Guide: How to Choose a Country for Admission?
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A resume is a short, 1-2-page document tailored to a specific position: an internship, a job, or a program. It is used in the US and Canada for applications to the private sector, technology companies, business, and marketing. No photos, no date of birth, only relevant experience, achievements, and skills.
A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a more comprehensive document with no strict length limit. In the US, it is used exclusively in academia: when applying for master’s/PhD programs, grants, fellowships, and research positions. In Europe, the term CV is used synonymously with resume, meaning it applies to all types of applications, including jobs. In Germany, a CV is traditionally accompanied by a photo and personal information; in France, this is optional.
Rule of thumb: if you are applying to an American university or an internship in the US, a one-page resume is required. If you’re applying to a European university or applying for a scholarship like the DAAD or Erasmus, you’ll need an academic CV with an extensive list of achievements, publications, and academic experience. Always focus on the requirements of the specific program or employer.
A good English-language resume passes the “10-second test”: a recruiter or admissions committee should understand who you are, what you can do, and how you differ from others in 10 seconds. Here are four principles essential for this.
Brevity. For most students and recent graduates, one page is strictly enough. Every word should be in its place.
Specificity through numbers. Numbers are the main language of a resume. “Organized an event” is weak. “Organized a fundraising event for 120 participants, raising $3,500” is strong. Use the following: number of participants, percentage growth, amounts, timeframes, and volumes. Relevance to the objective. A resume for an IT internship and an academic CV for admission to a sociology program are different documents, even if written by the same person. Tailor the content to the specific program or position.
Readability. Use a consistent font, consistent indents, and clear section headings. No “walls of text.” The recruiter (and ATS system) should be able to instantly find the required block.
The resume header is the first thing the reader sees.
This includes: your full name (large, at the top), professional email address (firstname.lastname@gmail.com, not “coolboy2007”), phone number with international code, city and country (excluding the full address), and a link to LinkedIn and/or portfolio/GitHub, if applicable.
What NOT to include in an American or British resume: date of birth, gender, marital status, citizenship, photograph, and passport number. All of this information is grounds for discrimination in the US and UK, and not including it protects both the candidate and the employer. For European universities, check the requirements separately; some require a photo in a strict format.
A summary or objective is a short section of 2-3 sentences at the beginning of your document that explains who you are, what you can do, and what you want. For students without experience, this section is especially important because it sets the context.
Examples:
For university applications:
“Motivated student with a strong academic record in mathematics and data analysis, seeking to apply quantitative skills in a graduate program in Computer Science at [University Name].”
For internships:
“Detail-oriented undergraduate in Business Administration with experience in market research and project coordination. Seeking a marketing internship to apply analytical and communication skills in a fast-paced environment.”
Avoid general phrases like “hardworking and passionate individual.”
Be specific: what exactly you can do, where you’re applying, and how you can contribute.
The Education section for students typically comes first, above work experience. List them in reverse chronological order (most recent place of study first).
The structure of each entry:
Do not include high school if you are already enrolled in university, unless your high school achievements (Olympiads, international competitions) are relevant for the application.
No official job? No problem. Students always have something they can use as experience: internships (even unpaid ones), volunteer work, tutoring, working in a family business, or participating in department-assigned projects.
The structure of each entry:
Key rule: each bullet point begins with an action verb, describes what you did, and, if possible, the outcome. More details on the formula below.
Projects are one of the most underrated areas of a student resume. A thesis, a team project at a hackathon, your own app, or research work with a department—all are relevant experiences.
For each project, please include:
This section distinguishes you from candidates with the same academic background. It includes: victories and prizes in Olympiads, scientific competitions, and hackathons; grants and scholarships; publications (even in student collections); conference presentations; and university awards (Dean’s List, Honors).
Entry format: achievement title, organizer, date.
Example:
“1st Place, National Mathematics Olympiad — Ministry of Education, Belarus, 2024”
“Merit Scholarship Recipient — [University Name], 2023–present”
Club membership alone is a weak entry. A strong entry is one’s role and contribution. Not “Member of Debate Club,” but:
“Vice President, Debate Club — coordinated weekly sessions for 35 members, organized 3 inter-university competitions.”
This includes: student government, professional clubs, initiatives, events you organize, and sports teams with leadership roles.
The skills section is structured by category. Avoid general terms like “teamwork” and “communication,” as they don’t convey much information.
Better:
Languages: Russian (native), English (C1 – IELTS 7.0), German (B2 – Goethe-Zertifikat)
Technical: Python, SQL, Excel (advanced), Tableau, Figma
Tools: Google Workspace, Notion, Trello, SPSS
Other: APA/MLA citation, quantitative research methods
Don’t exaggerate the level—”Excel (advanced)” on a resume and a failed interview test diminish the credibility of the entire document.
Certificates from Coursera, edX, Google, HubSpot Academy, and LinkedIn Learning are acceptable if they are truly relevant to the position or program being applied for. Please include the name, issuing organization, and year of receipt.
Language certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, DELF, Goethe) – always include them in the Skills or Certifications section, indicating the score/level and date.
