How to Write a CV According to International Standards.

Introduction

In the era of globalization, an internationally standardized CV is not only the first ticket to help you pass the application round — but also shows how you think, organize information and tell your career story strategically. However, many students and working people in Vietnam often make mistakes when writing CVs: too long, lacking direction, presenting incorrectly, or not clearly demonstrating core competencies.

Hint: Employers in countries like the US, UK, Singapore or Germany appreciate CVs that are concise, intuitive, and demonstrate quantifiable achievements.

2. Structure of an international standard CV

An effective CV usually includes 6 main parts:

A.Header (Personal information)

• Full name (format: Nhat Anh Tran, B.Eng.)

• Professional email (no nickname): nhatanh.tran@...

• Phone number (with country code, e.g. +84)

• LinkedIn or personal website (e.g. www.nhatanhtranvn.com)

B. Professional Summary

📘 For example:

A motivated Information Systems Engineer with experience in AI-based mental health projects and international collaboration. Passionate about applying data and technology to create social impact and sustainable solutions.

C. Education

• School, major, year

• GPA (if above 3.0/4.0)

• Scholarships or academic awards

📘 Ví dụ:

Can Tho University, Vietnam
Bachelor of Engineering in Information Systems (GPA: 3.4/4.0)
UPG Sustainability Leader, Academic Exellence Exchange Scholarship

D. Experience

Each position should be presented in the following structure: [Job title] – [Organization name] – [Time] And list 2–4 bullet points focusing on measurable achievements (action + impact).

📘 For example:

AI Intern – Can Tho University Software Center (CUSC)
• Developed an AI model to detect depression-related keywords with 85% accuracy.

D. Leadership & Activities

This is where you can gain the biggest competitive advantage — especially for students or scholarship candidates.

📘 For example:

• Founder, IAmHere Project – an AI platform supporting mental health in Vietnam.
• Representative of Vietnam, YSEALI Summit 2023, Bali, Indonesia.
• Leader, Korea–Vietnam Winter Exchange Program 2022.

E. Skills & Certificates

• Technical Skills: Python, SQL, TensorFlow, HTML/CSS
  
  

• Soft Skills: Leadership, Communication, Problem-solving
  
  

• Certificates: Google Data Analytics, TOEIC 850, Coursera AI Specialization
  
  

3. The “golden details” that make your CV stand out

Use strong verbs: led, designed, implemented, achieved, developed Quantify results: Add data (%/quantity) to prove effectiveness Consistent formatting: font, spacing, bullets, headings Easy to read on ATS (Applicant Tracking System): Don’t use too many icons or tables Update regularly: Every 6 months, you should add new experience or adjust your career goals

4. Common mistakes to avoid

Using selfies or unprofessional photos Write a general goal (“Desire to learn and develop myself”) Too many words “I” or personal description lacking focus Using fancy CV templates (without ATS optimization) Sending CV without changing the file name (“CV_FINAL_123.docx” → “NhatAnhTran_CV.pdf”)

5. Tips to upgrade your CV to meet international standards Use professional tools:

Use professional tools:

• Canva (easy to edit interface)
  
  

• Resume.io (ATS standard)
  
  

• Jobscan (phân tích CV theo từ khóa mô tả công việc)
  
  

Add a QR code to your personal website or portfolio. Ask someone in the industry to review your CV for feedback before submitting. Customize your CV for each position – a “for every job” CV will make you lose points.

Final suggestion from Nhat Anh Tran

Think of your CV as your own “personal AI” product – every detail needs to be trained, tested, and optimized to suit the global environment. Investing 2 hours in writing a quality CV today can open the door to dozens of opportunities in the future.