International Resume Standards: What Changes by Country

The word "resume" itself changes by region: in the US and Canada, it's a 1–2 page tailored document. In the UK and Australia, it's called a CV but is similar in length. In Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Scandinavia), CVs are typically longer, more detailed, and include personal information that American candidates would never include. In Japan and South Korea, the format is often a standard template specific to that country.

Key differences by region: Photo policy — Germany and many European countries traditionally include a professional headshot; the US, UK, Canada, and Australia strongly discourage it to prevent discrimination. Personal information — Age, marital status, and nationality are included in Germany, Japan, and parts of the Middle East; never included in North America or the UK. Length — US resumes max out at 2 pages; German Bewerbung (applications) can be 3–5 pages with supporting documents; UK CVs are typically 2 pages. Chronological order — All major markets use reverse chronological except Japan, which often uses chronological. References — "References available on request" is common in the US; in the UK, references are often included.

If you're applying internationally, research the specific norms for your target country. LinkedIn is a useful benchmark — look at profiles of professionals in that country in your target role to understand local conventions. Never submit your standard document without adapting it first.

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