How to Write a CV in Romania: Format & Guide 2026
Romania has one of the fastest-growing economies in Central and Eastern Europe, with a booming IT and BPO sector, a well-developed automotive manufacturing base, and a large shared-services industry that has attracted major multinationals to Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and Iași. Romanian hiring practices have modernised considerably since EU accession in 2007: the Europass format is widely recognised, and international companies expect concise, achievement-focused CVs without the personal data that older domestic conventions required. Understanding which format serves your target employer is the first practical decision in writing a Romanian CV.
The Romania CV Format
The document is called a CV (curriculum vitae). Both the Europass CV format, promoted by the European Commission, and the standard reverse-chronological format are widely accepted. Two pages is the standard; one page is acceptable for junior candidates. Senior professionals in consulting, IT, or management may extend to three pages if every entry adds genuine value.
Romanian is the standard language for domestic employers. English is the working language for multinational companies, IT firms, BPO operations, and any role where the job posting is in English. Many professionals maintain both versions.
Personal Information
For private sector applications, include name, phone, email, city of residence, and LinkedIn URL. Date of birth and CNP (Cod Numeric Personal, the Romanian personal identity number) are not required on private sector CVs under GDPR, enforced in Romania by the ANSPDCP (Autoritatea Națională de Supraveghere a Prelucrării Datelor cu Caracter Personal).
A professional photo is still common in Romania, particularly in domestic companies and customer-facing roles. In multinational and tech environments, it is increasingly optional. If included, use a professional headshot with neutral background.
Education
List qualifications in reverse chronological order with degree title, institution, years of study, and thesis or specialisation if relevant. Major Romanian universities include the University of Bucharest (Universitatea din București), Babeș-Bolyai University (Cluj-Napoca, the largest Romanian university by student numbers), Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (Iași), West University of Timișoara (Universitatea de Vest), Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE București), and the Polytechnic University of Bucharest (Universitatea Politehnica București).
Romania uses a 10-point grading scale (10 = excellent, 1 = lowest). Include your final GPA if 8.5 or above. For internationally recognised credentials, note any ECTS equivalency.
Work Experience
List roles in reverse chronological order with job title, employer, dates, and 3-5 bullet points focused on measurable outcomes. Romanian CV bullet points are increasingly expected to follow international norms: strong action verbs, quantified results, and no passive constructions.
Employers that Romanian recruiters recognise as premier references include Dacia (Renault Group), Ford Romania, eMag (Naspers Group), eJobs Romania, Orange Romania, Vodafone Romania, Telekom Romania, BCR (Banca Comercială Română, Erste Group), BRD-Groupe Société Générale, Raiffeisen Bank Romania, Carrefour Romania, Dedeman, Bitdefender, UiPath (Bucharest-founded unicorn), and the major BPO/shared-services centres for Accenture, Capgemini, Wipro, and Genpact.
Skills, Languages, and Certifications
Romanian is the working language. English at B2 or above is expected at multinational and tech companies. French is an asset given Romania's Francophone cultural ties. German is valued in automotive and German-owned manufacturing. Hungarian is spoken in Transylvania and is relevant for roles in Cluj-Napoca and the surrounding region.
CEFR levels are the standard. Professional certifications valued in Romania include ACCA or CECCAR (Corpul Experților Contabili și Contabililor Autorizați din România) for accounting, PMP or PRINCE2 for project management, AWS/Azure/GCP for cloud, and CISM/CISSP for IT security. Legal professionals must be licensed by the Baroul de Avocați (Bar Association).
Key Sectors and Employers
IT and software development is Romania's most dynamic sector, generating over €6 billion in annual exports. Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and Iași host development centres for Amazon, Oracle, IBM, Accenture, and Capgemini, as well as homegrown companies including Bitdefender (cybersecurity) and UiPath (RPA, with a market capitalisation exceeding $10 billion at peak). Automotive manufacturing centres on Dacia (Mioveni) and Ford (Craiova). Shared services and BPO employ tens of thousands in Bucharest and Cluj.
Cover Letter
A cover letter (scrisoare de intenție) is expected for corporate and public sector applications. One page, three paragraphs: why this role at this organisation, your key qualifications, and your availability.
Common CV Mistakes in Romania
- Stating CNP on a private sector CV: The personal identity number should not appear on private CVs under GDPR. This is an old convention still seen on some older templates.
- Europass without customisation: The Europass template is well-known but generic. Adding a targeted professional summary and quantified achievements transforms it from a form into a persuasive document.
- No LinkedIn profile: Romanian tech and multinational recruiters use LinkedIn actively. An absent or outdated profile is a real disadvantage.
- Passive language: "Was responsible for managing" is weaker than "Managed." Use active, direct verbs throughout.
- Photo in informal attire: Romania remains a market where a professional photo is often included. Ensure it meets corporate standards.