March 13, 2025 
7 mins to read Writing a good international CV is something we are never really taught – maybe you also just took advice from your parents, siblings, and a little bit of Google and ChatGPT? Keep reading if you want to know what you should exclude and include on your CV in order to get the job interview.
Not only do you have to convince your employer that you can do the job, but also that you are the perfect person for it, and that you are better than other candidates. When applying for a job abroad, having a great international CV is important. We know that you are a superstar, but the truth is, your CV is the number one factor that can get you the perfect job, and messing it up or not making it stand out enough can cost you your dream job.
In this guide, we will cover the top 5 mistakes people make when writing an international CV and how to fix them. This way your CV becomes your strongest asset. If you’re looking to make a CV now, head over to our CV Builder. It will give you a free CV template to make your resume stand out.
Mistake #1: Your international CV is too long
Recruiters have to go through hundreds of CVs when looking for a perfect candidate. That means they don’t have time to read through long and extensive essays about your experiences. Our best recommendation is to make your CV short and specific. Our fun rule is, unless you won a Nobel Prize, or are applying for a CEO position, there is no need to make your international CV longer than one page.
It is important to emphasize what you have achieved, helped with and made better, but the stories and statements have to be concise, specific and without unnecessary, poetic descriptions. Here are some tips that you can use:
- Keep your CV one page long
- Focus on achievements, not just responsibilities
- Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs
- Include measurable success metrics (like KPI’s) to show impact
To give you an example, when talking about your Customer Service Consultant job:
DON’T:
Provide a WEAK description that is vague, passive and lacks specific numbers and achievements:
“During my time as a Customer Service Representative, I was involved in a variety of tasks that required me to interact with customers daily. I also participated in team meetings and training sessions, which helped me to improve my skills and knowledge. I was able to handle a high volume of calls and emails, and I consistently received positive feedback from customers and colleagues.”
DO:
Write a STRONG argument that includes some measurable successes, uses an active voice, and a short description:
“Improved customer satisfaction scores by 15% within six months through proactive problem resolution and streamlined communication protocols. Consistently exceeded the monthly target of 95% first-call resolution, contributing to a 10% reduction in repeat customer inquiries.”
Mistake #2: Poorly defined language skills on your international CV
The demand for bilingual employees is always high. So speaking more than one language is surely an advantage to any CV, and you should include it in almost all cases. But, the way you describe it has to be accurate and informative.
Writing that your English score is 10 doesn’t say much, but writing that your English is at a B2 level gives a much stronger indication of how you can use it in the workplace. This description is formed by a Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which is the standard for assessing the language skills of a person across Europe.
If you are unsure about what level of language you have and don’t want to spend too much money and time on acquiring certifications like ELTS or TOEFL, you can try out the free EF quizzes. Also, check out our guide on how to Illustrate your language skills on a CV for extra tips.
DON’T:
Write that your Dutch is good, 8/10, communicative
DO:
Write that your Dutch is C1, IELTS 100/120
Mistake #3: Unprofessional CV pictures
Not all jobs require a picture of your face, but it’s a great addition for international CVs that are used to apply for customer-facing roles or roles that require a lot of interaction. Your face can make the CV memorable and personal. However, the picture that you use can’t just be any picture.
DON’T use:
- Group pictures
- Cropped images
- Bad lighting
- Unnatural poses
- Filters and heavy edits
- Heavy makeup and bolt accessories
- Provocative or revealing clothes
DO use:
- A neutral background
- Natural look/makeup
- Friendly facial expression
- Work-related items and surroundings
- Professional clothing, a classic shirt is always a good idea
If you’re making a CV for a specific position like a Customer Service Representative or a waiter, it’s a great to include some props. They will make the picture show how you fit the position. Think about wearing an earpiece or a headset, or putting on an apron, so that the hiring manager can already imagine you in this role.”
Linda – Job Squad Founder, International recruiter
Mistake #4: Adding too much personal information
Some personal details should be featured on your international CV. Apart from your skills and experience, you also need some personal information. However, you do not need to include everything about yourself when writing your CV. Before adding any additional information, please consider if it’s essential and will be necessary to picture you as a perfect employee. If not, just skip that information and focus on what really matters. Below you can see examples of information that should definitely not be included in your CV.
DON’T include:
- Your exact home address
- Your personal phone number (unless it’s also your professional)
- Your birthplace
- Your middle school education (unless it’s essential to the job)
- Marital status
- Social security number
DO include:
- Your name and surname
- Professional email and phone number
- The city you are currently residing in
Mistake #5: Overly decorative CV template
Unless your job is in a creative field or requires certain graphic design abilities, making your international CV too decorative and colourful is unnecessary. If a CV is filled with funky fonts, flashy pictures, and contrasting colours, it might be perceived as unprofessional or even childish.
A lot of available templates ignore that advice, and encourage you to make your CV look like a comic book. The truth is, the best CV template includes very simple colours like white, black, navy blue or gray and is supposed to drive attention to the content, not the form.
DON’T use a CV template that is:
- Very colourful
- Overloaded with pictures
- Decorated with logos and icons
- Designed like an advertisement brochure
DO use a CV template that is:
- Bright, with simple colours
- Focused on easy-to-read text
- Clean, concise, and simple
A great free tool for trying different options of how your CV could look is Canva. But the best and most simple CV template that you can use to make your international CV for free is our CV Builder.
Make your international CV work for you
Even though preparing the right international CV can be hard you can be sure that you are on the right track if you follow the above advice. Don’t be afraid to keep trying if your CV doesn’t look perfect on the first try. With some feedback and editing, we guarantee that you’ll get the job you’ve always dreamt of.
If making your CV on your own seems like too much work, or you don’t know where to start, don’t be afraid to contact us. Our recruiters will not only help you shape your career, but will also help you with creating your perfect CV, for free.
