Thailand CV Tips & Format Requirements

Thailand is world-famous for its sandy beaches, incredible street food, and bustling ex-pat community. Known as “The Land of Smiles,” it’s no wonder that Thailand has a reputation as a wonderful place for foreigners to live and work! But if you’re going to stand out in a crowded ex-pat job market in Thailand, you’ll need to craft the perfect Thailand resume and understand exactly what it’s like to work in Thailand as a foreigner before you can hope to begin your new adventure!

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Working in Thailand as a Foreigner
• Visas for Foreign Workers in Thailand
• How to Write a Thailand Resume
• Thailand Resume Templates
• Thailand Resume Examples

Working in Thailand as a Foreigner

Working in Thailand is a dream shared by thousands of people around the world who’d like a change of lifestyle – the idea of working from a remote beach, or a bustling, vibrant city like Bangkok is certainly appealing – but is it actually possible to find work in Thailand as a foreigner?

Happily, the answer is yes! However, as with nearly all foreign workers, expect to be subject to a series of rules and regulations that can limit the type and amount of work that you are able to do. In Thailand, foreign workers must hold a valid visa and work permit – even volunteer workers who aren’t being paid need to secure both of these permits, so be sure to check with your country’s specific requirements from the Thai government before you begin to solidify your plans.

Visas for Foreign Workers in Thailand

Thailand’s visa system can be confusing to those unfamiliar with the process – if you’re worried about your application, or whether or not you qualify for a Thai visa, you should consult with an immigration lawyer who understands the ins and outs of the Thai immigration system.

Essentially, Thailand offers immigrant and non-immigrant visas. The main difference between the two is that immigrant visas can lead to permanent residency or Thai citizenship, whereas non-immigrant visas do not. However, even certain non-immigrant visas allow the holder to conduct business in Thailand, so be sure to do your research and carefully consider which visa is the right option for your circumstances.

The Thai Elite Visa is a fairly unique option that Thailand offers to individuals who earn enough money to sustain themselves in Thailand. You may be familiar with this type of visa as a “golden visa” or a “pay to play” visa – the Thai Elite Visa charges applicants a membership fee and, in return, allows them to enter and exit Thailand freely for up to 20 years. While the Thai Elite Visa is not a work visa, this is a popular option for digital nomads hoping to spend time in Thailand.

However, most hopeful Thai ex-pats will need to obtain their Initial Visa before they can begin their new adventure. These non-immigrant visas are what allow foreigners to enter Thailand with or without a job offer. Once a job offer has been obtained, it is a 7-day process to apply for and receive a work permit. From there, you can freely live and work in Thailand – though if you’d like to stay permanently, you’ll need to look into other visa options.

How to Write a Thailand Resume

While you may think that writing a resume or CV is the same process in every country, you’ll often find small cultural differences that can make or break your chances at an interview. A strong understanding of cultural norms in your Thailand resume is crucial if you want to find a job in Thailand as a foreigner.

How is a Resume Different in Thailand?

In Thailand, two main resume elements are considered standard that aren’t necessarily common in other countries. First of all, resumes nearly always include a photo of the applicant – not including a photo will flag your resume as unique or out of touch at best, unprofessional at worst. This often surprises international applicants, as many countries discourage or outright forbid including a photo with a resume!

Second, Thai resumes place the utmost importance on including only relevant job experience. While many countries encourage applicants to include every job they’ve ever held (within reason) and explain its impact on their career overall, applicants to jobs in Thailand are expected to only include work experience directly related to the job to which they are applying. For example, including a marketing job in an application to a front-end developer role would be considered abnormal and irrelevant.

How to Write a Thailand Resume Summary

Your resume summary should be concise, to the point, and attention grabbing. This is a great area to look at when you’re customizing your resume for a particular position – you’ll be able to include specific keywords from the job description in order for your resume to gain points in the hiring company’s ATS. For example, if your standard resume summary says “Proficient in the Adobe Suite,” but the job description specifically asks for an InDesign expert, you can replace that with “Expert-level InDesign skills” instead.

