Many talented Nigerians apply for hundreds of jobs abroad and hear nothing back. Often the problem isn’t their experience. It’s their CV. A document that works well in Lagos can look outdated or unprofessional to recruiters in London, Toronto or Houston.
Here’s how to rewrite your CV for international employers.
Remove Personal Details That Don’t Belong
Nigerian CVs often include information that employers abroad don’t expect and may even avoid seeing because of anti-discrimination rules. Remove:
- Your photo
- Date of birth and age
- Marital status and number of children
- State of origin and local government area
- Religion
- Gender
- Full home address (city and region are enough)
Keep your name, phone number, professional email address, LinkedIn URL and location.
Keep It Short
In the UK, a CV is usually two pages. In the US and Canada, the document is often called a résumé and many recruiters prefer one to two pages. Five-page CVs listing every seminar you attended rarely get read in full.
Start With a Strong Profile
Replace the old-fashioned “Career Objective” with a short professional profile of three to four lines. Summarise who you are, your years of experience, your key skills and the value you bring.
Example: “Chartered accountant with eight years’ experience in financial reporting and audit across banking and manufacturing. Skilled in IFRS, variance analysis and leading small finance teams.”
Focus on Achievements, Not Duties
Instead of writing “Responsible for managing accounts,” write what you achieved: “Reduced month-end closing time from ten days to six by automating reconciliations.”
Use action verbs and numbers wherever possible. Recruiters want evidence of impact.
Explain Nigerian Companies Briefly
Employers abroad may not know your former employers. Add a short line describing each company: “One of Nigeria’s largest telecom providers, serving millions of subscribers.” This gives context to your achievements.
List Education Clearly
Include your degree, institution, country and year. If your qualification has been assessed or recognised locally, mention it. You can leave out primary and secondary school details unless they’re specifically requested.
Tailor for Every Application
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) scan CVs for keywords from the job description. Adjust your profile and skills for each role, using the same language as the advert where it honestly matches your experience.
Use a Clean, Simple Format
- Standard fonts like Arial or Calibri
- Clear headings: Profile, Experience, Education, Skills
- Reverse chronological order, most recent job first
- No tables, graphics or text boxes that confuse ATS software
- Save as PDF or Word, depending on the employer’s instructions
Drop “References Available on Request”
Employers know you’ll provide references if asked. Use that space for skills or achievements instead.
Write a Short Cover Letter
A tailored cover letter explaining why you want this role and how your experience fits can set you apart. Keep it to one page and avoid repeating your entire CV.
Check Spelling for Your Target Country
UK and Canadian employers generally use British-influenced spelling, while US employers expect American spelling. Small details like “organise” versus “organize” show attention to local norms.
Get Free Help
Many governments offer free careers advice. In England, the National Careers Service provides CV guidance and advice. Libraries, universities and settlement agencies in Canada and the US also offer CV reviews.
Explain Career Gaps Honestly
Relocation often creates gaps between jobs. Don’t hide them. A short line such as “Relocated to the UK and completed professional certification” is enough. Employers understand relocation; unexplained gaps create more doubt than honest ones.
Final Thoughts
Your experience is valuable. Your CV simply needs to present it in a language international employers understand. Strip out unnecessary personal details, focus on achievements, keep it short and tailor every application. The interviews will follow.