A quick browse through most LinkedIn feeds these days, and you’ll see a common theme that everyone is talking about: today’s tough job market.
HR managers are complaining that potential employees are ghosting interviews, job seekers are ranting about not getting interviews because of ATS (Applicant Tracking System) platforms, and companies are complaining that they are spending countless hours looking for the right talent to no avail.
Simply put: It’s messy out there—and people are noticing.
A recent article by The Atlantic cut right to the chase when describing the job landscape in 2025–2026, nailing all these issues on the head with a simple title and byline “The Job Market Is Hell: Young people are using ChatGPT to write their applications; HR is using AI to read them; no one is getting hired.”
For those looking for work, it might feel like a chaotic and fruitless process, but there are things you can do to rise above the noise and stand out— especially if you’re looking to enter the
Unifying all of these tips is an important ethos: if you truly have the skills and experience to benefit an employer and their business, you need to prove this in detail.
This means specifying your previous wins by the numbers, showcasing your verified and validated expertise and education, and offering specific solutions to their problems. Your resume should be less about what you can do in general and a lot more about what you can do for the employer right now and into the future, down to the percentages.
Proving your worth isn’t solely limited to your 1–2-page CV either. Proof comes in what you say and do in real life. That means you also have to reach out and immerse yourself in international trade networks. Showcase your experience and problem-solving expertise at events, in blogs, or on LinkedIn. Whether you like it or not, people who usually stand out make an effort to stand out, and that’s what will get you noticed by recruiters right now.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry; we’ve got 5 concrete tips to help you get noticed in today’s international trade job market:
1. Cater your summary and skillset to trade’s most topical issues
The global trade ecosystem has fundamentally shifted. The World Economic Forum (WEF) reports that 39 % of core skill sets are expected to transform or become obsolete by 2030. Simultaneously, the World Trade Organization (WTO) emphasizes that investing in skills for trade is not optional—it’s essential, in their report “Investing in Skills for Inclusive Trade.”
For the job-hunter, this means two things:
One, trade-industry employers don’t just value traditional trade experience; they also value
- digital literacy—especially with AI
- regulatory fluency and compliance (hello tariffs)
- a global-market mindset (diversification is on everyone’s radar)
Two, your CV must articulate your ability to sit at this intersection of tradition and trend.
So, when it comes to your resume or CV summary, make sure you highlight these topical areas of knowledge.
That means, instead of saying something generic like “Global supply chain expert who gets results,” try something like “Accredited trade specialist who combines import/export operations, tariff-and-compliance knowledge, and emerging-tech fluency (AI/data analytics) to support global supply chains.”
This tip also applies to how you describe your key strengths. Instead of a long list of generic one-word skills, like “supply chain, logistics, and technology,” make sure you explain useful areas within these core topics. For example:
- “Global trade compliance and tariff management (incl. classification codes, sanctions screening)”
- “Supply-chain risk mitigation in geoeconomically dynamic regions”
- “Technology-enabled trade operations: e-commerce logistics, trade-data analytics, cross-border digital platforms”
When you tailor your job-search narrative this way, you reflect not only what companies want today but what they will prize tomorrow.
2. Showcase your measurable results
Today’s resumes need to lead with calculable results. That’s because numerical metrics prove that you can actually attain real-world success markers—like ROI and revenue—that businesses need to thrive. For example, instead of writing “experienced with customs clearance in the APAC market,” opt for quantifiable increases and percentages, followed by the skillset used to achieve the win. For example:
- “Reduced customs clearance delays by 18 % across 12 export markets”
- “Negotiated freight-rates yielding cost-savings of USD 350K annually while strengthening carrier network across Asia-Pacific”
3. Understand how Applicant Tracking Systems work, then highlight your keywords
Many large organizations and HR departments use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen for terms and skills that their recruits will need to focus on. So, if their company is hiring a trade compliance specialist, terms such as customs-broker liaison, Incoterms, HS classification, tariff-engineering, export-control, sanctions, trade-compliance analytics, regional trade agreements (RTA) expertise, origin-marking and digital trade platforms would be words to consider.
When it comes to how you apply these words to your resume, make sure you insert only what you actually have expertise in, and detail how you use this skill in real life to get numerical results.
So, for example, instead of saying “Experienced with customs compliance and regional trade in international markets,” choose something like:
“Implemented HS-classification and origin-determination processes across 14 markets, reducing customs delays by 27% and ensuring 100% compliance with regional trade-agreement requirements.”
4. Validate your learning mindset and expertise with credentials
Nothing showcases your true expertise quite like a recognized credential. Recruiters don’t have to question how much training you’ve had or whether your knowledge is up to speed. This work has already been done for them through the verification process of the certification body.
More than just letters on the end of your name on a CV, designations like the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation are industry-backed, meaning that professionals all around the world in public and private organizations recognize their ability to improve the skills of their employers.
Moreover, a CITP is governed by strict rules and bodies, meaning that their knowledge base is regularly being updated to suit the current-day markets, a relief to employers seeking hires versed in the problems of today.
In fact, many companies actively recruit for people with designations like the CITP. Browse through current-day job boards and you’ll find many well-known brands, organizations, and government bodies labelling these specific certifications as “an asset” to their currently open positions.
5. Use your network and align with trade-specific organizations
Earning a professional designation like the CITP can also broaden your trade network—connecting you with other professionals with the designation and their contacts. Use this benefit to your advantage.
Frequently, certification bodies have networking events, celebrations, and webinars where you can find or showcase expertise, and even one RSVP can open several job opportunities for you.
Organizations like FITT also have blogs and CITP-specific spotlights that highlight people in the industry, giving you access to individuals who might be hiring or their connections who are hiring. A few clicks and a short message could also be the key to getting that first interview.
Get more than your foot in the door—showcase the person, the potential, and the practical applications
For jobseekers navigating the international trade job market, the message is clear: you need more than a standard skillset résumé or CV. You need to present yourself as a player in a transformed ecosystem, fluent in technology, agile in regulatory shifts, and ready to bridge global markets. You need to showcase your passion for lifelong learning and improvement in your field, and you need to put proof to your abilities with real numbers and data.
You will stand out with effort, and that’s the first step to getting noticed.
What are the fastest-growing international trade jobs of 2026? Read this article to find out!
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