Adjusting Your Resume (CV) for the Israeli Job Market
1. Format and Structure: Israeli Resume Style
In Israel, resumes are expected to be concise, clear, and focused on your most relevant experience. The preferred format is usually one page for mid-level professionals, while senior-level professionals or those with extensive experience may use two pages. Israeli recruiters are fast-paced and value efficiency, so you’ll want to make sure that your resume quickly communicates your qualifications.
Key Differences from International Resumes:
Israeli resumes typically do not include cover letters unless specifically requested.
While in the U.S. or U.K., you may list every job held over 10+ years, Israeli resumes focus on the most recent and relevant roles, often cutting earlier or less relevant jobs.
The use of personal pronouns (like “I”) is discouraged—stick to direct action verbs (managed, developed, improved).
2. Personal Information Section
The personal information section at the top of your resume in Israel differs slightly from what you may be used to. Include the following:
Full Name: In both Hebrew and English if possible.
Example: David Cohen (דוד כהן)Phone Number: Preferably an Israeli phone number, as employers might hesitate to call an international number. If you don’t have one yet, you can obtain a local number through services like Google Voice or a SIM card.
Email Address: Ensure it is professional (e.g., firstname.lastname@gmail.com).
City of Residence: Only list your city, not a full address.
Example: Tel Aviv, IsraelNationality/Visa Status: If you are not an Israeli citizen, mention your visa status. This will help avoid confusion and show that you are legally authorized to work.
Example: Oleh Hadash (New Immigrant), B/1 Work VisaDate of Birth: This is commonly included in Israel, unlike in other countries where it might be considered inappropriate. This is optional, but including it can help contextualize your career stage for local recruiters.
Example: Date of Birth: March 20, 1986LinkedIn Profile or Website: Adding your LinkedIn profile or a link to your online portfolio (if relevant) is increasingly common, especially in tech, marketing, and creative fields.
3. Professional Summary: Tailored to Israeli Employers
The professional summary is a short, concise paragraph at the top of your resume where you describe your experience, skills, and career goals. It should be 2-3 sentences long and immediately tell the recruiter what makes you a good fit.
Example for a Marketing Professional:
"Experienced marketing professional with 7+ years of expertise in content strategy, social media marketing, and digital campaigns. Successfully led B2B and B2C marketing initiatives that increased brand awareness by 30%. Now seeking a position in Israel’s dynamic tech industry to leverage my experience and fluency in Hebrew and English."
This section should be tailored for each job application to reflect the exact qualifications the employer is seeking.
4. Experience: Focus on Achievements
In the Israeli job market, experience is one of the most critical sections. Israeli employers value quantifiable achievements and practical skills. When describing your previous roles, focus less on general duties and more on measurable accomplishments and problem-solving skills.
How to List Experience:
For each role, include the following:
Job Title
Company Name
Location (mention the city and whether the job was abroad)
Dates of Employment (Month and Year)
Bullet points highlighting key achievements (avoid long paragraphs)
Example: Marketing Manager
ABC Tech, Tel Aviv
January 2018 – Present
Led a team of five to develop digital marketing strategies, resulting in a 40% increase in website traffic and 25% increase in lead generation within six months.
Managed a $200,000 annual marketing budget, ensuring cost-effective spending that boosted ROI by 20%.
Launched a global B2B email campaign that grew our subscriber base by 15%.
5. Education: Include Key Certifications
List your degrees and relevant certifications in reverse chronological order. Israeli employers recognize international institutions, but be sure to clearly state your field of study and degree type.
Example for Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
University of Toronto, Canada (2012)
For certifications, include any that are relevant to the position you’re applying for—especially tech certifications, project management courses, or language proficiency.
Example for Certifications:
Google Analytics Certification (2022)
Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI (2021)
6. Skills Section: Focus on Technical and Industry-Specific Skills
The skills section in Israeli resumes is critical and should reflect your hard skills and technical abilities. Soft skills (communication, teamwork) can be included if they directly relate to the job you’re applying for.
Examples of Skills:
Tech/IT: Python, Java, SQL, HTML/CSS, AWS
Marketing: SEO, SEM, Google AdWords, Facebook Ads, Social Media Analytics
Project Management: Agile, Scrum, Jira, Trello
Design: Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch
Make sure the skills are tailored to the job posting, using keywords that match the position’s requirements.
