How to Write a Resume for an International Job

An ardent job seeker does not have to limit himself to the geographical boundaries of his country. The world is his to conquer, provided he is equipped with an impressive resume for an international job.

Writing an effective resume is a task that requires careful thought and thought. The purpose of every resume is to ensure that a potential employer provides an audience to the job seeker. With this in mind, the candidate must be carefully prepared to market themselves as the right person for the job.

Resumes can be broadly classified as functional or chronological. Based on our skills and work experience, we have to choose the appropriate form of presentation. The type of resume that will be prepared will depend on whether one is seeking employment in the US or outside the country.

Seeking employment abroad can be an interesting experience. When writing a resume for an international job, one must keep conventions, business terms and cultural differences in mind. After all, transferring and adjusting to a different culture begins at the time of applying for a job.

Resume or CV? A resume is known as a CV in Australia, France, Germany, the UK, Switzerland and the UAE. A Japanese resume is called a rerekisho. In Canada, the term ‘resume’ is commonly used. This basic difference should be kept in mind while drafting the glossary.

Language Most countries allow resumes/CVs to be written in English. Some countries like Germany and France allow a person to choose between English and native language. Once a person chooses a language, he has to make sure that he drafts the resume and cover letter in the same language.

In Japan, a person is expected to draft his rirekisho in Japanese. In case the person is not familiar with the language, he can request someone to prepare it, and this should be acknowledged in the document.

Typed or Handwritten? The Japanese prefer rirekisho to be handwritten. Most countries prefer typed resumes. Some European countries expect a handwritten cover letter. The purpose of a handwritten resume or cover letter is to help the recruiter/employer assess a person’s personality and traits with the help of graphology.

Personal Details In addition to the usual details: name, phone number and email, most international resumes, unlike American resumes, require information about date of birth, age and civil status.

Reverse-Chronological or Functional? Reverse-chronological order is preferred in case of those with prior work experience. A functional resume would be desirable when an individual’s skills and education are valued. A functional resume is also preferred if a person does not have the desired continuity in their field of work, or if a person is interested in changing careers.

Most international jobs require a person to list their work experience in reverse chronological order. For a job in the United Arab Emirates, the resume has to be prepared in reverse-chronological order, and the job seeker is required to demonstrate up to 15 years of prior experience in the relevant field.

In Germany, apprenticeship is very important, while in Japan, academic background assumes a great deal of importance. In case the job is in France, a person can draft his CV in both, the functional or the reverse-chronological order.

Length of the Resume The length varies depending on the country in which a person is seeking employment. In Germany, the CV is expected to be precise, hence, a single page CV is desirable. In Switzerland, a CV drafted in German can be 3 pages long; while a CV drafted in English is, at the most, a couple of pages long.

Signature A German CV requires a signature at the bottom left-hand side corner, with the place and date.

Generally, most countries do not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, and religion, but there are a few exceptions to the rule. One should be careful when addressing the issue of periods of unemployment.

However, it is best to be honest or leave out details that require uncomfortable disclosures. This is especially true in case of Japan, where employers expect absolute honesty. On the whole, hunting for an international job can be a stimulating experience, provided one goes about it the right way.

Thank You

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