Module 1 · Lesson 2

CV Myths — Rapid Fire

Eight beliefs about CVs that most students carry into their first international application. Go with your gut: true or false. Every answer comes with the honest explanation.

~10 minFree+15 XP

⚡ Rapid fire

True or false — 8 questions, instant feedback on each. +15 XP for completing the round.

True or false

A longer CV shows more experience and effort, making a stronger impression on international recruiters.

TRUELength does not equal strength. One page is the international standard for students.FALSEFALSE. International CVs for students and early-career professionals should be one page. Two pages is acceptable only with 5+ years of experience. Length signals poor judgment, not rich experience.

True or false

Including a professional photo on your CV is standard practice internationally.

TRUEPhotos are expected on Vietnamese CVs but inappropriate on CVs for Western markets.FALSEFALSE. In the USA, UK, and Australia, photos on CVs are not standard and can work against you. Companies in these markets actively avoid anything that could introduce bias. No photo.

True or false

Listing your date of birth, marital status, and gender on a CV is expected by international employers.

TRUEPersonal details like DOB, gender, and marital status are Vietnamese conventions that do not belong on international CVs.FALSEFALSE. These are standard on Vietnamese CVs but inappropriate on international ones. Name, city, email, phone, and LinkedIn only.

True or false

“Responsible for managing social media” is a strong CV bullet point.

TRUEDuty language tells recruiters what you were asked to do. Achievement language tells them what you actually delivered.FALSEFALSE. It describes a duty, not an achievement. Strong bullets show what you did AND what it produced: “Grew Instagram engagement by 340% in 8 weeks by redesigning content strategy.”

True or false

A CV should be tailored for each individual application.

TRUETRUE. Not completely rewritten each time — but the emphasis, section order, and language should reflect the specific role or program. A one-size-fits-all CV is a missed opportunity.FALSETailoring is always better than a generic CV. The core document stays the same; the framing changes.

True or false

Listing “Microsoft Word” and “Microsoft PowerPoint” as skills impresses international recruiters.

TRUEBasic Office tools are not skills worth listing. They are expected. List tools that actually signal capability.FALSEFALSE. These are assumed baseline competencies for any university-educated person. Listing them signals you have very little else to show.

True or false

A GPA of 8.2/10 should be converted or given context before listing it on an international CV.

TRUETRUE. International readers do not know the Vietnamese grading scale. Present it with context: “8.2/10 — Top 10% of cohort.” This turns a meaningless number into a meaningful signal.FALSEWithout context, 8.2/10 means nothing to an international reader. Always add the scale and your relative standing.

True or false

Unexplained gaps in your CV timeline will always hurt your application.

TRUEGaps only hurt when left unexplained. A gap spent doing something meaningful and framed well can be an asset.FALSEFALSE. Unexplained gaps raise questions. Explained gaps — travel, volunteering, personal projects, language study — can strengthen an application when framed correctly. The key word is “unexplained.”

+15 XP

Myths busted. Next: the before-and-after that shows exactly why Vietnamese CV conventions fail abroad.

1.2 CV Myths — Rapid Fire

CV Myths — Rapid Fire