There may be significant distance between you and where you’d like to work, but you can close the gap by preparing a strong resume. Getting the content right is important, but you should give equal consideration to how it comes across visually to employers. In a matter of seconds, a machine or person will scan your document and decide whether you’ll make it to the next round. Your chances of getting a response back, therefore, depend much on the attention you give to your international resume format.
The purpose of this guide is to help you present your experience, education, and skills in a way that motivates the reader to consider you for an opening. Whether you’d like to work in Canada, the UK, Australia, or a country where English is not an official language, these tips make it possible to get your point across.
International Resume Format
Lacey Clarington
Washington, DC 11111
202-222-2121
lclarington@anymail
Washington, DC 11111
202-222-2121
lclarington@anymail
Summary
I’m a tenacious problem-solver who uses analysis to drive improvement, change, and innovation. My efficiency in gathering, processing, and presenting information comes from a personal commitment to active listening and clear communication. I look beyond the mere numbers to relate spending with ROI. Although I keep focus on urgent issues with an eye on the big picture, I maintain a reputation for being approachable.
Areas of Expertise
• Division leadership
• Strategy development and implementation
• Product research
• Budget analysis
• Focus groups
• Statistics-driven decision-making
Experience
Business Development Director
Oshkosh Corporation – Hagerstown, MD
2007–Present
• Develop long-term strategic plans in cooperation with functional leaders and regional managers
• Analyze global market trends, forecast industry changes, and identify new business opportunities
• Establish relationships and share select information with research institutes
• Created a 2010-2015 road map and worked with key contacts on execution
• Led the multi-billion dollar JLC Industries acquisition to its close
Senior Product Manager
Oshkosh Corporation – Oshkosh, WI
2001–2007
• Presented product roadmaps to shareholders during the 2006 and 2007 annual meetings
• Interviewed distributors and customers several times per year to understand business plans and evaluate potential solutions
• Revised budgets for all vehicles in the airport product group
• Reduced the cost of an existing machine by 6% by negotiating with component vendors and simplifying manufacturing processes
• Worked with engineering, marketing, and sales to turn popular customizations into new products
• Hired, mentored, and coached 3 to 6 department interns during 5 summers
Technical Specialist
Edge VOIP – Chicago, IL
1998–2001
• Provided on-site and remote technical support for professional voice communication equipment
• Managed, prioritized, and maintained contact with case owners on up to 30 open issues at any given time
• Tested an improved over-the-air programming system, identified bugs, and worked with the development team on a complete implementation
• Earned a lifetime survey score of 9.3 (out of 10) on cases handled during tenure
• Coordinated and edited a support playbook by authoring content and gathering submissions from other specialists
Education
Master of Business Administration
PennState – World Campus
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
Georgia Tech – Atlanta, GA
Professional Memberships and Affiliations
Board of Directors
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
2014-2017 (3 year term)
Is This a Good International Resume Format? Let’s Check
1. Was the international resume formatted correctly?
All aspects of the resume conform to widely accepted standards. The jobseeker summarized more than 15 years of experience in a reasonable amount of space. The general rule is to use one page for every 10 years. The layout and color is appropriate for the candidate’s career. Although the example resume doesn’t include a hobbies section, you may choose to include one if your interests relate to the position you’re applying for.
2. Did the experience section contain a good mix of duties and achievements?
It certainly did. The jobseeker’s first position was a good example of listing accomplishments among duties. The mid-career role showed bigger achievements and heavier responsibilities. These positions created a foundation for the candidate to step into a leadership role, one held for more than 10 years already. You’ll want to do the same for your resume. Duties alone won’t be enough to impress.
3. Were quantifiable metrics employed in the experience section?
Most assuredly. In the international resume format sample, the jobseeker shared hard numbers from as far back as her first position out of college. That should be a reminder to keep track of the specifics related to any accomplishments you achieve on the job. Remember that numbers are the language of business, so the more specific you’re able to be, the greater the impact it’ll likely have on the reader.
4. Was the education section well-organized?
Yes, it was. Experts recommend listing your most recent education first. The professional completed her MBA online while working full-time. Readers should be able to see how the master’s degree likely contributed to the candidate’s upward moving career path. Our jobseeker didn’t choose to include graduation dates. If, though, you’re currently enrolled in a course or are a recent graduate, it’s best to include “in progress” or the year you received your diploma.
5. Is the resume appropriate for a non-US reader?
This depends on the target audience, as each country follows its own set of English rules. Thus, when you’re developing your resume, keep in mind the language and spelling norms of the hiring manager’s locality. If our jobseeker was applying for an opening in Canada, for example, the text would be entirely appropriate. To adapt the resume for the UK, you would have to change “analyze” to “analyse.”
The Most Important International Resume Format Takeaways
You’ve likely picked up many tips from what you’ve read here about international resume format. For some hiring managers, job applications come in constantly, so remember the importance of a strong summary statement. Many recruiters start with the introduction, which helps them decide whether to read on or toss your document into the recycling bin.
Whenever you apply for a job in another country, don’t forget to target your language to the way it’s used in that land. Hiring managers based anywhere also like to see specific figures, as they provide a good indication of your potential performance in the future. By keeping in mind such details, you’re likely to receive a positive reception when you turn in your resume.
