Resume or CV by country: a safer way to check local expectations

1. Use a reliable order of evidence

1. The vacancy and application portal
2. The employer’s official careers guidance
3. Government employment or recognised public career services
4. Regulator instructions for licensed occupations
5. General articles only when stronger sources are silent

This order prevents a broad internet convention from overriding a specific requirement.

2. Use the sourced regional matrix

The regional matrix records what named public services actually say, what each source leaves unresolved and when it was checked. This guide explains the method; the matrix holds the maintained source summaries. It is an initial set, not a complete world directory.

3. Check differences one by one

• Whether the document is normally called a resume or CV in this context
• Whether photos or personal details are expected, optional or discouraged
• Typical page length and paper size
• How education, licences and language proficiency should be expressed
• Whether references belong in the document
• Whether the employer requests PDF, Word or an application form

4. Minimise personal information

Do not add a date of birth, government identifier, marital status, banking data or a third party’s contact details merely because an unsourced example contains them. Include only what the application legitimately requires, and confirm how the employer asks to receive sensitive documentation.

5. What this guide does not claim

APWICO supports Unicode content, right-to-left resume direction, A4 and Letter output, and flexible section headings. Those technical capabilities do not automatically localise the English interface or validate a country-specific convention.