International Resume Format: US vs UK vs UAE vs Europe Guide | Elite Resumes

By Suhaib Karimbanakkal | 2026-01-28

I've been in HR for over fifteen years. I've reviewed resumes from Mumbai to Manchester, Dubai to Denver. And here's something that still breaks my heart: brilliant candidates getting rejected before a human ever sees their application.

Not because they weren't qualified. Because they sent a UK-style CV to an American company. Or included a photo for a Canadian role. Or used the wrong paper size—yes, that's a real thing that matters.

If you're looking to relocate internationally—whether it's chasing a dream job in Silicon Valley, building your career in the UAE, or starting fresh in London—your resume isn't just a document. It's your first conversation with a hiring manager you've never met, in a culture you might not fully understand yet.

And that conversation needs to feel familiar to them, not foreign.

This guide isn't about theory. It's about the specific, practical rules I've learned from watching thousands of international applications succeed and fail. Let me show you what actually works.

The Costly Mistake Most International Job Seekers Make

Here's what I see constantly: someone who's exceptional at their job spends hours perfecting their resume, then sends the exact same document to companies in five different countries.

They're not lazy. They just don't know what they don't know.

A two-page CV that's perfectly appropriate for the UK will make you look like you can't prioritize in the US. A resume without a photo that's standard in Canada will seem incomplete in Germany. The international resume format isn't just about translation—it's about cultural translation.

US Resume Standard: Less Is More (And They Mean It)

American hiring culture is direct. Blunt, even. They want to know what you can do for them, and they want to know it fast.

The US resume standard for foreigners coming to America can feel almost aggressive in its brevity. But that brevity isn't rudeness—it's respect for the reader's time.

What American Employers Expect

One page. Seriously. Unless you're a senior executive or academic, your resume should fit on a single page. I've seen hiring managers in the US literally refuse to flip to page two. "If they can't summarize their value in one page," one VP told me, "they'll waste my time in meetings too."

No photo. Ever. This isn't just preference—it's protection. American anti-discrimination laws are strict, and companies are terrified of even the appearance of bias based on race, age, or appearance. Include a photo on your American resume and you'll likely get auto-rejected by the ATS before anyone sees it.

No personal details. Date of birth, marital status, nationality—leave it all off. American employers don't want to know, and legally, they often can't ask.

Quantified achievements, not responsibilities. Don't tell them you "managed a team"—tell them you "led a team of 12 that increased revenue by 34% in 18 months." Americans want numbers. They trust numbers. Learn more about powerful action verbs that make your achievements stand out.

US Letter paper size. This sounds trivial until your beautifully formatted A4 resume gets printed in an American office and has strange margins and cut-off text. Format your document at 8.5 x 11 inches.

UK CV Format: The Polished Professional

The British approach to hiring is... well, British. More formal, more comprehensive, more interested in the whole picture of who you are.

First, let's clear up the terminology: in the UK, it's called a CV (curriculum vitae), not a resume. Use the wrong word and you'll immediately signal that you don't understand the local market. If you're unsure about the distinction, read our detailed breakdown on whether a CV is the same as a resume.

What British Employers Expect

Two pages is standard. You have room to breathe—use it wisely. British employers appreciate detail and context. They want to understand not just what you did, but the environment you did it in.

No photo (usually). The UK follows similar anti-discrimination principles to the US. Photos are increasingly rare and often viewed with suspicion.

A personal statement matters. Unlike the American approach, British CVs typically open with a 3-4 line personal profile or professional summary. This is your chance to show personality—something American resumes deliberately avoid. Not sure whether to use an objective or summary? Here's how to decide.

Include referees. British employers often expect "References available upon request" at minimum, and sometimes want actual names and contact details on the CV itself.

A4 paper size. The UK uses A4 (210 x 297mm), which is slightly narrower and taller than US Letter. Format accordingly.

For a deeper comparison between British and American standards, check out our complete guide on UK CV vs US Resume.

CV Format for Dubai and the UAE: Where Tradition Meets Ambition

The Gulf region is unique. It's a place where traditional expectations meet aggressive modernization, where relationships matter as much as results, and where your CV needs to tell a very specific story.

I've helped dozens of professionals relocate to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia. The CV format for Dubai that works is dramatically different from what you'd use in the West.

What Gulf Employers Expect

Include a professional photo. Yes, really. In the UAE, a photo isn't just accepted—it's expected. But it needs to be professional: business attire, neutral background, friendly but serious expression. Think corporate headshot, not vacation selfie.

Personal details are standard. Date of birth, nationality, visa status, marital status—include them all. Gulf employers want the complete picture, and there's no legal prohibition against asking.

Two to three pages is normal. The Gulf market values thoroughness. A one-page resume can actually work against you here—it might suggest you're junior or don't have much to say.

Emphasize international experience. If you've worked across multiple countries or cultures, highlight it. The UAE is one of the most internationally diverse workforces in the world, and employers value candidates who've proven they can navigate different environments.

Include visa and availability information. Employers want to know: Are you already in the region? Do you need sponsorship? How soon can you start? Being upfront about this saves everyone time.

