How to Write a CV in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Format & Guide 2026
Bosnia and Herzegovina's job market is shaped by its unique post-war political structure, EU candidate status since 2022, and an economy that has undergone substantial transformation since the 1990s conflict. The country's complex administrative division into the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, and Brčko District creates some variation in public sector hiring practices, while the private sector and international organizations follow more standardized European conventions.
The Bosnian CV Format
The document is called a CV (Curriculum Vitae) or životopis (in Bosnian/Croatian) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Standard length is one to two pages for most private sector positions. Government and academic roles may accept longer formats.
CVs are written in Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian, which are mutually intelligible official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina. For roles at international organizations, NGOs, embassies, or multinational companies operating in Sarajevo, an English CV is expected. Many candidates maintain both a local and English version.
Personal Information
Bosnian CVs include moderately detailed personal information:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Address (municipality and canton in the Federation, or municipality in Republika Srpska)
- Phone number
- Email address
- LinkedIn profile (increasingly expected for professional and management roles)
- Citizenship (important for non-Bosnian nationals)
Marital status is traditionally included but is becoming optional at modern employers. Do not include your JMBG (unique citizen identification number) in the main body of the CV.
Professional Photo
A professional photo in the upper right corner is standard practice on Bosnian CVs and is expected by most domestic private sector and public employers. International organizations and foreign companies may not require a photo.
Education
Bosnia follows the Bologna process. List qualifications in reverse chronological order. Key institutions recognized by employers include:
- University of Sarajevo (most recognized nationally)
- University of Banja Luka (Republika Srpska)
- University of Mostar
- International Burch University and International University of Sarajevo (private, Sarajevo)
Degrees from universities in neighboring Croatia and Serbia are well understood. EU degrees from Austria, Germany, and other Western European countries are highly valued. Note the exact degree title, institution, city, and graduation year.
Work Experience
Reverse chronological order. For each role include:
- Employer name and sector (note whether public or private)
- Job title
- Employment dates
- Location
- Three to four bullet points on specific responsibilities and achievements
Bosnia's economy is transitioning, with significant employer presence in manufacturing (automotive components, aluminum, wood processing), financial services (Raiffeisen, UniCredit, NLB), telecommunications, and a growing IT sector. Tailor your bullets to the sector expectations.
Bosnia's Growing IT Sector
Sarajevo is establishing itself as an outsourcing and software development hub, with numerous international companies hiring Bosnian developers. If applying for technology roles, include:
- Programming languages and frameworks with specific project examples
- GitHub profile or portfolio link
- English language proficiency at a professional level
- Remote work experience or collaboration tools used
Languages
Bosnian or Croatian or Serbian is the working language for domestic employers. English proficiency is a significant differentiator and is increasingly required for any management or international client-facing role. German is an asset given the large Bosnian diaspora in German-speaking countries and strong business ties with Germany and Austria.
Common CV Mistakes in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Not specifying which entity your experience is from for public sector applications, where administrative structure matters
- Omitting language certifications when applying at international organizations where they are required
- Generic CV sent without adaptation to international organizations that have specific format preferences
- Missing references for professional roles where two contacts are expected