Applying for Jobs Abroad from Sri Lanka: How to Adapt Your CV

Thousands of Sri Lankans apply for jobs overseas every year, in healthcare, engineering, IT, hospitality, finance and many other fields. Many are well qualified but use the same CV they'd send to a local employer. Recruiters abroad read CVs with their own expectations, so a few changes can make a big difference to how yours is received.

Why your CV needs to change

Traditional Sri Lankan CVs often include a photo, NIC number, date of birth, religion, marital status, parents' names, a long objective and a list of two non-related referees. In many countries outside South Asia, these details are unexpected. Some employers are even advised not to consider them, to avoid discrimination. At best they take up space that could show your achievements. At worst they make your CV look unfamiliar.

The fix isn't one "international" format. It depends on where you're applying.

Country by country

These are general conventions. Individual employers and industries vary, so always follow any instructions in the job advert.

United Kingdom

• Two pages, with no photo, date of birth, marital status, religion or ID numbers.
• A short professional profile, then experience with achievements, then education.
• State your right to work or visa status in one line if you'll need sponsorship, or if you already have the right to work.
• Leave referees off. Employers ask for them after an interview.

Our UK CV format guide goes into more detail.

Gulf countries (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain)

• A professional head-and-shoulders photo is commonly included.
• Nationality, visa status and notice period are usually expected near the top.
• Date of birth is sometimes included, but religion and parents' names are not needed.
• Professional licences and Gulf experience should be easy to spot, especially in healthcare and engineering.

Australia and New Zealand

• Often called a resume, but similar to a UK CV in length and content, with no photo or personal details.
• Referees are often listed at the end, with their permission, or "available on request".
• Make your visa status clear, since many employers can't sponsor.

Canada and the United States

• A resume of one to two pages, with no photo, date of birth or personal details.
• Strong focus on measurable achievements and keywords for applicant tracking systems.

Europe

• Conventions vary more. In Germany, for example, a photo and date of birth are still fairly common, while in the Netherlands and the Nordic countries they're increasingly left off.
• Some employers and public bodies ask for the Europass CV format, so check the advert.

Explaining Sri Lankan qualifications

A recruiter in London or Sydney may not know what O/Ls, A/Ls, a CIMA stage or a particular Sri Lankan university represent. Help them:

• Write qualifications in full the first time, for example "G.C.E. Advanced Level (equivalent to UK A-levels)", and only if they're relevant to your career stage.
• Experienced professionals can usually drop O/L results and summarise A/Ls in one line.
• For degrees, include the university, degree title, class (for example First Class or Second Class Upper) and year.
• For the UK, you can get an official statement comparing your qualification to UK levels from UK ENIC, the UK's national agency for international qualifications. Some employers and professional bodies ask for one.
• Professional qualifications recognised internationally, such as CIMA, ACCA, CIPD or vendor IT certifications, deserve a prominent place.

Explaining Sri Lankan employers

A well-known name in Colombo may mean nothing to a recruiter in Dubai. Add a short line under each employer explaining what it does and its size, for example "One of Sri Lanka's largest retail groups, with over 300 stores". Then your achievements make sense in context.

Convert or explain local figures where it helps. "Managed a budget of LKR 25 million (around £65,000)" is clearer to an overseas reader than rupees alone. Use a reasonable current exchange rate and round the figure.

Practical details

• Write your phone number with the country code, for example +94 77 123 4567, and say if you're available on WhatsApp.
• Use a professional email address, ideally your name.
• Mention your availability and notice period, and whether you're willing to relocate.
• Use the spelling of the country you're applying to: British English for the UK, Australia and the Gulf, American English for the US.
• Keep a separate local version of your CV if you're also applying in Sri Lanka.

Checklist before you apply

• Personal details match what that country expects
• Visa status and right to work are clear
• Local qualifications and employers are explained
• Achievements are measurable and figures make sense to an overseas reader
• Phone number includes +94, and the email is professional
• Spelling and format match the target country