Published in: Resume Writing Guidance

Qatar Resume Writing Standards for the Job Application

Author Proresumes Team

Published on: April 4, 2026

Qatar resume writing standards for the job Application

Have you spotted a career opportunity in Doha, Qatar?

Refine your CV or resume after exploring this guide and learning everything that you need to optimize your job application.

What is the job application document called by the Qataris? 

The Qatari population or job applicants use two distinct words for their job application documents, known as CV and resume. These two words are used in the country interchangeably.

However, the French word resume is utilized less than the CV, which is derived from the Latin term “curriculum vitae”. The word CV is the short form used for both job application documents or resumes, and the longer documents for academia or research.

Regional resume standards are essential for candidates in Qatar

Qatar is situated in the Middle East and is a part of the Western region of Asia. The country follows the Asian resume standards due to its geographical position and job market requirements.

Qatari job applicants who are currently working on their resumes or CVs should know the following standards:

Resume Length

When it comes to the standard length of a resume, the majority of Asian countries utilize up to two pages. However, in some Gulf countries like Qatar, the CVs or resumes for jobs can be up to three pages as well.

Meanwhile, the one-page resume is often utilized by applicants in the following conditions:

1. The candidate is a new graduate and doesn’t have relevant expertise.
2. The candidate has switched careers and doesn’t have work experience in the target industry.
3. The candidate is an entry-level professional and has very little experience.

However, there are also some situations where the candidates are allowed to use two or three pages for Gulf CVs:

1. The candidate is at a managerial or director level with much expertise.
2. The candidate is a freelance or contract worker and has done extensive projects.
3. The candidate works in the IT, healthcare, or finance industry.
4. The candidate has more than fifteen years of expertise.

Paper Size

It is essential to follow the paper size standard for creating official documents in each country. Moreover, the Qatar resume and CVs are crafted on A4-sized paper.

This paper size is a part of the German series of paper, which is also standardized as ISO 216. The reasons why this one paper size is utilized by the majority of countries are:

• The paper size can be shared easily through digital devices.
• It is accessible and cost-effective compared to other paper sizes like A1 or A2.
• The paper size has enough space to use ideally for a one-page resume.
• It works best with a range of printing devices at any printing store.

Moreover, the Qatari job applicants should ensure that the dimensions of their resume are the following, as per different measurements:

• Millimeters: 210 x 297
• Centimeters: 21.0 x 29.7
• Inches: 8.27 x 11.69
• Pixels: 1240 x 1754 (150 DPI)

Resume Format

The formats that are mostly used for Qatari CVs and resumes are the following:

• Reverse-chronological resume format: This format is the most common one used in the majority of Asian countries by job seekers. However, to create a resume with this format, applicants have to start with their most recent experience and end with the earliest.

This is widely accepted by recruiters because it is easy to read and shows the career progress of a candidate. Moreover, if an applicant is unaware of the format requirements for job application, then they should use this resume format.

• Functional resume format: This format is mostly used for job applications where industry requirements aren’t really high. These resumes focus on the accomplishments and competencies of an applicant over their work experience in any industry.
  
  Moreover, this format isn’t welcomed by many industries and hiring managers. So, job applicants should always confirm the resume format requirements before working on one.

What are the languages accepted by employers in Qatar for resumes or CVs?

In Qatar, the hiring managers expect the job application documents to be written in the following languages:

Arabic

Since the country is a part of the Gulf states, using Arabic in resumes for the following roles gives an advantage:

1. Government jobs
2. Roles requiring local interaction
3. Administrative and marketing positions

Even though Arabic works for resumes in Qatar, it is not the primary language. The applicants should be careful about their application and tailor their language according to the job description.

UK English

British English is used as the primary language for the Qatari resume content. The language is widely used in the corporate sector of Doha and is used for applying to jobs like:

• Banking jobs
• Territory teaching jobs
• IT jobs
• Business roles
• Tourism jobs

The language is used in resumes because of the influence of the British on the region. However, many multinational companies in Qatar also accept resumes written in American English as well.

It is recommended by resume experts to focus on the use of consistency in UK/US spellings, terminology, and grammar.

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Is a profile picture an integral part of the CV or resume in Qatar?

Yes, since it is a part of the Gulf states, recruiters in these countries expect the professional headshots of applicants. However, this resume requirement still varies according to companies and recruiters, but attaching a photo often gives an advantage.

Many employers request a photo to analyze the applicant based on their appearance and ensure cultural fit. Some request a photo because they are in an industry that relies on social interaction and good appearances.

However, it is always good practice to confirm the requirements for a job application document before adding a picture. The applicants should also be aware of the following guidelines:

• The Gulf CVs or resumes require professional applicant photos that are professional.
• The candidates must be dressed in a formal outfit in the photo.
• The quality of the picture should be good with high resolution and clarity.
• The background of the picture should be plain with simple white and blue colors.
• The picture should not be edited with image-alteration software or editing tools.
• The applicant should provide a center shot with a face covering 60% of the photo.

Are the job applicants in Qatar required to provide professional references in their resumes?

No, unlike some Middle Eastern documents, the Qatari resumes often exclude professional references since it’s an optional requirement. Many job applicants use the phrase” references available upon request” in their CV and use a separate document for providing references.

The references list is used to provide the details of any person who can vouch for the applicant’s expertise. The details that are a part of this list are:

1. Full name
2. Work position
3. Organization name
4. Phone number
5. Email ID
6. Professional affiliation

Pro Tip: Always get the permission of your professional connections before providing their details as your references.

What are the important sections that are required to craft a CV or resume in Qatar?

The main parts of a resume in Qatar are the following, with essential and extra elements:

Contact and Personal Information

The header of the resume includes the following information of the applicant:

• Full name
• Active phone number
• Professional Email address
• Nationality
• City of residence
• LinkedIn profile (optional)
• Residency or visa status (for foreign candidates)
• Professional headshot (optional)

Following is the list of some optional details that were commonly provided in the Gulf CVs:

• Date of birth
• Marital status
• Religion
• Passport number
• Home address

Professional Summary

When you’re working on the professional summary for your Qatari resume or CV, ensure the following:

• Only use three to four lines for your professional statement.
• Highlight key skills, achievements, years of experience, and future goals.
• Add any GCC or Gulf experience to highlight regional and local knowledge.

Work Experience

This section of the job application documents highlights the following details of the Qatari applicants:

• Name of organization
• Job title/ Position
• Date of employment
• Main work responsibilities
• Measurable outcomes and quantified achievements
• GCC work experience local relevance

Education

The Qatari applicants include the following details regarding their education in this section:

• Name of degree
• Name of university or institute
• Year of graduation
• GPA or percentage (If requested)
• Professional certifications
• Academic awards and honors

Additional Sections

The Qatari job application documents can also include the following sections:

• Hobbies
• Languages
• Skills
• Certifications
• Volunteer work

What should applicants avoid while working on a CV or resume in Qatar?

The following are some things that should be avoided to craft a good CV or resume in Qatar:

• Don’t ignore employment gaps and provide clear explanations.
• Don’t use two-column or extremely creative designs for your resume.
• Never ignore the inclusion of your nationality and visa status as a foreign candidate.
• Don’t provide any email addresses with unprofessional domain names.
• Don’t ignore the job description language and key terms.
• Don’t utilize the one-size-fits-all resume templates for applying to different jobs.

Aware of the resume standards in the Asian region? Learn them by exploring Proresumes blogs.