How to Write an International Resume: A Guide & 6 Country-Specific Examples

A recent survey reports that following the 2024 US presidential election, Google searches about moving abroad spiked by 1.5%, with countries like the UK, Ireland, and Costa Rica drawing the most interest. One of the biggest reasons people make the leap? Work.

Landing a job in another country starts with a resume that aligns with local hiring expectations. However, what works in the US won’t always get the same results elsewhere.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to adapt your resume for different countries, explore key differences, and uncover the small but crucial details that many American job seekers overlook.

Creating a resume for working abroad isn’t just about translating your existing resume—it’s about understanding global hiring standards and cultural expectations.

Let’s clear up what that really means.

What is an international resume?

An international resume is a job application document tailored for roles abroad, adapted to meet the expectations of a specific country’s job market. It follows local formatting, content, and hiring conventions—ensuring employers see the information they care about most, from your experience and skills to, in some cases, personal details.

Before we dive into regional resume formats, take a look at a standard resume used in the United States.

Now that we’ve seen what the classic resume looks like, let’s explore how formats vary across different regions.

Regional resume formats—key differences and similarities

First, let’s take a look at where Americans are actually going—and working—around the world.

While the core purpose of all resumes remains the same—showcasing your experience and skills—what recruiters expect in terms of structure, length, and content can differ significantly from country to country.

Here’s what to keep in mind.

Format and length: concise vs. comprehensive

Similarity: Employers everywhere want clear, well-organized resumes that quickly communicate your qualifications.

Difference: In the US, a one-page resume is the norm, prioritizing brevity.

In contrast, many European countries expect a CV that spans multiple pages, offering a more detailed career overview. In some Asian and Middle Eastern countries, longer resumes are also common, especially for senior roles.

Personal information: to include or not to include?

Similarity: All job application documents should present key contact details, like your name, phone number, and email address.

Difference: US resumes exclude photos, birthdates, and nationality due to anti-discrimination laws. However, in Germany, France, and much of Asia, including a professional photo and personal details is expected—and sometimes required.

Work experience and structure: chronological vs. skills-based

Similarity: Listing relevant work experience and achievements is a universal expectation.

Difference: The United States and many Western countries favor a reverse-chronological format, prioritizing recent roles. However, some Asian markets, such as India, appreciate a skills-based approach, especially for career changers.

Additionally, certain cultures, like Japan and South Korea, expect detailed role descriptions that provide extensive context about job responsibilities. Meanwhile, countries like the UK and Australia lean toward concise bullet points, emphasizing key achievements over lengthy narratives.

Education and certifications: different names, same meaning

Similarity:Academic qualifications are always a key section in resumes.

Difference: Degree names vary by country—a Bachelor’s Degree in the States is equivalent to a Licence in France, while an HND (Higher National Diploma) in the UK differs from an Associate Degree in the US. Understanding these distinctions prevents confusion.

Additionally, where education appears on a resume depends on the country.

In the US, education is rarely listed at the top unless the candidate is a student or entry-level professional. However, in many European, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries, education often takes priority, appearing before work experience—especially for roles where academic credentials hold significant weight.

Language and localization: English or native language?

Similarity: If applying for an English-speaking role or at a multinational organization, an English resume is usually acceptable.

Difference: Some employers prefer resumes in their native language, especially for local companies. Even in English, spelling differences matter—think "organization" (US) vs. "organisation" (UK) or "analyze" vs. "analyse."

ATS and digital considerations: automated vs. direct review

Similarity: Digital resumes are the standard worldwide and large companies with high-volume hiring use ATS globally.

Difference: Resumes typically pass through ATS before reaching a recruiter, making formatting and AI optimization essential for passing automated filters.

In many regions, resumes are sent directly to hiring managers, making ATS compatibility less of a concern.

Now that we’ve explored how resume expectations vary across countries, let’s focus on how to actually craft a resume for international job applications.

How to write a resume for working abroad: best practices

Here’s what you need to know to make your resume stand out across some of the most popular job markets for Americans.

