Country CV guides
How to write a CV for the country you're applying in.
Length, photos, personal details, spelling and job boards for 10 key countries, plus region guides for 4 regions that cover their neighbours. Kept up to date by our writers and followed on every order.
North America
North America guideAlso covered in the region guide: Mexico, US federal jobs, Quebec.
EuropeEMEA
Europe guideAlso covered in the region guide: Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Poland.
Middle East & GulfEMEA
Middle East & Gulf guideAlso covered in the region guide: Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman.
Asia-PacificAPAC
Asia-Pacific guideAlso covered in the region guide: Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan.
At a glance
CV conventions compared
| Country | Called | Length | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | CV | 2 pages (1 for school leavers and some graduates) | No |
| Ireland | CV | 2 pages | No |
| United States | Resume | 1 page (early career), 2 pages (experienced) | No |
| Canada | Resume | 1 to 2 pages | No |
| Australia | Resume | 2 to 3 pages | No |
| New Zealand | CV | 2 to 3 pages | No |
| United Arab Emirates | CV | 2 pages (3 for senior roles) | Common, professional headshot |
| Saudi Arabia | CV | 2 pages (3 for senior roles) | Common |
| Qatar | CV | 2 pages (3 for senior roles) | Common |
| Germany | Lebenslauf | 1 to 2 pages | Optional |
FAQ
International CVs
Mainly because of employment law and hiring habits. Countries with strong anti-discrimination laws (UK, US, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand) discourage photos and personal details. Gulf employers hire internationally and need nationality, visa status and notice periods. Germany favours a complete, tabular timeline.
Rarely without changes. Your achievements stay the same, but length, personal details, spelling and emphasis should change. Every PenworthCV package includes a back-up CV that can be written for a second country.
Yes. Each region guide covers the other countries in that region, such as Switzerland, the Nordics, Kuwait, Oman, Singapore and Hong Kong. For anywhere else, tell us the country when you order and we'll follow its conventions.
A few countries set the conventions their neighbours follow: Germany for Switzerland and Austria, the UK for the Netherlands and the Nordics, the UAE for the rest of the Gulf, Australia for much of English-language Asia-Pacific. Region guides tell you which guide to follow and what changes.
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Applying abroad?
Your package includes a back-up CV, so your writer can cover two countries at once.