CV & Resume for Worldwide Job Search

The world over employers looks for the same qualities in their applicants regardless of whether the job is in the USA, Poland or Hong Kong. Applying for a job abroad differs from country to country.

Candidates should be aware that there might be subtle conventions associated with the CVs & resumes, cover letters and job application processes within different countries. Therefore, if you want your job application to be taken seriously, you must consider national differences correctly.

As you can see from the above table the majority of countries, except Canada and the USA use resumes instead of CVs. Even in South Africa calling CV, a resume becomes more popular. In China, Japan and New Zealand, both a CV and a resume, are used interchangeably without any influence on the structure and function.

Search for international jobs by selecting the keywords like a job, industry or company and location like a city, province, state, zip or postal code.

The job search engine searches for jobs on all of the major job boards, newspapers, niche industry and corporate job sites.

You may search for international jobs right now, but when you find suitable jobs you must apply immediately with your current CV or resume.

CV & Resume Content

Overseas employers want to know a lot more about you than just your characteristics that may or may not qualify you for both the job and the international living situation, before uprooting you (and possibly your family) and transporting you thousands of kilometres to their foreign operation.

Whereas resumes are a reflection of your main accomplishments only, CVs are detailed accounts of your education and work experience to date. Generally what goes into your international CV does not vary greatly when applying for jobs in different countries.

In short, the resume is an American-style CV, which details the most recent job first and highlights the main aspects of your career. It is less structured, in a narrative style and more brief than a CV. It is also more subjective.

A CV is similar to a resume in that it provides more details about one’s professional qualifications, experience and education. However, the term Curriculum Vitae most often called CV typically carries a different meaning depending on whether one distributes the CV within the US, Canada or internationally (external to the US or Canada) or is seeking a faculty, academic, research, clinical or scientific position.

You can turn your updated resume into a CV by adding relevant detailed information and expanding the descriptions of your educational and professional experiences or you can turn your current CV into a resume by shortening some descriptions of your educational and professional experiences.

Nevertheless, whichever resume, CV or Curriculum Vitae you chose, must be targeted and scannable because of it:

• Maximizes the computer's ability to "read" your CV.
• Maximizes your ability to get hits.

The aim of your CV or resume should be to persuade recruiters to invite you for a job interview. Therefore, your CV or resume is a marketing tool, which needs to be customized to the market in which you intend to use it.

CV & Resume Format

CVs and resumes are usually structured in reverse chronological order (most recent activity first), or in a functional order (activities grouped thematically). The length of your international CV varies greatly in different countries.

Check the spelling and grammar of your CVs or resumes. Use the word processor's spell and grammar checker. If you are not confident of your ability to detect grammatical, punctuation and usage errors in English or other language or if you need help in organizing your resume or CV, send it to a professional for assistance.

Remember that your CV/resume must be targeted, scannable and generate hits. If you have difficulty with your CV writing or resume writing instead of staring at a blank piece of paper, use CV samples and CV templates, resume samples and resume templates.

Most recruiters expect to receive a cover letter together with your CV or resume. So, prepare a cover letter convincing the reader why you are the best candidate for the interview using cover letter writing tips.

In recent years it becomes increasingly popular to join the LinkedIn or Facebook social networking websites for professionals, where you may search for jobs and have your keyword-optimized, rich content profile with current CV/resume. Hiring managers use them more frequently to consult your profile and supplement or check against the CV/resume you send along. If you do not have an account, create one and include your social media link(s) on your CV/resume.
However, you should manage your online presence. Eliminate any photos and statements that could reflect poorly on you. From an employer’s point of view, someone who emphasizes partying on a social networking site is not focused on jobs and those who post complaints about work or colleagues are less desirable candidates. Online CV/resume should not include sensitive information as they could show a lack of respect for confidentiality and discretion.

After completion of your job application, resume or CV and cover letter you should submit them to headhunters and recruiters in places where you want to work.

Other CV & Resume Info

To be successful in your job search and get the jobs you want, you need to prepare a cover letter and CV or resume which you must email instantly to the prospective employers selected during a job search.

When you receive an invitation to the interview, you may apply for a visa and work permit. Then prepare yourself and take a look at the dress code because how you dress is one of the most important attributes in being hired.

Check the job interview dos & don'ts and other job search skills pages. Find out why people are not hired for available jobs.

In addition, on job search, visas, work permits, cover letters, CV & resume, job interviews and dress codes pages, you will find very useful tips for many different countries.

Good luck with your CV & resume!