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

Israel has one of the most internationally connected and technically sophisticated labour markets in the world, anchored by a thriving technology sector, strong financial services industry, and significant defence and life sciences sectors. Tel Aviv's "Startup Nation" ecosystem means that Israeli hiring managers, particularly in tech, are accustomed to evaluating CVs from candidates worldwide. Understanding the Israel CV format, what photos and personal information to include, and what employers at companies like Check Point Software, CyberArk, Mobileye, and Bank Hapoalim specifically look for is essential for a competitive application.

The Israel CV Format

The Hebrew term קורות חיים (korot haim, literally "life history") is the standard. In practice, employers in the tech sector use the English term CV or resume interchangeably. The standard length is one to two pages. In Israel's fast-paced tech market, a focused one-page CV is often preferred for mid-level roles. Senior professionals with extensive publication, research, or project records may extend to two pages; academic CVs follow a different convention and are typically longer.

Language of the CV

Write in Hebrew for roles in the public sector, government, education, and Hebrew-language companies. For tech, venture capital, international firms, and any role where the job posting is in English, submit in English. Many Israeli professionals prepare both versions. In the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) reserve structure, Hebrew is the language of all official documentation.

Professional Photo

A professional photo is common on Israeli CVs but not universally required, and its inclusion is shifting. In traditional sectors such as banking, law, real estate, and retail, a photo is expected. In the tech and startup sector, a photo is increasingly optional and sometimes omitted deliberately to reduce bias in initial screening. If you include a photo, place it in the top-right corner, use a professional headshot with a neutral background, and ensure it is recent.

Personal Information

Israeli CVs include standard contact information. Common fields are:

• Full name
• Phone number and email
• City of residence
• LinkedIn profile URL (particularly valued in tech and business roles)
• Date of birth (optional; becoming less common in the tech sector)
• Nationality (optional for most private sector applications)

Do not include your Israeli ID number (Teudat Zehut number) on a CV submitted to private employers. Military service background is relevant and expected on Israeli CVs, as most Jewish citizens serve in the IDF. State your unit, role, and rank where relevant, particularly for roles in cybersecurity, intelligence analysis, engineering, or management.

Military Service

Military service is a major differentiator in the Israeli job market. Candidates who served in elite intelligence units (Unit 8200, Unit 9900), special forces (Shayetet 13, Sayeret Matkal), or held significant managerial roles should highlight this explicitly. Many of Israel's most successful technology founders and engineers are alumni of Unit 8200. State: branch, unit, role, rank at discharge, and dates of service. Reserve duty should also be noted.

Education

List degrees in reverse chronological order. The most recognised universities in Israel are:

• Hebrew University of Jerusalem (האוניברסיטה העברית) — the country's oldest and most prestigious institution, strong in sciences, medicine, law, and humanities
• Technion (Israel Institute of Technology / הטכניון) — premier engineering and technology university, globally ranked
• Tel Aviv University (אוניברסיטת תל אביב) — comprehensive research university with strong business, law, and social science faculties
• Weizmann Institute of Science (מכון ויצמן למדע) — world-leading research institution for natural and exact sciences
• Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (אוניברסיטת בן גוריון) — strong in desert research, biotech, and engineering
• Bar-Ilan University (אוניברסיטת בר-אילן) — well regarded in social sciences, law, and Jewish studies

The Israeli academic grading scale runs from 0 to 100, with 85 or above considered excellent (מצטיין). Include your final grade average for recent graduates, particularly for roles in finance, law, and academia.

Work Experience

List in reverse chronological order: employer name, job title, dates (month and year), and bullet points describing key achievements and impact. In Israel's startup culture, impact and ownership language resonates: "Led the product launch that grew ARR by 40%", not "Responsible for product activities." Quantify everything possible.

Major employers in Israel's formal market include: Check Point Software Technologies, CyberArk, Mobileye (Intel), NICE Systems, Amdocs, Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, El Al Israel Airlines, Rafa Laboratories, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and Elbit Systems. For tech roles, experience at a Series B or later startup is as credible as a corporate employer name.

Skills and Languages

Technical skills should be listed clearly with specific technologies, languages, and frameworks. English proficiency is expected and does not need to be separately emphasised for most tech roles. For roles requiring Hebrew fluency, state your proficiency level. Arabic language skills are a genuine differentiator for government, defence, and regional business development roles. Certifications valued in Israeli sectors include:

• CISSP or CISM for cybersecurity roles
• AWS, GCP, Azure certifications for cloud engineering
• CPA (רו"ח) for accounting, requiring registration with the Israel Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• CFA for investment management and financial analysis
• Bar licence from the Israel Bar Association (לשכת עורכי הדין) for legal practice

Cover Letter

A cover letter is less commonly required in the Israeli tech sector, where LinkedIn connections and referrals often replace formal application documents. For positions in banking, law, government, academia, and large corporations, a professional cover letter remains standard. Keep it to one page and address the hiring manager by first name, as Israeli workplace culture is informal even in formal settings.

Common CV Mistakes in Israel

• Omitting military service background: In Israel, failing to mention IDF service (particularly elite unit service) misses a major differentiator that hiring managers actively look for.
• A CV that is too long: Israeli tech employers read hundreds of CVs. A two-page CV for a mid-level tech role will often be dismissed before a well-crafted one-page document.
• Generic responsibility lists instead of impact statements: Replace "Worked on backend systems" with "Reduced API response time by 60% by re-architecting the caching layer."
• Ignoring the LinkedIn profile: For tech and business roles in Israel, a strong LinkedIn presence is effectively part of your application. Include the URL on your CV.
• Overly formal language for tech applications: Israeli startup culture is direct and informal. A stilted, overly formal CV reads as a mismatch for the culture.
• Missing English proficiency context: For non-native English speakers, include a proficiency indicator. For non-native Hebrew speakers applying to Israeli companies, address Hebrew level explicitly.