Resume Standards Followed by the Job Seekers in Turkey

Have you spotted a promising international work opportunity while living in Turkey? It’s time to explore this guide and learn the resume standards that will help you design your CV or resume.

What is the Document Name used in Turkey for the Job Application?

The people of Turkey utilize a word from Turkish terminology known as Özgeçmiş. The literal meaning of this word is ‘past experiences’ or ‘past self’ which relates to the job application’s objective.

The word Özgeçmiş is used by the Turks as the replacement for the word resume or CV from Turkish language. However, many job applicants or employers also prefer using the word CV as well.

This word is an abbreviation of the word ‘curriculum vitae’ which is a part of the Latin terminology. Meanwhile, the French word ‘resume’ which has the meaning of ‘summarizing’ is used rarely.

Regional resume standards for job candidates in Turkey

Turkey is also known as the Republic of Turkiye. It is geographically situated in both Western Asia and the Southeast region of Europe. However, due to its location and influence of both regions, the country follows resume standards adapted from both regions.

The kind of resume standards followed by the Turkish job applicants are:

Resume Length

The Turkish resumes for the multinational firms and international organizations are always between 1 to 2 pages. However, the local Turkish employers prefer detailed job application documents which results in the use of three resume pages.

Moreover, the requirements for the resume length depend on the experience level of a candidate. Here’s how you can decide the resume length by evaluating your expertise:

1. One-page resume
2. It is used when the applicant has 0 to less than 5 years of experience.
3. It is used by freshers, recent graduates, and professionals who change careers.

• Two- or Three-pages resume
• It is used when applicants have at least fifteen to twenty years of experience.
• Professionals who use this resume length include the following:
• Managers
• Leaders
• Directors
• Freelancers

Paper Size

The standard size used for the resume paper in the Asian region is considered to be A4. This standard for professional documentation was adapted by Turkey in 1967. It is used for resumes and professional documentation in almost every Asian country except Philippines.

Moreover, below are some reasons that explain why this paper size is used as a standard in majority of countries:

• It is best for a one-page resume because of spaciousness.
• The resume document will work in Asian or other countries with similar standards.
• The paper size is easily available for printing and is cost-effective.
• The resume can be shared easily through digital devices because of high compatibility.

Apart from this, here’s a bunch of dimensions for Turkish resumes in 2026:

1. Centimeters: 21 x 29.7
2. Inches: 8.27 x 11.69
3. Millimeters: 210 x 297
4. Pixels: 2480 x 3508 (300 DPI setting)

Resume Format

The Turkish resumes use three kinds of resume formats mostly, including:

Chronological

This resume format lists the past work experiences of an applicant in a reverse-chronological order, starting with a recent one. It can be used by a job seeker who has a usual work history. Moreover, it is preferred by recruiters because it is readable and highlights a person’s career progress. 

Functional

Compared to the chronological format, the functional resume format isn’t favored much by the Turkish recruiters. This format only works for the jobs and industries that demand skills. Moreover, it is used by inexperienced applicants who have an unusual work history.

Combination

This format is also known as hybrid since it blends both the earlier mentioned formats. Moreover, it is usually utilized by the applicants who are at a much-experienced point in their career. The resume format helps these professionals in highlighting their work history along with skills set effectively.

Pro Tip: If you’re unaware of the best resume format, then you should utilize the reverse-chronological one to avoid later issues.

How many languages in Turkey can be utilized for writing the content of a job application? 

The job applicants in Turkey often use the following languages for their application documents:

Turkish

This is the main language of the country and is often considered as the dominant one when applying to following:

• Local work positions
• Public sector jobs
• Work requiring local interaction

The written script that is used for these resumes is the modern Turkish alphabet which evolved from the Latin script. Moreover, many Turk applicants focus on using the English language for their job application for some local companies as well.

The best way to avoid any negative impression is to submit both Turkish and English versions of your CV or resume.

