How to Write a CV for Saudi Employers: Format, Language and What to Include

Recruiters in the Kingdom often receive many applications for one role. The CVs that get a call back are short, clearly laid out, and make the job title, experience and qualifications easy to check. This guide covers format, language, what to include and leave out, and how official platforms shape the process.

Format: keep it clean and easy to check

Employers want to confirm quickly what you do, where you’ve done it, and whether your qualifications hold up. Use one column, clear headings and a standard font: one page early in your career, two if you’re experienced.

Avoid tables, text boxes and graphics for key details, since many employers use screening software. List jobs newest first with month-and-year dates.

Save and send your CV as a PDF unless the employer asks for Word. If you’re a Saudi job seeker using Jadarat, the unified national employment platform, the official FAQ says the CV file must be a PDF no larger than 2 MB.

Arabic, English or both?

English is widely used in private-sector hiring, especially in multinational firms, engineering, healthcare and tech. Arabic is often preferred in government, semi-government and customer-facing roles, and many Saudi employers value bilingual candidates.

A practical rule: write your main CV in the language of the job advert. If the advert is bilingual or the role involves Arabic communication, prepare a matching Arabic version and keep the content identical. Don’t run a machine translation and send it unchecked; ask a fluent speaker to review job titles and technical terms.

List language skills honestly, with a level such as native, fluent or basic.

	English CV	Arabic CV
Common use	Private sector, multinationals, technical roles	Government, semi-government, Arabic-facing roles
Layout	Left-to-right	Right-to-left; check the PDF renders correctly
Job titles	Match your contract and the advert	Use the standard Arabic title, not a literal translation
Best practice	Keep both versions identical in content	Have a fluent speaker proofread

What to include

Think of each section as answering a recruiter’s question. Keep bullet points short and specific, and lead with results rather than duties.

Accurate job titles matter in Saudi Arabia. HRSD’s work-permit classification guidelines say a worker’s classification can be corrected by making sure the job title is accurately reflected in the documented work contract on Qiwa. If your CV title differs sharply from your contract, expect questions.

Professional registration and verified qualifications

Some fields require registration with a Saudi professional body before you can practise. The Saudi Council of Engineers states that engineers practising in the Kingdom must be registered with the Council. Health practitioners go through professional classification and registration with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, using the Mumaris Plus system.

If you hold a registration, list it near the top with its grade, or note that it’s in progress.

For non-Saudi candidates, HRSD’s Professional Accreditation programme includes Professional Verification of qualifications and experience for high-skilled jobs, and a Professional Examination for many skilled trades. Make sure the degrees, dates and employers on your CV match your certificates exactly, because they may be checked.

What to leave out

These items usually add risk or clutter without helping you get shortlisted:

• ID numbers: don’t put your Iqama, national ID or passport number on a CV you send widely. Share them only when a confirmed employer asks during onboarding.
• Full home address: your city is enough.
• Salary history: discuss pay at the interview or offer stage unless the application form asks.
• Old, unrelated jobs: summarise them in one line.

Photos, date of birth and marital status are common on CVs in the region, but they’re not something to include by default. Follow the advert or the employer’s application form.

Using Qiwa and Jadarat alongside your CV

Official platforms hold much of the employment data employers check, so your CV should match them.

Final checks before you hit send

Read your CV once on a phone screen, as many recruiters will, and check that Arabic text displays correctly in the PDF. Tailor the profile and top three bullets to each advert; a short, focused CV usually beats a long generic one. If you’re also thinking about working for yourself, our guide to registering a business in Saudi Arabia walks through the official steps.

Last checked: 6 October 2026 (Asia/Riyadh). Platform rules can change. Confirm current requirements on the official Jadarat, Qiwa and HRSD pages linked above.