The international curriculum vitae resume is typically a six- to eight-page excruciatingly detailed resume. Although the international curriculum vitae (CV) resume solicits private information that’s outlawed in the United States, such as your health status, the international CV is favored in some nations as a kind of global ticket to employment.
Formality prevails with the international CV. England has a suggested CV form, which is more like the American resume than not. Following are some tips to consider when using this format:
If you’re applying in a non-English-speaking country, have your CV translated into the appropriate foreign language. Send both the English and the native-language version.
Unless it’s untrue, mention in the personal section that you have excellent health.
Suggest by appropriate hobbies and personal interests that you’ll easily adapt to an overseas environment.
If you’re submitting your international CV on paper, handwrite the cover letter that goes with it — Europeans use handwriting analysis as a screening device. If your handwriting is iffy, enclose a word-processed version as well.
Make sure that your cover letter shows a sincere desire to be in the country of choice.
Consider the international CV resume as an option when applying for international jobs.
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The international CV is usually a reverse chronological format that includes your contact information, qualifications summary, professional background, education, and personal information. Some European countries prefer the (non-reverse) chronological format, which lists education and work experience from the farthest back to the present.
Americans should remember that when working overseas for a native employer, they are not protected by Equal Employment Opportunity laws.
Strengths and weaknesses of this resume format
International employment experts say that if you don’t use the international curriculum vitae resume format, foreign recruiters may think you’re hiding something. But keep in mind that the international CV format intrudes into private areas of your life.
Who should (and shouldn't) use this resume format
Use this format if you’re seeking an overseas job and don’t object to revealing information that may subject you to discriminatory hiring practices. Individuals who feel strongly about invasions of privacy or fear of identity theft or who aren’t willing to be rejected out of hand because of gender, religion, race, age, or marital status should avoid this format.
If you want an overseas job and you don’t use this format, you may be out of luck unless you’re working through an American recruiter. The recruiter can interpret your concerns and negotiate for a bare minimum of personal information. Nationals of countries other than the United States can also use this technique.
