How to write a CV for abroad: the guide that makes the difference
You are preparing your application for an internship abroad and wondering whether your French CV will get past international recruiters?
Good question. And good news: the answer is rarely “yes, without changing anything”.
A CV for abroad is an exercise of its own.
Format, language, content, photo, keywords: every detail matters. Here are the 7 golden rules for writing an international CV that will help you stand out from the very first read.
The myth to forget: “my French CV will be enough”
This is the number one mistake made by candidates applying for an internship abroad.
A French CV translated word for word into English almost never works. Why? Because the rules differ from one country to another:
- In the United States, it is called a “Resume” (1 page max, no photo)
- In the United Kingdom, it is a CV (2 pages max)
- In Germany, it is longer and very structured
- In Spain, Italy or Malta, the European format is more flexible
In short, before writing, ask yourself: which country is my CV for?
1. Adapt the format to the target country
Every country has its own rules. You do not have to follow all of them to the letter, but ignoring them is risky.
The main guidelines to know:
- 🇺🇸 United States: Resume on 1 page, no photo, no date of birth, no nationality
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: CV on 2 pages max, generally without a photo
- 🇩🇪 Germany: very structured CV, professional photo often expected
- 🇪🇸 🇮🇹 🇲🇹 Southern Europe / Malta: flexible format or Europass, photo and English welcome
As Indeed Career Advice explains, an American CV must be scannable in 7 seconds. That is the average time a recruiter spends reading it the first time.
2. Photo, age, nationality: what changes everything
This is one of the biggest traps of international CVs.
To remember:
- English-speaking countries (US, UK, Canada, Ireland): no photo, no age, no nationality, no civil status. This is a matter of non-discrimination.
- Continental Europe (France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Malta): professional photo welcome, date of birth accepted
- Asia (Japan, Korea): photo required, sometimes even detailed civil status
When in doubt? It is better to keep it simple. A CV without a photo will work everywhere. The opposite will not.
3. Write in THE language of the country, or in English
Simple rule:
- English-speaking country → English, period
- Germany, Spain, Italy → the local language is a real plus, and sometimes required
- When in doubt or for an international company → professional English
And forget raw automatic translations. A poorly translated CV is eliminatory. Have it proofread by a native speaker, or use DeepL combined with LinkedIn to check your technical vocabulary.
Bonus: if you speak several languages, indicate your level precisely (A1 to C2 according to the CEFR, or “native / fluent / professional / conversational”).
4. Highlight your international experiences, even small ones
You do not have much professional experience abroad yet? That is not a problem.
What you can, and should, highlight:
- Erasmus semesters and exchanges
- Short internships abroad
- Summer jobs in a foreign country
- International volunteering (WWOOF, NGOs, humanitarian missions)
- Courses taken in English during your studies
- Multicultural team projects
A foreign recruiter does not expect you to have already lived abroad for 10 years. They want to see that you are comfortable in an international environment.
According to The Muse, recruiters mainly value the soft skills linked to international experience: adaptability, open-mindedness, intercultural communication.
5. Think ATS: your keywords can save you
Large companies use ATS, Applicant Tracking Systems. Software that scans your CV before a human reads it.
If your keywords do not match the job offer? Your CV will never pass the filter.
How to optimize it?
- Use the keywords from the job offer in your CV (skills, tools, job titles)
- Use a simple format (no tables, no complex columns, no exotic fonts)
- Choose a machine-readable PDF (not an image)
- Keep a clear structure: title, company, dates, missions
It is less “creative”, but it is extremely effective.
6. The cover letter: a must in the English-speaking world
In France, the cover letter is gradually disappearing. Abroad, it is the opposite.
A cover letter in English is very often expected by American, British and Northern European recruiters.
What it should contain:
- One paragraph to introduce yourself and explain why you are applying
- One paragraph to sell your added value (skills, concrete projects)
- One paragraph to conclude with a call to action (interview, exchange)
As Harvard Business Review reminds us, a good cover letter does not repeat your CV: it tells your story.
7. Take care of visual consistency
An international CV is also a CV that inspires confidence at first glance.
A few simple rules:
- One single, simple font (Calibri, Arial, Helvetica)
- Regular margins
- A clear title (“Marketing Intern”, “Hospitality Intern”… not “M1 Student”)
- Dates in international format (Jan 2025 to Jun 2025)
- A PDF, never a raw Word document
And above all: have it proofread. An English mistake on a CV is as visible as a coffee stain.
Why get support from Stud&Globe?
Because we proofread, advise and know the expectations of recruiters in every country where we place interns.
Concretely, we help you:
- ✅ Adapt your CV to the target country and sector
- ✅ Improve your presentation in English, or another language
- ✅ Identify the skills to highlight for YOUR profile
- ✅ Prepare for your interview
- ✅ Maximize your chances with every application
You save time. You avoid classic mistakes. You leave with a CV that opens doors.
Ready to boost your CV to go abroad?
A good international CV is 70% of your application. The rest is your motivation and your interview.
And the good news? These 7 rules are enough to help you stand out from the very first read.
