Resumes Around the World

In our increasingly globalized economy, job seekers often find themselves applying for positions across borders, facing the challenge of adapting their resumes to meet different cultural expectations and professional norms. What impresses a hiring manager in San Francisco might puzzle one in Munich, and the personal details considered standard in Tokyo would raise eyebrows in Toronto. Understanding these differences is essential for anyone pursuing international career opportunities.

Resume standards vary dramatically across the world, shaped by cultural attitudes toward privacy, professional communication norms, legal frameworks around hiring, and historical business practices. This comprehensive guide explores resume expectations across major regions and countries, helping you navigate the complex landscape of international job applications with confidence.

The US Resume Standard

Before exploring international variations, let’s establish the American resume baseline that many readers may be familiar with:

Key Characteristics

Length: 1-2 pages for most professionals Format: Clean, scannable, ATS-optimized Terminology: Called a “resume” (CV used only for academic positions)

Content Included:

• Contact information (no photo, age, or personal details)
• Professional summary or objective (optional)
• Work experience with quantified achievements
• Education (after experience for established professionals)
• Skills section
• Optional: Awards, certifications, affiliations

Content Excluded:

• Photograph
• Date of birth or age
• Marital status
• Gender
• Religion
• Nationality
• Social security number

Writing Style:

• Action verbs and achievement-focused
• Quantified results emphasized
• Direct, concise language
• First person implied (no “I”)

This “anonymous” approach is designed to reduce bias and focus on qualifications—but it’s not universal.

United Kingdom and Ireland

Terminology and Basics

The UK uses “CV” (Curriculum Vitae) to refer to what Americans call a resume. Despite the Latin name suggesting a comprehensive life history, British CVs are similar in length to American resumes.

Key Differences from US

Length: 2 pages is standard; 1 page acceptable for entry-level Photo: Generally not included (though not strictly prohibited) Personal Information: Limited, similar to US

Unique Elements:

• Personal profile/summary at the beginning is common
• References section with “References available upon request” is acceptable
• Education section may be more detailed for recent graduates
• No strict date formatting rules

UK CV Structure:

1. Personal details (name, contact information)
2. Personal profile/career summary
3. Key skills (optional)
4. Employment history
5. Education and qualifications
6. Additional information (interests, achievements)
7. References

Differences from US:

• Slight preference for complete employment dates (months included)
• “A Levels” and “GCSEs” may appear in education
• National Insurance number NOT included
• Professional qualifications highly valued

Ireland

Similar to UK with minor variations:

• CV terminology used
• Similar format and length
• PPS number (equivalent to SSN) never included

Continental Europe

European resume practices vary significantly by country, though certain patterns emerge across the region.

The Europass Format

The European Union developed the Europass CV format to standardize resumes across member states. While adoption varies:

Europass Features:

• Standardized sections and format
• Available in all EU languages
• Includes personal information (photo, nationality, date of birth)
• Skills passport section
• Free online editor at europass.eu

Europass Adoption:

• Common for: Public sector jobs, EU institution applications, academia
• Less common for: Private sector, multinational corporations
• Varies by country (more common in Southern and Eastern Europe)

Germany

German resumes (Lebenslauf) follow specific conventions:

Length: 1-2 pages Photo: Traditional (professional headshot in upper right) Personal Information: More detailed than US

Typically Included:

• Professional photo (formal, recent)
• Date and place of birth
• Nationality
• Marital status (common but becoming optional)
• Number of children (declining)

German-Specific Elements:

• Chronological format (newest first) preferred
• Complete employment history expected
• Education section includes vocational training (Ausbildung)
• Handwritten signature at bottom (traditional)
• Date of creation included
• Certificates and diplomas highly valued

Format Notes:

• Clean, professional appearance
• Conservative design
• Tables sometimes used for clarity
• References listed by name and contact information

France

French CVs have distinct characteristics:

Length: 1-2 pages Photo: Common and often expected Language: French for domestic applications

French CV Elements:

• Photo (professional, passport-style)
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Marital status
• Sometimes driving license information

Unique Aspects:

• “Centres d’intérêt” (interests) section valued
• Handwritten cover letters sometimes still requested
• Educational pedigree (grandes écoles) highly emphasized
• Formal, polished language expected

