5 Things Your CV Needs Before Applying for a Job Abroad

Applying for a job abroad is exciting. New country, new routine, new people, new opportunities… but before you start imagining your life in Lisbon, Athens, Barcelona or Berlin, there is one thing that needs to be ready: your CV.

Your CV is usually the first impression a recruiter has of you. And when you apply for an international job, it needs to do more than just list your experience. It has to show that you are ready to move, ready to adapt and ready to work in a multicultural environment.

So, before you send your next application, here are five things your CV should definitely include.

1. Your language skills, clearly explained

When you apply for a job abroad, languages matter. A lot.

Many international companies are looking for candidates who can support customers, clients or teams in a specific language. That is why your language skills should be easy to find on your CV.

Do not just write “English” or “German”. Be specific. Add your level and, if possible, use the European framework:

German: Native
English: B2/C1
Spanish: Basic

This helps recruiters understand immediately whether you match the language requirements of the job. It also avoids confusion and makes your profile look more professional.

And remember: being honest is important. If the job requires fluent English and you are still learning, it is better to be transparent than to struggle later in the interview process.

2. International experience, even if it is not work experience

You do not need to have worked abroad before to apply for a job abroad. But if you have any international experience, include it.

Maybe you studied in another country. Maybe you did Erasmus. Maybe you travelled for a long period, volunteered abroad, worked in a multicultural team or helped international customers in a previous role.

All of this can show that you are open-minded, adaptable and comfortable communicating with people from different backgrounds.

For example:

Erasmus semester in Italy – 6 months
Developed independence, cross-cultural communication skills and experience living in an international environment.

Or:

Customer Service Assistant – International customer base
Supported customers from different countries by email and phone in English and German.

Recruiters hiring for jobs abroad often look for people who can adapt quickly. Your CV should show that you can.

3. A clear and simple work history

Your CV does not need to be complicated. In fact, simple is better.

Recruiters often review many applications every day, so your work experience should be easy to read. For each job, include:

Job title
Company name
Location
Dates
Main responsibilities
Key achievements, if you have them

Try to focus on what is relevant for the job you want. For example, if you are applying for a customer service job abroad, highlight your experience with communication, problem-solving, teamwork, sales, technical support or customer care.

Instead of writing something very general like:

“I worked with customers.”

You can write:

“Handled customer questions by phone and email, solved issues quickly and helped maintain a positive customer experience.”

Small changes like this make your CV stronger and easier to understand.

4. Your availability and relocation details

This is especially important when applying for jobs abroad.

Recruiters want to know if you are available soon, if you are already living in the country or if you need relocation support. Adding this information can make the process faster.

You can include a short line near your personal details or at the top of your CV:

Available to relocate to Portugal from July 2026
Open to relocation within Europe
Currently based in Spain, available to move to Greece with relocation support
Available to start immediately

This shows that you are serious about the opportunity and helps recruiters understand your situation from the beginning.

If the company offers relocation support, this information is even more useful. It helps them know what kind of assistance you may need, such as flight reimbursement, temporary accommodation or help with local paperwork.

5. A short personal profile that feels human

A personal profile is not always necessary, but for international jobs it can be very helpful.

This is a short paragraph at the top of your CV where you explain who you are, what you are looking for and why you are a good match.

The key is to keep it natural and specific.

For example:

“I am a German-speaking customer service professional with experience supporting international clients by phone, email and chat. I enjoy helping people, solving problems and working in multicultural teams. I am currently looking for a new opportunity abroad where I can grow professionally while living in a new country.”

This sounds much better than a generic sentence like:

“I am motivated, dynamic and hard-working.”

Your profile should give recruiters a quick idea of your personality, your skills and your motivation to work abroad.

Bonus tip: adapt your CV to each job offer

One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is sending the same CV to every company.

You do not need to rewrite everything from zero, but you should adapt your CV slightly depending on the job. Look at the job description and identify the most important requirements. Then make sure those skills are visible in your CV.

If the job mentions customer support, technical troubleshooting, sales, communication skills or experience with international clients, your CV should reflect that.

Think of your CV as a bridge between your experience and the job you want. The clearer the connection, the better your chances.

Ready to apply for a job abroad?

Your CV does not have to be perfect, but it should be clear, honest and easy to understand. Recruiters want to know who you are, what languages you speak, what experience you have and whether you are ready for an international opportunity.

Working abroad can be the start of something much bigger than just a new job. It can help you grow, meet new people, discover a new culture and build a career with international experience.

So before you apply, take a few minutes to update your CV. Add your language skills, highlight your experience, show your availability and make it easy for recruiters to see your potential.

Your next job abroad could be closer than you think.