International Resume Writing Guide
by Ti Ron Gibbs
This guide has been prepared for those who are interested in teaching English abroad. When writing an International Resume it is important to remember that generally your education and academic pursuits are given more attention than your actual work experience. List your education, skills, certification, and course work in a clear and concise manner. And, always include your country code in your contact telephone number.
Formatting Your Resume
1. Open Microsoft Word Page Setup
- Set the page margins to 1" (2.54 cm) all around (top, bottom, left, and right)
- Set your default font to "Times New Roman" or "Arial"
- Set you font size to 12 or 14 point
- Justify all text alignments to the left
2. Save your resume under name such as: "your last name_ your first name_ resume.doc"
3. Center your contact information at the top of the page:
John Smith
johnsmith@teflinstitute.com
001-773-555-5555
New Haven, Connecticut — United States of America
4. Do not use bold, italics, or other font enhancements as your write your resume
5. Never abbreviate terms such as "Mgr." use "Manager" or "V.P." us "Vice President."
6. Use universal position titles. Try "Receptionist" and not "Telephone Operator."
7. Now you are ready to start writing your resume. Most of your information will come under these five sections:
- PERSONAL INFORMATION — list information on gender, age, and marital status.
- EDUCATION — include any and all programs, degrees, certifications, and other items formalized training programs that attend in-person or online.
- SKILLS — summarize your skills in computers, animation, sales, or other areas.
- CAREER EXPERIENCE — be prepared to list your company, job title, and dates of employment for the past 10 years. Foreign companies and institutions are very interested in job titles. Try to find a way to equate your title with something that anyone can understand. For instance your job title may be "Recruiter" at your current job use the term "Human Resources Specialist/Manager."
- EXTRACURRICULAR INTEREST — list the things you like to do in your spare time, many companies want to make sure that when you come to a country you are outgoing, independent, and can find your own way. List your swimming awards, an article wrote, or photography class contest you entered.
- Bear in mind that every country is unique and they seek individuals who bring additional skills that are not available in the local talent pool. Your resume should reflect your unique strengths, skills, and experiences. Mention that you are "native-English speaker."
- Look at the requirements of the position and make sure that you show clearly how you meet all, or as many as possible, of the criteria.
SECTION HEADINGS
PERSONAL INFORMATION
You will list pertinent information regarding gender, age, and marital status:
- Include Gender Information (Male, Female, or Other)
- Include Date of Birth, use the international format (12 July 1903)
- Include Nationality (the place your passport is issued)
- List Work Permits held ("Chinese Z Visa for six months)
- List Country of Citizenship (the place you have the legal right to vote)
EDUCATION
Include any and all programs, degrees, certifications, and other items formalized training programs that attend in-person or online.
- List your highest-level qualifications first
- Be specific and detailed about the institution, major, campus location, date of completion of final degrees listed.
- If you are applying for an ESL Teaching assignment and do not have an Education Degree, list your college classes in that area (English Literature, Journalism in India, Public Speaking, Spanish, etc.)
Examples:
The University of Virginia — Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Minor in East Asian Studies, May 1985
The University of Hong Kong — Hong Kong, China, Bachelor of Arts in Business, Bachelor of Arts in Finance, Minor in Chinese, August 1999
Relevant Coursework Includes: English Literature, Western Thought, Democracy Theory, etc.
SKILLS
Summarize your skills in computers, animation, sales, or other areas in one word bullet points
- List the skills that you can perform proficiently
- Back up your skills with experience summaries or interests
- List any projects you worked upon (volunteer or otherwise)
Example:
Dreamweaver, CGI Perl, Adobe, Quark, and Flash Programmer — Design 20 page website for "Martha's X and Y House," used to inform and recruit volunteers, donors, and workers in the center's mission to fight the spread of AIDS in South Africa.
CAREER EXPERIENCE
Be prepared to list your company, job title, and dates of employment for the past 10 years. Foreign companies and institutions are very interested in job titles. Try to find a way to equate your title with something that anyone can understand. For instance your job title may be "Recruiter" at your current job use the term "Human Resources Specialist/Manager."
- List your work experience starting with the most recent or relevant assignment.
- First, list your Job Title, use universal career titles, list the start and end dates
- Second, list the Company's name and its headquarters location
- Third, in a few sentences tell a little about what the company does
- Mention any relevant accomplishment or responsibility
Example of Work Experience
Vice President of Business Development, Kemper Consulting Group, London, England, October 2000 — March 2003. \ Kemper Consulting Group is an international consulting practice specializing in financial forecasting and corporate acquisition management throughout Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
- Lead a team of 15 conference and event team managers in Hong Kong and China involving successfully attracting, interviewing and following through with representatives of foreign companies for potential mergers and acquisitions with Chinese enterprises.
- Coordinated public and media relations including writing press releases, conducting interviews media tie-ups and follow up.
- Coordinating event marketing including direct marketing, advertising management, networking, database management, writing bi-monthly newsletter, website, marketing materials, etc.
Extracurricular Interest
List the things you like to do in your spare time, many companies want to make sure that when you come to a country you are outgoing, independent, and can find your own way. List your swimming awards, an article wrote, or photography class contest you entered.
- List activities that you truly enjoy. A good rule of thumb is to pick a few activities that you have participated in for about ten years (off and on).
- List awards, trophies, honors, and articles about your activity
- List any offices, board membership, or leadership positions held
- Show your commitment to this activities
References
While they are not mandatory, they are good addition to the International Resume. There is no need to list your current employer unless want them contacted. Try to list a least three references that know you well.
- Provide their name, title, company/school name, telephone number (include country code) and email address.
Next Steps
The first step in the international interview is typically a telephone interview. Try to take into account the time and day difference when committing to an interview slot.
- Check the time and date zones before committing to a telephone interview
- Use a landline or (hard line) for your interview. Do not use a cell phone. Dropped international calls are confusing for both parties.
- Be on time. Do not let your voicemail or answering machine pick up the call.
- Send a picture prior to telephone interview. This will help the employer gain a better feel for you.
- Don't waffle during the telephone interview. If you have a telephone interview tell them if you want the job.
After the Telephone Interview
Send a thank you note as a document attachment via email.
- Scan any documents your employer requested and send as an attachment via email. Inform your employer that you sending the hard copies of your resume and other materials by regular mail.
- Be sure to send two photos. One should be a headshot and the other a body shot. Business attire and a smile are always acceptable.
When possible send all international correspondence via certified delivery. You want to be sure that your future employer received your materials. A delay could cost you the job.
Digitizing Your Resume Documents
Once you have completed writing your international resume it time to turn your paper documents into digital media. You can do this by use of a scanner or by using Adobe PDF software.
If you don't own a scanner or Adobe, visit Kinkos or another similar store to use their scanning equipment or software for your materials and begin saving your resume as needed.
Saving Your Resume
Naming your documents is an important step. This little step can help insure that your files are not lost or confused with someone else.
- Save your resume and cover letter as Word files ending in .doc
- Save any photo or scanned materials as .jpg or .jpeg files
- Name your files in the following manner: "yourlastname, yourfirst name kindof document.ext"
EXAMPLES
- For a resume: Jones, John Resume.doc
- For a cover letter: Jones, John Cover Letter.doc
- For a photo: Jones, John Photo. jpg
- For a transcript: Jones, John Transcript.jpg
- For a diploma: Jones, John Diploma.jpg