Canadian resume

Adapting your American resume for Canada involves several key adjustments to align with local expectations.

When tailoring your resume, consider the following:

• Length: While US resumes typically aim for a one-page format, Canadian resumes often extend to one or two pages, allowing for a more detailed presentation of your experience and qualifications.​
• Language: Use Canadian English spellings, such as "labour" instead of "labor" and "centre" instead of "center," to reflect familiarity with local conventions.​
• Personal information: Similar to US practices, avoid including photos, birthdates, or marital status on your Canadian resume to maintain professionalism and adhere to anti-discrimination guidelines.​
• Education: Clearly state your educational background, and if your credentials are from outside Canada, consider indicating their Canadian equivalence to ensure employers understand your qualifications.​
  

To see this in action, let's examine a sample Canadian resume.

Australian resume

If you're one of the over 100,000 American citizens living in Australia, your resume needs more than just a new address at the top. To land a job down under, you’ll want to align your application with local hiring norms.

Here’s what sets the Australian resume apart:

• Length: Resumes in Australia and New Zealand tend to be longer—two to four pages is totally acceptable, even for mid-level roles.
• Tone and language: Keep it professional and achievement-focused, but skip the flashy language. Australians prefer a clear, modest tone. Use Australian/British English—think “specialise,” not “specialize.”
• Personal details: No need for a photo or personal information beyond your contact details. This is similar to US norms.
• Referees: Unlike in the US, it’s common to include referees (references) at the end or to write “Referees available upon request.”
• Hobbies and interests: In Australia, it’s not unusual to complement your professional profile with a quick list of interests relevant to the job you’re applying for.
• Cover letter: A tailored cover letter is a standard when applying for roles in the Australian job market.

UK CV

In the UK and Ireland, what Americans call a resume is almost always referred to as a CV.

Don’t let the name throw you off. It’s not the lengthy academic document you'd expect in the States—it’s just the standard job application format for most roles, including corporate, creative, and public sector jobs.

Here’s how UK and Irish CVs differ from American resumes:

• Length: Two pages is the sweet spot. Unlike the US preference for one-pagers, UK and Irish employers expect a bit more detail—but not a full novel.
• Tone and style: Keep it formal, factual, and polished. There’s less enthusiasm for flashy formatting or buzzword-heavy summaries. Let your experience speak for itself.
• Personal details: It’s common to include your full name, phone number, email, and sometimes your general location. However, photos, marital status, or birthdates are generally discouraged, similar to the US.
• Spelling: Use British English—“optimise” instead of “optimize,” “programme” instead of “program,” and so on. It shows attention to detail and respect for local norms.

European resume

Мainland Europe isn’t one-size-fits-all when it comes to resumes (or CVs, as they’re more commonly called there).

To show the range of expectations, let’s compare Germany, Spain, and France—three countries with different takes on the job application process.

CV for Germany

If you’re heading to Germany, your resume (Lebenslauf) should be factual and highly organized.

• Personal details: German employers expect a photo, your date of birth, and sometimes even your marital status—details that would be considered inappropriate on a US resume.
• CV sections: Your education and work experience should be laid out in reverse chronological order, with precise job titles and dates. Bullet points are fine, but avoid overly casual language or vague accomplishments.
• Cover letter: A cover letter is nearly always required and should be formal and specific to the role.
• Bonus tip: Germans love documentation, so if you're invited to the next stage, you might be asked for supplemental information such as copies of diplomas or certificates.

CV for Spain

In Spain, resumes (also called CVs) tend to be less formal and a bit more personality-driven.

A photo is still commonly included, but the tone of your application can be slightly warmer or more conversational than in Germany.

Length-wise, one to two pages is typical. You’ll still want to list education and work experience clearly, but it’s not unusual to mention soft skills, language proficiency, or relevant hobbies—especially if they relate to teamwork or international experience.

CV for France

France falls somewhere between Germany and Spain in terms of resume expectations—it’s formal and structured like Germany but with a slightly more personal tone.

