Many professionals now apply in more than one country at once: the UK and the Gulf, Canada and Australia, Germany and the UK. The experience is the same, but the expectations aren't. Sending one CV to both usually means it's wrong for at least one of them.
What to keep the same
- Your achievements, numbers and career story.
- Dates, job titles and employers. These must match your LinkedIn and any background check.
- A clean, ATS-friendly layout.
What to change
- Personal details: photo, nationality, visa status, date of birth. See each country guide.
- Length: one page for a US early-career resume, two to three for Australia.
- Spelling: British, American, Canadian or Australian English.
- Context: explain employers and qualifications a local recruiter won't know.
- Work rights: state them clearly for the country you're applying to.
Worked example: UK and UAE
| UK version | UAE version | |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | None | Professional headshot |
| Nationality | Leave out | Include |
| Location and status | Town and "Full right to work in the UK" | "Dubai, UAE resident visa" or "Available to relocate" |
| Notice period | Usually left for interview | Often on the CV |
| Regional emphasis | UK and European results first | GCC and international results first |
The easy way
Every PenworthCV package includes a back-up CV. Tell us your second country when you order, and your writer will produce both versions together so they're consistent where they should be and different where they need to be.
