How to Write a CV in North Macedonia: Format & Guide 2026
North Macedonia has a small but open economy increasingly integrated with the European Union through its candidate country status, with a labour market shaped by manufacturing, IT services, and a significant diaspora that sends remittances home. The CV standards applied by Macedonian employers combine Western European norms with local practices that distinguish the market from its neighbours.
CV Format in North Macedonia
The document is called a CV (curriculum vitae) or biografija. The standard length is one to two pages. The Europass CV format is commonly used, particularly for applications to EU-funded projects, public administration, and international organisations. A chronological reverse structure is the norm. Keep the design clean and professional. PDFs are the preferred submission format.
Language of the CV
Macedonian is the official language and the dominant language for CVs submitted to domestic companies, government agencies, and local SMEs. English is used for applications to multinational companies, international organisations, and IT sector employers. For positions involving the Albanian-speaking community (approximately 25% of the population), Albanian may be relevant for certain public administration roles. Match the CV language to the job posting language.
Professional Photo
A professional photo is expected on a North Macedonian CV. Place it at the top right in portrait ID-card format, on a neutral background, with formal attire. This follows the broader Balkan and Europass convention. For applications to Western or American multinationals, the photo is optional.
Personal Information
Include: full name, date of birth, nationality, address in Skopje or the relevant city, phone number, and email. Marital status is occasionally mentioned for administrative roles. The national identity number (EMBG) is not included in the CV body. For positions in multilingual contexts, indicate your language community if relevant to the role.
Education
List education in reverse chronological order. The main institutions recognised by North Macedonian recruiters include Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (the largest and most prestigious), South East European University (SEEU) in Tetovo, University of St. Kliment Ohridski in Bitola, University of Information Science and Technology (UIST) in Ohrid, and the MIT University Skopje. The Faculty of Economics (Ekonomski fakultet) at Ss. Cyril and Methodius is particularly recognised in business and finance. Degrees from EU universities, especially from Germany, Austria, and Slovenia, carry strong prestige.
Work Experience
List experience in reverse chronological order with the job title, employer, dates, location, and a description of responsibilities. Recognised formal-sector employers in North Macedonia include Makedonski Telekom (Deutsche Telekom subsidiary), EVN Macedonia (energy), Stopanska Banka (part of NBG Group), NLB Tutunska Banka, Johnson Controls International (HVAC manufacturing), Aptiv (automotive electronics in Shtip and Tetovo), Komercijalna Banka AD Skopje, and Alkaloid AD Skopje (pharmaceuticals). The free economic zones (Bunardzik, Skopje, Tetovo) host significant manufacturing employers. International organisations including UNDP, OSCE, and EU Delegation to North Macedonia are also key employers.
Skills and Languages
List technical skills by category. For languages, use CEFR levels. Macedonian (or Albanian for bilingual profiles) is listed first as native. English is highly valued across all sectors. German is particularly useful given the presence of German manufacturers and North Macedonia's aspiration to export to the German market. Serbian and Croatian are commonly listed given mutual intelligibility across the region. Technical certifications valued by North Macedonian employers include Microsoft certifications, Cisco CCNA, PMP, and ACCA for finance.
Key Sectors
North Macedonia's key economic sectors are automotive components (Aptiv, Johnson Controls), pharmaceuticals (Alkaloid, Replek), information technology (a growing outsourcing hub for Europe), energy (EVN, ELEM), financial services (NLB, Komercijalna Banka, Stopanska Banka), and agriculture (wine production in Tikveš). The EU accession process is gradually opening new roles in public administration aligned with EU standards, creating demand for qualified professionals in areas such as environmental regulation, food safety, and procurement.
Cover Letter
A cover letter of one page is expected for formal applications in North Macedonia. For applications to government positions and EU-funded projects, a structured motivation letter demonstrating knowledge of the organisation's mandate is important. For private sector roles, a concise and personalised letter differentiates your application.
Common CV Mistakes in North Macedonia
- Not using Europass format for EU-related roles: EU projects and public administration often require it.
- Photo missing: in the local market, a missing photo is noticed by recruiters.
- Listing duties without results: "managed IT systems" is weaker than "managed IT infrastructure for 200 users, reducing downtime by 30%."
- Omitting language levels: multilingualism is a key asset in North Macedonia; always specify levels.
- Using an outdated objective section: replace it with a concise professional summary.