How to Write a CV in Indonesia: Format & Guide 2026

Indonesia is Southeast Asia's largest economy, with over 140 million people in the formal and semi-formal workforce. The country's hiring landscape spans multinational corporations in Jakarta's central business district, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), and a fast-growing digital economy led by companies like Gojek, Tokopedia, and Bank Central Asia. Getting your Indonesian CV format right is essential: employers expect a photo, personal details, and a structured document that reflects both professionalism and cultural awareness.

The Indonesian CV Format

The term CV (Curriculum Vitae) is universally used. Daftar Riwayat Hidup is the formal Bahasa Indonesia equivalent and appears on government forms, but professionals in the private sector simply say CV. The standard length is two pages for most applicants. Fresh graduates may submit a one-page CV; senior professionals with extensive project or publication histories may extend to three pages.

Language of the CV

For positions at state-owned enterprises such as Pertamina, PLN, and Bank Mandiri, write your CV in Bahasa Indonesia. For multinational companies, international NGOs, tech firms, and any role where the job posting is in English, submit in English. Many Indonesian professionals prepare both versions. In the BUMN recruitment process, a Bahasa Indonesia CV is often mandatory regardless of the company's international profile.

Professional Photo

A professional photo is required on Indonesian CVs. Place it in the top-right corner of the personal information section. The standard is a formal passport-style photograph: solid background (usually red or blue), formal attire (kemeja or suit), and taken recently. Submitting a CV without a photo signals inattention to local conventions and will disadvantage your application at most employers.

Personal Information

Indonesian CVs include a comprehensive personal information section at the top. Standard fields are:

• Full name
• Date of birth and place of birth
• Gender
• Religion (common but optional in private sector applications)
• Nationality
• Address
• Phone number and email
• Marital status (common, particularly for government and BUMN applications)
• Driving licence (SIM A/B/C) where relevant

Do not include your KTP number (national identity card number) on a CV submitted to private companies. For CPNS (civil service) applications through the BKN (Badan Kepegawaian Negara) portal, additional documentation is required beyond the CV.

Education

List degrees in reverse chronological order with institution name, city, degree title, and graduation year. The most recognised universities in Indonesia are:

• Universitas Indonesia (UI) — flagship state university, strong in law, medicine, and social sciences
• Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) — premier engineering and natural sciences institution
• Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) — Yogyakarta-based, strong in agriculture, social sciences, and humanities
• Universitas Airlangga (Unair) — well regarded in medicine, pharmacy, and health sciences
• Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB University) — leading institution for agriculture and environmental science
• Universitas Bina Nusantara (BINUS) — prominent private university for business and technology

For vocational qualifications, include Diploma III (D3) or Diploma IV (D4) credentials as these are actively valued by manufacturing and hospitality employers. The IPK (Indeks Prestasi Kumulatif, equivalent to GPA) is routinely listed on the education entry. Major employers like BCA, Unilever Indonesia, and Astra International filter applications at the IPK stage; a minimum of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale is the common threshold.

Work Experience

List in reverse chronological order: employer name, job title, dates of employment, and three to five bullet points describing key responsibilities and measurable achievements. Use numbers wherever possible: teams managed, budgets overseen, growth percentages achieved, projects delivered. For roles in manufacturing, resources, or logistics, certification in K3 (Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja, occupational safety and health) from BNSP (Badan Nasional Sertifikasi Profesi) is a credible signal.

Major employers with strong graduate recruitment in Indonesia include: Bank Central Asia (BCA), Mandiri, BRI, Gojek, Tokopedia (now TikTok Shop), Unilever Indonesia, Astra International, Pertamina, Telkom Indonesia, and Grab Indonesia.

Skills and Languages

List technical skills first, followed by soft skills. For language proficiency, use CEFR notation (A2 through C2) or TOEFL/IELTS scores, as these are familiar to Indonesian HR departments. TOEFL ITP or IBT scores above 550 and IELTS above 6.0 are commonly cited thresholds for multinational applications. Professional certifications relevant to Indonesian sectors include:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Accountant (CA) for finance roles
• Professional Engineer (PE) from PII (Persatuan Insinyur Indonesia) for engineering roles
• BNSP competency certifications for manufacturing, logistics, and vocational trades
• OJK (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan) licences for financial services and securities professionals

Cover Letter

A cover letter (surat lamaran kerja) is standard. Write it formally, address the hiring manager by name and title, and keep it to one page. The tone should be respectful and structured; overly casual language is not appropriate in Indonesian professional correspondence. For government and BUMN roles, a formal hand-signed letter is still common, though digital submissions are now the norm for most private employers.

Declaration

A declaration of authenticity is expected on Indonesian CVs. Place it at the end of the document, above your signature. The standard phrasing: "Demikian daftar riwayat hidup ini saya buat dengan sebenarnya." Sign and date the document. For digital submissions, a typed name is acceptable; for formal printed applications, a handwritten signature is preferred.

Common CV Mistakes in Indonesia

• Omitting the photo: A CV without a photo is considered incomplete by most Indonesian employers and will often be screened out at the initial review stage.
• Missing the declaration: Forgetting the authenticity statement signals unfamiliarity with standard local practice, particularly for BUMN and government applications.
• Listing a low IPK without context: If your GPA is below the employer's threshold, address it proactively with strong project or internship experience rather than hoping it goes unnoticed.
• Generic objectives instead of a tailored summary: Replace "Seeking a challenging position in a dynamic organisation" with a concise, role-specific professional summary.
• Using an informal email address: Create a professional email address (firstname.lastname@gmail.com) before applying.
• Ignoring the BUMN recruitment portal: State-owned enterprise applications go through specific online systems (e.g., rekrutmenbersama.com), not direct email.