Writing an Israeli-Style CV

Step-by-Step Instructions

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   In brief

   Writing a resume for the Israeli job market involves a few specific adjustments compared with what may be familiar from other countries. Israeli recruiters typically spend about 5 seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to read it more carefully. The guidelines below cover the essentials: language, length, structure, and the personal details that are customary (or not customary) to include.

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   General guidelines

   • Prepare two basic versions of your resume — one in Hebrew and one in English. Job postings in Israel appear in either language, and in the hi-tech sector they are often in English.
   • Keep it concise and well structured. Aim to fit the key information on one page, while keeping the layout visually easy to read.
   • Use keywords from job postings. Resumes are sometimes scanned by automated systems, and HR specialists look for the same terms manually. Review several postings in your field and note the wording they use.
   • Check for grammar and accuracy. Even a strong resume can turn off an employer if it contains grammatical errors. The free service Grammarly.com can help check an English resume.
   • Prepare a basic resume and adapt it for each position. Highlight the experience that best matches the employer's requirements. If a specific vacancy interests you, add keywords from the job description and candidate requirements to your resume. Volunteering and university projects also count as relevant experience — it doesn't have to be limited to formal work responsibilities.
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   Personal information — what to include

   The header of your resume should include:

   • First and last name
   • Israeli phone number
   • Email address
   • A short paragraph describing the type of role you're seeking and your key achievements or strengths
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   Personal information — what NOT to include

   • A photo. In Israel, it is generally not customary to include a photo on a resume. Instead, add a clickable link to your LinkedIn profile, where recruiters can learn more about you.
   • Your address. A distant location might reduce your chances of being invited to an interview — although rejecting a candidate based on their address is illegal in Israel.
   • Marital status, number of children, or date of birth. These details are unrelated to employment, and questions about them from employers are illegal in Israel.
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   Formatting tips

   • Use bold text to highlight sections and consider adding colour alongside black. This helps employers quickly scan your resume and notice the most important information.
   • Use resume templates from the internet or tools such as Canva. A popular format vertically divides the page into two columns.
   • Prepare your resume in both Word and PDF formats. Some automated screening systems may not correctly read information from PDFs, so a Word version can sometimes be more reliable.

   Canva resume templates
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   Section order

   The order of sections in your resume matters. A typical Israeli-style resume includes:

   1. Work experience
   2. Education
   3. Additional experience (courses, volunteering, etc.)
   4. Military service
   5. Languages

   Arrange them so that the most relevant information appears first. For example, if you've just graduated and don't yet have much work experience, place Education at the top.

   The same rule applies within each section: list your most recent achievements first, followed by earlier ones. Languages and personal qualities usually appear at the bottom of the resume.

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   Assisting bodies

   itworks is a non-profit organisation that supports Olim and other job-seekers in entering the Israeli workforce, providing career guidance, professional retraining, and placement support.

   This guide was prepared together with NGO itworks.

   itworks NGO
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   Related guides

   Other guides in the Career — Israeli job search (ITWorks) series:

   • Using LinkedIn for the Israeli Job Market
   • Where and How to Look for a Job in Israel
   • How to Prepare for a Job Interview in Israel
   • How to Talk About Salary and Employment Terms in Israel
   • 8 Common Mistakes Olim Make When Looking for a Job in Israel