A FAWCO
tip for a new start in the new year 2004:
How to Create a Global Resume/CV
Globalization is affecting companies around the world.
Despite obvious drawbacks to many employees, the doors are wide open
for others with interest in pursuing international careers. Just having
an open mind for working in a foreign environment is not sufficient.
The calling card is your resume or CV.
Resume/CV guidelines are in a constant state of change.
There are no hard rules that are 100% appropriate in every case. Best
advice: do your homework - find out what is appropriate vis-à-vis
the corporate culture, the country culture, and the culture of the
person making the hiring decision. Some general advice:
- The
terms "resume" and "CV" (curriculum vitae) generally
mean the same thing the world-over, i.e., a document describing
one's educational and professional experience that is prepared for
job-hunting purposes. When there is a difference, a CV is typically
a lengthier version of a resume, complete with numerous attachments.
Note: The average length for a resume or CV is two pages
- no matter the country, no matter the position. Never "stretch"
your resume to two pages but also never "sell yourself short"
by limiting yourself to one page.
- Different
countries use different terms to describe the specifics of a resume/CV.
For example, "cover letters" are called "letters
of interest" in some countries and "motivation letters"
in others. Photographs are not appropriate to be attached to resumes
in the United States. In many countries outside the US, it is standard
procedure to attach a photo or have your photo printed on your CV.
Also, some countries require original copies of transcripts and
references to be attached to your application.
- Education
requirements differ country to country. In almost every case, merely
stating the title of your degree would not necessarily be an adequate
description. The reader might not have a clear understanding of
what topics you studied or for how many years. If you are a recent
graduate and depending heavily on your educational background to
get a job, provide the reader with details about your studies and
any related projects/experience. The same advice is true for seasoned
professionals who have participated in numerous training or continuous
education courses --- provide the reader with specific information
on what you learned, the number of course hours, etc. Note:
The general rule is that your university training strictly becomes
"a line item" on your resume once you have five or more
years of professional experience.
- If you have specific training, education
or expertise, use industry-accepted terminology in your description
that any professional in your field would understand.
- Pay
particular attention to whether to write your resume in chronological
or reverse-chronological order. Chronological order means to start
by listing your first or "oldest" work experience. Reverse-chronological
order means to start by listing your current or most recent experience
first. Without specific guidelines, the general preference is that
a resume/CV be written in a reverse-chronological format.
- The
level of computer technology and accessibility to the Internet varies
widely country to country. Always make sure to email your resume
as an attachment and in a widely accepted format, such as MS Word.
Also send a hard copy of your resume/CV via "snail mail"
just to make sure that it is received.
- Computer
skills and language skills are always important,
no matter the job, no matter the country. Take care to describe
your skill levels in detail in both categories.
- When submitting your resume in English,
find out if the recipient uses "British" English or "American"
English. There are numerous variations between the two versions.
A reader who is unfamiliar with the variations just presumes that
the resume contains typos. Almost every computer today provides
you with both options.
- Spell
check, then get a human being to spell check your resume/CV.
Incorrectly spelled words or typos are frowned upon by human resource
professionals the world over. The presumption is that if you submit
a sloppy, careless resume, you will be a sloppy, careless worker.
A human "spellchecker" is especially valuable for catching
words that are spelled properly but are used incorrectly. Also double-check
the correct title, gender and spelling of the name of the recipient
of your resume. For example, in the United States "Jan"
is a woman's name, though it is a man's name in Europe.
- If you can, get someone who is a native
speaker of the language in which your resume/CV is written to review
your document. One goal of your resume/CV is to show your familiarity
with the culture by using culturally-appropriate language.
- Be
aware that stationary or paper sizes are different dimensions in
different countries. The United States standard is 8½ x 11
inches whereas the European A4 standard is 210 x 297 mm. When you
are transmitting your resume/CV via email, go to "page setup"
on your computer and reformat your document to the recipient's standard.
Otherwise, when they print it out on their end, half of your material
will be missing!
- Most multinational companies will
expect you to speak both the language of that country and English,
which is widely accepted today as being the universal language of
business. Have your resume/CV drafted in both languages and be prepared
for your interview to be conducted in both languages. Most companies
want to "see" and "hear" actual proof of your
language skills early in the hiring process.
- Work permit and visa regulations appear
very similar country-to-country. In very general terms, most employers
who want to hire "foreigners," "aliens" or "expatriates"
must be able to certify to the government that they were unable
to find locals with the required skill sets.
- Lastly,
to be successful and enjoy your experience abroad, you must be flexible
and open-minded, both eager and willing to learn new ways of doing
things. You must be willing to "When in Rome, do as the Romans
do." People everywhere appreciate individuals who are at least
interested in getting to know them and learn about their ways of
doing things. Enormous cultural faux pas are forgiven of pleasant
individuals who are making honest attempts to fit in. On the other
hand, arrogant know-it-alls can sink million dollar deals just by
their boisterous attitudes. Be patient and observant. Ask questions;
show your interest in learning and broadening your horizons. Be
aware that you represent your country to everyone you meet.
So, go out and give the world a twirl. Here are the
tools, the rest is up to you!
This article
is based on FAWCO’s reprint of "The Global Resume and CV
Guide: Advice From The Experts In Executive Search And Recruitment"
by Mary Ann Thompson. For additional information, please visit www.goinglobal.com.
Follow-up on
Section 911 Foreign Earned Income Exclusion :
The following
describes the status and possible future consequences of changes within
Tax Law Section 911, according to the American Citizens Abroad
News Report and FAWCO News. Pay attention and follow
up.
The big news
these past several months has been Washington’s debate over
Section 911, the foreign earned income exclusion. In mid-May the Senate
was in heated debate over repealing the income exclusion for Americans
living and working overseas, which would have generated an estimated
$35 billion in revenues to the U.S. government over the next 10 years.
Thankfully, the Senate voted against the repeal of Section 911. However,
it only won by a mere two-vote margin. Many factions worked hard to
see that the survival of Section 911 was secured; among them was FAWCO
(click here for more information),
and of course we cannot forget all the hard work that was done by
those within the Republican and Democratic leadership who understand
the value of the contributions that Americans living and working overseas
make.
The current attitude
in Washington regarding Section 911 is that it is merely a tax loophole
for wealthy Americans living and working overseas, contributing nothing
to the American economy of Americans back in the U.S. Take, for example,
these quotes that were found in Senator Charles Grassley’s Section
911 debate preparation memorandum: “Proponents of Section 911
claim that U.S. exports are enhanced by sending U.S. personnel overseas.
There is no statistical data to support such a claim; whether the
U.S. company uses U.S. products in its foreign operations or foreign
products is a management decision wholly within control of the U.S.
employer. It is not determined by the nationality of its foreign managers;
it is a business decision subject to the control of the U.S. parent."
“Proponents of Section 911 try to claim that
sending people overseas creates more jobs here in the U.S., as well
as for those offshore. This claim is also dubious. We have found that
in sending employees overseas, what we are really exporting is technical
know-how. This know-how becomes the basis for organizing factories
and expanding operations overseas, which does not necessarily translate
into increased jobs in the U.S.”
Just because Section 911 missed the chopping block
this time doesn’t mean it will survive it the next time. Now
that Washington knows where to find $35 billion in new tax revenues
it will hardly forget where to go looking for them again. There has
been talk in Washington of introducing the repeal of Section 911 again
within the context of a larger bill. Stay vigilant and help us keep
opposition to this repeal alive.
In the December 2003/January 2004 issue
of Currents was a Letter of Action flyer. Fill it out and send it to President Bush.
Act today to help our benefits tomorrow.
