| Introduction | | | | would suggest that the applicant has not taken the |
| We receive resume and cover letter writing requests | | | | time to learn the communication styles in the work |
| from job seekers all over world who are interested in | | | | environment and thus may not fit in so well. |
| employment in Canada, the US and UK. We have | | | | Personal Information Not Related to the Job. |
| received resumes from job seekers in India, China, | | | | In Canada and the US, Human Rights legislation |
| Philippines, Germany, Poland, and Russia to name a | | | | prohibits hiring discrimination based on grounds such |
| few. From working with these international customers | | | | as religion, race, marital status, age, and so on. As |
| we observe common mistakes made in their CV's. | | | | such, application forms will not include fields for this |
| While we cannot cover the topic of resume writing, | | | | type of information and professional interviewers are |
| this article includes some common observations and | | | | trained not ask for this type of information in an |
| practical resume tips for immigrant and foreign | | | | employment interview. While it may be accepted |
| workers interested in applying for work in Canada, | | | | practice in some countries for job seekers to include |
| the US and the UK. | | | | such information in their application, it is not accepted |
| Spelling, Grammar and Writing Style | | | | practice in some countries such as Canada, US and |
| It is important to ensure your resume and cover | | | | the UK. |
| letter does not contain spelling mistakes and | | | | We have received many resumes containing photos |
| grammatical errors. These types of errors can | | | | and personal information such as religion, marital |
| significantly reduce your chances of being considered | | | | status, age and so on. While we just advised you not |
| for a job. In fact, many employers will toss your | | | | to include a photo or your age, in some situations |
| application if they spot these types of mistakes. For | | | | you may be asked to do so. For example, in some |
| foreign applicants, spelling mistakes and grammatical | | | | industries like modeling or acting it is common practice |
| errors are especially damaging since they can lead the | | | | as it may be a requirement of the job to cast an |
| employer to conclude that applicant has a poor | | | | individual to play a certain age. The important point |
| command of English. It is important to use spell check | | | | here is to know the work culture and environment |
| and grammar tools function in your word processing | | | | that you want to become a part of. You want to |
| software before submitting your resume. Another | | | | avoid sending flags to the employer that may |
| option is to have a professional write it for you or at | | | | suggest that you would not fit in. |
| the very least someone competent to proof your | | | | Leverage Your Strengths |
| resume. If you prefer to do it yourself, you may | | | | Foreign applicants frustrated with a lack response |
| enroll in a resume writing course . Many of these | | | | need to know that many employers do value foreign |
| courses focus on providing resume templates or | | | | experience and knowledge. Companies commonly |
| resume samples instead of teaching resume writing | | | | seek to gain this foreign knowledge by sending their |
| techniques. While resume templates may be easy to | | | | top managers and executives to international offices |
| follow the template presented may not be best | | | | or by participating in an employment exchange |
| suited for your particular employment background. | | | | program. While employer may value international |
| For this reason, we advise courses that teach | | | | experience, it is your responsibility to communicate to |
| resume writing skills and concepts rather than | | | | the employer how they will benefit from your |
| providing resume templates. | | | | experience. It is important that you leverage your |
| Unlike spelling mistakes and grammatical errors, | | | | international experience to your advantage. Perhaps |
| inappropriate writing style is not so easy to identify. | | | | the prospective employer can benefit from your |
| Nonetheless paying attention to writing style can pay | | | | relationships that you have in your native country. Or |
| huge dividends. Your writing style can signal to the | | | | it can be as simple as your language or knowledge of |
| employer that you have paid attention to learning | | | | a specific culture. |
| about the local work culture and how professionals | | | | In summary, we have observed many common |
| communicate within it. For example a cover letter | | | | mistakes made in resumes from foreign applicants. |
| from a foreign applicant that ends with, "I am very | | | | Learning how to fit in, while leveraging your |
| excited about this opportunity and would welcome | | | | differences is the key to success in the employment |
| meeting with you to discuss my qualifications in detail. | | | | market. Learning how to fit in doesn't mean losing |
| I am available for an interview at your convenience" | | | | your culture. It means learning basic business writing |
| suggests that the applicant has paid attention to how | | | | and showing that you can communicate effectively |
| business professional communicate in North America. | | | | with local professionals. By following the tips above, |
| On the other hand, a cover letter that ends with, "I | | | | you will make your resume more "North American" |
| would be most respectfully thankful if you would | | | | friendly. |
| accept my application for your excellent company" | | | | |