If you apply for jobs in more than one country, you have probably heard conflicting advice: put a photo, never put a photo, write a CV, write a resume. The truth is that habits differ by country and by employer, and there is no single global rule.
This guide describes the common habits in India, the UK, Canada and African countries, and gives you one dependable method for every case. It is general advice, not a legal rule. The job post and the employer's own instructions always come first.
The one rule that overrides everything
Read the job post and the application page. If they ask for a photo, a date of birth, a certain length or a particular form, follow that. If they do not mention it, choose the cleaner option: clear contact details, relevant experience first, and no personal details that are not needed for the job.
"Resume" or "CV"? It depends where you are
- UK and Ireland: "CV" is the normal word for the document you send for a job.
- Canada and the US: "resume" is the normal word. "CV" usually means a longer academic or research document.
- India: both words are used for the same thing in most private-sector jobs.
- Many African countries: "CV" is the common word, and it often has the same shape as a resume.
Our guide to the difference between a resume and a CV explains this in more detail. If you are unsure, use the word that appears in the job post.
Common habits by country
The notes below describe what is usual, not what is required. Employers and sectors vary.
India
- One or two pages is common. Freshers usually use one.
- Personal details such as date of birth, marital status or a photo appear on some older formats, but they are not needed for most private-sector applications and are not a good use of space.
- Education is often listed prominently, especially for freshers, with the course, institute and year.
- For jobs in a government department or a company with a prescribed form, use their format exactly.
United Kingdom
- "CV" of up to two pages is the usual length.
- A photo, date of birth, marital status and national insurance number do not belong on a CV.
- A short personal profile at the top, then work history with the most recent role first, then education.
- References are normally requested later, so "References available on request" is acceptable.
Canada
- A one or two page resume. Keep it focused on the job you are applying for.
- Do not include a photo, age, marital status or similar details. Employers generally do not ask for them.
- Use clear, achievement-focused bullets and Canadian spelling where you are comfortable doing so.
- If you have international experience, say where the employer was and what the role was, so the reader understands it.
African countries
Practice varies a lot between countries and sectors, so check the employer's instructions carefully.
- "CV" is the usual name, and one to two pages is a good target for most jobs.
- Some employers still expect personal details such as nationality or date of birth, or a passport-style photo. If the job post asks for them, include them. If it does not, a text-only CV is the safer choice.
- Referees (named people who can speak for you) are often expected, so ask permission and write their name, role and contact details.
- Add language skills and any professional registration or licence by its full name.
What stays the same everywhere
- Your name and working phone number and email at the top.
- A short summary of what you do and what you want.
- Experience and skills that match the job, with the most relevant first.
- Honest dates and job titles.
- A clean, one-column layout that software can read.
Employers use applicant tracking software in many countries, so plain text and standard headings help everywhere. Test your file with our free ATS resume checker.
Applying from one country to another
Add your city and country in the header so the employer knows where you are. If you need a visa or work permit, say so plainly if the job post asks, and avoid long explanations on the resume. If your degree or employer is not well known in the new country, add a short line that explains it, such as the type of company or the level of the qualification.
For a quick start, use one of our free resume templates and the CV builder, and change the details to match the country and the job.