There are many advantages to working abroad. You get to experience a different country and culture while gaining new work experience and learning new ways of working. Working abroad also allows you to grow as a person and gives you the opportunity to fend for yourself in a completely different country. You can also learn a new language or improve your language skills.
To find a job abroad, it is important that your CV is up to date and stands out among hundreds of other candidates, as most companies receive many applications but only call a few candidates for an interview. It is also easier for a recruiter to choose a candidate from their own country rather than someone who is abroad, so your CV must be special and tailored to the job you are applying for.
How do you write a perfect CV that will be a success abroad?
Join us for 5 valuable CV tips so you can find your dream job abroad.
1. Why you should research the country before applying for jobs abroad
There are many standard templates for how a CV should look, but what makes your CV a winner is if you have done preliminary research on how a CV should look in the country where you are applying for a job.
Different countries have different structures and rules about what should and should not be included in a CV. In the US, for example, it is common to write a resume instead of a CV when applying for a job. A CV is usually only submitted when applying for a job in an academic or technical field. A resume is a summary of your skills and experience for THIS particular job, so that the company can call you in for an interview and further development in the recruitment process.
In the US, it is also not common to include a photo in your application or to state your age, as these can give rise to discrimination.
In Japan, on the other hand, it is common to have a handwritten CV in Japanese, and in China, you should mention your family status and health.
In Europe, it is common to include a photo on your CV, and all important information should be included under your contact details. It is essential to mention your date of birth, address, age, and other contact information. If you are applying for a job within the EU, you should use the European Europass template when writing your CV.
In the United Kingdom, however, you should not include a photo on your CV, and you can choose between sending a longer or shorter CV together with a cover letter.
To avoid your CV ending up in the trash, it is important that you know what applies in the country so that you can avoid misunderstandings and careless mistakes.
2. Customize your CV to match the job requirements
When applying for jobs, you should tailor each application you send to the job you are applying for. Research the company in advance and find out what qualifications and skills they are looking for. Then tailor your work experience and skills to match all the qualifications required.
Be sure to highlight all your best experiences and education that the company is looking for, so that your resume will be among the first hits if they are searching for candidates through a database. This will make it easier to find your resume among hundreds of other candidates, while your skills and work experience will match what they are looking for, and you will have a better chance of being called for an interview.
In many countries, candidates are selected from a database and not all applications are always reviewed, so it is important that the keywords in your application match those in the job advertisement.
3. Focus on the first section of your resume
A good introduction is essential when it comes to a CV. Think about it: when you read an article, you immediately lose interest if the introduction is poor or at least does not explain what the article is about in a clear and concise manner. The same applies to a recruiter who sits and reads hundreds of applications every day. If the first few lines don’t grab the reader’s interest, unfortunately, the rest of your resume won’t be read, and you’ll never be called in for an interview. Even if you have a lot of work experience and the right skills for the job, it won’t matter if you choose to mention these at the end of your resume.
Devote 4-5 lines at the beginning of your CV to quickly describe yourself and summarize your qualifications, work experience, knowledge, and why you are suitable for the job. This will encourage the recruiter to read on and go through your entire CV.
Focus on certain qualities and qualifications that are sought after and use these as keywords throughout your CV. This is where you should try to sell yourself in the best possible way and show that you are perfect for the job. Here you can also mention various achievements, such as different goals and results that you have managed to achieve in previous jobs.
Another good tip is to concentrate on the first page and fold it in half. This is what a recruiter will read at the beginning, so make sure to include all the important information on the first half of the page.
4. Highlight your international experience and language skills
If you have already worked abroad, this is the perfect opportunity to highlight this, as it shows that you are flexible and not afraid of new challenges. It also demonstrates that you are already used to working in other countries and cultures, and that you are not afraid to leave the comfort of home to take on new tasks.
Don’t forget to mention what visas you have or need to be able to work in the country, and whether you are prepared to take the step and even move to the country to be able to work there.
Another important aspect of an international CV is to emphasize your language skills. If you know several languages, this is usually considered a plus.
A good tip is to start with your native language and then mention the other languages in order of proficiency, with the foreign language you know best coming immediately after your native language. Be honest and state your language proficiency, both written and spoken. If you are currently studying a new language, you can also mention this, as even a beginner’s level is considered positive and shows that you are prepared and willing to learn new things.
5. How reviewing your CV twice can improve your job application
If you want to be extra professional, you can send two CVs, one in English and one in the language of the job advertisement. Some countries (many in Asia) require that you always send a CV in the local language along with one in English, so it may be a good idea to always include an additional CV in the local language.
Before sending your CVs, it is also important to review them several times and correct any spelling or grammatical errors, as well as ensure that your contact details are correct and up to date.
If you are a little unsure about the language, you can ask someone who comes from the country or speaks the language. Feel free to ask the same person for tips and advice on what a CV looks like in that country and what information must be included.
Also, have someone else read through it for a critical review and to look for any errors that you may not have noticed yourself.
Last but not least…
Some things to avoid are poor layout, inappropriate images, and overly general applications. Sometimes, a sloppy resume or a small spelling mistake is enough to make the recruiter lose interest, so it is important to make sure that everything is in place and that your resume is simple, concise, and matches the requirements profile.
Some things, such as personal interests and references (only include these if required or if they are to be included in a CV for certain countries), should be omitted as they are not important in the initial selection process. You also do not need to include all your previous jobs, just mention those that are relevant to the position.
Another good tip is to always keep your LinkedIn profile up to date, as many recruitment consultants choose to search for candidates there or to check out the profiles of people who have submitted an application.
