Home > Building a Standout Resume: Highlighting Your U.S. Education to International Employers

Building a Standout Resume: Highlighting Your U.S. Education to International Employers

Dreaming of a career that takes you places? Whether you’re looking to land a position at a multinational corporation’s office in Berlin or a startup in Singapore, your U.S. diploma from MIU is a powerful asset. It represents a unique blend of critical thinking, innovation, and practical skills. 

But a resume built for the American job market doesn’t always resonate with international employers.

To make your application stand out, you need to understand the nuances of resume standards around the world and learn to strategically highlight the value of your education. 

Customize to the country

While U.S. resumes are often concise and focused solely on professional qualifications, many international counterparts, often called CVs (Curriculum Vitae), can be more comprehensive. 

For example, some countries expect your CV to include a photograph of yourself. This is true in Germany, France, Spain, China, Japan, and South Korea, to name a few. Your photo should be strictly professional, showing your face and the top of your shoulders. No selfies!

However, you should not include a photo on your resume when applying for jobs in countries like the United Kingdom, the U.S., Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Recruiters in these countries may even have to throw your application out if you include a photo, due to anti-discrimination laws.

When creating your resume for international jobs, do your research on the professional and cultural conventions for each specific country. Yes, this means you may have to create different versions of your resume for different countries.

Highlight your U.S. education and experience

Your degree from MIU is a significant achievement, but you can go beyond stating the name of your program and your GPA. Here’s how to make your educational background a true asset in the eyes of international employers.

Detail your academic achievements

Your GPA is a great indicator of your hard work, but specifics are more likely to grab a recruiter’s attention. Did a challenging course on international finance teach you complex data analysis? Did a group project on sustainable energy require you to manage a diverse team? Quantify and contextualize your academic work. Mention specific research projects, capstone courses, or major papers that demonstrate a specific skill set relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Frame extracurricular activities as professional experience

In the U.S., extracurriculars are a key part of the student experience. Your leadership positions, volunteer work, and community involvement are valuable opportunities to showcase your professional skills for international employers. 

When listing your experiences, explain what you accomplished. For instance, instead of writing “President of the Marketing Club,” translate that role into a description of your impact. Maybe you “Led a 10-person team” or “Increased social media engagement or followers by 15%.” Think about ways to show leadership, teamwork, and project management skills—all of these are universally valued.

Emphasize your global perspective

If you participated in a study abroad program or international trip, or even took a course on a non-U.S. topic, put it front and center. This demonstrates adaptability, cross-cultural competence, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. Be sure to mention specific projects, languages you practiced, or new perspectives you gained. 

Include certifications and training

Earning certificates from U.S.-based organizations can give you an edge. For example, MIU’s Cybersecurity degrees include a Python course and certificate, while several of our master’s programs include certificates from Harvard’s ManageMentor program.

Add a languages section

Listing any additional languages you speak is a definite advantage when creating a resume for overseas jobs. Specify your level of proficiency so employers can accurately gauge your skills, using a standardized system if possible.

Follow practical tips for a successful resume

Here are some basics to keep in mind when creating your international resume:

• Use a simple, clean layout with a standard font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
• Use bullet points to describe your achievements and responsibilities.
• Include a professional email address (e.g., john.doe@email.com).
• Include a link to your LinkedIn profile.
• Tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for
• Add a skills section to highlight both technical skills and soft skills. This is a good way to incorporate keywords from the job description and make your resume ATS-friendly (so computerized Applicant Tracking Systems can read it). 
• Proofread your resume to avoid any spelling or grammar mistakes. 

Utilize your cover letter

It can be difficult to tell a compelling story in bullet points, which is why most job applications also include a cover letter. This is a great place to share a short anecdote about why you are passionate about the industry, how you overcame a professional challenge, or what inspired you to pursue this career path. A well-crafted cover letter allows you to connect with your potential employer on a more personal level, showing them not just what you’ve done, but who you are and why you’re genuinely interested in the role.

Your U.S. education at MIU has given you a strong foundation. Now it’s time to build on it and start your international career.