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International Students and the Job SearchPreparing Country-Specific Resumes and Cover Letters
A well-written resume and cover letter is critical in any job search. However, when searching for a job in your home country, your resume must conform to the local standards and not reflect U.S. styles and standards in resume writing. Just as American students come to UCS for help in writing an appropriate American-style resume, you may need some advice in designing a resume appropriate for use in your home country or another country. Dr. Frank Klein of the University Placement Center at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale offers the following advice:
"For job searches in the U.S., the resume is most often chronological, functional, or a combination of the two. However, with regard to resume format requirements, differences exist from continent to continent, country to country. Working in the European Countries: A Guide to Graduate Recruiters and Job Seekers by A.J. Raban of the University of Cambridge Career Services, makes an excellent case for a country-specific resume. In Denmark, according to Raban, extracurricular activities are defined as work experience rather than student activities and, consequently given much attention by the employer. In Germany, where extracurricular activities are defined as student activities, they receive little attention. If a single resume category, extracurricular activities, is important in Denmark, unimportant in Germany, is secondary to academic performance in Italy, and is given special attention by employers in the United Kingdom, enough cannot be said on the importance of country-specific resumes."
Resumes targeted for African and Latin American countries require more personal data than is appropriate in a U.S.-style resume. Birthdate, birthplace, citizenship, passport number and even a photograph may be appropriate. Students from Asian countries should emphasize entrepreneurship. Often employers from these countries are more interested in the applicant's sales ability than in the specific undergraduate or graduate degree. If applying for a job in Europe, you should hand-write your cover letter. Graphologists are regularly used in Europe to screen applicants, and handwriting samples are often required. In many countries, transcripts, with an official university stamp or seal, or even actual photocopies of degrees, are required with the resume. Additionally, a photocopy of your degree may be required if you are applying to a university position.
In addition to the resource mentioned above, two additional publications, Resumes for Employment in the U.S. and Overseas and The Global Resume and CV Guide (available in the UCS library), outline recommendations for country-specific resumes and cover letters. Use your faculty contacts (especially the visiting faculty) to make sure that you are constructing an appropriate resume. Send a draft of your resume home in correspondence with family and friends. Ask them to critique your resume or find someone in your career field at home who has the knowledge and background to evaluate your resume style and content.
Conclusion
Finding employment can be a long, time-consuming process. The information contained in this handout is meant to get you started in the process. It is important that you begin early to prepare yourself for competing in the job market after graduation. Make use of the many resources mentioned throughout this guide. If you are having difficulty understanding any part of the job search process, make an appointment to speak with an UCS counselor, your faculty advisor, the International Student Advisor, or all three. Don't give up!
UCS Resources
The UCS library has a plethora of print and electronic resources, many of which you will find helpful in conducting your job search. In addition, UCS has developed a series of career guides on a variety of topics (interviewing, writing a resume, writing cover letters and other correspondence, etc). Make it a point to familiarize yourself with these resources as soon as possible. The following abbreviated list of UCS resources will get you started:
• 10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College
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