Are You Moving Abroad and Need to Update Your Resume for the US Job Market?

Text by: Kate von Knobloch

Juni 13, 2024

This article guides expats in adapting their resumes for the US job market, highlighting key differences from German resumes. It covers essential adjustments such as omitting personal information, emphasizing achievements, and using concise summaries. Additionally, it underscores the importance of reflecting on career goals and integrating international experience.

Adapting Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile for the US Job Market: Overcoming Common Challenges for Expats

Working on your resume and LinkedIn profile for the job application process is rarely fun! We often procrastinate and struggle to find the right words that truly reflect our story and professional experience. We doubt our skills or worry about non-linear elements in our career paths. Moving to a new country and adapting to a different culture definitely adds another layer of complexity!

When I moved from Munich to Chicago as an expat partner and sought professional help for my resume, I was shocked by the quality of the service. This large, well-known company only provided me with a basic translation, added a few numbers to make my resume more convincing (which was more important in the US at the time than in Germany), and that was it. There was no discussion about my career path or advice on how to incorporate the international move.

Seven years later, I regularly offer my advice through a CV LAB. Based on my work with expats and people with non-linear career paths from around the world, I know how to highlight these resumes and what expats and accompanying partners should pay attention to when adapting to the US job market!

Key Differences Between US and German Resumes

Understanding the unique aspects of the US job market compared to the German job market is crucial for expats:

1. Personal information

Germany

It is common to include a professional photo and personal details such as the year of birth in the resume.

USA

It is standard to omit photos and personal information such as birth date or place to avoid discrimination and comply with privacy regulations.

2. Structure & Content

Germany

Resumes are often very structured with detailed descriptions of education and professional experience, including specific tasks and roles.

USA

The resume is typically more concise, focusing more on achievements and quantifiable results. Action verbs and metrics are essential.

Length and Level of Detail

Germany

German resumes can be several pages long and provide a detailed overview of the professional career.

USA

A brief, one-page summary is usually preferred, highlighting only the most relevant experiences and skills. Pay attention: Some new surveys indicate, that the preferred length is changing right now to 2 pages in case of a more senior career.

Good to know

Good to know: My experience, especially with those returning to Germany, shows that the German resume is increasingly aligning with the US style, becoming shorter, more competitive, and more sparse with personal data. So, if a move back to Germany is on the horizon, you already have a head start.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Considering country-specific requirements is important, but it is just the starting point. Here’s what you should focus on to stand out in the US job market:

Clarify Your Career Goals: Reflect on your professional ambitions. Taking the time to think about your career and personal situation is invaluable.
Highlight Your Unique Career Journey: Each country has its own resume specifications, but more important than these local peculiarities is highlighting the uniqueness of your career. Communicate your professional journey in a way that is understood and appreciated everywhere.
Incorporate Your International Experience: The unique aspects of expatriation or emigration should be specifically addressed and meaningfully integrated into your story.
Use Action-Oriented Language: The US job market prefers resumes that are concise and packed with action verbs and measurable achievements.

How to Work with Me

In our collaboration, your individual situation is the focus: In two live sessions, we reflect on your situation in connection with your ambitions. You will have access to valuable resources and modern resume templates that make the process easier. With targeted feedback in three comprehensive rounds, we optimize both your resume and your LinkedIn profile, so that in the end, a coherent picture of your professional identity emerges. More information about my so-called CV Lab can be found here.