Writing a resume in English when it is not your first language raises two sets of questions. The first is linguistic: which words sound natural, which tense to use, how to avoid literal translations. The second is cultural: what English-speaking employers expect to see, what they would find unusual, and whether the rules differ from one country to another.
This guide addresses both. It will not turn your resume into a language exercise, but it will help you avoid the most common traps and present your experience in a way that reads naturally to an international recruiter.
CV or resume: what is the difference?
The two terms cause confusion because they mean different things in different places.
- In the US and Canada, a resume is the standard document for job applications: concise, focused on relevant experience, usually one or two pages. A CV (curriculum vitae) is a longer, detailed record used mainly in academia, research and medicine, listing publications, grants, conferences and teaching.
- In the UK, Ireland and many other countries, CV is the everyday term for what Americans call a resume. It is typically up to two pages long.
- In Australia and New Zealand, both terms are used, often interchangeably.
- International organizations may use either. Follow the wording in the job ad.
In practice: if a US employer asks for a resume, send a concise document. If a UK employer asks for a CV, send the same kind of concise document, not a ten-page academic record.
US and UK conventions at a glance
| Element | US resume | UK CV |
|---|---|---|
| Usual length | One page early in a career, two at most | Up to two pages |
| Opening section | Summary or professional summary | Personal profile or personal statement |
| Photo | Not expected | Not expected |
| Date of birth, marital status | Left out | Left out |
| Spelling | analyze, organize, program | analyse, organise, programme |
| Grades | GPA, if strong | Degree classification, such as a 2:1 |
| References | Usually omitted | Often omitted or offered on request |
| Paper size | Letter | A4 |
In both markets, fair hiring norms mean that personal details such as age, religion or a photo are generally left out. You may still mention your right to work where relevant, for example "Eligible to work in the UK" or "Authorized to work in the US," especially if you are applying from abroad.
Language that sounds natural
Drop the pronouns
English resumes rarely use "I." Instead of "I managed a team of eight," write "Managed a team of eight." The subject is implied. This can feel strange if resumes in your language use full sentences, but it is the norm.
Start bullets with action verbs
Each bullet point should begin with a strong verb: led, built, analyzed, negotiated, launched. Our list of resume action verbs, organized by field, can help you vary your vocabulary.
Use the right tense
- Current role: present tense for ongoing responsibilities, such as "Manage supplier relationships."
- Past roles: past tense, such as "Managed supplier relationships."
Be consistent within each job.
Keep sentences short
Long, complex sentences are a common sign that text has been translated from another language. Break them up. One idea per bullet point is a good rule.
False friends and literal translations
Some words look similar across languages but mean something different in English, or they sound unnatural in a professional context. A few common examples:
- "Formation" is used in several languages to mean training or education. In English, use "Education" or "Training."
- "Stage" or "practicum" may be familiar to you, but in US and UK resumes, "Internship" is the standard term. UK employers also say "placement" or "work experience."
- "Actual" means "real" in English, not "current." Write "current position," not "actual position."
- "Eventually" means "in the end," not "possibly."
- "Competences" is understandable, but "skills" is far more common.
- "Licence" refers to a bachelor's degree in some countries. In English, translate the level rather than the name: "Bachelor's degree in Economics."
When in doubt, look at how similar roles are described in English-language job ads and borrow that vocabulary.
Translating qualifications and job titles
Degrees, grades and job titles rarely map one-to-one between countries. A few principles:
- Give the equivalent level, then keep the original name if it adds clarity: "Master's degree in Finance (Diplôme de Grande École), Rivemont Business School."
- Explain grading systems only if it helps. A grade out of 20 means little to a UK recruiter; "graduated with honours" is clearer, as long as it is accurate.
- Translate job titles into their usual English equivalent rather than word for word. If your title has no clear equivalent, add a short descriptor.
- Keep employer names as they are, and add a brief description if the organization is not known abroad: "Atelier Corvenne (regional furniture retailer, 120 employees)."
Language skills: how to describe them
List your languages in a dedicated section with a clear level. Many international employers, especially in Europe, understand the CEFR scale from A1 to C2. You can combine it with a plain description:
- French: native
- English: fluent (C1)
- Spanish: intermediate (B1)
Avoid vague labels like "good knowledge." If you hold a recognized language certificate, mention it with your result, but do not overstate your level: an interview in English will reveal it quickly.
Proofreading when English is not your first language
Even confident English speakers make small errors that native readers notice. Some practical steps:
- Choose US or UK spelling and stick to it, matching the country of the job.
- Check prepositions: "responsible for," "experience in," "skilled at."
- Watch capitalization: English capitalizes languages and nationalities ("French," "German"), but not ordinary nouns in the middle of a sentence.
- Read the text aloud to catch awkward phrasing.
- Ask a fluent speaker to review it, ideally someone familiar with hiring.
AI writing tools can help you rephrase sentences more naturally. If you use the suggestions in IdealCV or any other tool, treat them as proposals and check that the meaning has not changed.
Format details that matter
- Paper size: the US uses Letter; the UK and most other countries use A4. Export your PDF in the right size so it prints correctly.
- Dates: write months in words, such as "March 2024," to avoid confusion between the US month-first and UK day-first numeric formats.
- Phone number: include the international dialing code if you are applying abroad.
- Location: city and country are enough. A full street address is no longer expected.
A clean, simple layout helps non-native speakers too, because it lets the content speak for itself. Browse the resume templates or check resume examples written in English to see these conventions applied.
Key takeaways
- In the US, a resume is concise and a CV is academic; in the UK, CV is the everyday term.
- Drop pronouns, start bullets with action verbs and keep sentences short.
- Watch for false friends and translate qualifications by level, not word for word.
- Describe language skills with a clear scale such as CEFR.
- Match spelling, paper size and date formats to the country of the job.