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A free guide from Maseera

How to write your first CV as a student or fresh graduate in Saudi Arabia

No work experience yet? That does not mean an empty CV. Your degree, graduation project, co-op training, volunteering and courses all count, as long as you describe them clearly and truthfully.

Sources checked on 4 November 2026. العربية

1. Start with what gets read first

The first look at a CV is quick. In its 2018 eye-tracking study, Ladders found that recruiters spent an average of 7.4 seconds on the initial screen of a CV; CVs with simple layouts and clear sections and headings did better, while cluttered or multi-column ones did worse (HR Dive, 2018). So put these at the top:

• Your name as it appears on your degree certificate.
• Contact details: mobile number, a professional email address, your city, and your LinkedIn link if you have one.
• A two or three line summary: your major, university and graduation year, the kind of role you want, and your strongest point.

You do not need your national ID number or full home address on a CV; keep them for official forms if you are asked.

2. Put your education near the top

As a student or recent graduate, your studies are your strongest section, so place them right after the summary:

• Degree, major, university, and graduation year (or expected year).
• Your GPA with its scale if it helps you, for example 4.3 out of 5.
• Your graduation project: the problem, the part you did yourself, the tools, and the result. Use a number only if it is true and you know where it comes from.
• Three to five courses that relate directly to the job.

3. Experience without a job: where it comes from

Much of what you have done belongs under "Experience" or "Training", as long as it is real. For each item write the organization, your role and the dates, then two lines on what you achieved.

Co-op training

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development regulates student training (co-op training) according to the study plan, under Ministerial Decision 84806, in force since 1 January 2024 (Ministry page, in Arabic). Write your co-op the way you would write a job: the organization, your trainee title, the dates and what you did.

Tamheer

"Graduate Development (Tamheer)" is a Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) product for diploma and bachelor's graduates that offers on-the-job training opportunities. Its conditions include being no older than 30 and not currently employed (HRDF: Tamheer). If you joined it, it is practical experience for your CV, and the same HRDF page explains how to issue your training certificate from your account.

Volunteering

The Ministry says the National Volunteer Platform documents individuals' volunteer hours and shows them in Absher (Ministry news, 28 January 2024, in Arabic). List the organization, your role, the hours and what you did.

Doroob courses

Doroob is HRDF's e-training platform. You can register without paying any fees because HRDF funds its programs (HRDF: Doroob), and its certificate verification service lets organizations and individuals check details such as the course name and hours (HRDF: Verify Certificate). So write the course name and hours exactly as they appear on the certificate.

And also

Student clubs, competitions, part-time or freelance work, and personal projects. The test is the same: something you did yourself and can explain.

4. Skills and languages

A long list of skills with no examples convinces nobody. George Mason University's career services guide advises putting skills into accomplishment statements and not relying on a skills list without context (George Mason University, 2026).

For languages: Arabic (native), and English at your real level, with a test score if you have one.

5. Layout: simple and clear

• One column, no tables, text boxes or images with text in them, and familiar section names such as Education, Experience and Skills (George Mason University).
• A common font and the same formatting throughout.
• Send a Word (.docx) file unless the employer asks for a PDF, and name the file after yourself rather than "CV1" (George Mason University).
• We suggest one page if you do not have long experience. What matters is that every line earns its place.

To see how hiring systems read a CV, read our guide to ATS-friendly CVs. For why this layout works, with a before-and-after example, see our guide to a professional CV.

6. Do not forget your Jadarat profile

Jadarat is the Unified National Employment Platform, managed by HRDF, listing public and private sector jobs for Saudi nationals. HRDF advises keeping your profile up to date and completing every detail so it can be matched with suitable jobs, and you must verify your qualification on the platform before applying for public sector jobs (HRDF: Jadarat). To choose your CV language, read Arabic or English CV.

7. Before you send it: truth first

• Write only what you can explain in an interview. If you studied a tool in two courses, say exactly that instead of "expert".
• Do not add a number unless you know where it comes from.
• Check spelling, how you write dates, and that your phone number and email work.
• Ask a friend to read your CV for half a minute, then tell you what they learned about you.

Sources

1. HR Dive, "Eye tracking study shows recruiters look at resumes for 7 seconds", 8 November 2018, on the Ladders 2018 study: hrdive.com
2. Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, "Student training (co-op training)", Ministerial Decision 84806, published 19 December 2023, in force 1 January 2024 (Arabic): hrsd.gov.sa
3. Human Resources Development Fund, "Graduate Development: Tamheer": hrdf.org.sa
4. Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, news on volunteering in 2023, published 28 January 2024 (Arabic): hrsd.gov.sa
5. Human Resources Development Fund, "Electronic Training (Doroob)" and "Verify Certificate": Doroob, Verify Certificate
6. George Mason University Career Services, "Make your applications tech-friendly", Career Readiness Guide (PDF, 2026): webdocs.gmu.edu
7. Human Resources Development Fund, "Jadarat: Individuals": hrdf.org.sa