Resume? CV? Types of English Resumes and How to Write Them

Hello, this is Awork Academy.

In a previous post, we shared that if you hold a Working Holiday visa, you can search for work and be employed overseas.

By "work" here, we mean part-time jobs or internships, but some of you may be aiming for overseas employment itself.

Just like in Japan, finding a job overseas requires preparing a resume and going through interviews.
So this time,
for those considering a Working Holiday or overseas employment,
we'll explain the types and differences of English resumes (Resume / CV) and key points for writing them.

〈The Difference Between a Resume and a CV〉

1. Resume

The word "resume" comes from the French word résumé and means "resume" in English.

• Focuses mainly on work experience and skills
• Kept concise, usually 1–2 pages
• Has no fixed format

However,
a resume that's too long can give the impression of lacking focus,
so it's important to keep it concise and to the point.

2. CV

CV stands for Curriculum Vitae, and it's mainly required in English-speaking countries when a more detailed evaluation of an applicant is needed.

• Generally 3 pages or more
• Includes detailed career history, skills, and education

Main content includes:

• Personal information (name, contact details, etc.)
• Skills relevant to the job
• Work experience
• Education and qualifications

Looking at examples from English-speaking countries, you can see that the format is very different from a Japanese resume.

〈How Should You Write an English Resume?〉

Since there's no fixed format, we recommend downloading a free template from a site like Google. Since most templates have a similar structure, it's a good idea to choose a simple, easy-to-read design.

Tips for Job Hunting (Example: Australia)

Taking Australia as an example, since many Japanese people travel there for Working Holiday,

many people search for job listings on local Japanese community portal sites such as JAMS.TV (JAMS.TV Jobs page) or Nichigo Press.

• Those who have just arrived

• Those who aren't yet confident in English

will find these sites easy to use as an entry point for job hunting.

If you're confident in your English,
using local Australian job sites is also recommended.

Documents to Submit Along with Your Resume/CV

For a Working Holiday, you generally submit

a Resume or CV

and a Cover Letter (a brief self-introduction)

as a set.

A Cover Letter doesn't need to be a long statement of purpose like in Japan — about one page of concise content is fine.

Key Points When Writing

• A photo is often not required
• Your name as it appears on your passport
• Your visa expiration date
• Your desired position

It's helpful to clearly state these.

For your Resume,

• Experience relevant to the position you're applying for
• Your own strengths and skills

should be summarized concisely and clearly.
It's common to list your work history starting from the most recent.

"Showing" your achievements makes them a strength

For Working Holidays,
many people apply for barista positions, but

• Café work experience in Japan
• Photos of your latte art

if you have these,
it's an advantage to have them ready to show during the interview.

Even outside of barista roles,

• Baking
• Design
• Craftsmanship

for jobs like these where you can show your work through photos, be sure to make active use of them.

Summary | Keep Your English Resume "Simple and Clear"

This time, we introduced the differences between resumes used in English-speaking countries (Resume / CV) and tips for writing them.

With thorough preparation in advance, your job search overseas will go much more smoothly.

On Awork Academy's official website,
we share useful information on a variety of topics related to language study abroad and Working Holidays.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.