Writing a CV in English: six checks beyond a literal translation

Confirm the language of the application

An international employer does not necessarily request an English CV for every role. Read the advertisement and instructions. When English is required, use it consistently for headings, the introduction and the main text. Adding a few English terms between sections in another language does not create an English version. Prepare a complete separate document.

Do not confuse the CVyukle interface language with the language of your CV. Review the final document's headings separately. Preserve official company and institution names. Use an official English name where one exists, rather than inventing a new organisation name for translation. Proper names, qualifications and product names need particular care because a fluent sentence can still contain an inaccurate fact.

Translate role titles by responsibility

A local job title can carry a different meaning in another market. Manager is not a suitable translation for every office role. Choose a title that reflects your actual duties and add a short clarification when needed. If you did not lead a team, avoid implying a management position. The title should remain accurate when an interviewer asks what you did.

Compare terminology in vacancies within the relevant field rather than relying only on a dictionary. Your goal is to understand professional language, not copy another applicant's document. Keep recognised technology, product and certificate names. For an academic qualification, use the official English wording on supporting documents when available. Do not claim an equivalence that has not been established.

Use concise sentences about actions

Clear descriptions of activities are more helpful than a lengthy general introduction. Explain what you did, with which tools and for what purpose. 'Prepared weekly inventory reports for the operations team' is a specific example of sentence structure. It belongs in your CV only if it matches your real work.

After machine translation, check the meaning of every statement. Complex wording you cannot explain may make an interview harder. Simple, accurate language is preferable to impressive but unclear phrasing. Understand the terms you use. Review verb tense, negatives and words that could exaggerate independence, leadership or responsibility. A polished translation should preserve the scale of the original activity, not enlarge it.

Make dates and language levels unambiguous

Numeric dates can be read differently across countries. A format with a month name, such as Jan 2024 – Present, can reduce confusion. Use the same convention throughout. Do not use Present for work that has ended. Label internships and training positions accurately rather than translating them into full professional employment.

Do not write native or fluent merely for effect. If using a CEFR level, understand and support that assessment. Where relevant, give the certificate name, result and date. Do not present self-assessment as a formal exam. You can explain actual language use, such as reading documentation, writing messages or discussing work. These activities may require different levels of ability.

Check contacts and personal information

For an international application, make the telephone number understandable with a country code. City and country may be enough rather than a full street address. Expectations about photographs, age and other personal details depend on the country and employer. Do not automatically fill every field in a local template; follow the specific instructions.

Portfolio and LinkedIn links should support the information in the English CV. Fix inconsistent dates or role titles before applying. Open links privately to check access. An employer should not need to sign into your personal account to view an example. Remove confidential work that you are not permitted to publish. A helpful link is one that the reader can actually inspect.

Review meaning separately from grammar

Ask someone familiar with English and, ideally, your field to review the document. Accuracy of responsibility matters as well as grammar. Compare it with the original version: dates, projects and outcomes should not change. Translation is not a reason to add achievements that did not happen.

Open the final PDF and inspect headings and special characters. Use a clear filename and write the accompanying message in the application language. An English CV cannot guarantee international employment. It helps a reader understand genuine experience; role suitability, work eligibility and other conditions remain separate considerations. Keep the exact version you submit so that you can discuss it confidently in a later interview.