How to write a CV for Egypt and the Levant

Egypt and the Levant — Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria — have large, competitive job markets, and many candidates apply both at home and in the Gulf. The same CV often has to work for a local company, a multinational and an employer abroad. Here is what tends to be expected.

Choosing the language

English CVs are standard at multinational companies, banks, technology firms, international organisations and NGOs. Arabic is common in the public sector and at many local businesses. In Lebanon, French is also widely used alongside Arabic and English. When a job posting is written in one language, reply in that language.

Length and structure

Aim for one page if you have a few years of experience, and two pages beyond that. A clear order works best: contact details, a short summary, experience with the most recent role first, education, skills, languages, then certifications or training.

Details employers in Egypt often ask for

• Military service status, for Egyptian men: many employers in Egypt expect it — completed, exempted or postponed — often with the year. For them it is a practical question, not a formality.
• Graduation grade: listing your university grade (for example Very Good or Excellent) or your GPA is common, especially for recent graduates.
• Photo: often included on CVs in Egypt and the Levant. Use a professional headshot, or leave it out for multinationals that ask for no photos.
• Date of birth and nationality: optional. Nationality is useful when you apply abroad or to an international organisation.

Education and training

List your degree, university and graduation year, and add honours, a graduation project or a thesis title if it relates to the job. Short courses and training programmes count, especially in fast-moving fields — name the provider and the year.

Showing your experience

Write two to five points per role, starting with an action verb and ending with a result. If you worked with clients or teams in other countries, say so; regional experience can make a CV stand out.

Applying to the Gulf from Egypt or the Levant

If you are aiming for jobs in the Gulf, add your nationality, your current location and when you could start, and read our guide to Gulf CVs for the details employers there expect.

Doing it in Tabhar

• Add your nationality — and, only if you choose, your date of birth — from the header's optional details.
• Put your military service status in a custom section, for example "Military service: Completed, 2019".
• Keep an English and an Arabic version with the same facts: duplicate the CV, or translate it with AI into a new copy on a paid plan.
• Check the CV in the ATS panel before you apply online.

Before you send it

• Your phone number includes the country code, for example +20 for Egypt, +962 for Jordan or +961 for Lebanon.
• Your education shows the degree, the university and the year.
• If you are an Egyptian man, your military service status is stated.
• Both language versions carry the same facts.

Hiring practices differ between employers and change over time. When a job posting gives instructions, follow them.