CV format for Saudi Arabia jobs — with a free template.

Free Saudi Arabia CV template (Word).

Download the free Saudi CV template (Word, .docx). It is written in English, opens in Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Pages, and uses standard headings with no tables or graphics, so applicant tracking systems can read it. Replace everything in [brackets], delete anything that is not true for you, and save it as a PDF unless the employer asks for Word.

Prefer not to format anything yourself? The AI CV generator fills this structure from your details, and you can preview the finished CV free before deciding to export it.

The section order most Saudi employers expect.

1. Name, target job title and contact details: city, +966 mobile number, email and LinkedIn. 2. Nationality, Iqama status and availability. 3. A two- to three-line professional summary aimed at the vacancy. 4. Work experience, newest first, with results you can prove. 5. Education. 6. Certifications and any professional classification your field requires. 7. Skills and languages with honest proficiency levels.

Keep it to one page if you have under five years of experience and two pages at most otherwise. Recruiters scan the top third first, so the details that decide whether you can start — location, Iqama status, notice period — belong there.

What a Saudi CV includes that others often don't.

Nationality and Iqama status. Employers in Saudi Arabia often need to know straight away whether you are a Saudi national, an expatriate already in the Kingdom with a transferable Iqama (residence permit), or applying from abroad. State only what is true; it saves a screening call.

Professional classification. Several professions are regulated: engineers register with the Saudi Council of Engineers, and healthcare practitioners are classified by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. If your role needs one, list your membership or classification and number, or say that it is in progress.

Languages. English is the usual CV language for private-sector roles, and Arabic is an advantage for customer-facing jobs. List each language with an honest level such as native, fluent, professional or basic.

Notice period and driving licence. Give your availability as a date or a number of weeks, and mention a Saudi driving licence only when the role involves driving or site visits.

Tailoring the CV for common roles in Saudi Arabia.

Engineering and construction: lead with project names, values in SAR, your role on site and your Saudi Council of Engineers status. Sales: show targets and results in SAR and the regions or sectors you covered. Healthcare: put your classification and licence details near the top. Accounting and finance: list qualifications such as SOCPA, CPA or ACCA and the systems you used, such as SAP or Oracle. Hospitality and retail: highlight languages, customer-service results and shift flexibility.

Avoid vague content and unsupported claims.

Avoid generic duty lists, unexplained employment gaps, inconsistent dates and claims you cannot support. If you prepare an Arabic and an English version, review each one for meaning and layout rather than relying on a literal translation. A photo, date of birth and marital status are only worth adding when the vacancy asks for them.

The CV builder for Saudi Arabia provides structured fields and a live preview, and an Arabic version of this guide is available. AI Coach is an optional Plus feature for users who want writing assistance. For a ready file without a subscription, the ATS CV generator for Gulf jobs builds an Arabic or English CV you can preview free, then download as PDF and Word for AED 20 once.