How to prepare your CV for overseas opportunities

Published on 26th January, 2018 by Wendy Hartrey. Published in For Candidates / TIC News

If you’re looking for a teaching job abroad, now is the time to make sure your CV is all ready to send out. To help you make sure it’s well prepared, here are some CV preparation tips from the experts at CV-Library:

Consider the content

Firstly, you need to make sure that the content and structure of your CV matches the requirements of the employer. In the UK, CVs typically consist of four main sections, including, your name and contact details, your profile, your work experience and your education and qualifications. These requirements differ from country to country, so double check what you need to display on your CV before you click send.

Create an impact with your profile

It takes the average recruiter six seconds to decide whether to continue reading your CV or skip onto the next applicant. As your personal profile sits at the top of your CV and is the first major section they will read, it needs to make an impact to persuade them to read on.

Your profile is a short introduction to you and should tell the prospective employer three things: who you are and your profession, the key skills and abilities you can bring to the role and what your current career aims are. Target every point to the job you’re applying for to showcase your suitability and try to write your profile in the third person, without the use of pronouns, for the ultimate professional feel. Check out these examples for inspiration.

Use the right language

If you’re applying for an overseas opportunity, you must be aware of cultural differences when crafting your CV. For example, in the UK, your CV must impress recruiters and show off your best achievements. However, this boastful tone may not sit well with recruiters from other countries. For example, in France, hiring managers don’t appreciate an exaggerated, positive self-assessment, so tone down your opinions if you want to create the right impression.
Also, make a note of any language differences, such as the terms ‘holiday’ (UK) and ‘vacation’ (US), and adapt your CV so that it can be easily understood.

Tailor to the job

Another way to prepare your CV for jobs abroad is by tailoring it to the role you’re applying for, rather than submitting a generic document. Read through the job description and identify the requirements you fulfil. Then pepper these key terms throughout your CV to show you’re a match for the position. You want to make it obvious to the recruiter why you should be invited for an interview.

Laura Slingo is Content Executive for the UK’s leading independent job board, CV-Library. For more expert advice on education jobs, careers and the workplace, visit their Career Advice pages.

You may also be interested in these informative articles:
First ever international school Virtual Recruitment Fair
Life for an international teacher with a young family in China
My visit to international schools in Bangkok

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Wendy Hartrey