How to build a bilingual CV

Choose two versions or one document

Two separate versions are usually clearer and easier to maintain. Use a bilingual document when an employer requests it or bilingual work is central to the role.

Keep terminology and names consistent

Maintain a short glossary of titles, degrees and organization names in both languages. Preserve an organization’s official name and add an explanatory translation only when needed.

Protect reading direction

Set Arabic paragraphs right-to-left and English paragraphs left-to-right. Isolate email addresses, links and phone numbers so punctuation and order remain stable.

• Avoid splitting one sentence across languages except for an official name or necessary term.
• Review the final version on screen and in print.