Preparing your Resume for job overseas
IntlMOVE is ready to help you with your international move when you land a new job overseas.
If you are still searching for a job, IntlMOVE has put together some tips to help you with your international resume.
When you apply for jobs overseas, you will be asked for a curriculum vitae (CV), instead of a resume.
A CV is a much more detailed version of your resume, which will include specific details about your employment and education history.
References
Some jobs may only want to call your references, but other potential employers may want more formal references.
In some parts of the world, it is very important for you to have letters of recommendations from your references.
Find out what is the standard request for references in your new country and follow those guidelines.
Some employers may have different requirements, so it is probably best to have letters of recommendation on hand.
Cover Letters
Some Asian countries are not interested in cover letters, while some European countries may ask for handwritten cover letters.
When you move to a new country, you should expect a whole new set of rules.
Cover letters are called different things in different parts of the world, so know what employers are looking for when they ask for a letter of interest or motivation letters.
Personal Information and Pictures
When applying for jobs in the United States, you never supply your potential employer with marital status, sex or photo.
In fact, it is actually illegal for potential employers in the United States to ask about your marital status or other private information.
When applying for jobs overseas, you can throw all of that secrecy out the window.
Many countries overseas will ask you to supply more information, and in some countries, you will also be asked to supply a photo of yourself.
Language
Most companies that hire expats will expect you to speak English and the language of their country.
If you are submitting your CV to a company in a different English speaking country, determine whether your CV should be written in British English or American English.
There are many variances in the two versions of the English language.
If you are not a native speaker of a language, have your CV proofread by a native speaker.
The native speaker might be able to catch mistakes that you have missed.
Education
Sometimes you need to state more than the title of your degree.
In some countries, degrees take five years to complete while in other countries they take three years to complete.
You will need to specifically describe what your educational background entails.
Delivery
In addition to email, find out from the human resources contact whether or not you should send a hard copy of your resume by snail mail.
Some companies overseas still want hard copies of your CV and cover letter.
Specific Formats
There is a lot of information you should provide, and some information you should omit.
There are many online resources that can help you determine what needs to be on your CV for each country.
If you are applying for a job for a specific company, talk to the human resources contact to get specifics about formatting your resume.
Look at several CV examples online that are tailored for your new country to fully understand what needs to be included.
When you get your offer for your new international job, find out what your relocation package includes.
Many companies will provide you with relocation service reimbursement to help get you to your new country.
IntlMOVE will ship your household goods and personal effects overseas so you can get settled in your new home.
Log onto www.intlmove.com to get your free international moving quote from IntlMOVE.