be happy to set up a time to chat and see how we could make this happen.

Thank you for considering this, and I’m looking forward to the possibility of collaborating with you.

Best regards, [Your Name] [Phone Number] [Email Address]

#4 For when you're looking for a new job

#4 letter of introduction template.

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is [Your Name] , and I’m currently exploring new career opportunities. [Former Colleague’s Name] , who previously worked with me at [Your Previous Company] , highly recommended [Recipient’s Company Name] as an excellent place to grow and contribute.

With a strong background in [briefly mention your field or area of expertise], I’m confident that my skills and experience align well with the needs of your team. At [Your Previous Company] , I [mention a key accomplishment or responsibility] , which I believe demonstrates my ability to [mention how you can add value to the new company] .

I’m particularly drawn to [Recipient’s Company Name] because of [mention something specific about the company that excites you or aligns with your goals] . I would love the chance to discuss how I could contribute to your team and support your company’s objectives.

If you’re open to it, I’d be thrilled to chat further about any opportunities that might be available. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to the possibility of joining your team.

A letter of introduction is a valuable tool for making new connections, reaching out to potential employers, or helping you during your job hunt.

There are a couple of different situations when writing a letter of introduction is appropriate.

For example when:

You want to reach new clients and customers
You just started a new job
Someone you know recommended you to someone
Someone asked you to write one for them
You're looking for a new job
You're looking for a business partner/collaborator

The details may vary slightly depending on the context, but following these 7 steps will help you prepare a strong letter of introduction in any scenario:

Add a header with contact information
Include a salutation
Introduce yourself and your contact (if applicable)
State the purpose of the letter
Highlight your accomplishments or previous relevant work
Close the letter by suggesting further communication
Sign off professionally

If you’re still in doubt about writing your letter of introduction, don’t hesitate to use the templates provided in the article.

Klara graduated from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. After having written resumes for many of her fellow students, she began writing full-time for Kickresume. Klara is our go-to person for all things related to student or 'no experience resumes'. At the same time, she has written some of the most popular resume advice articles on this blog. Her pieces were featured in multiple CNBC articles. When she's not writing, you'll probably find her chasing dogs or people-watching while sipping on a cup of coffee.

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How to Write a Cybersecurity Resume: Tips + Career Progression Ebook

Crafting a strong cybersecurity resume can be challenging, especially in a dynamic and competitive field like this one. Your resume must reflect your technical skills, achievements, and passion for cybersecurity .

This guide will walk you through some key tips and strategies to help your resume stand out, get noticed, and convince potential employers that you're the right fit for the job.

General tips for your resume

When it comes to writing your resume, think of it as your personal marketing tool. You want to make a strong impression and clearly communicate your value to potential employers.

Start with a clean, professional layout that makes it easy for hiring managers to read. Use consistent formatting, such as bullet points and headings, to organize your information logically. Keep your resume concise—ideally, one page for entry-level positions and no more than two pages for experienced candidates.

Here are some other tips:

Tailor your resume for each job application: Use keywords from the job description and adjust your experience and skills section to highlight the most relevant aspects of your background. This will help hiring managers see how you’re a fit for the role.
Quantify your achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers to describe your achievements. For example, if you’ve implemented a system that improved network efficiency by 20% or resolved 50+ technical issues weekly, these specifics help potential employers see the value you bring.

"Communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving are crucial for IT professionals who need to collaborate across different disciplines and manage complex projects. These types of soft skills are often the differentiators in career progression, helping professionals stand out in a competitive job market."

Mathew Burrows
SFIA Accredited Consultant and Assessor
of

Cybersecurity resume tips

Your resume should demonstrate your ability to protect and secure information systems and your knowledge of the latest security protocols. Here’s how to craft a resume specifically for a cybersecurity role:

Focus on security-specific skills and tools

Cybersecurity requires a specific set of skills. Highlight your expertise in areas like threat detection, vulnerability assessment, and incident response. List the tools and software you’re proficient in, such as SIEM systems, firewalls, and encryption technologies.

Mention your experience in protecting systems and data

Detail any experience you have in securing networks, data, and systems. Whether you’ve conducted security audits, managed security operations, or responded to incidents, this experience is crucial for a cybersecurity resume. Provide examples of how you’ve successfully protected or recovered systems from threats.

Show your understanding of regulatory compliance

Cybersecurity often involves ensuring that systems comply with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS. If you have experience with these or other regulatory standards , be sure to include this on your resume, as it demonstrates your ability to navigate the legal aspects of cybersecurity.

Highlight certifications relevant to cybersecurity

Certifications are particularly important in cybersecurity. They demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the field, validate your skills, and indicate that you stay current with industry standards. We'll cover more about this later.

