In international relations, first impressions can open doors, or close them. Your international relations CV is more than a document; it’s your passport to opportunities in diplomacy, global policy, and international affairs. To stand out in such a competitive field, your CV must clearly highlight your skills, experiences, and education while showing the impact you’ve made. This guide walks you through each section—from contact details to key achievements, offering practical tips and examples to help you build a CV that is sharp, persuasive, and unforgettable.
How to Write an International Relations CV – A Quick and Easy Guide
Creating a CV for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) is about more than just listing jobs. It’s your chance to show your passion for helping others and your ability to make a difference. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started:
- Contact Information: Start with your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile if available. Keep it simple and professional so employers can reach you easily.
- Professional Summary: Write a short paragraph that highlights who you are and what you bring to the table. Mention your expertise in areas like diplomacy, policy analysis, cross-cultural communication, or project coordination. Keep it focused and no longer than 3–4 sentences.
- Key Skills: List your most relevant abilities in bullet points. For international relations, this could include diplomacy, negotiation, research, stakeholder engagement, or report writing. Tailor this section to match the role you’re applying for.
- Professional Experience: Outline your work history starting with the most recent job. Focus on roles where you led projects, supported policy development, or worked with international teams. Use bullet points to describe your impact. Show how your contributions improved processes, influenced decisions, or strengthened partnerships.
- Education: Include your degrees, starting with the highest qualification. Mention your field of study, university, and graduation year. If relevant, add training in areas like international law, development studies, or conflict resolution.
- Languages and Technical Skills: Highlight the languages you speak, noting your level of fluency. Add any technical skills such as using project management tools (Asana, Trello), data analysis, or report preparation. These show you can operate in global, digital environments.
- Certifications (Optional): List certifications that strengthen your profile, such as conflict resolution, international law, or monitoring and evaluation. Only include those relevant to international relations.
- Projects or Achievements (Optional): Describe standout projects or contributions, such as drafting a policy brief, organizing a regional conference, or coordinating international partnerships. Show measurable results or clear outcomes.
- References (Optional): Simply write: “References available upon request.” Only provide contact details if the employer asks.
Looking to write the perfect international relations CV? Keep reading for expert tips and examples that will help you stand out. Plus, check out the ready-made sample international relations CV at the end – just copy it to create your own standout resume!
How to Write an International Relations CV – With Examples
An international relations CV is not just a record of your education and work history—it is a strategic document that showcases your ability to operate in diplomacy, policy, global development, and NGO settings. It should highlight your skills, achievements, and global perspective in a way that reflects clarity, professionalism, and readiness to contribute on the international stage. Keep reading to learn how to structure each section so your CV captures attention and sets you apart.
Contact Information
Start with your contact details at the very top. This should be clean and easy to read so recruiters can reach you without difficulty. Include your full name, phone number (with country code if you’re applying internationally), professional email address, and your LinkedIn profile if you have one. A professional-looking email, ideally based on your name, shows credibility from the start.
Example: Jane M. Kamau
Phone: +254 700 123 456
Email: jane.kamau@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janemkamau
Professional Summary
This short section introduces you to the employer. Think of it as your elevator pitch—2 to 4 sentences highlighting your key strengths, areas of expertise, and career goals. In international relations, employers value candidates who can demonstrate leadership, analytical thinking, and global awareness.
Example:
“International relations professional with 5+ years of experience in policy research, NGO program management, and diplomatic engagement. Skilled in cross-cultural communication, stakeholder coordination, and international project implementation. Passionate about advancing sustainable development and global cooperation.”
Key Skills
List the skills that make you a strong candidate for international relations roles. Use bullet points for readability, and focus on a mix of technical, analytical, and interpersonal strengths.
Examples of Key Skills:
- Policy research and analysis
- International project management
- Stakeholder engagement and negotiation
- Report writing and presentation
- Data analysis and visualization
- Cross-cultural communication
This section quickly signals to recruiters that you have the right tools for the job.
Professional Experience
This is the core of your international relations CV. List your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. For each position, include your job title, organization, dates, and key responsibilities. Use bullet points to highlight achievements, especially those with measurable impact.
Example:
Program Officer – Global Development NGO
Nairobi, Kenya | Jan 2020 – Present
- Coordinated international partnerships with agencies across East Africa and Europe.
- Managed a $500,000 donor-funded project, ensuring all deliverables were met on time.
- Drafted policy briefs and research reports used in regional forums.
When possible, emphasize leadership, cross-border collaboration, and results.
Education
List your academic background starting with the highest qualification. Include your degree, institution, and graduation year. If relevant, add honors or key coursework that aligns with international relations.
Example:
Master of Arts in International Relations – University of Nairobi (2019)
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science – Kenyatta University (2016)
Training in areas such as diplomacy, human rights, or international law can also strengthen this section.
Languages and Technical Skills
In international relations, languages are a strong asset. List each language you speak and indicate your level of proficiency (basic, intermediate, fluent). Pair this with any technical tools you know—such as data analysis software, project management platforms, or research databases.
Example:
- Languages: English (Fluent), French (Intermediate), Swahili (Fluent)
- Technical: MS Office Suite, SPSS, Trello, Tableau
This shows you can work effectively across cultures and handle the tools common in policy and NGO work.
Certifications (Optional)
Add certifications only if they strengthen your international relations CV. Examples include Project Management (PMP), Monitoring and Evaluation, or specialized training in diplomacy or conflict resolution.
Projects or Achievements (Optional)
If you’ve worked on high-impact projects, create a short section to highlight them. Focus on outcomes, not just activities.
Example:
- Led a cross-border youth peacebuilding initiative involving 3 countries.
- Co-authored a policy paper presented at the African Union summit.
This is especially valuable if you’re early in your career or transitioning into international relations.
References (Optional)
It’s best to simply state “References available upon request” rather than listing names and contacts. Only share referee details when an employer asks.
Conclusion
Writing a CV for international relations involves presenting your skills and experiences in a structured and professional manner. By following these formatting tips and tailoring your CV to highlight your strengths, you can create a compelling document that effectively showcases your suitability for roles in international diplomacy, policy analysis, and global affairs.
