Template conventions by region – Page 3

Usually not. Writing "Curriculum Vitae" or "Resume" at the top is a traditional habit in some regions, including parts of South Asia and the Gulf, but modern CVs use your name as the heading instead.

Why your name works better:

• It is the most important piece of information for the reader.
• It saves a line of space.
• Software may read the first large text as your name.

If an employer or local format expects the title, add it in small text above your name. Otherwise, put your full name prominently at the top, with your professional title and contact details below.

Only if it is the local habit or the employer asks. Traditional formats in Germany and some other countries sometimes end with a place, date and signature, but many employers no longer expect it.

When to include it:

• The employer's instructions request it.
• You are applying to a traditional organisation in a country where it is customary.

When to leave it out:

• Applications in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, the Gulf and most multinational roles.
• Online applications through portals.

If you include it, keep it at the very end on one line.

City and state are usually enough. A full street address is no longer common on US resumes, and leaving it out saves space and protects your privacy.

Example contact line:
"Jordan Lee | Austin, TX | jordan.lee@email.com | (512) 555-0147"

Tips:

• If you are relocating, you can write your target city with a note, for example: "Relocating to Denver, CO, June 2027".
• Use a phone format familiar to US readers.

Follow any employer instructions that ask for a full address, such as on application forms.

Usually not. Your town or city, and optionally the first part of your postcode, is enough on a UK CV. Many people now leave out the full street address.

Example contact line:
"Sophie Green | Manchester | sophie.green@email.com | 07700 900123"

Benefits:

• Saves space at the top of the page.
• Protects your privacy if your CV is shared.

Application forms may ask for a full address separately, and that is the right place to give it.

Show your city and country, for example "Dubai, UAE" or "Abu Dhabi, UAE". A full street address is not normally needed on UAE CVs.

If you are outside the UAE:

• Show your current city and country.
• Add a note about availability, for example: "Available to relocate to the UAE; notice period 30 days."

Many employers want to know whether you are already in the country, so be clear and honest about your location and availability. Include your phone number with country code.

Use a clean A4 CV in the local style or an international style, written in the language of the job advert, and make your work status and location clear where relevant.

Practical tips:

• Follow the target country's conventions on photos and personal details.
• Use Europass if the employer or programme asks for it.
• Explain unfamiliar qualifications briefly, for example by naming the field and level.
• Add language levels, ideally using a recognised scale if you know your level.

Many European employers recruit in English for international roles; others expect the local language. Check each advert.

When the employer, job advert or region clearly uses that language, for example some local businesses, regional organisations or public-sector roles in parts of India. Most private-sector and multinational employers in India expect English.

Tips:

• Keep an English version as your main CV.
• Use the local-language version only where it suits the employer.
• Make sure both versions say the same thing.

ResumeBuilder.ae supports Hindi (Devanagari) and Malayalam as resume languages, chosen on the Design tab. The ready-made example text is in English for now, so write or translate your content carefully.

Yes, if you hold a valid licence and it is relevant. In the Gulf, a local driving licence is often valued, especially for sales, field, logistics and supervisory roles, and many CVs mention it in the personal details block.

How to show it:

• "Driving licence: UAE (light vehicle)" or "Driving licence: Saudi, valid until 2028".
• For drivers, list licence categories and expiry dates in a Licences section.

If you hold a licence from another country, say which country. ResumeBuilder.ae includes an optional driving licence field in personal details.

Because many Gulf employers want to know quickly how soon you could start, and notice periods vary a lot. Listing it saves a question and helps recruiters plan.

How to show it:

• In the personal details block, for example: "Notice period: 1 month".
• Or "Available immediately" if you can start straight away.

Keep it accurate and consistent with your employment contract. ResumeBuilder.ae includes an optional notice period field in personal details. Outside the Gulf and some Asian markets, this detail is usually discussed later rather than shown on the CV.

It is seen on some Gulf CVs, particularly in traditional formats, but many employers do not need it, and it is optional. Include it only if an employer asks.

Points to consider:

• It is not relevant to whether you can do the job.
• Leaving it out keeps your personal details block shorter.
• Some application forms may ask for it separately.

If you apply to the UK, US, Canada or Australia, leave it out; official guidance in the UK and Canada advises against including it.

Show your current location honestly and add a short relocation note, so employers know your plans and timeline.

Examples:

• "Mumbai, India | Relocating to Dubai, UAE from March 2027"
• "Cairo, Egypt | Open to relocation to Saudi Arabia"

Tips:

• Keep the note in your contact line or summary, not hidden at the end.
• Mention availability or notice period where relevant.
• Do not give a local address you do not yet live at.

Clear location information helps recruiters decide quickly, especially when roles require local presence.

Use the language of the job advert. If the advert is in English, an English CV is usually fine; if it is in the local language, a CV in that language is generally expected unless the advert says otherwise.

Practical tips:

• Keep separate CVs per language rather than mixing languages.
• Have a fluent speaker review any translated CV.
• List your language levels honestly.

ResumeBuilder.ae supports French, Spanish and German as resume languages, chosen on the Design tab, in addition to English. The ready-made example text is in English, so translate your content carefully.