Demonstrate your problem-solving abilities

Cybersecurity is all about solving problems before they become critical issues. Provide examples of how you’ve identified and mitigated risks, improved security protocols, or responded to threats. This shows your ability to think critically and act quickly in high-pressure situations.

Cybersecurity resume tips for various career stages

Creating a strong cybersecurity resume requires different strategies depending on your career stage. In this section, we will provide straightforward tips for three groups: entry-level candidates with limited experience, professionals looking to switch from other IT roles into cybersecurity, and experienced individuals aiming for senior positions.

Entry-level cybersecurity resume tips

Breaking into cybersecurity at the entry-level requires a strong foundation, even if you lack professional experience. Here are some tips to help your resume stand out:

Highlight relevant coursework, projects, and internships

If you’re just starting out, your education is a key asset. List relevant coursework that aligns with cybersecurity, such as network security, ethical hacking, or information assurance. Additionally, showcase any projects or internships where you applied cybersecurity concepts in real-world scenarios.

Emphasize transferable skills from other jobs or activities

Even if your previous roles weren’t in cybersecurity, many skills still apply. Problem-solving, analytical thinking, and familiarity with IT systems are all valuable in cybersecurity. Highlight these skills and explain how they can be applied to a cybersecurity role.

Consider a functional or combination resume format

If you lack direct experience, a functional or combination resume format might serve you better. These formats focus more on your skills and qualifications rather than a chronological work history, allowing you to present your capabilities more effectively.

Entry Level IT Jobs: Roles to Start Your Career

Career change resume tips.

Here’s how to present your experience if you're transitioning to cybersecurity from another IT role

E xplain your motivation for transitioning from another IT department to cybersecurity

Clearly state why you’re moving into cybersecurity. Whether it’s a passion for protecting data or an interest in the growing field, your motivation can help employers see your commitment to the new path.

Highlight transferable skills from your previous experience

Skills like network management, software development, or IT support are often directly relevant to cybersecurity roles. Focus on these transferable skills and demonstrate how they can be leveraged in a cybersecurity context.

Consider obtaining relevant certifications to demonstrate your commitment

Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) show that you’re serious about your career shift. Mention these on your resume to underscore your dedication and readiness for a cybersecurity role.

Career Development in IT: 5 Pros Weigh in

Senior cybersecurity resume tips.

For those with years of experience, your resume should reflect your expertise and leadership in the field. Here’s how to make sure it does:

Highlight your leadership experience and technical expertise

Leadership and deep technical knowledge are critical at the senior level. Highlight your experience managing teams, leading projects, and mastering complex cybersecurity technologies or protocols.

Quantify your achievements and impact on the organization

Where possible, use numbers to show your impact. Did you reduce security breaches by a certain percentage? Maybe you increased the efficiency of incident response times? Quantifying your achievements helps potential employers see the tangible benefits you’ve brought to previous roles.

Mention high-profile projects or initiatives

Senior roles often involve overseeing significant cybersecurity initiatives. Whether you led the implementation of a new security architecture or managed a response to a major threat, ensure these high-profile projects are prominent on your resume.

What Does a Cybersecurity Analyst do? Role, Certifications and Salary

Cybersecurity certifications.

Certifications play a crucial role in establishing your credibility and expertise in the cybersecurity field. They demonstrate your knowledge and show employers your commitment to staying current with industry standards. Here's an overview of some key cybersecurity certifications:

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level certification that covers essential security concepts. It’s ideal for those new to the field, as it provides a foundation in network security, threat management, and risk mitigation. Security+ is widely recognized and often considered a starting point for a cybersecurity career.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

CEH certification focuses on offensive security, teaching professionals how to think and act like hackers to identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. This certification is valuable for roles like penetration tester and security analyst.

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

With the increasing adoption of cloud services, CCSP certification is a must for professionals focused on cloud security. This certification covers cloud architecture, operations, and compliance, ensuring that certified professionals can effectively secure cloud environments.

The Best IT Certifications to Boost Your Career: Top 13 Picks

Structuring the resume: keywords, headings, and formatting.

A well-structured resume is easier for hiring managers and automated systems (like ATS) to scan, increasing your chances of landing an interview. Here’s how to format your cybersecurity resume for maximum impact:

Use the right keywords: Employers often use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter resumes before they reach a human. To pass through this filter, include relevant keywords from the job description. Words like "cybersecurity," "network security," "threat detection," and specific tools or certifications should be included strategically throughout your resume.
Effective headings: Your resume should be organized with clear, concise headings that guide the reader. Common headings include "Professional Experience," "Technical Skills," "Certifications," and "Education." Headings categorize your experience and skills, making it easier for employers to find the information.

