- Why work with a professional resume translator?
- How to prepare a strong resume in another language
- What to keep in mind when translating a CV
With the growing popularity of remote work and the open borders within the EU, one well-prepared resume (curriculum vitae) translation can open doors to hundreds of recruitment opportunities across multiple countries. Simply translating your resume from Polish into English (or any other language) isn’t enough. The document needs to reflect your professional skills and sound natural to the recruiter. So how should you approach a resume translation—and what makes a good resume translator?
Why work with a professional resume translator?
Although many candidates claim to have “fluent English,” when they translate their resumes on their own, they often make major mistakes. These include literal phrasing, unnatural word order, or incorrect prepositions. They’re the kind of errors a native-speaking recruiter will notice immediately.
A professional resume translator works with a checklist. They verify terminology used in your industry, local requirements and expectations around recruitment (such as omitting photos in the UK), and ensure compliance with data protection laws (RODO/GDPR). Language agencies that specialise in application materials usually offer native-speaker editing and follow ISO standards, helping to eliminate mistakes and ensure your resume matches expectations in the target country.
How to prepare a strong resume in another language
The first step in translating a resume into English is to organise the content. A professional translator checks that the layout is clear and easy to scan. Contact details, experience, education, skills and certifications should all be visible at a glance. It’s also important to adapt the structure to fit the country where you’re applying. In the UK, for instance, Resumes are typically short and to the point. The “Personal Details” section is minimal, while the “Professional Summary” goes at the top. In Germany or the Netherlands, however, resumes can run up to three pages and still be considered standard.
An English-language resume should use dynamic verbs like managed, delivered or optimised, but still sound natural. Job titles and qualifications also need to be adapted rather than translated word for word. Numbers and dates must follow local conventions, including punctuation and measurement units. And in most cases, full home addresses or marital status aren’t required if they aren’t relevant to the job. The focus should instead be on achievements expressed in figures—such as the size of the budget you managed.
Once translated, the resume goes through a two-step review process. The translator ensures the terminology is consistent, and a native-speaking proofreader checks for clarity, tone and fluency. The result is a concise, accurate and compelling document that’s ready to impress international recruiters.
What to keep in mind when translating a resume
A good resume translation strikes a balance between staying faithful to the original and adapting the content to the expectations of recruiters in the target country. It’s important to remember that a resume is a business document designed to persuade the reader in just a few seconds. Each sentence must be immediately clear and purposeful. If you’re serious about pursuing an international career, working with a professional translator is a smart investment. A well-written resume not only increases your chances of being invited to an interview, but could also be the key to getting hired.