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Writing Your International Resume and Cover Letter

Now that you have a goal, and you've done your research, it's time to write some great resumes and cover letters. Your research should have told you the key skills and experience needed in your field. You'll want to make sure you convey that in your marketing tools.

  • Write a solid preliminary resume. Get assistance from Career Services and/or use a good book or resume guide. Plan to change it depending on your targeted employer or position. Basic resume guidelines:
    • Use standard white or off-white paper.
    • Make it clear and readable.
    • Keep it focused, neat, and well-organized, with no mistakes.
    • Include an email address and phone number where can messages be left 24 hours a day (international time zones make this a necessity).
    • Include any international work experience or internships in your experience section. Indicate foreign language study and competency.
    • Include study abroad experiences in your education section.
    • Be sure to highlight any special skills you may possess such as computer expertise or accounting background.
    • Make your employment objective to the point: stay away from flowery phrases like "challenging international position where I can use my skills..."
    • If you omit a job objective, will need to carefully write each cover letter to fit the place you're applying and the offers they have.
  • Once you’ve written a good basic resume, write several targeted resumes to fit different markets (such as one resume for a legal assistant position and another resume for a marketing position), or for different countries.
    • Research the resume style of the country in which you plan to work. European C.V.'s (curriculum vitae) are typed, but the cover letters are usually hand-written if you're applying for a position in Spain, Italy, or France. See the Country-by-Country section for more resume guidelines.
    • Write your resume in the native language of that country. You can also send an English copy.
    • If you have dual citizenship or some other factor which might work in your favor, be sure to mention it.
    • If you're applying for a position abroad, consider putting a personal section on your resume with such things as your passport number, travel experience, ability to travel and relocate, and marital status.
    • Do not include personal information on a resume intended for American employment.
    • Use the word "international" judiciously in your job objective. Companies seldom send a new employee on an international assignment, and are reluctant to hire someone who is primarily interested in international positions. Only use the word 'international' in your objective if the position description specifically mentions it.
  • Create a strong preliminary cover letter and be prepared to adapt it to different organizations, employment fields, and countries. Seek assistance from Career Services.
  • Create a portfolio of writing samples, projects, accomplishments, etc., as appropriate to your situation. For instance, if you are seeking a communications-related position you should have a portfolio of writing samples, brochures, flyers, or any other communications pieces you have created.

Web Resources for International Resumes

  • Eurograduate features graduate opportunities across Europe. One of the best features of this site is that it tells you how to present your CV and prepare for the application process in the following regions: Scandinavia, Southern Europe, Western Europe, and Central & Eastern Europe.
  • GoingGlobal tells you how to write an international resume for a variety of countries.
  • Jobweb gives you guidelines for five countries: Canada, Japan, Spain, United Kingdom and France. If you are wondering how to reformat that resume for overseas,Click on Resumes and more articles Writing Your International Resume.
  • Best Resumes and CVS for International Jobs, is a book that answers culturally sensitive issues like: What should an international resume look like? It has 86 sample resumes and gives you 43 keywords for international resumes.
  • The Global Resume and CV Guide Mary Anne Thompson's book on this subject is briefly summarized on these helpful pages.