As you’ve seen, however, it’s important to note the small differences employers still expect. From paper type to personal information, and from length to depth of information, when it comes down to it, the goal of a CV or résumé is the same no matter where you are: to help you get an interview. And, all résumés/CVs contain the same standard information (although the level of detail and organization will vary): contact information, education, objective/goal, qualifications/strengths, and job history.

If a job overseas is in your future, and whether or not your destination is one of the many countries covered in our résumé series, consider the following advice to help you prepare your résumé for the international job hunt.

• Make sure your American-style résumé is in order; this will make things easier when you’re ready to modify the document to meet another country’s standards.
• Talk to other expatriates. If you haven’t visited one of the many websites that offer resources for expatriates – such as forums, articles, detailed country information, etc. – take time to do so! You’ll find that the opportunity to connect with other people who have been through the same international relocation experience is invaluable: these people can answer questions and help you gain insight into what to expect in your job search. Forums on expatriate websites can be a great way to get feedback on what employers expect to see in a résumé at the moment; standards can change quickly!
• Do your research. Aside from the expatriate sites, look for other resources about living and working in your new country. Check into statistics about job opportunities and the economy, investigate visa requirements, and seek out any information you can to help you begin an informed job search.
• Find a native or fluent speaker to proof your résumé. In some cases, an English-language résumé will be fine, but if you are modifying your résumé into another language, make sure someone with strong skills in that language evaluates your CV: friend, family member, another contact. Do not use online translation programs like Babelfish to translate your résumé or cover letter. Such services have their uses – for example, if you need to translate part of a webpage so that you can better understand it – but as anyone who uses such programs can attest, the translations are far from perfect.
• Pay attention to the details. Ask questions. Find out whether it’s called a CV or a résumé. Double check appropriate length. Are accomplishment stories appropriate? (In most cases yes, but as we’ve seen, not always.) How detailed should your personal information be? Do you need a photograph? By learning the answers to these basic questions, you’ll acquire the tools you need to adapt your résumé to meet employers’ expectations – and, ideally, will be able to land a job more quickly.

Past global résumé series posts: Australia, Japan, Spain, United Kingdom, United States.