"I think one common mistake is people think it's a biography. It's like, if I don't tell them every single thing I did, then this might not get me the job. Well, the fact is the resume is to get you the interview."

Robert Fedoruk
Freelance consultant, coach, and speaker
of

An effective cover letter for cybersecurity roles

A well-crafted cover letter complements your resume and gives you a chance to highlight your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role. Here's how to write an effective cover letter for a cybersecurity position:

Tailor your cover letter to the job: Each cover letter should be customized for the specific job you’re applying to. Mention the company’s name and the position title, and explain why you’re interested in working there. Connect your skills and experiences to the job description, showing how you can meet the company’s needs.
Highlight key skills and achievements: Use your cover letter to elaborate on the most important aspects of your resume. Focus on key skills and achievements that make you a strong candidate for the role. For example, if you have experience responding to major security incidents, explain how that experience makes you well-suited for the job.
Show enthusiasm for cybersecurity: Employers want to hire candidates who are passionate about their work. Express your enthusiasm for cybersecurity and your commitment to keeping up with industry trends and technologies. This demonstrates that you’re not just looking for a job but are genuinely interested in contributing to the field.

Keep it concise and professional: Your cover letter should be concise, typically no longer than one page. Use clear, professional language, and avoid jargon or overly complex sentences. End with a strong closing statement, reiterating your interest in the role and your willingness to discuss your application further.

Final takeaways

Your cybersecurity resume is more than just a list of past jobs and skills—it's your first opportunity to make an impression on a potential employer.

Here are some key takeaways:

Structure your resume effectively : Use clear headings, relevant keywords, and a format that highlights your strengths.
Show continuous learning : Demonstrate that you’re committed to staying current in the field.
Craft a strong cover letter : Tailor it to the job, highlight key achievements, and show your passion for cybersecurity.
Include certifications : They validate your expertise and show employers your dedication to the field.

Remember, your resume is often your first impression, so it should reflect your professionalism and attention to detail. Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from peers or mentors; a fresh set of eyes can catch errors or suggest improvements that you might have overlooked.

Follow these steps, and you'll be well on your way to landing that cybersecurity role you're aiming for.

Read other articles like this : Cybersecurity

Read other articles like this:

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COMMENTS

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International Resume Writing Tips

How to write an American resume and what to avoid

Spanish resume

International resume introduction & writing a resume for international jobs

The American resume

The Asian resume

Writing a resume or CV when English is a second language

Writing resumes for different cultures and countries

2024 Ultimate International Resume Guide for 30+ Countries

Key Components of an International Resume

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

Example 1: Applying for a Job in Japan

Example 2: Applying for a Job in France

Example 3: Applying for a Job in Brazil

Example 4: Applying for a Job in Germany

Example 5: Applying for a Job in China

How to Write an International Resume for a Job Abroad

In This Guide:

Is your international resume good enough?

Language skills section

Further reading

Specific skills/software knowledge

Personal info (header sections)

More from Enhancv

How to Write a Letter of Interest (With Examples)

Write a Resume for a Job Abroad in 7 Simple Steps

7-Step Resume Guide for a Job Abroad

#1 : Understand the Local Job Market

Research the Job Market in Your Desired Country

Identify the Key Skills and Qualifications in Demand

#2 : Adapt the Formatting and Structure

Choose the Right Resume Format

Find Out the Expected Resume Length

Use the Local Date Format

#3 : Tailor the Language and Tone

Tailor Your Resume to the Local Language

Use Action Verbs to Describe Your Achievements

Keep the Tone Professional and Positive

#4 : Add Contact Information

Include Your Full (Legal) Name and Contact Information

Add a Professional Email Address and Phone Number

Provide Links to Your Online Portfolio or LinkedIn Profile

#5 : Add Key Resume Sections

1. Contact Details

2. Career Summary or Personal Profile

3. Work Experience and Achievements

4. Education and Certifications

5. Skills, Languages, Volunteer Work or Extracurricular Activities

#6 : Customize for Each Job Application

Tailor Your Resume to Match the Job Description

Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience

#7 : Proofread and Edit

Check for Spelling and Grammar Errors

Ensure Consistency in Formatting

Get Feedback from Native Speakers or Professionals

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

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Essential Tips For Writing An International Resume

Role Of Resume Builders

Frequently Asked Questions About International Resumes

Wrapping Up

Make your move!

Article Categories

International Curriculum Vitae Resume Format for Overseas Jobs

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Strengths and weaknesses of this resume format

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About This Article

Three Big Differences in International Resumes

13+ Sample International Curriculum Vitae

Free International CV Format

Resume Template Bundle

ATS Resume Template Bundle

International CV

International Standard CV Format