How to Tailor Your CV for Jobs Abroad: A CV Guide for Expats

When applying for jobs abroad, customising your CV to match the destination market is essential. Depending on your background and goals, you can take different approaches. Some expatriates choose to enter the market through alternative sectors – a strategy often called the “foot-in-the-door” approach. Others, particularly highly specialised professionals, go straight for roles within their area of expertise. In this article, we’ll explore both approaches to help you craft a CV that suits your career path and increases your chances.

Finding Your Direction with Support and Reflection

Before choosing the approach that’s right for you, it’s important to have a clear understanding of who you are and what skills and strengths you bring to the table. Taking time for self-reflection is key, and if you find it challenging to do this on your own, seeking support from a trusted network or a professional career counsellor can make all the difference.

Foot-in-the-door CV

Before tailoring your CV, you need to decide which job sectors or roles you want to target. Some expatriates begin their careers in the destination country by working in a different sector to get a foot in the door. This means their initial CVs highlight experience and skills relevant to that field. It might be a good idea to prepare a portfolio of different CV versions to suit various opportunities you’re interested in.

Direct-access CV

Highly specialised professionals targeting markets with talent shortages often bypass the foot-in-the-door approach and pursue roles directly within their expertise. Clearly explain your position, responsibilities, level of hierarchy and achievements in a way international recruiters can easily understand. Since each company has a different internal structure, be sure to clarify your position and how close you were to decision-making. Also, if you wore multiple hats, emphasise your main duties to clearly showcase your true value and fit for such specialised roles.

Research the Target Country’s Job Market

Before diving into edits, immerse yourself in the local hiring landscape. Every country has unique expectations. Start by browsing job sites like LinkedIn, Indeed International, or country-specific portals (e.g., StepStone for Germany or Monster for the US). Analyze 5-10 job postings in your field to note keywords, preferred skills and cultural nuances. Tools like Glassdoor can reveal company cultures – does the nation value work-life balance, innovation, or hierarchy? Depending on where you are targeting, highlight these skills that seem to be wanted. This research phase, aligns your CV with unspoken rules, boosting your relevance score.

Adapt Your Format and Structure

International CVs demand clarity and brevity. Two pages is enough for recruiters to skim (unless you are in a very specialised field, i.e. academia), so ditch the long CV for a clean, ATS-friendly (Applicant Tracking System) layout. Use a professional font like Arial or Calibri (10-12 pt), with clear sections: Contact Details, Professional Summary, Work Experience, Education, Skills, and Certifications.

Lead with a tailored summary: a 4-5 sentence pitch summarising your expertise and relocation enthusiasm. For example: “Dynamic marketing professional with 5+ years in digital strategy, eager to bring innovative campaigns to [Target Country]’s vibrant market. Fluent in English and Spanish, ready for immediate relocation.”

Include international elements early: list language proficiencies (e.g., CEFR levels like C1 for advanced), visas (if applicable), and willingness to relocate. Omit personal details like age, marital status, or photos unless culturally expected. Save your file as a PDF to preserve formatting.

Highlight Relevant Skills and Experiences

Expats shine by showcasing transferable skills over location-specific ones. Prioritise achievements with metrics: “Increased sales by 30% through targeted SEO” trumps vague duties. If your experience is domestic, frame it globally, mention cross-cultural projects or remote collaborations.

For abroad jobs, amplify soft skills like adaptability and cultural sensitivity. If you’ve traveled or volunteered internationally, weave it in. Technical roles? Emphasise tools common worldwide, like Salesforce or Python. Education sections should include equivalents (e.g., convert GPA to percentages for Europe). If gaps exist due to relocation prep, address them proactively: “Career break for language immersion in [Country], enhancing global communication skills.”

Tailor to the industry and use action verbs (led, optimised, collaborated).

Personalise for the Job and Company

Generic, one-size-fits-all CVs don’t work well abroad. For each job application, adjust your CV to reflect the specific job description. Aim to include about 70-80% of the key phrases – for example, if “sustainable practices” is a buzzword in green jobs, make sure to incorporate it naturally. You can use AI tools to help customise your CV, but be careful not to let the AI take the lead (AI gathers information from what’s available on the web and doesn’t have insight into who you are or the unique details of your personal situation), and watch what personal data you share. Seek help from professional CV writers if needed, just make sure they have the expertise relevant to your needs and target market. Research the company and reference their values in your summary or cover letter.

Address Visa and Relocation

Transparency builds trust. In a dedicated “Additional Information” section, state: “Eligible for [Visa Type] and available to relocate within 30 days. Open to sponsorship if required.” This reassures employers of your feasibility. Mention support networks, like family ties abroad, without oversharing. Proofread meticulously – use tools like Grammarly, then get a native speaker’s feedback. If English isn’t the primary language, consider a CV in the local language.

Final Tips for Expat Success

Tailoring your CV isn’t a one-off; iterate based on feedback from applications. Network on LinkedIn with expats in your target country for insider tips. Remember, relocation is a marathon  -pair your polished CV with a cover letter explaining your “why abroad” story.

By following these steps and personalising your CV with care, you’ll show that you’re a dedicated global professional ready for new opportunities. The world is full of possibilities – let your CV be the key that opens the door. Ready to get started? Begin updating your CV today!