Getting a job in an international company starts with submitting a resume. However, when sending a document, it is important to consider that recruiters spend only 6-10 seconds reviewing a resume, and in this short time you need to stand out among thousands of candidates from different countries. Learn how to write an international resume to be guaranteed to get a job abroad

Order an insurance policy for safe travel, stay or work abroad

BUY

A good resume is your chance to impress an employer and land a job at your dream company. Read on to learn what’s important to include in an international resume to land a job abroad.

What is a resume?

A resume is your first contact with an employer. Therefore, it’s important that it’s not one-size-fits-all, but tailored to the specific job opening.

The main goal of an international resume is to get through automated selection systems (ATS) and immediately stand out from other candidates, showcasing your experience, skills, and achievements.

How to write a resume to apply for a job abroad?

1. Research the country and industry

Before creating your resume, it’s important to research the country and industry you’re applying to. For example, in some countries, including a photo on your resume is common practice, while in others it’s not. In addition, certain industries may require certain skills or qualifications.

2. Use a professional format

Use clear, easy-to-read fonts and avoid overly decorative or italic fonts. Use bullet points to highlight your skills and achievements and to break up large blocks of text.

3. Highlight your language skills

If you’re applying for a job in a foreign country, your language skills will likely be a deciding factor in your application. Include any language certificates or tests you’ve taken, such as the TOEFL or IELTS, and indicate your proficiency level in each language.

4. Focus on achievements

Employers are interested in what you can do for them, so focus on your achievements, not just list your responsibilities.

5. Tailor your resume to each job

Research the job description and company culture, and tailor your resume to highlight the skills and experience that match the job requirements.

6. Be concise

While it may be tempting to list all the details of your work experience and education, it’s important to keep your resume concise. Aim for a maximum of two pages.

7. Include your contact information

Be sure to include your contact information prominently on your resume, including your name, email address, and phone number.

In order to safely move, travel or work in a new country, you will need health insurance.

Structure of an international resume

In most countries, the general requirements for an international resume are as follows:

- Volume – only 1-2 pages, no more (if you have up to 10 years of experience – then place the information on one page, an experienced specialist with more years of work behind him can use two pages).

- Language: English or the language of the country where you are looking for a job – see what language the vacancy is written in.

1. Personal data section

First and last name, expected position, country of job search and contact information (it is better if this is the number of the country in which you plan to find a job, you can use a virtual number for this), email address and link to a profile on a professional website, for example, LinkedIn.

2. General conclusion

Here you should briefly indicate who you are and what you can offer. Describe your skills and achievements that are important for the company to which you are sending your resume.

3. Work experience

In this section, you need to describe your achievements at each place of work, your contribution to the company. You can use numerical indicators, for example, indicate that you optimized processes and reduced company costs by 20% or successfully completed several projects last year.

Also, be sure to check what your position is called in the country where you are submitting your resume.

4. Education and certificates

If they are important for employment or obtaining a visa.

5. Languages

With the level of proficiency, data on the availability of language certificates.

6. Skills

A list of key skills related to the vacancy.

7. Hobbies, if they complement you as a professional in your chosen field.

8. Photo in the resume

Here it is important to take into account the specifics of the country to which you are applying, for example, in the USA, Canada or Great Britain, the presence of a photo in the resume may not even please the employer, but for Germany, a photo in the resume is almost always required.

What mistakes should you avoid when writing an international resume?

- When looking for a job abroad, the expected salary is not prescribed, but be prepared to discuss this issue during the interview.

- You should also almost never indicate your age or date of birth, gender, race or nationality, marital status in your resume.

- Avoid excessive graphics, tables and photos.

Components of an effective international resume

In order for your international resume to be as effective as possible, it should meet the following characteristics:

- Duration: 1-2 pages, depending on experience.

- Individuality: adaptation to each vacancy.

- Emphasis on results: demonstration of specific achievements.

Each line should show why you are better suited to this position than others. There cannot be a single resume that is suitable for all vacancies. A universal resume for all vacancies is a mistake. Instead, you can create a basic document that can be easily adapted to the chosen job.

A resume is your calling card as a professional. Carefully study the requirements of the vacancies to understand what is important for the employer and adapt the resume to their requests. After compiling it, make sure that the document is structured, concise and visually easy to read.

A high-quality resume significantly increases your chances of successful employment abroad.

Let's remind you! The procedure for employing a foreign specialist in the USA requires PERM certification. We have already told you what bona fide employment is and what requirements the DOL places on employers.

Get advice from an employment lawyer to navigate the process of hiring a foreign worker in the United States without any hassle.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Travel guide for 200 countries;

Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues;

Travel insurance around the world (please select the country of interest and citizenship to receive services);

Medical insurance all over the world.

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.