Internationalizing your resume
Sarah Bell and Marilyn Shull
Career Development Center
Introduction and Goals
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We will not cover much of the “basics,”
but ideas to help you individualize your
resume and best identify and show your
skills from your international experiences
and knowledge.
Given your recent experiences, what skills
do you now have that you didn’t have or
have improved? And why?
Intro continued
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What action verbs can I use to
highlight my international skills and
attributes in my cover letter?
What are some possible interview
questions where I could incorporate
my international experiences?
Resume styles
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Chronological
Functional
Combination
International CV
Experience Section
Example #1 Chronological
EXPERIENCE
Personnel Office, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA
Student Receptionist, September 2006 - present
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Greeted and made appointments for students, faculty and staff
Recorded, typed, and distributed minutes at meetings
Answered telephones and relayed messages
Observed supervisor in daily duties
The Gap, Cranberry Mall, Cranberry, PA
Evening Manager, June - August 2006
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Recorded sales and assisted customers with purchases
Resolved employee and customer concerns
Managed and organized inventory of over 500 items weekly
Supervised two salespeople
Trained four salespeople and one manager
Experience Section
Example #2 Functional
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Customer Relations
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Assisted customers in finding and choosing products in a successful retail
store.
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Greeted students, faculty and staff in an office setting and directed their
inquiries to appropriate offices.
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Answered the telephone and recorded messages accurately in a busy office.
Supervisory Experience
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Supervised two salespeople; trained four salespeople and a manager.
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Resolved employee and customer concerns.
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Observed human resources professional in daily duties.
Organizational Skills
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Managed and organized inventory of over 500 items weekly.
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Recorded, typed, and distributed minutes for weekly meetings.
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Scheduled appointments for several professionals in office setting.
Work History
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Student Receptionist, Personnel Office, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA
(9/06-present)
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Evening Manager, The Gap, Cranberry Mall, Cranberry, PA (6/06-8/06)
Attributes sought by today’s Employers
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Communication skills
(verbal and written)
Honesty/integrity
Teamwork skills
(works well with others)
Interpersonal skills
(relates well with others)
Motiviation/initiative
International Skills Inventory
General Traits
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Enjoy change
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Sense of adventure
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Desire to seek challenges
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Open-minded
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Patient
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Curious
Adaptation and Coping Skills
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Emotional stability
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Ability to deal with stress
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Knowledge of culture shock
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Observation and adaptation skills
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Flexibility
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Sense of humour
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Self-knowledge
Source:
http://www.yorku.ca/careers/jsm/
workabroad.htm#intskills
Intercultural Communication Skills and
Traits
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Tolerant
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Sensitive
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Listening and observation skills
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Knowledge of a second language
Overseas Work Effectiveness Skills
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Independence
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Self-discipline
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Training experience
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Resourcefulness, Versatility
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Persistence
Organizational and people skills
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Leadership; Energy
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Project planning skills
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Writing skills, Verbal communication skills
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Loyalty and tenacity
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Tact
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Commitment to field of work
Highlighting the international in all of
your activities
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Employment
Volunteer work
Community
service
Social activities
Travel
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Academics
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Courses pursued
Papers written
Group projects
Language study
Study abroad
Internships
Consider the skills learned from these
activities
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Leadership
Resourcefulness
Independence
Writing skills
Communication skills
Cultural competence
Language skills
Patience and open-mindedness
Formatting your resume
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Categories on your resume
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International education
International experiences
Intercultural/language skills
If highlighting experiences, be sure
to mention the attributes listed
earlier!
Formatting your resume
(continued)
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Example: Highlight study abroad
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Directly enrolled at…
Immersed in a 4 month language
program
Conducted a four month course in
French
Demonstrated competence an flexibility
Developed the capability to assess
ambiguous situations
Interview Questions Can Highlight
International/Intercultural Experience
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Describe a personal or professional
challenge
Describe an instance in which you
communicated effectively
How have you asserted yourself
under pressure
Describe an instance in which you
used problem solving skills
Five Resume Tips for
International Resumes
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Resume vs CV – be sure you know
what to send!
Personal information is often included
Highlight the international
Cite ability to work effectively across
cultures
Have your resume translated by a
language or cultural expert
Check out: jobera.com: http://www.jobera.com/jobresumes-cvs/international-resumes-cvs/internationalcvs-resumes.htm