How To Correctly Translate a Resume Into English: A Guide From ANZ Translation

1. Know Your Audience

• Target country: Determine the country you’re targeting (e.g., USA, UK, Australia) because expectations for resumes differ.
• Job role and industry: Tailor your resume to the job you are applying for, as some industries value specific skills or qualifications more.

2. Use Appropriate Terminology

• Translate job titles and responsibilities into industry-standard English terms.
• Avoid literal translations for job titles; research equivalents in English-speaking countries. For instance, a French “Chargé de Mission” might be translated to “Project Manager” depending on the duties.
• Translate company names if relevant (e.g., national organizations), or leave them in their original form if internationally recognized.

3. Quantify Achievements

• Translate accomplishments into numbers or measurable metrics (e.g., “increased sales by 20%,” “managed a team of 5”).
• Be clear and concise: English-language resumes tend to favor brevity over elaboration. Avoid long descriptions and focus on your accomplishments and results.

4. Format According to English Resume Standards

• Use reverse chronological order (most recent experiences first).
• Include sections like:
  • Contact information (adapt phone numbers, email, LinkedIn).
  • Summary or Objective: A brief statement about your qualifications and goals.
  • Work Experience: Job title, company, dates, and a few bullet points about what you did.
  • Education: Degree name (translate it appropriately), institution, and graduation date.
  • Skills: List programming, technical, or other skills relevant to the job.

5. Simplify Educational and Professional Certifications

• Translate degrees or certifications according to the equivalent education levels in English-speaking countries. For example, a “licence” in France is equivalent to a “Bachelor’s degree.”
• Use well-known abbreviations and terms, like MBA (Master of Business Administration) or CPA (Certified Public Accountant).

6. Language Proficiency

• If you’re not a native English speaker, include a language skills section. Use standardized descriptors like:
  • “Fluent,” “Proficient,” “Advanced,” “Intermediate,” “Conversational,” or “Basic.”
  • You can also reference standardized language levels, such as the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) levels (A1 to C2).

7. Avoid Cultural Specificities

• Omit personal details that are common in some countries but not required (or appropriate) in English-speaking countries, such as:
  • Date of birth
  • Marital status
  • Photograph
  • Nationality (unless required for visa/work permit purposes)

8. Use Action Verbs

• Start your bullet points with strong action verbs like “developed,” “managed,” “designed,” “led,” “implemented,” “improved,” etc.
• Be sure the verbs are in the correct tense (past tense for previous roles, present tense for current roles).

9. Proofread for Grammar and Language Consistency

• Ensure your resume follows English grammar rules.
• Use consistent spelling (UK vs. US English). For example, “organized” (US) vs. “organised” (UK).
• Have a native English speaker review it, if possible, to ensure fluency.

Example Translation Scenario

If you’re translating the following job description from French to English:

• Original (French):
  “Chargé de la gestion quotidienne des comptes clients, incluant l’analyse des résultats financiers, la création de rapports, et la coordination avec l’équipe de vente.”

• Translated (English):
  “Managed daily customer accounts, including financial performance analysis, report creation, and coordination with the sales team.”

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