Resume or CV? A global guide

23. 10. 2013

Resume or CV? A global guide


You live and work in New York City, but you're applying for a job in Brussels. Is it enough to send along the standard resume you use for applications in your home country?

 


Not exactly.

 

That line-by-line list of accomplishments sought by hiring managers in the US may come off as pompous in, say, Europe, where attaching a photograph and detailing marital status on a CV - or Curriculum Vitae - is a must.

 

Most jobseekers don't dedicate enough time to tweaking and revising their CV.

 

This often costs them the opportunity to even interview for the job, according to recent survey from the National Career Services, an online jobs resource centre for the United Kingdom.

 

In today's global workplace, what is required, expected and culturally appropriate for resumes or CVs varies greatly around the world.

Hiring managers will be quick to notice if you've ignored protocol.

 

Just knowing whether your document should be labelled a "resume" or a "CV" can be an obvious indicator as to whether you've done your homework.

 

But the regional nuances of a CV and job application go further.

 

"One of the biggest challenges for employers is finding candidates with the right values and cultural fit," said Gulnar Mewawala, resume expert and founder of The Emphatic Resume.

 

"Make sure you understand and, as importantly, can convey your understanding of the corporate and regional culture to potential employers."

 

So, how should you craft a resume or CV for a position across borders and cultures?

 

A look at what to do when you apply in Europe, Australia, Latin America, North America, Asia and the Middle East.

 

Source: BBC

 

Resume or CV? A global guide