🇴🇲How to Write a CV for Oman

Quick facts: CVs in Oman

These are common practices; they vary by employer and industry. If a job ad asks for something specific, follow the ad.

What to include

What to leave off

• A generic summary with no specialism — With Omanisation, roles open to expatriates usually seek a specific skill.
• Resident card or passport numbers — They are not needed on a CV and risk your privacy.
• Expired safety certificates without a note — Add the expiry date or note that renewal is in progress.
• Long CVs full of old detail — Condense older roles and focus on roughly the last ten years.

ATS and CVs in Oman

In Oman, large oil and gas operators, telecom companies, banks and port operators usually take applications through online portals with applicant tracking systems, and many also work through recruitment agencies and contractors that screen CVs first. Smaller local firms often receive CVs by email and a manager reads them personally, so your CV needs to work for both software and people.

• Use a single-column template like Executive or Timeline, and the Photo template if the employer prefers a photo.
• Write technical job titles exactly as in the ad, e.g. Mechanical Engineer, HSE Supervisor or Drilling Engineer.
• Name certifications and software: NEBOSH, Primavera P6, AutoCAD, SAP.
• Put nationality and residence status as plain text at the top.
• Keep dates consistent and add a brief note for any gaps.

Test your CV with the CV checker and use the job matcher to align it with the ad.

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CV example

Examples by job

Applying for jobs in Oman

Most jobs in Oman are in Muscat, with industrial and logistics hubs in Sohar and Duqm, home to ports and economic zones, and Salalah in the south, known for its port and tourism. Oil and gas sites in the interior often run on rotational schedules. Key sectors include oil and gas, logistics and ports, tourism and hospitality, mining, manufacturing, fisheries, education and healthcare.

• Job sites: LinkedIn, Bayt, Naukrigulf and GulfTalent, plus major employers' portals. Recruitment agencies and contractors play a large role in technical hiring.
• Omanisation: a policy encouraging the employment of Omani nationals, with some job titles reserved for them. Expatriate opportunities therefore concentrate in technical fields and scarce expertise.
• Credentials: degree attestation and equivalency are often required, and healthcare and teaching need a license.
• Visas: employment visa procedures run through the employer, and details change.

Always check official government sources or confirm with the employer before making decisions.

CV language

English is the working language of oil and gas, telecom, banking and international companies in Oman, so CVs in these sectors are usually expected in English. British spelling is somewhat more common in correspondence and education, but American English is fine if consistent.

Arabic is the official language and is strongly present in government, local companies, education and customer service, so state your level clearly if you speak it. Our builder outputs English or French CVs only; if an employer asks for an Arabic version, use the CV translator as a starting point and review it yourself.

CV or resume?

In Oman the document is called a CV or "sira dhatiya"; resume is rarely used. Omani CVs follow Gulf norms, with personal details such as nationality and residence status, and often date of birth, marital status and a photo. In technical and oil sectors, certifications and training with their dates carry so much weight that they may form a sizable section. Applying to projects? See our civil engineer CV example.

Cover letters in Oman

Cover letters are not central to most applications in Oman, especially through portals or recruitment agencies. They are useful for education and administrative roles, or when you email a local company directly. Keep it polite and brief: the role, the specialized skill you bring, your residence status and notice period, and whether you are willing to relocate if the job is outside Muscat. Try the cover letter generator for a first draft.

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