Here’s how to think about a resume for France:

• Formality and structure: French CVs are typically clean, concise, and well-organized, usually one to two pages long. There’s a growing trend—especially in international companies based in France—to omit personal details in favor of a more neutral, skills-focused CV.
• Content and tone: Your CV should focus on education, work experience, and skills, in reverse-chronological order. There’s slightly more room to express personality—such as mentioning interests or soft skills—but avoid sounding too self-promotional.
  

Resumes in Asia

Asian resumes vary massively depending on the country, industry, and even company culture. While there's no single "Asian resume format," certain conventions have become standard in specific regions.

Here are three of the most common types you’ll come across:

• Japan: Job seekers typically submit two documents: the rirekisho, a formal resume with personal information, education, and work history; and the shokumukeirekisho, which details job responsibilities and skills. These are often handwritten or follow strict templates, reflecting Japan’s cultural emphasis on formality and precision.
  
• China: Chinese resumes tend to be longer (two to three pages) and often include a photo, gender, birthdate, and even marital status. Employers expect academic achievements, language skills, and certifications to be listed up front, and a formal tone is preferred.
  
• India: Indian resumes typically run two to three pages and place a strong emphasis on educational background, technical skills, and certifications. It's common to list personal information, including age, marital status, and nationality, and to include references or a declaration at the end, especially for government or traditional sectors.

How to tailor your resume for an international job

Above all, your resume needs to meet the expectations of a new hiring culture. From formatting differences to language choices, every detail matters when making a strong first impression in a different country.

Here's how to tailor your resume for global job markets:

Step 1. Research the target country's expectations

Before applying, get familiar with how resumes (or CVs) are typically structured in the country you’re targeting. Do they expect a photo? Should education go at the top? Are cover letters always required? Understanding these nuances helps you present yourself in a way that feels familiar—and professional—to local employers.

It’s also worth researching the specific company. If you're applying to a large international organization, especially one with global offices or English-speaking teams, they may accept a more universal resume format. Still, pay close attention to subtle preferences in tone, structure, or language.

Resume tailoring at this stage doesn't mean rewriting everything. Often, it’s about reordering sections, adjusting spelling, or tweaking phrasing to match local standards—small edits that make a big difference.

Step 2: Tailoring your resume to the job description

To target your resume directly to the role, follow these simple steps:

• Read the job description carefully: Look for repeated keywords, required skills, and the overall tone or language the employer uses.
• Highlight key skills and responsibilities: Note the qualifications, tools, or experience they emphasize most.
• Reflect those keywords in your resume: Weave them naturally into your summary, skills section, and bullet points under each job.
• Match the language—not just the content. Use similar phrasing to show alignment, but don’t copy-paste.
• Keep the focus on relevance. Emphasize the experience and strengths that best match what they’re looking for, and trim the rest.

This helps your resume get noticed by both recruiters and ATS software—while showing you understand what the job is really about.

Step 3. Proofread and failproof

Even the best resume won’t land you interview calls if it’s full of small mistakes. When applying internationally, those slip-ups can stand out even more—especially if they make it seem like you don’t know the local language or spelling norms.

To make your resume failproof (and culturally appropriate), follow these steps:

• Double-check spelling and grammar: Use a spellchecker set to the correct regional variant (e.g., British English vs. American English).
• Make sure dates, job titles, and formatting are consistent: Recruiters notice mismatches and typos more than you think.
• Check names and locations: If you’ve translated or localized content, confirm that place names, degrees, or job titles match the local equivalents.
• Have someone else read it: A second pair of eyes—ideally someone familiar with the target language or country—can catch things you missed.
• Save your file in the right format: PDF is often safest, but some countries or companies prefer Word files. Always check the job posting for guidance.

Proofreading may be the least exciting step, but it's one of the most important—especially when you're applying across borders.

Conclusion

In a world where careers increasingly cross borders, the way you present yourself on paper matters more than ever. Adapting your resume to different cultural and professional standards isn’t just a formality—it’s a signal that you understand and respect, the context you’re stepping into. And that’s often what sets one candidate apart from the rest.