Spain and Portugal

Length: 1-2 pages Photo: Common and often expected Personal Information: More than US, less than Germany

Common Elements:

• Photo included
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• ID number NOT included
• Languages section important

Cultural Notes:

• Personal connections (enchufes) play role in hiring
• Regional languages may be relevant (Catalan, Basque, Galician)
• Education credentials important

Italy

Length: 2 pages typical Photo: Standard Format: Europass common

Italian CV Elements:

• Photo expected
• Date and place of birth
• Nationality
• Fiscal code NOT included
• Detailed personal information acceptable

Unique Aspects:

• Privacy disclaimer often included at bottom
• “Autorizzo il trattamento dei miei dati personali”
• Stage/internship experience valued for young professionals

Netherlands

More similar to UK/US:

Length: 1-2 pages Photo: Optional, declining Personal Information: Limited

Dutch CV Characteristics:

• Clean, direct style matching Dutch culture
• Achievement-focused
• Photo increasingly optional
• BSN (social security) never included

Nordic Countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland)

General Approach: Similar to Netherlands, relatively informal

Characteristics:

• 1-2 pages
• Photo optional to uncommon
• Personal information limited
• Focus on qualifications and achievements
• Modest self-presentation (Janteloven culture)
• Languages section important

Asia and Pacific

Japan

Japanese resumes follow very specific conventions:

Rirekisho (履歴書): The traditional format for most applications:

• Standardized form purchased at convenience stores or printed
• Handwritten (traditionally) or typed
• Photo attached (formal, 3cm x 4cm, taken within 6 months)
• Chronological from oldest to newest
• Specific information required

Required Information:

• Photo (formal, suit, plain background)
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Address (current and permanent)
• Complete educational history
• Complete employment history
• Qualifications and licenses
• Hobbies and interests
• Health status
• Commute time to office
• Dependents information
• Spouse information

Shokumu-keirekisho (職務経歴書): For professional/career positions, similar to Western CV:

• More detailed work history
• Achievements and responsibilities
• More flexible format

Cultural Notes:

• Gaps in employment are notable
• Company prestige matters
• Age-related expectations exist
• Lifetime employment tradition (changing)

China

Chinese resumes vary between:

Domestic Companies:

• Photo standard
• Personal information included (age, gender, marital status, ethnicity)
• Educational credentials emphasized
• Often in Chinese

Multinational Companies:

• Western-style resumes accepted
• English often required
• Photo may or may not be included
• Less personal information

Chinese CV Elements:

• Photo (professional)
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Ethnicity
• Political affiliation (for government/state jobs)
• Hukou (household registration) status

South Korea

Korean resumes share similarities with Japan:

Standard Elements:

• Photo (formal, professional)
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Height and weight (declining but still seen)
• Blood type (declining)
• Military service status (for men)
• Family information
• Religion (sometimes)

Format:

• Standardized formats common
• Complete chronological history
• Education heavily emphasized
• University prestige matters significantly

India

Indian resumes blend Western and local practices:

Length: 2+ pages often acceptable Photo: Common but not universal Personal Information: More than US

Common Elements:

• Photo (professional)
• Date of birth
• Marital status
• Father’s name (traditional, declining)
• Languages known
• Passport details (for international applications)

Indian CV Characteristics:

• Educational credentials prominently featured
• Declaration statement at end affirming accuracy
• References with full contact details
• Longer format with more detail

Australia and New Zealand

Closer to UK/US style:

Length: 2-3 pages acceptable Photo: Not standard Terminology: CV or resume used interchangeably

Characteristics:

• Personal profile/summary common
• Achievement-focused
• No personal information beyond contact details
• References included or “available on request”
• Cover letter (called selection criteria response for government jobs)

Australia-Specific:

• Working rights/visa status may be included
• State/territory noted in contact information
• Selection criteria responses for government positions

At 0portfolio.com, we help professionals create resume versions tailored for different international markets, ensuring your application meets local expectations wherever you’re applying.

