How to Write a Resume for Jobs in Taiwan (履歷 and 自傳)

How to Write a Resume for Jobs in Taiwan (履歷 and 自傳)

TSMC plans to hire 8,000 people in 2025 while offering newly recruited master's-degree engineers an average salary of NT$2.2 million (US$60,912), roughly triple the national average for equivalent credentials.¹ Taiwan's semiconductor sector alone had 26,000 monthly job openings in late 2024, and the government has revised its target to attract 120,000 foreign professionals by 2028.² The resume that gets you into that pipeline follows Taiwanese conventions distinct from both mainland China and the West.

TL;DR

Taiwanese resumes (履歷, lǚlì) use traditional Chinese characters (繁體字), not simplified. Most applications flow through 104 Job Bank (104人力銀行), which provides structured online templates covering personal information, education, experience, skills, and job preferences. A professional photo can triple your interview rate according to 104's data. Many employers also require a 自傳 (zìzhuàn, self-introduction essay): a one-to-two-page narrative covering your background, motivation, and career goals. The Employment Gold Card provides foreign professionals a combined visa, work permit, and residence certificate. Submit in Chinese unless the position explicitly uses English.³

The Two Components

履歷 (Resume)

The Taiwanese resume is a structured document, typically built through the 104 Job Bank's online editor. The platform provides fields for each required section, and most employers receive your application through this system rather than standalone PDF files.³

Standard sections on 104 Job Bank:

自傳 (Self-Introduction Essay)

The 自傳 has no direct Western equivalent. It functions as a hybrid of a cover letter and personal statement, written as a narrative essay rather than a bulleted document.³

Typical structure: 1. Personal background: Family values, formative experiences, what shaped your professional direction 2. Education and growth: Academic achievements, key coursework, research, or exchange experiences 3. Professional experience: Career trajectory, major accomplishments, skills developed 4. Motivation: Why you want the specific role at the specific company 5. Future goals: Career aspirations and how the position fits your plan

Length: 500 to 1,000 Chinese characters. Some companies set specific word limits in their application systems.

For foreign applicants: Write the 自傳 in Chinese if you can. If your Chinese proficiency is insufficient, some international-facing companies accept English, but check the posting language first. A native speaker should review your 自傳 for natural phrasing.³

The Photo: A Measurable Impact

104 Job Bank's own data shows that resumes with professional photos receive three times more interview invitations than those without.³ Unlike markets where photos are discouraged or irrelevant, Taiwan's hiring culture treats the photo as a standard component.

Photo specifications: - Professional headshot (shoulders up) - Solid-colour background (white, light blue, or light gray) - Business or smart-casual attire (solid-coloured tops are acceptable) - Front-facing with a natural smile - High resolution, well-lit - Not overly edited or filtered

Where to get one: Photo studios (照相館, zhàoxiàngguǎn) near train stations and universities offer resume photo services. Specify 履歷照 (lǚlì zhào, resume photo). Cost: NT$300-800 for a set of prints plus digital file.

Traditional vs. Simplified Chinese

Taiwan uses traditional Chinese characters (繁體字). Mainland China uses simplified characters (简体字). Submitting a resume in simplified characters to a Taiwanese employer is equivalent to submitting it in the wrong language.⁴

For foreign applicants: If you learned Chinese in mainland China or using simplified-character textbooks, convert your resume to traditional characters. Microsoft Word and Google Docs can convert between character sets. Have a Taiwanese native speaker review the output for any conversion errors.

Job Platforms

104 Job Bank dominance: Similar to Seek in Australia, 104 holds a commanding share of Taiwan's job market. Complete your 104 profile thoroughly: employers search and filter candidates within the platform. The Foreign Talent section on 104 is specifically designed for international applicants.³

The Employment Gold Card

Taiwan's Employment Gold Card is a four-in-one document combining a resident visa, work permit, Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), and re-entry permit. Valid for one to three years and renewable.⁵

Eligibility categories: Science and technology, economics, education, culture and arts, sports, finance, law, architecture, defence, digital, and more. Applicants must demonstrate expertise in one of these fields through salary history (earning NT$160,000+/month), patents, publications, or professional recognition.

Key benefits: - Open work permit (not tied to a single employer) - No need for employer sponsorship - Tax incentives for qualifying salary levels - Pathway to permanent residency (APRC) after three years

For your resume: If you hold a Gold Card, state it prominently: "Employment Gold Card holder (有效期至 YYYY/MM)" in the personal information section. This immediately tells employers that no sponsorship or work permit processing is required.⁵

Alternative pathways: International graduates from top-200 world universities can apply for a two-year open work permit. Graduates of Taiwanese universities can work without a separate work permit for two years after graduation.²

Common Mistakes That Get Foreign Applicants Rejected

1. Using simplified Chinese characters. Traditional characters are the standard in Taiwan. Simplified characters mark your application as mainland-oriented.

2. Skipping the 自傳. When the application requests a self-introduction essay, omitting it signals incomplete effort. Treat the 自傳 as equal in importance to the 履歷 itself.

3. Submitting a standalone PDF instead of completing the 104 profile. Many employers exclusively recruit through 104's platform. A PDF sent by email bypasses their screening workflow.

4. Not including a photo. The data is clear: photos triple interview rates in Taiwan. Omitting one puts you at a measurable disadvantage.

5. Ignoring the job search criteria section. 104's template includes fields for target salary, location, and job type. Leaving these blank limits your visibility in employer searches.

6. Overestimating Chinese proficiency. If you list "intermediate Chinese" but cannot conduct a professional conversation, the interview will expose the gap immediately. Be accurate in your self-assessment.

Key Takeaways

For semiconductor and tech professionals: - Taiwan's chip industry faces persistent talent shortages. TSMC, MediaTek, ASE, and SPIL recruit internationally. - Quantify technical achievements: chip designs taped out, process nodes worked on, yield improvements delivered. - The Gold Card provides the fastest path to unrestricted work authorization for qualified professionals.

For English teachers and education professionals: - English teaching positions (buxiban/cram schools) commonly accept English applications and handle work permit processing. - Public school positions require higher Chinese proficiency and different credentialing. - Include TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification details and any TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language) scores.

For professionals targeting multinational companies: - International companies with Taiwan offices (Google, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Qualcomm) may accept English-language applications. - CakeResume and LinkedIn are better platforms for international-facing roles than 104. - Dual-language resumes (English and traditional Chinese) demonstrate flexibility.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should a How to Write a Resume for Jobs in Taiwan (履歷 and 自傳) resume emphasize first?

Lead with the role-critical qualifications, then prove impact with measurable outcomes and relevant tools or certifications.

How do I tailor this resume for each application?

Mirror the target job description language, prioritize matching achievements, and update skills/keywords for each posting.

Which keywords matter most for ATS screening?

Use exact role, tool, certification, and domain terms from the posting, especially in summary, skills, and experience bullets.

How long should this resume be?

Keep it to one page for most candidates, two pages only when added content is directly relevant and quantified.

Next Step

Ready to put this into practice? Use our free tools to test ATS compatibility and refine your resume.

• Analyze Your Resume
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References