CV Tips Every International Student Should Know [5 KEYPOINTS]

You worked hard for several years, got a 3.5+ CGPA in college, earned a great SAT score, and enrolled in your dream university with a fully funded scholarship. You came there, you saw, and you conquered, leaving with a “cum laude”, but it didn’t end there. Now that your career-focused journey is about to start, you will need a resume first.

Are you unsure if your resume sounds good enough for a multinational company? Well, don’t worry! This article has talked about every tip and strategy that will help your CV get noticed.

5 Major CV Tips Every International Student Should Know About

Here are five major strategies you need to start implementing today to get hired by top companies.

1.    Know The Local CV Expectations

There is a misconception among international students that every country has the same CV standards. However, the truth is different. Every country and its requirements vary.

Let’s take a look at the general expectations for CVs in the job market of different regions:

• UK: CVs in the United Kingdom are usually two pages and exclude personal details or photographs to avoid discrimination.
• US: Here, CVs are well known as resumes. They are generally one page and place a strong emphasis on personal achievements and skills.
• Germany & France: These nations’ resumes include a photo. They give your soft skills and cultural fit a top priority.

Moreover, as an international student, your first step should be to conduct a thorough analysis of the local job market. This allows you to understand their requirements and expectations for a potential employee. Understand their culture well and be very flexible.

Pro Tip: Always research and familiarise yourself with the CV norms of the country you are applying for.

2.    Highlight Transferable Skills & Global Experience

The biggest advantage that international students have is their cross-cultural understanding. They are familiar with a variety of perspectives and are also flexible, something that local applicants often lack.

You need to learn how to highlight these qualities on your CV. Rather than merely spelling out your graduate or experience profile, you must focus on the way your international experience has prepared you to translate skills. 

You can always seek help from external sources, such as a CV or resume builder. They have writers with expertise in creating a well-suited resume based on the country you reside in at the moment.

For example:

1. Your resume can showcase your resilience as you have adapted to a completely new environment, managed challenges, and thrived outside your comfort zone.

2. You can mention in your resume that you are great at handling group projects and thrive in communication skills. It shows that you easily fit in and have experience with team collaboration.
   
   
3. You can also mention your problem-solving abilities, as you have handled various tasks on your own, including finances and housing. You navigated through language barriers and cross-cultural norms.

3.    Focus Equally On Achievements And Responsibilities

International students struggle to create a CV that is more of a job description rather than a portrayal of the value of the person.

Imagine that you merely wrote your duties that go like ‘worked as a sales assistant or assisted in administration tasks’. This has the least chance of convincing recruiters of your skills. Employers demand proof that you have made any changes. This is why emphasis on achievements rather than duties is important.

Here is exactly how you should explain what you have achieved through your role:

• Ditch the job description: The employer is well aware of the role of a sales assistant or an admin. They are curious about the things you did differently.

• Think numbers, not tasks: Don’t just talk about what you did by stating “assisting customers” or “managing inventory”. Instead, make it sound interesting and stand out. For example, you can say “Boosted monthly sales by 10% “.
  
  
• Show your impact: If you have improved customer satisfaction, cut all costs, or increased sales, show them with definite results. 
  
  
• Get a power-up with action verbs: Using words like achieved, improved, led, and developed makes you sound proactive.

Pro Tip: One of the most important CV tips every international student should know is that your resume shouldn’t explain what you were told to do. Instead, it should talk about what you have accomplished in your working period.

4.    Tailor Your CV According To Each Application

Blindly sending out a generic CV to all employers is one of the easiest ways to be ignored. The recruiters can immediately note when the CV has been constructed unskilfully and does not suit the particular position. You are an international student who is competing in a flooded job market, and you cannot be generic.

Always tailor your CV according to the job description. Don’t rewrite it each time you apply for a new job. You can also ask your seniors who are former graduates for CV help, as they have gone through this phase. They’ll guide you with the right steps you need to take to get your foot in the chosen industry.

Furthermore, remember to study the vacancy and identify the key skills, experiences, and qualities an employer is looking for in a candidate. For instance, if an employer is looking for strong project management skills, make sure that your CV highlights your experience in leading group projects, meeting deadlines, or coordinating schedules. This target will show that you have the right skills for the job and take this role very seriously.

5.    Perfect The Document & Proofread

Alright, let’s say you created the most professional-looking resume with impressive experiences and achievements. But all the efforts will be overlooked if your CV is filled with spelling mistakes or an inconsistent design.

Many people underestimate the importance of presentation in a resume. A well-structured and professionally designed resume will always have an edge over a cluttered and poorly structured document.

Start with a:

• Clean, easy-to-read layout
• Consistent fonts
• Bold and clear headings
• Bullet points to break down information
• Avoid flashy designs
• A consistent and logical flow of ideas

However, proofreading your document is equally important. As an international student, English won’t necessarily be your first language. A single grammatical error can make the employer question your communication skills. Always remember to double-check your CV or ask others to review it.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it necessary to add volunteer work to your resume?

It’s quite helpful as it shows that you have worked as part of a team, shown initiative, and community involvement.

• Should foreign students mention language proficiency in their CVs?

Listing languages with proficiency level adds value to your CV, especially if you are applying for multinational companies.

• How often should a resume be updated?

Your CV should be updated every 6 to 12 months, whenever you gain experience, a skill or an achievement in your career.

Conclusion

Your CV is more than just a summary of your education or work. This is the real passport to future opportunities you need. 

As a foreign student, your success comes when you study and tailor your CV according to the local market, showcasing transferable skills, and proving your potential. Make sure to personalise your resume before applying for a certain job and maintain a sleek, clean presentation.

This blog has covered the most important CV tips every international student should know. Following the listed strategies can help you stand out and make a significant impression on a potential employer.