Applying for a job overseas? A successful application starts with an appealing resume and an international resume is a bit more informative than a typical one. In this article, we will explore what an international resume is and how you can write a good one.

Your resume is unarguably the most valuable piece of paper and can make or break your career options. It is a summary of your achievements and also showcases the job you’ve held and currently hold. It consists of everything that you bring to a company’s table as an employee.

Before proceeding further, let’s take a look at what an international resume is and what makes it different from a domestic one.

What Is An International Resume?

An international resume is not just about a format, but rather a strategy to provide the most accurate information to the employer. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy and it has to be perfectly balanced to meet the practices and standards that are required for that region. It shows companies or employers overseas that you are qualified for the position you are applying for.

A resume that you are making for applying for a job abroad doesn’t have to follow one special formatting but should be customized for every country and position.

How to Write A Resume for a Job Abroad?

Depending on the location of the job you’re applying for, you need to know a few things to make your resume an appealing one. Although there is no hard-and-fast rule or a single way to write an international resume, you can make it better by following certain tips. Here we’ve listed a few tips to write a resume for applying for a job in another country…

• Choose a Different Type of Resume: There are many ways you can write your resume and depending on your circumstances you can choose the most appropriate type. When you are applying for a job in a different country, the standards for resumes might be different from your home country. Therefore, you will have to consider different types to choose one that fits you.
• Focus on the Skills & Qualities: There’s nothing like the more, the better when you are writing a resume for a position abroad. Instead of writing everything about yourself, focus on those qualities that make you perfect for the job you’re applying for. Include all the important information that they should know and avoid pages of useless details.
• Stick to a Legible Font: While there are a few commonly used font styles to write resumes, you might consider having different versions for different positions. Make sure your resume is easy-to-read and at the same time catchy. The wise decision is to pick a style that best represents you and your skills while avoiding using overused words.
• Include Appreciate Skills: It is important to include cross-cultural skills in your resume while applying for jobs overseas. You can include a separate section that highlights your experiences like any participation in overseas exchanges or previous working abroad experiences, language skills, etc.
• Show Your Professional Personality: There are several ways to put personality into your resume such as your career objective, personal & professional traits, skills summary, language, education, professional work experience. Other important things to include in your resume are job descriptions, International experience if any, and other curricular activities.
• Add a Professional Summary: Add a few lines section immediately following the header as your professional summary. This will be your introduction in a very concise form while focusing on how you can help the employer. You can showcase your top talents and abilities by including this section.
• Understand What the Position Demands: Before you begin creating a resume, read the job posting or description carefully. Taking into consideration the job requirements, you can include the right keywords in your resume. This is the best way to make sure that your resume grabs the employer’s attention.
• Submit a Cover Letter: When you submit your resume online, it is good to send a cover letter even if it is not required. It is a great way to stand out as a candidate but you need to make sure that your cover letter matches your resume. List your contact details and write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph.
• Use Resume Examples or Templates: Use a resume template to write an appealing resume as it will help you decide what to include. Also, it can help you appropriately format your resume. However, you should not copy and paste the example resume. These templates are meant to get a proper understanding.
• Get Creative: If you’re applying for a creative field, it is good to build a creative resume because the first impression always lasts. You can use add-ons like a video, infographics, links to your previous accomplishments, or any volunteer services. If applying for a technical position, stick to a standard format with a bit of creativity.

Resume Must-Haves

• Your details
• Your education
• Your experiences
• Your co-curricular activities
• All the workshops you’ve attended

Quick Tips to Write a Resume

• Use a single, standard format throughout your resume
• Make headings in bold while keeping another part normal
• Keep enough space between each heading or subheading
• Be completely honest about yourself
• Understand the importance of using a photo
• Get rid of distracting design
• Make everything readable
• Delete irrelevant data
• Double-check everything

The Last Word

When thinking about applying to any other country or country, your resume will be the first impression. Also, remember that you will be competing with other local and international candidates. So you need to be sure that your resume stands out and you go the extra mile while adhering to the local standards.

Don’t overdo anything as it will make your resume look less genuine. Take some time to tailor and tweak your resume to ensure it doesn’t get rejected. If you’re not sure what keywords to include, go through the job description carefully and pick some up from there.