Do you know what kind of resume you’d need if you were applying for a job in the UK? How about Saudi Arabia? Or China?

As with the varying countries nationalities, cultures and mores, resumes are most assuredly different for various parts of the world.

Overseas Resumes Have Unique Formats and Content

For example:

In China the guidelines include -

Personal Information (include):

1. Sex

2. Marital Status

3. Date of Birth

4. Nationality

5. Permanent Address

Career Objective: Describe what you want to achieve and position sought

Education:

1. List high school education with reference to specific courses and programs

2. Include extracurricular activities that are relevant to job search

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills

2. Computer Skills

Professional Experience:

1. Indicate whether work was part-time or full- time.

2. Explain all gaps in employment history.

3. If part-time work was chosen, indicate why you did NOT work full-time.

Personal Interests (include):

1. Sports activities

2. Other interests

Format:  Begin with Objective, go to Education, then list Professional Experience and everything else (in that order)

Length: Two pages; no longer than three pages

In the UK the guidelines include -

Education:

1. Secondary education, include dates/names/locations of schools, plus qualifications received

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills

2. Computer Skills

Professional Experience:

1. Include reasons for leaving

Interests/Hobbies: Describe how time outside of work is spent

Format: Education followed by professional experience

Length: No longer than two pages

And in Saudi Arabia the guidelines include -

Personal Information (Include):

1. Date of Birth

2. Marital Status

3. # of Children

4. Nationality

5. Citizenship(s)

6. Religious Affiliation

Education:

1. Include name and address of each institution attended

Professional Experience:

1. Use company descriptors

2. List all employers worked for

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills

2. Computer Skills

Residency Permit/Letter of Release:

1. Note whether you have a transferable igama (residency permit) from your present employer or can obtain a letter of release

Format: Education, experience, personal details (in that order); do NOT leave any gaps in dates.

Length:  Three to four pages is acceptable

As you can see, there are variances by country. Make certain you know the guidelines before you submit your resume overseas.