Quick Summary
- Saudi CVs include personal details that Western CVs omit — nationality, date of birth, marital status
- A professional photo is expected and standard — unlike in many Western markets
- Ideal length is 2–3 pages for most professionals — not the 1-page Western standard
- Quantify achievements with numbers — Saudi employers respond well to concrete results
- Include your current visa/iqama status clearly — it matters to Saudi employers
- A clear salary expectation is often requested upfront — be ready with a range
How Saudi CVs Differ From Western CVs
The Saudi job market has its own CV conventions shaped by a mix of Gulf business culture, international influence and practical recruitment needs. Ignoring these conventions does not disqualify you — but following them signals that you understand the market and makes the recruiter's job easier, which works in your favour.
| Element | Western CV | Saudi CV |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | Not included (discrimination risk) | Expected — professional headshot |
| Nationality | Omitted | Include — recruiters need it |
| Date of birth | Usually omitted | Include — standard in Saudi |
| Marital status | Never included | Include — affects package planning |
| Length | 1 page ideal | 2–3 pages standard |
| Visa/iqama status | N/A | Include — critical for Saudi employers |
| Religion | Never included | Optional — sometimes included in the region |
CV Structure for Saudi Arabia
Header — Contact and Personal Details
Full name prominently at the top. Professional email address, Saudi mobile number (or home country number if abroad), LinkedIn profile URL. Then: Nationality, Date of Birth, Marital Status, Current Location (city, country), Visa/Iqama Status (e.g. "Saudi Iqama — transferable" or "Available for Saudi work visa"). Professional photo top right — business attire, neutral background.
Professional Summary — 3 to 4 Lines
A focused summary of who you are professionally, your years of experience, your core expertise and what you bring to the role. Mention Saudi Arabia experience if you have it — it is valued. Example: "Mechanical engineer with 12 years experience in oil and gas construction across Saudi Arabia and UAE. Specialist in [X]. Currently holds transferable Saudi iqama."
Work Experience — Reverse Chronological
Each role: company name, location, job title, dates. Then 4–6 bullet points per role focusing on achievements not just duties. Quantify wherever possible — "Managed SAR 15M project delivered 3 weeks ahead of schedule" beats "Managed projects." Saudi employers value specific results. Include Saudi Arabia or Gulf experience prominently.
Education
Degree title, institution, country, year. Saudi employers place significant value on degree qualification and institution reputation. Include any Saudi-recognised professional certifications (PE, CEng, CPA, PMP etc.) as these carry weight. If your degree is from a less well-known institution, highlight your professional certifications more prominently.
Skills and Languages
Technical skills relevant to your discipline. Software and tools. Language skills — English proficiency level, Arabic if any. Arabic even at basic level is worth mentioning as it signals cultural awareness. Any Gulf or Saudi-specific knowledge.
References
"References available on request" is sufficient. Do not list references on the CV itself — they will be requested at the appropriate stage. Ensure you have 2–3 professional references ready — former managers or senior colleagues who can be contacted by phone or email.
Common CV Mistakes That Cost Saudi Interviews
- No photo — in Saudi Arabia a CV without a photo can appear incomplete. Use a professional, recent headshot in business attire.
- Missing visa/iqama status — Saudi employers immediately want to know if you can start without a visa process or need full sponsorship. State this clearly upfront.
- Duties not achievements — listing what your job was rather than what you delivered. Saudi employers — particularly for senior roles — respond to results and impact.
- Generic CV not tailored to role — sending the same CV to every application. Adjust your professional summary and lead skills/achievements to match each specific role.
- Spelling and formatting errors — these signal carelessness. Use a clean, consistent format. Proofread carefully or use a tool like Grammarly.
- Too long or too short — 1 page is too brief for Saudi employers for experienced professionals. 5+ pages is too long. 2–3 pages is the sweet spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I mention my current salary on my CV?
No — do not put your current or expected salary on your CV itself. If a job application form asks for salary expectations enter a range based on your market research. Putting a number on your CV anchors expectations before the employer has assessed your full value. Discuss salary at the interview stage when you have had the opportunity to understand the full scope of the role.
I have a gap in my employment history. How do I handle it?
Be straightforward — gaps are common and not automatically disqualifying in Saudi Arabia. If the gap was for family reasons, study, health or a return to your home country briefly note this honestly. A gap with no explanation is more concerning than an explained gap. Do not fabricate dates to cover gaps — employment verification is standard practice for professional roles in Saudi Arabia.
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