International job seekers are often more concerned with where they want to work, what they can do, and what they say than with maintaining a positive nonverbal image. Not surprising, they often produce unattractive resumes and letters, dress inappropriately, stay in the wrong places, and communicate the wrong messages about their capabilities to function well abroad. Their resume is either too long or too short, distributed inappropriately, or sent to the wrong people. If they have lived abroad for an extended period of time, they may be unfamiliar with current dress and appearance practices, especially types of apparel, choice of fabrics, and selection of colors. In fact, international job seekers are some of the least well-dressed people we have encountered. They violate many rules of good dress and appearance. Applying past dress and appearance practices and observations to the job search, they often make poor impressions on employers. Indeed, many international workers are used to informal wardrobes or are only familiar with dress codes on their last job.

If there are two areas which international job seekers can quickly improve upon, it is their resume and personal appearance. What you write and how you appear in person communicates as much about who you as your stated education, skills, and accomplishments and what you say in interviews. First impressions count a great deal. Most of all, you want to communicate a positive image to international employers.

Within American culture we can say with some degree of certainty what qualifies as an excellent resume and how one should best dress for job search success. In America we prefer brevity, efficiency, closure, and individualism in what we write and wear. We prefer setting goals, getting to the point, and being different rather than orchestrating a somewhat pointless performance that conforms to group norms. Many countries in the international arena do not share the same values when recruiting employees. They may evaluate a candidate on the basis of breadth, status, conformity to group norms, power, and the ability to control the situation. Instead of looking for one or two specialty skills to be used in what may well be an ill-defined job, they may want someone who has lots of different skills and many different experiences -- the Renaissance individual rather than the specialist -- who will be hired to define the job and acquire the necessary power to take the job and organization into new directions.

The one to two-page resume that works well in the U.S. is not necessarily well received in other cultures which place higher value on the length and weight of resumes. A ten page resume, for example, may be preferred over a one page resume. In some countries written communication is not important to decision making. Greater reliance is placed on personal contacts, referrals, and face-to-face meetings for exchanging information and sizing up the "qualifications" and "status" of candidates.

The same is true for dress and appearance. Clothing has different meanings in different cultures. In many countries formal dress implies a great deal about one's position and status - more so that in the U.S. and other less formal countries such as Australia and New Zealand. In many hot and humid countries, where a suit seems to be impractical attire given the climatic conditions, nonetheless, a suit or sport coat worn with a long-sleeved shirt would be appropriate attire for a job interview. Wearing a short-sleeve shirt -- even under the sport coat or a suit -- might be inappropriate because it communicates low status. Indeed, in many status conscious societies, a long-sleeved shirt is considered "polite" while a short-sleeved shirt is "impolite" in important or formal situations. A similar principle applies to women who should wear a tailored suit or long-sleeved tailored dress rather than a short-sleeved blouse and skirt or dress.

Dining customs also differ. In some cultures, for example, it's impolite and even rude to pass things with your left hand, reach for items on the table, eat everything on your plate, or drink the last half inch of beverage in your glass. And where you stay and how you arrive at an interview say something about your status.

Your choice of hotel and transportation says something about you and your status. If you stay at the best hotel in town and rent a car with driver, you may impress upon the employer that your behavior may be equal to the status of the position. Staying at a cheap, low status hotel and taking an inexpensive crowded bus to the interview say negative things about how you view your status and the employer's position.

If you violate these norms of good behavior, you may be politely thanked for your interest in the job but rejected in the end. Thus, you should be aware of these and other important cross-cultural differences before you interview for a job.

Whatever you do, be sure you know the local customs concerning written communications and proper attire and interpersonal behavior. There is no quicker way to disqualify yourself from consideration for an international job than to demonstrate an "insensitivity" to the local cultural norms. Regardless of how qualified you are on paper, you may be telling potential employers loud and clear through your nonverbal behaviors that you will have difficulty adjusting to the job and thus "fitting in" with the local organization.