Do you have itchy feet? Maybe you are looking for new opportunities in a market with more room for growth? Or are you simply dreaming of sunnier climes? With global travel becoming increasingly accessible again, and countries once more welcoming visas and immigration, there’s no time like now to start looking for your next job abroad.

Before you embark on your next adventure, you need to make sure you CV is up to scratch. Read on for three simple tips to optimise your CV for international job search.

Photo by Fauxels on Pexels.com

Always Write A Personal Statement 

Some things never change. From our experience, all countries look favourably on a personal statement. Whether it’s explicitly asked for or not, it is a great way to showcase you personality, achievements, and ambitions as well as a way to expand on your previous experience. Your full job history may not fit on two pages of your CV* so a well-written personal statement gives you a great opportunity to sum up what makes you the best fit for this role. 

*Bonus tip: some countries even prefer a one-page CV, and others permit three!

Do I Need A Photo For My International Job Search? 

Photo by Andrea Piacquad on Pexels.com

Depending on the job your are applying for, and the country it is in you may need to provide a photograph. This list provides a fairly comprehensive overview of which countries require a photo with a CV submission. However, be wary, this can change,  and may be different for different roles so be sure to consider tip number three below: research.

Do Your Research

This shouldn’t be news to any seasoned job seeker but ALWAYS DO YOUR RESEARCH. Find out about the company, the company culture, the country’s working culture, whether a photo is expected, or frowned upon, what personal information should be included. Treat this like your first CV and make sure you double-check everything. 

Carrying out research on new countries is easier now than ever before. You can join international jobs Facebook groups and connect with people who live there, or even connect with employees at the company via Linked In.

Make sure to get a native speaker to read your CV, especially if you are writing in another language.

Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com

Checklist For Success In Your International Job Search

Just like any job search in your home country, it is vital to understand the CV norms and expectations. You can unwittingly exclude yourself from consideration for a role without even having your CV read to the end.

In summary, here’s our checklist for success:

• There is no universal template
• Find out about any local or national cultural norms
• Check out Linked In
• And don’t forget the usual tips on How to Make Your Job Application Stand Out 

Don’t delay your dream career any more. For more help with your CV and job search you can check out our blog, or get in touch today.