GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

SWEDEN

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (Include):

1. Photo

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills
2. Computer Skills

Education:

1. Provide focus areas during upper secondary school/high school (i.e. specific courses/programs)
2. Indicate if you studied abroad

Professional Experience:

1. Indicate whether it was full or part time work
2. Explain gaps in emp loyment
3. For part time work, explain why you didn’t choose full time

Military Experience: Include with focus on training, field of responsibility, and managerial positions. List dates and location of service.

Interests/Hobbies: Briefly mention

Format: Begin with education, followed by professional experience

Length: No more than two pages

Other: It’s important you have your resume/CV “attested” or “verified.” Ask someone who can verify information’s validity (i.e. a parent, teacher or good acquaintance). Have them sign final page of resume/CV, references, grades, etc.

Cover Letter Guidelines

1. Position you’re applying for and why
2. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company
3. Include when you started current position, work content, field of responsibility, organizational level/reporting structure, name of employer.
4. Personal data: Include marital status, ability to relocate, availability to travel for business
5. Recent volunteer experience, longer periods of foreign travel, your future professional goals
6. Indicate if you’re presently unemployed

Length and Format: No more than one page; A4 page setup rather than 8 ½” x 11”

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (Include):

1. Date of Birth
2. Place of Birth
3. Marital Status

Education:

1. List high school/secondary school name, location and graduation date
2. Indicate if you studied abroad
3. Do NOT mention extracurricular activities

Professional Experience:

1. Use company descriptors

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills (proficiency: basic, middle, high or fluent)
2. Computer Skills

Volunteer Experience: Should be supplied

Interests/Hobbies: Briefly mention

Format: Personal information first, followed by education and experience
A4 page setup rather than 8 ½” x 11”

Length: No more than three pages; two pages is customary

Cover Letter Guidelines

1. Position you’re applying for and why
2. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company

Length and Format: No more than one page; A4 page setup rather than 8 ½” x 11”

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

SOUTH AFRICA

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (Include):

1. Date of Birth
2. Marital Status
3. Nationality

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills (include level of proficiency)
2. Computer Skills
3. Public Speaking
4. Specialized Training

Education:

1. List high school/secondary school name and graduation date

Professional Experience:

1. Use company descriptors
2. Explain gaps in employment

Formats:

1. Brief profile: Summarized version of comprehensive resume that includes personal data, educational background. Professional experience is not elaborated. Current or relevant positions are detailed. Brief profiles are submitted initially.

2. Comprehensive CV: Includes specifics in each position you’ve held. Begin with personal data, then education, followed by experience. Chronological, reverse chronological or functional formats are all acceptable

Length: No restrictions

Cover Letter Guidelines

1. Include qualifications and area of expertise
2. Name current employer and describe your position
3. If applying to a job posting, list the reference and job title at top of page
4. A work permit is required if you are not a South African
5. Explain why you are not presently employed
6. Specify availability to interview

Length: No more than one page

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

SINGAPORE

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (Include):

1. Age
2. Race
3. Nationality
4. Sex

Education:

1. List high school/secondary school name and graduation date
2. Include extracurricular activities during high school and college

Professional Experience:

1. Indicate your reason(s) for leaving
2. Explain gaps in employment

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills (especially the ability to speak Mandarin. Japanese, Bahasa Indonesian/Malaysia, or Thai are useful. Helpful Chinese dialects are: Cantonese in Hong Kong and Kwang-chou, and Hokkien in Taiwan and some parts of China.

2. Computer Skills

3. GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – US Companies)

4. GAP (General Accounting Principles – British Companies)

Military Service: Include rank, achievements, areas of training, responsibilities

Hobbies/Interests: Include to give employer idea of what kind of person you are (can also mention religious interests)

Length: No longer than three pages; one page is most common


Cover Letter Guidelines

1. Address to a specific person
2. In Singapore, Chinese surname appears first (i.e. Tan Eng Hock should be written as Mr. Tan)