International Resumes and Coverletters

Erica “EB” Baumer, MS & Ben Sousa

Letters & Science Career Services

1305 Linden Drive, Suite 205

608-262-3921

www.lssaa.wisc.edu/careers

A Typical Resume

Brief - usually one page for recent graduates

Selective – picking only the details you want the employer to consider

An International CV

Comprehensive – at least two pages, even for recent graduates

Inclusive – detailing clearly everything you have done

Employers abroad…

do not often use the term “resume” (sometimes in Latin America)

will expect a CV of at least two pages from recent graduates

want to know more about you than just your skills

Personal Information Employers abroad will consider

personal factors (e.g. age, marital status, interests) when evaluating whether or not to hire you.

NO ADA Who you are, status and your

family matters. In the general, the culture of the USA this is not true. Adjust.

Like a resume…

Your international CV should include: Your contact information Higher education experiences Work experiences Skills and proficiencies in languages,

computers, and other technical areas “References available upon request”

Unlike a resume…

Your International CV should: Be complete rather than brief List experiences in chronological order (not

reverse chronological like resumes) Be printed on A4 size paper (the standard

size outside of North America) List place and date of birth, marital status,

citizenship and passport number Include a photo of you (not vital, but

expected)

A4 Size Paper The standard paper outside of North

America (like our 8.5” x 11”) Most office supply stores do not carry it You can purchase it online:

o Empire Importswww.empireimports.como NexTagwww.nextag.com/a4-paper/shop-html

Photo

Passport sized photo Pose in professional manner Attach to the top left of the first

page of your CV

Common Sections in a CV

Photo Contact Information Personal Data Education Experience Skills Interests

You can do this research

http://online.goinglobal.com/default.aspx

Come to our office to sign up so that you can use it for free.

Argentina, Austria, Austrialia, Beligum, Brazil,Canada,China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong…etc.

International Cover Letters…

are no more than one page long are not as in-depth as North

American cover letters are based on a 4-paragraph

standard model are more of an expression of

interest in the position and not a writing sample

The 4-paragraph model…

Paragraph 1 --as used in Spain State why you are writing and where

you heard about the opening (from a newspaper ad, your school's career center, or somewhere else)

If you know the company, this is the moment to show it, with a few lines

The 4-paragraph model…

Paragraph 2 Give your reasons for your interest

in the job Emphasize your qualities that best

fit the position Explain how the company can

benefit from hiring you

The 4-paragraph model…

Paragraph 3 Express interest in having an

interview and state your availability

The 4-paragraph model…

Paragraph 4 “I eagerly look forward to hearing from

you” “Con la certeza de recibir pronto noticias suyas”

If you wish, you can say that you will call the person in the next couple of weeks as a follow up

Sign and provide your contact information

Which language do you use? When responding to job listings in

another country, your materials should be written in the same language as the job listing

Job listing is written in English = English CV and Cover Letter

Job listing is written in Spanish = Spanish CV and Cover Letter

Which gets to THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT OF ALL …

Read the job listing as carefully as possible and try to respond in the way the employer wants

See if you can find people who have worked there before

Try any way to gather more information about what that employer is looking for

This is true for any job application anywhere

Tips for finding a job abroad

Visit first! Visiting first allows you to decide where you want to live and gauge the local job market.

Ideally you would be able to secure a place to live before moving. This will make the entire experience much less stressful.

Tips for finding a job abroad Additional benefits to visiting first…You can visit places you think you’d like

to work and make connections that potentially lead to employment.

If you are hired before moving, you can apply for a work visa while still in the U.S., which is likely to be much quicker and easier.

Tips for finding a job abroad

Save money! There’s no guarantee that you will get a job quickly, and it’s almost certain that unexpected costs will come along.

Your goal should be to save enough money that you can live for up to 6 months without steady income.

If you want to teach English… It’s strongly recommended that you first

complete a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course.

Most employers of foreign-born English teachers will want you to have completed a TEFL course.

If you want to teach English…

TEFL courses usually last about 4 weeks and can be found in almost every country:o www.europetefl.com/o www.teflcourses.com/o www.teflcertificate.com

Questions?