CV for working abroad: rules for Germany, the UK, Korea and more

A CV that works in Tashkent may be rejected in Berlin or London for details you never thought about: a photo, your date of birth, even the page length. Every country has its own habits. Here are the main ones for the places people from Uzbekistan most often apply to.

Write in the employer's language

Send your CV in the language of the job advert — usually English, German or Russian — and have it checked by someone who speaks it well. Translate your job titles and education so they make sense there, and give your language levels on the CEFR scale (A1–C2) or with your exam score: IELTS, TestDaF, TOPIK.

Germany

The German CV (Lebenslauf) is tabular and strictly chronological, with exact months and years. A professional photo is common, though no longer required. Many employers expect a cover letter (Anschreiben) and copies of your diplomas, and want to see that your qualifications are recognised in Germany. Keep it to two pages and be precise: unexplained gaps get questions.

United Kingdom and USA

Leave out the photo, date of birth, marital status and nationality: employers there avoid them to prevent discrimination. Keep to one page in the USA and two in the UK. Lead with a short profile and achievements in numbers, and write about results, not duties.

South Korea

Through the EPS programme, hiring goes through official channels and their own forms, so follow the instructions of the agency running it. For other jobs, Korean companies often ask you to fill in their own application form, with a photo and exact dates. Always give your TOPIK level if you have one — it is often the first thing they look at.

Russia and Kazakhstan

CVs are written in Russian, in the format of job sites such as hh.ru and hh.kz: desired position and salary, photo, work experience from the most recent job and key skills. Spell company names and cities in Russian, and give your phone number with the country code.

Poland and other EU countries

A clear, two-page CV in English or the local language works almost everywhere; the Europass format is widely accepted. In Poland, employers expect a line at the bottom in which you consent to the processing of your personal data for recruitment — without it, your CV may not be considered.

Checklist before you send

• The CV is in the language of the advert and has been checked by a fluent speaker.
• Photo and personal details follow the country's rules.
• Phone number in international format (+998…) and a professional email address.
• Language levels on the CEFR scale or with exam scores.
• Saved as PDF, with a file name in Latin letters, e.g. Hasan_Yusupov_CV.pdf.

In OSON CV you can duplicate your CV, switch the copy's headings and dates to English or Russian, translate the text, and turn the photo off for countries that don't use it — your original stays untouched.