How to Adapt Your CV to International Recruiters’ Standards
By Job Search and Interview Preparation

Your CV works well at home, but your applications abroad go unanswered? Recruiters at international organisations, NGOs and multinationals sort through hundreds of applications, often with the help of automated screening software (ATS). A CV that is too long, poorly structured or full of unnecessary personal details can be rejected before anyone reads it. The good news: a few adjustments are enough to speak these recruiters’ language. Here is how to adapt your CV, step by step.

Key points to develop

  1. One to two pages maximum, with your experience in reverse chronological order.
  2. Standard section headings (“Professional Experience”, “Education”, “Skills”) that ATS software can read.
  3. Keywords from the job ad, used word for word in your skills and responsibilities.
  4. Quantified results rather than tasks: “Managed a $200,000 budget” instead of “Budget management”.
  5. No unnecessary personal details: leave out your photo, age, marital status and religion for English-speaking recruiters and most international organisations.
  6. A polished English version, saved as a PDF and consistent with your LinkedIn profile.

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