Do I Need a CV or Resume for an International Job?

The right document depends on the country, industry, and job posting. In the United States and Canada, employers usually ask for a concise resume, while academic, research, medical, and some European roles may request a longer CV. When an employer gives a specific instruction, follow it. If the request is unclear, use a focused resume for business and non-academic roles and include relevant education, experience, skills, and contact details. Check local expectations for length, date formats, personal information, work authorization, and whether a photo is appropriate. Do not send one generic document everywhere. Match the language of the job description, remove irrelevant details, and save the file with your name and target role so the recruiter can identify it quickly.