Middle East and Africa

United Arab Emirates and Gulf States

UAE CV Expectations:

• Photo common
• Nationality always included
• Visa status important
• Personal information more detailed

Included Information:

• Photo
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Visa status
• Languages
• Religion (sometimes)
• Marital status

Cultural Considerations:

• Western business culture influences multinational companies
• Local companies may expect more traditional format
• Emiratization policies affect hiring
• Expat-friendly but nationality matters

South Africa

Format: Similar to UK Length: 2-3 pages Photo: Not standard

South African CV Elements:

• ID number NOT included
• Race/ethnicity may be requested (for BEE compliance)
• Languages spoken
• Driver’s license
• Complete employment history

Nigeria and West Africa

Format: UK-influenced Length: 2-3 pages Personal Information: More detailed

Common Elements:

• Photo often included
• Date of birth
• State of origin
• Marital status
• Religion (sometimes)
• Languages

Latin America

Brazil

Length: 2 pages typical Photo: Common Language: Portuguese

Brazilian CV Elements:

• Photo (professional)
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Marital status
• CPF (tax number) NOT included

Characteristics:

• Personal presentation valued
• Educational credentials important
• References included
• Interests section common

Mexico and Central America

Format: US-influenced but with variations Length: 1-2 pages Photo: Common

Elements:

• Photo standard
• Date of birth
• Marital status
• CURP (ID number) for government jobs only
• RFC NOT included

Argentina and Southern Cone

Format: Mix of US and European influences Length: 1-2 pages Photo: Common

Characteristics:

• Photo included
• Personal information more detailed than US
• Educational credentials emphasized
• Languages section important (English proficiency valued)

Key Considerations for International Applications

Research the Specific Country

General regional advice has limits. Always research:

• Specific country practices
• Industry norms within that country
• Individual company preferences
• Whether international standards are preferred

Multinational vs. Local Companies

Multinational Corporations:

• Often accept US/UK-style resumes
• May have global application systems
• English often acceptable

Local Companies:

• Local format expectations
• Local language usually required
• Traditional practices may apply

When to Include a Photo

Typically Include:

• Germany, France, Spain, most of Continental Europe
• Japan, South Korea, China
• Middle East
• Latin America
• Africa (varies)

Typically Exclude:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• Australia (mostly)
• Netherlands (increasingly)
• Nordic countries (declining)

Privacy and Legal Considerations

Information to Never Include (Anywhere):

• Full government ID numbers (SSN, SIN, etc.)
• Bank account information
• Passwords or sensitive data

Information That Varies: Some countries have laws restricting what employers can ask, while others have no such protections. Research local employment law.

Cultural Communication Styles

Direct Cultures (US, UK, Netherlands, Australia):

• Achievement-focused, self-promotional
• Quantified results
• Clear, concise language

Modest Cultures (Nordics, Japan):

• Understated accomplishments
• Team orientation
• Less self-promotion

Relationship Cultures (Latin America, Middle East):

• Personal connections matter
• Trust and relationship building
• Longer-term perspective

Creating Multiple Resume Versions

For international job seekers, maintaining multiple versions is practical:

Version 1: US/UK Standard

• No photo
• Limited personal information
• Achievement-focused
• 1-2 pages

Version 2: Continental European

• Photo included
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• May include marital status
• Slightly more comprehensive

Version 3: Asian Markets

• Photo included
• Detailed personal information
• Complete chronological history
• Appropriate local format

Version 4: Country-Specific

• Adapt as needed for specific target countries
• Local language if required
• Local format conventions

Conclusion

Navigating international resume expectations requires cultural awareness, flexibility, and research. What constitutes a professional, appropriate resume varies significantly based on local norms, legal frameworks, and business practices.

Key principles for international applications:

Research specific requirements - General regional guidance provides a starting point, but always verify current expectations for your specific target country, industry, and company type.

Be prepared to adapt - Maintaining multiple resume versions allows you to present appropriately for different markets without starting from scratch each time.

Understand the “why” - Differences in resume practices reflect deeper cultural values around privacy, professional communication, and hiring practices. Understanding context helps you adapt appropriately.

When in doubt, ask - If applying to a specific company, it’s acceptable to inquire about their preferred application format, especially for multinational organizations.

Balance local and global - International companies may appreciate candidates who understand local practices while also demonstrating global business awareness.

Stay current - Resume practices evolve. Photo requirements are declining in some traditionally photo-inclusive countries. Research current trends, not just historical practices.

Your resume is often your first impression with international employers. Taking time to adapt your presentation to local expectations demonstrates cultural awareness, attention to detail, and genuine interest in the opportunity—qualities valued by employers everywhere in the world.