Each bullet point in your resume should follow this formula:
Action Verb → What (what was done) → How (how/with what) → Result (result)
List of strong action verbs for students:
Creation and development: Built, Developed, Designed, Created, Launched, Established
Analysis and research: Analyzed, Researched, Evaluated, Identified, Assessed
Management and organization: Led, Managed, Coordinated, Organized, Oversaw
Communication and training: Presented, Taught, Mentored, Trained, Facilitated
Growth and improvement: Increased, Improved, Reduced, Optimized, Streamlined
Support and participation: Supported, Assisted, Contributed, Collaborated
Examples of formula application:
❌ Weak: “Was responsible for social media”
✅ Strong: “Managed Instagram and LinkedIn accounts for a student NGO, growing combined following from 340 to 1,200+ in 4 months.”
❌ Weak: “Helped with event organization.”
✅ Strong: “Coordinated logistics for an annual charity fair attended by 300+ students, securing 12 local business sponsors.”
If exact numbers aren’t available, use relative indicators or descriptive quantifiers: “15+ team members,” “reduced preparation time by approximately 30%,” “served 200+ community members.”
Below are 10 ready-made bullet points for typical student situations. Adapt to your data:
Knowing the typical mistakes saves time and protects against automatic rejection. Here are the most common ones:
“Responsible for social media management” refers to a position, not a result. Always replace with an action verb: “Managed,” “Grew,” “Created.”
Paragraph text in the Experience block isn’t read. Only bullet points, one action – one result.
“Organized workshops”—so what? How many participants? What’s the response? Always look for metrics.
This is strictly a no-no in American and British resumes. In European resumes, check the country’s requirements.
The present tense is the present simple or present continuous. Past tenses are the past simple. Mixing tenses in one block is a serious error.
Each application requires adaptation. A university and a startup want to see different emphasis, even from the same candidate.
Vague Summary. “Hardworking, motivated, and passionate”—that’s what everyone writes. It doesn’t make you stand out. Be specific: your specialization, strengths, and goals.
For a student without 5+ years of experience, one page is the standard and a sign of ability to structure information.
An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is an automated system used by most large employers and a number of university programs for the initial screening of applications. If your resume isn’t “readable” by the system, no human will ever see it.
ATS-friendly formatting guidelines:
Design templates from Canva or Behance look beautiful, but often fail in ATS. If you’re submitting directly through LinkedIn, Workday, or any HR system, use the simplest possible text format.
A one-size-fits-all resume doesn’t work. Each goal has its own priorities.
For university admissions (undergraduate/graduate):
Emphasis: Education (GPA, coursework, achievements), Projects (research experience), Leadership & Activities, Achievements. It’s important for the university to understand that you’re not just a “good student,” but a person with intellectual initiative and potential.
For scholarships (DAAD, Fulbright, Erasmus, etc.):
Emphasis: Achievements & Awards (objective evidence of your level), Publications/Conferences (for research programs), Leadership (impact in the community), a clear connection between your background and your goal. The scholarship committee is looking for future leaders, not just straight-A students.
For internships:
Emphasis: Skills (specific tools and technologies), Projects (practical skills in the field), Experience (any kind—volunteering, clubs, freelancing). It is important for the employer to understand: what can you do with your hands right now?
Before clicking “Submit,” review each section:
Structure and Length:
✅ No more than 1 page (for most students)
✅ All required sections are present: Header, Education, Experience/Projects, Skills
✅ No empty sections or “fillers”
Content:
✅ Each bullet point begins with an Action Verb
✅ At least 60-70% of bullet points contain a number or specific result
✅ The resume is tailored to the specific program/employer
✅ No photo, date of birth, or marital status (if submitting through the US/UK)
Language and Design:
✅ Checked with Grammarly or a similar service
✅ Consistent date style throughout the document
✅ Consistent font and size
✅ No tables, icons, or multi-column blocks (if submitting through an ATS)
Final Review:
✅ Close the document and ask someone to read it for 10 seconds—can they name your specialization and two key achievements?
✅ The links in the header are working
✅ The email is relevant and professional
✅ The file is saved as a PDF under the name: Firstname_Lastname_Resume.pdf
AustriaHigh-quality education with low tuition costs. Attractive for its stable system, strong academic traditions, and high quality of life
BelgiumEuropean education in the heart of the EU. Suitable for studying business, politics, and international relations, with affordable programs and a multicultural environment
United KingdomClassical education with global recognition. Shorter study periods, strong humanities and business programs, and a highly valued diploma
SpainEducation in a friendly European student environment. Promising English-taught programs and strong fields in business, tourism, and design
GermanyOne of the most popular study destinations in Europe. Free or low-cost education, strong technical and engineering fields, and high demand for graduates
UAEModern education in an international environment. Campuses of leading global universities, English-taught programs, and a strong focus on careers and business
NetherlandsOne of the leaders in English-taught programs in Europe. Practice-oriented education, high graduate employability, and a comfortable environment for international students
SwitzerlandA country of prestigious education and high standards. Especially strong in business, finance, hospitality management, and international relations
ItalyA combination of academic tradition and affordable education. Particularly in demand for studies in design, architecture, business, and the humanities
USAA popular destination for studying abroad. Prestigious universities, a flexible education system, a wide selection of programs, and broad career prospects
CanadaHigh-quality education with strong support for international students. Attractive for its safe environment and career and immigration prospects
PortugalOne of the most affordable countries in Europe for education. Comfortable adaptation, a growing number of English-taught programs, and good prospects for long-term residence
FranceHigh-quality European education at an affordable cost. Attractive for strong programs in business, arts, and engineering, as well as the option to study in English or French
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