When deciding to study abroad, it is common to look for destinations where you can study and, at the same time, work, as is the case in Australia and New Zealand. After all, this is a way to gain professional experience abroad, make contacts, improve your English skills, etc. However, before embarking for the chosen country, many of them wonder how to make an international resume.
This is because, without a well-organized and structured CV, it becomes more difficult to apply for a job and be selected, regardless of whether it is part-time or full-time. With that in mind, we’ve put together some tips that will help you assemble your document. Follow up!
Search ready-made resume templates on the internet
The first one is quite simple: if you are unsure about how to make an international resume, search the internet for CV templates that are common in your study destination. On Google, you can find not only several detailed images of what should be included in this document, but also templates to download and edit.
In this way, you will only need to organize your information, translate it and pass it on to him, as the layout will be ready. That is, you save time, make the process faster and reduce (a lot) the chances of making mistakes or mistakes.
Pay attention to the data that should not be missing
With the resume template defined, it’s time to pay attention to the information you will make available in the document. After all, if they are incomplete or outdated, it will be difficult to convey credibility and security, isn’t it?
So, in addition to the most obvious data, such as full name, date of birth, email and country of origin, don’t forget to enter (and especially review):
- the address and local telephone number for contact;
- the languages you master;
- academic training in your own country and current training in Australia or New Zealand;
- professional experience in your own country.
Don’t lie about your fluency in other languages
Just now, we mentioned that you must inform in your CV which languages you speak. However, no inventing or exaggerating on this subject, saying, for example, that you are fluent in English when you only have intermediate knowledge of the language or even that you are multilingual.
Remember that, as the saying goes, lying is short-legged and this is easy to prove, as you will certainly be interviewed by the contractor during the selection process and may even be subjected to proficiency tests in the languages you claim. So be as honest as possible, especially if you’re applying for a job that involves direct contact with the public.
Specify your professional experiences
When addressing the professional experiences you had in your own country in your international resume, don’t be vague, ok? Avoid the habit that many people have of just saying what position they held and for how long.
Keep in mind that the person who might hire you wants to know what roles you performed, as this will help them determine whether or not you are fit to take on the position they offer. So follow our examples:
- tourism assistant, from 04/2018 to 10/2018. Responsible for: exchange rate quotes, booking travel and accommodation, customer service, organizing programs and sightseeing tours;
- marketing analyst, from 01/2017 to 11/2018. Responsible for: event organization, product dissemination actions, brand image planning, social media management; creation of online and offline campaigns.
Be objective when making your international resume
Being vague is bad, but so is the opposite extreme. Therefore, avoid being wordy when preparing your international resume. Yes, it may seem cliché to say this, but believe me: there are still many people who forget the importance of being clear and objective and practically turn it into a diary with as many pages as it has!
Want examples of what to avoid? Well, here are a few: insert strengths and weaknesses, address personal interests, talk about supposed talents, comment on jobs you’ve had, and so on. That is, details that are not relevant, do not add anything and make your resume extensive and tiring. So just focus on the data we’ve already mentioned, right?
Be careful with literal translations
When making an international resume, many people tend to reuse the data they have on the CV used in their own countries instead of creating one from scratch – which is not wrong. However, you have to be careful if this is your choice.
The reason for this is that literal translations from one language into English, especially of professional market terms and academic expressions, are not always correct. Many, even, can leave the document confusing and with double meaning.
Therefore, it is worth researching the correct way to approach them in the English language and using as a reference the CV templates already made available on the internet. Thus, the chances of making a mistake are significantly reduced.
Have letters of recommendation and introduction
Another important tip that can be the big difference for your hiring is to provide a letter of recommendation and/or introduction.
The reason for this is that, if your desire is to work with something related to your area of study in undergraduate or graduate studies abroad, such as research conducted by professors and projects in university environments, the international resume will most likely not be enough to win a spot. In these cases, it is essential to have a letter written by:
- a former employer or former teacher who serves as a reference for their professional/academic experience and skills;
- yourself, talking about your motivations for getting involved in this work and how this opportunity will be essential not only for your education, but also for your career.
Count on the support of the educational institution when preparing your CV
Finally, here’s an extra tip: count on the support of the educational institution where you will study, be it a school or a university, to make your international resume in the best possible way.
After all, it is quite common, especially in Australia, for educational centers to offer not only support material on the topic, but also workshops, lectures and training to help you write a great CV.
On top of that, they also provide information and referrals about the certificates you will need to obtain to work in certain segments in the country, such as customer service – which requires the RSA -, the gastronomy area – which requires the FSS – and the child care – which requires the blue card.
It is also worth remembering that some education agencies, especially those with a long history in the market and great performance in Oceania countries also offer the necessary assistance during this process.
Now that you know how to put together a complete international CV, it will be easier to apply for different jobs during your stay in Australia or New Zealand, and thus not only have the possibility to study, but also enter the job market in these countries that receive so many international students.
