Now is the ideal time to go looking for your dream job in international construction. There is a worldwide labour shortage of skilled workers. If you have the experience and qualifications, you could go far – quite literally.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to prepare your CV for that new global career in construction. Read on to learn how to write a CV for international construction jobs.

The International Construction Sector

International construction is constantly evolving. Economic trends new technology urbanisation means there are always skills in demand.

There is a growing need for sustainable construction design and innovative architectural solutions to optimise limited land space.

If you are going for an international construction job, you must create a CV in a format most countries will recognise. It will help you get the attention of recruiters wherever you want to head with your career.

What Is a CV?

A CV stands for the Latin phrase curriculum vitae. You’ll also see this called a resume, though that’s more common in North America. A CV is typically a one to three-page summary of your skills, career experience and qualifications.

Choosing a CV Format

Before applying for construction jobs, you’ll need to choose a format for your CV. There is more than one way to present your skills. Always go with one that aligns with the job you seek and the region you are applying to.

Chronological

The timeline-based format is the most traditional. That lists your career progression in date order. It is a useful format if you have a long and impressive career history.

Functional or Skills-Based

A functional CV focuses on your skills first. It outlines your abilities and how they relate to the job. Focusing on qualities first is helpful if you are relatively early in your career.

Combination

A combined CV is a balance between chronological career history and skills-based sections. It’s a popular format because it seeks the best of both worlds.

Writing Your CV Header and Summary

As the saying goes, first impressions count. Your header and summary are what a recruiter will read first, so it must make an impact. It should offer objectives or a summary of your career aspirations and achievements.

For international roles, touch upon your global ambitions. You must show employers what value you can offer to their organisation.

Highlighting Your Skills

You may choose to focus on skills before experience or vice versa. But whatever format you decide upon, ensure this section is well-tailored towards the construction role you want.

For this industry, you’ll need to showcase technical skills. For example, you may need to know about international or regional building codes, laws and regulations. So, outline any highly relevant certifications.

Any background in a global organisation is also something to highlight, especially if you have worked in cross-cultural teams. If you have been involved in an international construction project, mention that early.

Don’t forget to outline skills that are highly sought-after in these roles. You’ll want to talk about how you faced challenges in construction or where you contributed to an innovative solution.

Any experience where you can showcase a committed work ethic and adaptable mindset is valuable.

Your Education

Some construction jobs will have mandatory qualifications or certifications. When that’s outlined on a job spec, include this at the top of your educational profile in your CV.

That might consist of specific degree requirements. It could be professional qualifications like Chartered status or PMP.

An international job often requires a second language. If you have one, list this on your CV and note your proficiency level. Some roles may require fluency or highly competent language skills.

Professional Construction Bodies

It can help further your construction career if you have professional affiliations. Ideally, this should be with internationally recognised bodies. That might include:

  • CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building)
  • ICPMA (International Construction Project Management Association)
  • ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers)
  • WGBC (World Green Building Council)
  • FIDIC (Federation Internationale du Batiment et des Travaux Publics)

Membership in these bodies should you adhere to international quality standards. It will show you as trustworthy, professional and highly knowledgeable.

Adapt Your CV for Cultural Norms

Make sure you adjust your CV for international jobs to reflect the cultural values of the country where you apply. Respect local conventions.

Sometimes, these might be mandatory legal considerations (such as omitting your date of birth).

Aligning with cultural norms and avoiding cultural errors will show that you can work internationally and adapt to a multicultural business environment.

Consider Keyword Screening

Many employers use automated screening programs to filter CVs. That means you rely on a machine to sort your CV into the interview stack rather than the rejected one.

That means adding relevant keywords to your CV. That will ensure you tick the appropriate boxes.

For example, suppose a health and safety certification is mandatory for a role. Ensure you list this in your CV so it gets picked up by the tracking system.

Don’t Forget About an Online Profile

Modern CVs can include links, which means you can share other relevant qualities and talents to help you secure a job. Consider updating your profile on social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Having a pertinent profile on there could also get you headhunted. Make sure you include global connections to help you develop your international career.

Examples and Common Mistakes to Avoid

You can find an example construction jobs CV format by viewing this template. When writing your construction CV, avoid some common mistakes.

That includes failing to spell check. Also, if you copy and paste content from templates, ensure you replace the example text with your details.

International Construction Jobs: A CV That Makes an Impression

We hope you found these CV writing tips valuable. The time you spend fine-tuning a CV for international construction jobs can reap rewards in the long run. There are lots of prestigious and exciting roles around the world.

Start your job hunt right now. If you are thinking of moving abroad for your next construction job, see what vacancies we have at the moment.