English

The English language is used as the standard and dominant language for Turkish resumes. It is mostly used when applying to work positions at foreign-affiliated firms or multinational corporations. However, some local recruiters also request an English resume with a Turkish version.

Moreover, the version of English used for these resumes is mostly the British one. However, the applicants should use concise, formal, and accurate UK terminology in their documents.

Found a promising work opportunity in the Turkish job market? It’s time to refine your resumes yourself or get the help of experts from ProResumes. Connect with resume experts and get the help of human writers instead of automated systems.

Are the Turkish applicants required to add their profile photo in their resume?

Yes, many Turkish companies that follow the Asian resume standards generally prefer a professional headshot of the applicant. However, the companies which are based on the European side of the country might ban the submission of resumes with applicant’s photos.

These companies follow the resume standards of the European region and restrict photo inclusion because:

• The use of photos in resumes promotes unfair judgement on the basis of appearance.
• It promotes racial bias and discrimination in hiring.
• It doesn’t work with the ATS due to difficulty in parsing.

However, the job applicants should always confirm the requirements of the recruiter or avoid including pictures in such areas.

Moreover, the applicants who are expected to include their resume picture should comply with these rules:

1. The picture should be of good quality with clear visuals.
2. The applicant should wear professional clothing for the picture.
3. The applicant must maintain formal yet warm expressions for the picture.
4. The applicant’s face should occupy at least 60% of the picture with a center shot.
5. The picture should not be enhanced with any kind of filter or image-editing with tools.
6. The picture should have a decluttered, plain, and neutral background.
7. The applicants should use the passport size 2 x 2 dimension for photo.

Is it significant to provide some professional references within a resume in Turkey? 

Yes, many local recruiters in the country follow the resume standards of the Asian region and demand for references. However, unlike the local companies, employers from private sector or multinational organizations don’t require references at an early stage.

Thus, it is significant to be sure of the recruiter’s main requirements regarding a job application document. Moreover, many applicants who don’t include references directly in the CV, utilize a references list.

The details in this list or resume include the following:

1. Full name of the referee
2. Occupation of the referee
3. Contact details of the referee (Includes phone number and professional email address)
4. Professional affiliation between the referee and applicant

What are the significant components utilized in Turkey for the development of a resume or CV?

The professional resumes in Turkey include the following resume sections, such as:

Header information

The header of the Turkish applications doesn’t include personal details of the client. It includes the following:

• Full name
• Professional headshot (optional)
• Active phone number
• Professional email address
• City of residence
• Nationality (foreign applicants)
• Visa status (foreign applicants)

However, sometimes the employers require details like:

• Date of birth
• Marital status

Career Objectives

This is usually a concise statement that is used to highlight the professional commitment and goals of an applicant. It is written within three or four lines and highlights the main strength areas, major achievements and years of expertise.

Work Experience

This section is formatted in a reverse-chronological order, and it consists of the following details:

• Job title
• Employer or organization’s name
• Dates of employment
• Bullet points for work duties
• Quantified achievements with numbers and metrics
• Internship experience (recent graduates)
• International work experience

Education

This section of the resumes in Turkey contains the following details:

• Recent degree or educational course
• Name of institute
• Main subject
• Year of graduation
• Professional certifications
• Academic achievements or awards

Pro Tip: If you’ve graduated from a well-known institute, highlight the name in the CV. Turkish employers give huge importance to strong credentials.

Additional Sections

The extra sections of the Turkish resumes include the following:

• Skills
• Languages
• Volunteer work
• Hobbies
• Certifications
• References

Things that should not be ignored by an applicant while creating a resume in Turkey

Here’s a list of quick tips for editing your CV in Turkey before sharing it digitally:

• Always use resume fonts that are compatible with the ATS.
• Use the STAR method to highlight the experience in the work history section.
• Use a professional and one-column layout which is ATS-friendly.
• Highlight foreign language skills when applying for a multilingual position.
• Make sure that your personal statement or career objectives are tailored to the keywords from the job description.

Check out ProResumes blogs to find the resume standards in your region easily!