Let’s take a look at some example Thailand resume summaries!

Thailand Resume Summary Examples

• Experienced marketing professional with a proven track record of developing and executing successful campaigns in diverse markets. Fluent in English and proficient in Thai, adept at navigating cultural nuances to drive brand engagement and increase market share.

• Accomplished finance manager with extensive experience in multinational corporations, skilled in financial analysis, budgeting, and risk management. Seeking to leverage cross-cultural competencies and local market insights to optimize financial strategies for businesses operating in Thailand.

• Seasoned software engineer specializing in full-stack development, with a background in delivering innovative solutions for global tech companies. Proficient in multiple programming languages and culturally adaptable, eager to contribute technical expertise to Thailand's dynamic IT sector.

• Results-driven sales executive with a strong background in B2B sales across diverse industries. Fluent in English and conversational in Thai, adept at building and nurturing client relationships to drive revenue growth and exceed sales targets in the Thai market.

• Dynamic HR professional with a passion for talent management and organizational development. Experienced in recruiting top talent across borders and implementing HR best practices in multinational settings. Seeking to leverage multicultural experience to support businesses in Thailand in building high-performing teams.

• Seasoned hospitality manager with a track record of success in luxury resort operations. Skilled in guest relations, staff training, and revenue optimization. Fluent in English and proficient in Thai, adept at providing exceptional service while respecting local customs and traditions.

• Accomplished supply chain manager with extensive experience in logistics and procurement across international markets. Proficient in optimizing supply chain processes to minimize costs and enhance efficiency. Seeking to apply expertise in navigating Thailand's logistics landscape to drive operational excellence.

• Dynamic educator with a passion for fostering cross-cultural understanding and language proficiency. Experienced in teaching English as a second language to diverse learners. Fluent in Thai and adept at adapting teaching methodologies to meet the needs of Thai students.

• Seasoned project manager with a proven track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget. Skilled in stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration. Fluent in English and proficient in Thai, adept at leading multicultural teams to achieve project milestones.

• Innovative product manager with a background in developing and launching successful consumer products in international markets. Experienced in market research, product development, and go-to-market strategies. Fluent in English and culturally adaptable, eager to introduce innovative products to the Thai market.

How to Write a Work Experience Section for a Thai Resume

As we’ve said, the most important thing to remember when you’re writing a Thai resume is that your work experience section should only contain relevant positions to the job you’re applying for now. If you don’t have any relevant work experience – for example, if you’re just starting your career or you’re switching careers – make sure any work experience you do include is extremely tailored to demonstrate your transferable skills. Soft skills, like communication, professionalism, and creativity, are almost always transferable, and should be highlighted where possible in this case.

Overall, as you write your work experience section for your Thai resume, it’s a good idea to use the STAR method to make sure your work experience is painting you in the most positive possible light.

S - Situation: what happened in this position? T - Task: what part of the response to the situation was your responsibility? A - Action: what, specifically, did you to do ensure your task was completed effectively? R - Result: what happened because of your action?

Using quantifiable data, such as numbers and percentages where relevant, is an excellent way to demonstrate the results of your work. When a hiring manager sees those figures, it’s much easier for them to understand what kind of results you could bring to the position at their company.

Thai Resume Work Experience Examples

Thailand Resume Examples

Thailand Resume Template Example One: Air

Thailand Resume Template Example Two: Arya

Thailand Resume Template Example Three: ATS

Thailand Resume Template Example Four: Baker

Thailand Resume Template Example Five: Bravo

Thailand Resume Template Example Six: Corporate

Thailand Resume Template Example Seven: Monte

Thailand Resume Template Example Eight: Slate

Thailand Resume Template Example Nine: Standard

Thailand Resume Template Example Ten: Zenith