CV and BiodataThe differences at a glance
Each cell below reports what the official page named on that country's page said when we read it on 12 November 2026. "Not stated" means that page did not address the point; it does not mean the answer is no.
| Place | Called | Length | Photograph | Date of birth | References on the page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | CV | Not stated | Not among the listed contents | Leave out, with age, marital status and nationality | No contact details; "available on request" |
| Canada | Resume | Limit to two pages | Do not include; not the norm | Leave out age and other personal details | Do not include; separate sheet when asked |
| United States | Resume | Not stated on the page read | Not among the listed contents | Not among the listed contact details | Not stated on the page read |
| Germany | Curriculum vitae (Lebenslauf) | Not longer than two pages | Not mandatory, but still expected by most employers | Include, with place of birth | List only those you can verify |
| Australia (Victoria) | Resume, sometimes CV | No set length; 1 to 2 pages early on, 3 acceptable | Not among the listed contents | Not needed | A referees section is in the suggested order |
| Europe (Europass) | Europass CV | Not stated | You choose what to include | You choose what to include | Not stated |
What the table shows
Two things stand out for an applicant from India. First, in the English-speaking countries the personal particulars that open a traditional Indian biodata (date of birth, marital status, father's name, photograph) are either expressly discouraged or simply absent from the official lists. The reason given by Canada's Job Bank is to prevent potential bias. Second, Germany is different: the Federal Employment Agency's guidance includes date and place of birth, says most employers still expect a photograph, and ends the CV with a date and signature.
So there is no single "international format". Before applying, find out what is customary where the employer is, and above all read what the employer itself asks for. An employer's own instruction outranks any general custom.
Things that are the same everywhere
- Latest experience first.
- Tailor the document to the job or course.
- Be truthful; claims are checked.
- Keep it clear and consistent, and have someone else proofread it.
- Explain Indian degrees, grades, examinations and employers in a few words for a reader who does not know them.
- Write dates with the month in words. "03/04/2025" means 3 April in some countries and 4 March in others.
- Give phone numbers with the country code.
What we did not cover
We have included only places for which we could read an official careers page ourselves. Countries of the Gulf, Singapore, New Zealand and others are not here yet, because we would rather leave a page out than write it from hearsay. For any country, the careers service of its government or the employer's own website is the place to check.
Questions people ask
Which countries expect a photo on a CV?
Of the six sources we read, only the German Federal Employment Agency said a photo is still expected by most employers, though not mandatory. Canada's Job Bank says a photo is not the norm there.
Is "CV" or "resume" the right word abroad?
It depends on the place: CV in the United Kingdom and Germany, resume in the United States and Canada, and either word in Australia.
Do these pages cover visas and work permits?
No. They cover only how the document is written. Visas, work rights and recognition of qualifications have their own official processes.
General guidance. This page gives general suggestions, reviewed in November 2026. If an institution, employer or country gives its own form, format or instruction, follow that. Every person, institution and publication in our examples is invented. Nothing here is legal, immigration or professional advice.