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Resume by country: formats and expectations

Key differences to adapt your resume for Europe FR/EN, Francophone Africa, Canada, USA and the UK.

ApplyGetItPublished March 10, 2026Updated March 23, 2026

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Table of contents

1. France, Belgium, Switzerland (FR)2. United Kingdom (UK)3. United States and Canada 4. Francophone Africa 5. Universal checklist

1. France, Belgium, Switzerland (FR)

Expectations are close: clean CV, 1 to 2 pages, focus on skills and results.

Photo and personal info are sometimes tolerated but not required. ATS readability comes first.

2. United Kingdom (UK)

UK CVs look like resumes: 1 to 2 pages, no photo, no age.

Use British English and emphasize achievements.

3. United States and Canada

Resumes are short: 1 page for junior, 1 to 2 pages for senior roles.

No photo or personal details. Focus on quantified impact.

Action verbs + metrics.
Summary at the top.
Job keywords inside experience bullets.

4. Francophone Africa

French CV, simple structure, clear sections.

Add mobility, languages and licenses when relevant.

5. Universal checklist

Whatever the country, keep a strong base then adapt title, keywords and proof points.

One base + country variants.
10 to 15 core keywords.
Concrete proof for each skill.

FAQ

Resume or CV?

UK/US/Canada use the word resume. France, Belgium, Switzerland and Francophone Africa use CV.

Do I need a photo?

Often no. For UK/US/Canada, avoid it. In FR/BE/CH it is optional.

Should I change English spelling?

Yes. Use British English for the UK and US/Canadian English for North America.

Adapt your resume to each country

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Common use cases

Internship / Apprenticeship

Tailor resume + letter fast for multiple weekly applications.

First full-time role

Highlight projects, skills, and quantified proof points to pass ATS screens.

Career switch

Reframe your profile around transferable skills and outcomes.

Why this flow converts better

Actionable steps you can apply in under 10 minutes.
End-to-end workflow: resume, letter, interview, tracking.
Designed for internships, apprenticeships, juniors, and career switchers.

Essential guides

UK CV: format, structure, and expectations

UK CV rules: 1 to 2 pages, no photo, British English, quantified achievements.

Read guide

US resume: format that works

US resume: 1 page for juniors, no photo, quantified impact, ATS keywords.

Read guide

Canada resume: format and expectations

Canada resume: 1 to 2 pages, no photo, quantified impact, English or French depending on province.

Read guide

Francophone Africa CV: Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Senegal

Adapt your CV to local expectations: clear structure, languages, mobility, visible skills.

Read guide

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