Differences in Resumes Across the World

So you want to apply for an overseas job advertisement which you’ve just chanced upon? What comes the mind? A resume or, better yet, the international CV; it’s the gateway to being long-listed, shortlisted and, ultimately, getting to the interviewing panel.

Job applicants can apply anywhere across the world. It’s a global village after all. But the applicants need to know about the job market they’re applying to. Basically, a resume shows a job applicant’s personal data, academic qualifications, working experience, skills, and suchlike.

Read on about the international CV and why compose a country-specific resume to avoid a shoddy, off-the-cuff, and one-size-fits-all resume.

The European CV

In its quest for assisting Europeans write clear and coherent curriculum vitae (CV) for the Europe jobs, the European Union (EU) has a standardized CV. It’s called the Europass CV.

Basically, the Europass CV has the job applicant’s contact information, personal information, working experience, skills, and any honors and publications.

The following are international resume tips. First, though they may compose the EU, some of its member states require a country-specific resume. For instance, job opportunities in the UK don’t require the job applicant’s photograph while French and German jobs require it. Second, understand the type of the CV expected by the potential employer.

The United States CV

FYI, the terms “CV” and “resume” are different, though apparently synonyms; “CV” is used in the US while other countries call it “resume”. The US CV is long and detailed, and a preserve of especially researchers and academicians.

International resume tips: First, the CV template for the US market is different from that of other countries with more diverse cultures; second, American employers are forbidden from asking the job applicants’ age unless the advertised job is lawfully a preserve for a certain age-bracket.

Other countries’ CV

Other countries have tailor-made CV requirements depending on their demographics. For instance, in some African countries, job applicants are required to include sensitive personal data, such as ethnic origin and age, which would be deemed unimportant or illegal in other nations. Furthermore, private life information required by the international CV like health status is illegal in the US.

Among top international resume tips, experts on overseas careers recommend using the international CV format when applying for overseas jobs. Failure to do so will leave international recruiters thinking the applicant is withholding some information.

Divided opinions concerning photos

Where a prospective employee has found his or her niche, determines if they will add their photograph. Some countries expect an applicant to include a photo whereas other discourages it. For instance, Asian jobs require photos unlike Australian and US markets.

Here are international resume tips: Don’t necessarily include your photo; the person reading your resume is looking for your employable skills not image.

To wrap it up, overseas jobs need an international CV, detailed chronologically. Even then, craft a country-specific resume. Note that some information such as photos and references may be considered clutter.

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