by Maryanne Thompson
If you're thinking about a job overseas, you may need to reformat your resume to fit the traditional requirements of the country where you'd like to work. Here are job application guidelines from five countries you may be interested in (and a link at the end to information from more countries).
CANADA
A job search in Canada starts with preparing a one-page letter. To get ideas for creating an electronic resume, check the web site jobsearchcanada.com.
The resume (two pages: less if you have had little or no work experience), includes the following:
- Contact information, centered at the top.
- Education, listing colleges and/or universities attended, dates of attendance, courses of study, and diplomas or degrees. In this section, you should also mention extra courses or training, internships, and foreign travel. List this information in reverse-chronological order.
- Work experience, giving the firm name, your title(s), dates of employment and responsibilities. State whether the work was temporary or part-time. If you have no job at the present, you should mention that fact also. Once again, the information should be listed in reverse-chronological order.
- Other skills, such as computer, and language fluency.
- Personal information, such as relevant volunteer activities and hobbies.
- Three references, with their titles and contact information.
In Canada, it is illegal for a prospective employer to ask your marital status, sexual orientation, race, or age, or to request a photo.
JAPAN
When applying for a position in Japan, an expatriate may submit a "rirekisho," a standard two-page form in Japanese with no cover letter, or a two-page American-style resume and cover letter in English. In the more modern companies, e-mail applications are accepted.
If using the American-style resume, you should have your name and contact information centered at the top. The resume should begin with a summary of qualifications such as: nine years experience with IT, experience with international companies, strong Japanese-English bilingual skills.
Under "Employment Experience," list the names, locations, and focus of all former employers, with your dates of employment, title(s) and responsibilities. You need not list job accomplishments on the resume; you will discuss them at the interview.
Under "Education," list all schools you attended, dates of attendance, and diplomas or degrees. Add honors received, and special skills, such as fluency in specific computer applications, and standard language test scores.
End your resume with personal information: date of birth, marital status, and nationality. There are no enclosures necessary (except the cover letter) with the English resume; the "rirekisho" states that a photo should be attached.
SPAIN
When seeking a job in Spain, prepare a cover letter and resume. Copies of certificates, diplomas, and references will be required later. Type the cover letter on A4 paper, tailor it for the position, and mail it along with your resume and a small, quality photo.
If you have a short employment history, write your resume in chronological order to show your development. However, note that reverse-chronological order is generally preferred by a recruiter if you are experienced, because this format starts with details of your most recent employment.
At the top of the resume, give personal information, i.e., your name, place and date of birth, marital status, and home address and contact information.
In the "Education" section, list the institutions you attended with their locations, your academic emphases, diplomas, degrees, and dates of attendance. Also mention any honors received, levels of foreign language fluency, computer skills, and overseas travel or study. Include details about internships and part-time jobs.
For the "work experience" category, list the companies where you have been employed, their location and focus, your job title, responsibilities, achievements, and dates of employment. Remember to begin with your most recent work experience.
Complete your resume with a simple "References available upon request."
UNITED KINGDOM (ENGLAND)
As part of your job application, you should include a one-page, tailored, cover letter. The letter should be business-like, typed on good quality white or ivory paper, and addressed to a specific person.
Your enclosed resume may be two to three pages, depending on your experience. Start with your name, address, contact information, birth date, marital status, and nationality. If you are a non-EU citizen, clarify your work permit status. In what is called the "profile" section, give your professional designation (e.g., CPA), and immediate ambitions; then, in bullet-format, list relevant skills and a few work-related achievements.
Begin your employment history by describing your current position. Following the profile section, provide the name, location, and focus of each company, and your title and responsibilities. If you are new to the job market, you may include temporary or part-time positions.
The last major section is "education." In reverse-chronological order (most recent listed first) list schools attended, locations, areas of study, and diplomas/degrees. Mention additional courses and training, and special skills such as foreign language fluency and computer programs in which you are proficient.
At the end, it is sufficient to say: "References are available on request."
FRANCE
A job application in France should begin with a one page, handwritten cover letter (your handwriting may be used for character analysis). Include your resume with a photograph attached, but no other enclosures.
Your resume itself should be relatively short, with a maximum of two pages. If you are a new job seeker, it may be even shorter. Begin with personal information: name, address, phone, and e-mail. Personal data, such as birth date, marital status, and children are optional.
Begin the section on education with your most recent study, and then list all schools attended, ending with your high (secondary) school. Give the name and location of each, your areas of study, degrees, and dates of attendance. Also, mention any additional courses, internships or specialized training.
In the "Work Experience" section, list for each position the dates, the name, location, size, and type of company, and your title(s) and responsibilities. If you have many years of work experience, the education section follows your employment history.
At the end of the resume, you should list special competencies (such as level of expertise in foreign language, and computer skills), professional affiliations and volunteer experience, if relevant. State that references are "available on request."
For more information on conducting an international job search, go to www.goinglobal.com.