Resume by country: formats and expectations

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

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

ApplyGetIt adjusts your resume and keywords to the target role and country.

Optimize my resume

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