CV for jobs in Norway
A Norwegian CV is short, factual and predictable in shape. This page covers what employers here expect, and lets you build one for free – in 13 languages, so you can start in the language you are most comfortable in.
13 languages
Including Arabic, Somali, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Persian and Urdu
Norwegian format
One to two pages, structured the way employers here read it
Data stays in Norway
Encrypted, and never used to train AI models
What a Norwegian employer expects
Reverse chronological order
Most recent role first, with month and year. Gaps are normal – account for them in one line rather than hiding them.
Plain, unboastful tone
Norwegian working culture reads heavy self-promotion as a warning sign. State what you did and what came of it.
Language levels, stated honestly
Give the level for Norwegian and English (for example B1, B2). Overstating it is found out in the first interview.
Recognised qualifications
If your foreign degree has been formally assessed in Norway, say so. It removes a question the employer would otherwise have to resolve.
Norwegian phone and address
A local number and a Norwegian address signal you are already here and available to start.
Work permit status if relevant
If you already hold the right to work, one short line saves the employer a step in their own process.
Where jobs are advertised
Most Norwegian vacancies are published on arbeidsplassen.nav.no, the public job board run by NAV, and mirrored by private sites. The builder can match your CV against those ads directly, so you can see which roles fit before you write anything.
Where to go next
- CV maker – 25 free templates, filled in from your browser.
- Cover letter – a draft built from your CV and the job ad.
- ATS check – see whether the CV survives the employer's system.
- CV på norsk – the same guidance in Norwegian.
Frequently asked questions
Does my CV have to be in Norwegian?
Follow the language of the job ad. Ads written in Norwegian expect a Norwegian CV; many tech, research and international companies advertise in English and are happy to receive English applications. If your Norwegian is still basic, a clear English CV is better than a machine-translated Norwegian one.
Should I include a photo?
A photo is common and accepted in Norway, unlike in the UK or US. It is optional – leaving it out will not count against you.
How long should a Norwegian CV be?
One to two pages. Norwegian CVs are factual and compact: roles, dates, education, skills, language levels. Long personal statements are unusual.
What about references?
«References on request» is normal, and most employers ask for two before an offer. Always ask your referees first – Norwegian employers do call them.
How do I show education from another country?
Write the qualification under its original name, add the country and the years. If your degree has been formally recognised in Norway, say so and give the year – it answers a question the employer would otherwise have to resolve. Never translate a degree into a Norwegian title it does not correspond to.
Can I write my CV in my own language first?
Yes. The builder runs in 13 languages, including Arabic, Somali, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Persian, Urdu, Tamil, Polish and Lithuanian. Fill it in the language you think in, then switch the interface and adjust the wording.
Build your CV for the Norwegian market
Free, in 13 languages, stored encrypted on servers in Norway. Sign-up takes under half a minute.
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