Canadian Resume Style: Friendly, Focused, and Inclusive

Canada is often overlooked by international job seekers, but it's one of the most welcoming countries for skilled immigrants. The Canadian resume style reflects the country's values: professional but approachable, achievement-focused but not aggressive.

We've put together a comprehensive guide on how to write in Canadian resume format if you need the full breakdown.

What Canadian Employers Expect

Similar to the US, but with more flexibility. One to two pages is acceptable, depending on your experience level. Entry-level candidates should aim for one page; senior professionals can stretch to two. Here's guidance on how long your resume should be.

Absolutely no photo. Canadian human rights legislation is explicit about this. A photo on your resume will often result in immediate rejection—not because of bias, but because employers are protecting themselves legally.

No personal information. Age, marital status, religion, nationality—none of it belongs on a Canadian resume. The only personal details should be your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn URL.

Volunteer experience counts. Canadians value community involvement. If you have relevant volunteer work, include it—it's viewed much more favorably here than in most other markets.

Bilingual? Say so prominently. If you speak French and English, this is a significant advantage in Canada and should be clearly visible on your resume. Make sure you know how to properly list skills including language proficiency.

European CV Standard: The Photo Question (And Other Country-by-Country Rules)

Europe isn't a single market—it's dozens of distinct cultures with different expectations. The European CV standard varies dramatically depending on where you're applying.

If you're targeting EU countries, you might want to explore the Europass CV format, which is widely recognized across the continent.

Germany and Austria

Photo expected. Germans are direct about this—they want to see who they're potentially hiring. A professional headshot is standard practice.

Personal details included. Date of birth and nationality are normal inclusions.

Chronological format preferred. Germans value clear, logical progression. They want to see your career story unfold in order. Understanding the difference between chronological and functional formats is essential here.

Certificates and qualifications matter enormously. Include them all—Germans place high value on formal credentials. Pay special attention to your education section.

France

Photo typically expected. Like Germany, French employers generally expect to see a photo, though this is slowly changing in some industries.

Keep it to one page (usually). The French appreciate concision.

Language skills are critical. Specify your French level honestly using the Common European Framework (A1-C2).

Netherlands and Scandinavia

Photos optional and declining. These countries are moving toward the Anglo-American model of no photos.

Direct communication style. Like Americans, Dutch and Scandinavian employers appreciate clarity and brevity.

English is often acceptable. Especially in international companies, you may not need to translate your CV.

The Paper Size Problem Nobody Talks About

This might seem like the smallest detail in the world. It's not.

A4 paper (used in most of the world) is 210 x 297mm. US Letter (used in the US and Canada) is 8.5 x 11 inches (216 x 279mm). US Letter is slightly wider and shorter.

Why does this matter? When an American employer prints your A4-formatted resume on their US Letter paper, the margins shift. Text can get cut off. Your carefully designed layout looks broken. Before anyone reads a single word about your qualifications, you've already made a poor impression.

When applying to US or Canada, format your resume for US Letter. When applying to Europe, UK, UAE, or most other countries, use A4. It takes two minutes to change in your word processor. Do it. This is one of many formatting details that can make or break your application.

Resume vs CV: What's the Actual Difference?

I get asked this constantly, and the answer depends entirely on where you are.

In the United States, a "resume" is the standard job application document—typically one page, focused on relevant experience. A "CV" is a longer academic document used for research positions, professorships, or medical roles.

In the UK, Europe, and most of the rest of the world, "CV" is the standard term for what Americans call a resume. Using "resume" in the UK won't disqualify you, but it marks you as an outsider.

In Australia and New Zealand, both terms are used interchangeably, though "CV" is more common.

The simple rule: call your document whatever the locals call it. Look at job postings in your target market—do they ask for a "resume" or a "CV"? Mirror their language.

Photos and Personal Data: The Discrimination Minefield

Nothing trips up international job seekers more than the photo question.

In the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, including a photo on your resume can actually hurt you. Not because employers are biased against your appearance—but because they're legally required to avoid even the possibility of discrimination based on race, age, gender, or appearance. Many companies have policies to immediately reject any application with a photo, simply to protect themselves.

In Germany, Austria, France, and most of the Middle East, a photo is expected. Leaving it off can seem incomplete or evasive.

The same applies to personal information. In the US and Canada, including your date of birth, marital status, or nationality isn't just unnecessary—it's potentially problematic. In the UAE, leaving these details off looks like you're hiding something.

There's no universal right answer. The right answer is the one that matches local expectations.

What This Really Comes Down To

Relocating internationally is one of the bravest career moves you can make. You're not just changing jobs—you're changing contexts, cultures, and often your entire professional identity.

Your resume is the first signal you send to employers about whether you understand their world. Get the format wrong, and you're telling them—before they've read a word about your qualifications—that you haven't done your homework.

Get it right, and you've already demonstrated something valuable: you pay attention to details, you adapt to new environments, and you take your opportunities seriously.

I've seen this make the difference between getting the interview and getting ignored. Between landing the job and spending another six months searching.

You've worked too hard to let formatting details hold you back. Take the time to get your international resume format right. Your future self will thank you.

Have questions about your specific situation? Contact our team — we're here to help.