How to Write a CV in Trinidad and Tobago: Format & Guide 2026
Trinidad and Tobago is the Caribbean's most industrialised economy, driven by oil, natural gas, petrochemicals, and financial services. Port of Spain is the commercial capital and the largest financial centre in the English-speaking Caribbean. The professional job market is competitive, particularly in the energy sector, and employers expect a polished, concise, and well-structured English CV that reflects both technical qualifications and professional accomplishment.
The Trinidad and Tobago CV Format
CVs in Trinidad and Tobago follow the British Caribbean format: formal, reverse-chronological, and written in English. One to two pages is the standard. The document is titled "Curriculum Vitae" at the top. For public service applications, the Public Service Commission (PSC) may require its own application form in addition to the CV.
Use a clean font at 11-12 points. Consistent layout and clear section headings are expected. Energy sector employers, including bpTT and Shell, apply international recruitment standards, so CVs submitted for their roles should meet global corporate presentation benchmarks.
Language and Personal Information
English is the only professional language for CVs in Trinidad and Tobago. Include: full name, address (town and county), phone number, and email address. Date of birth is optional and increasingly omitted. Marital status and nationality are also optional. Do not include your National Identification Number on a CV.
Professional Photo
A professional photo is not standard on Trinidadian CVs. It is neither expected nor required in most professional and corporate applications. Omit it unless an employer explicitly requests one.
Education
List qualifications in reverse chronological order. The most recognised local institutions are the University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus, which offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across law, engineering, medicine, business, and social sciences, and the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), focused on engineering, applied sciences, and technology. Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business is the leading executive and MBA institution in the Caribbean. Internationally, many Trinidadian professionals hold degrees from UK, US, and Canadian universities.
CXC/CSEC and CAPE results from the Caribbean Examinations Council are the standard secondary-school credentials. Include subject names and grades for recent graduates; senior professionals with post-secondary qualifications can omit them.
Work Experience
List employment in reverse chronological order. For each role, include the employer name, job title, employment dates (month and year), and three to five achievement-focused bullet points. Quantify results wherever possible.
Employers immediately recognised by T&T recruiters include bpTT (BP Trinidad and Tobago), Shell Trinidad, Atlantic LNG, NGC (National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago), Petrotrin (now Heritage Petroleum), Republic Bank, First Citizens Bank, RBC Royal Bank Trinidad, Massy Holdings, ANSA McAL Group, Guardian Holdings, and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (state ministries and enterprises). For Tobago-specific roles, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is the main public employer.
Key Sectors
The energy sector is the economic engine: Trinidad and Tobago is one of the Western Hemisphere's largest LNG exporters and a significant petrochemical producer. Natural gas reserves and Atlantic LNG make the country a key player in Caribbean energy geopolitics. Financial services and banking are the next largest professional sector. Manufacturing, retail, media, and healthcare round out the formal employment landscape. Tobago is more tourism-dependent.
Skills and Certifications
List technical skills and professional certifications specifically. For energy sector roles, certifications from OPITO (offshore petroleum industry training), NEBOSH (health and safety), and Petrotechnical qualifications are valued by bpTT, Shell, and NGC. For finance: ACCA, CPA, and CFA are highly regarded. For project management: PMP and PRINCE2. For legal professionals, Call to the Bar (Trinidad and Tobago) and qualifications from the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) are the local benchmarks.
Cover Letter
A cover letter is expected for professional and management applications. Keep it to one page. Address it to the named hiring manager where possible. A specific, substantive letter that connects your experience directly to the role requirements is far more effective than a generic template in T&T's relatively small professional community.
Common CV Mistakes in Trinidad and Tobago
- Vague energy sector experience: Specify your project, technology type, scope, and quantified safety or production outcomes; energy employers will not shortlist on generic descriptions.
- Listing CSEC grades when senior: Professionals with degrees and 10+ years of experience should drop secondary school results.
- Generic objective statement: Replace with a focused two-sentence professional summary.
- No referee details: Two professional referees with full contact information are expected at the end of the CV.
- CV over two pages: Even energy sector CVs with extensive project histories should be condensed; a third page is the absolute maximum for the most senior professionals.