CV Formats by Country — What You Need to Know

Sending the same CV to every country is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes job seekers make. What works perfectly in the UK can get you rejected in Germany. What's standard in Saudi Arabia would raise red flags in Singapore. Here's the complete guide.

United Kingdom

UK CVs are concise, focused and strictly two pages. Never include a photo, date of birth, marital status or nationality — this protects against discrimination and is standard practice. Start with a punchy personal statement (3–4 lines), followed by work experience, education and skills.

Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman)

Gulf CVs are significantly more detailed than Western ones. Include your nationality, date of birth, visa status and marital status. A professional passport-style photo is expected. The career summary should be detailed (4–6 lines), and each role should include scope, team size and measurable impact.

Germany

German CVs (Lebenslauf) are highly structured and formal. A professional photo in the top right corner is standard. Include date of birth, nationality and marital status. Gaps in employment must be explained. Precision and honesty are valued above all — never embellish.

Singapore and Hong Kong

Singapore and Hong Kong follow broadly Western conventions. Singapore government guidelines explicitly recommend leaving out age and ID numbers to prevent discrimination. Academic credentials carry significant weight — list your university, degree and grade prominently.

Japan

Japan uses a standardised CV format called the Rirekisho. This is a formal document with fixed sections — you fill it in rather than design it. For foreign companies in Japan, a more Western-style CV is increasingly acceptable, but still include a professional photo.