ABSTRACT
International students face more hurdles than other students in composing their résumés. This is because your path to graduation might have been different than other students, or perhaps you have specific skills (like languages) that other students don’t have. Highlighting the value of an international education can be difficult on a résumé or in a cover letter.
A résumé is your professional calling card. It tells much more about who you are and what you can do than a transcript. The résumé goes far beyond the grades you’ve earned in the classroom to include your skills, achievements, and character. The very format of a résumé is informative for potential employers. A well-organized résumé with a clean layout suggests a logical and efficient person.
Think of the résumé as a passport. All passports, regardless of country, have the same format. This allows for border officials to quickly find the information that is needed about you. The same applies for résumés. This chapter takes you through the steps to craft a résumé that highlights the skills you have as an international student – many of which you may not fully recognize – that are in demand by employers.
Included in the chapter is a list of commonly asked questions that international students have on résumés, and the answers to these. Finally, the chapter demonstrates how to write an effective cover letter. Filled with examples, the chapter is essential for any international student applying for jobs.