7. Languages: Bilingual or Multilingual is an Advantage
Language skills are highly valued in Israel, especially proficiency in Hebrew and English. In the languages section, state your fluency levels in the languages you speak.
Example for Languages:
Hebrew: Fluent (spoken and written)
English: Native
French: Basic
If you are still learning Hebrew, it’s acceptable to list "Basic Hebrew" if you are attending Ulpan (Hebrew language courses).
8. Military Service: Applicable to Israeli Citizens
If you served in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) or have relevant military service experience, this is highly regarded in Israel, particularly in the tech and security sectors. Be sure to highlight relevant roles or skills gained during military service.
Example for Military Service:
IDF – Intelligence Corps
Role: Intelligence Analyst (2015-2018)
Analyzed large datasets to provide intelligence for defense operations.
Worked in a team of 10 to provide actionable insights, enhancing operational effectiveness by 30%.
For non-Israeli citizens or olim who did not serve in the IDF, it is acceptable to leave this section out.
9. Tailor Each Resume for the Job Posting
Israeli employers expect customization. Ensure that you are tailoring your resume for each job application by:
Highlighting relevant experience that matches the job description.
Emphasizing skills that align with the keywords used in the job ad.
Customizing your professional summary to reflect the specific industry or role.
10. Cultural Considerations in the Israeli Job Market
The Israeli workplace tends to be direct and informal. While you want your resume to remain professional, showing a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, independence, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment can be a big plus.
Key Traits Israeli Employers Appreciate:
Proactivity: Demonstrating that you can take initiative and solve problems independently.
Adaptability: Highlighting how you can adapt to new challenges or fast-moving environments.
Teamwork: Israeli work culture emphasizes strong team collaboration, so mentioning your teamwork skills can help.
11. Final Touches
Proofread: Ensure your resume is free of errors, especially if you're writing in English or Hebrew.
Use LinkedIn: Keep your LinkedIn profile updated to mirror your resume. Israeli employers often check LinkedIn profiles as part of the hiring process.
Sample Israeli Resume Layout
David Cohen (דוד כהן)
Phone: +972 50 123 4567 | Email: davidcohen@gmail.com | Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidcohen
Professional Summary
Experienced software developer with 5+ years in backend development, specializing in Python, Java, and AWS. Led development teams on multiple SaaS platforms, optimizing performance by 40%. Fluent in English and Hebrew, seeking a dynamic position in Israel’s leading tech industry.
Experience
Software Engineer
XYZ Software Solutions, New York
January 2018 – June 2021
Developed and maintained backend systems for SaaS products, increasing platform stability by 30%.
Implemented AWS infrastructure, reducing downtime by 15%.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams, enhancing deployment efficiency by 20%.
Education
BSc in Computer Science
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Graduated: 2017
Skills
Programming: Python, Java, C++, SQL
Cloud Services: AWS, Docker, Kubernetes
Project Management: Agile, Jira, GitHub
Languages
Hebrew: Fluent
English: Native
French: Intermediate
By adjusting your resume for the Israeli market, you align yourself with local expectations and showcase your ability to adapt. This can greatly increase your chances of success when applying for jobs in Israel.
To create a visually appealing resume for the Israeli market, here's how to improve both the format and aesthetic appeal:
David Cohen (דוד כהן)
📞 Phone: +972 50 123 4567 | ✉️ Email: davidcohen@gmail.com | 📍 Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidcohen
🎯 Professional Summary
Experienced software developer with 5+ years of expertise in backend development, specializing in Python, Java, and AWS. Proven track record of leading development teams and improving platform performance by 40%. Fluent in Hebrew and English, with strong problem-solving skills and a passion for innovative technology. Seeking a challenging role in Israel’s dynamic tech industry.
💼 Experience
Software Engineer
XYZ Software Solutions, New York
January 2018 – June 2021
Developed and maintained backend systems for SaaS products, increasing platform stability by 30%.
Implemented AWS infrastructure, reducing downtime by 15%.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams, streamlining the deployment process by 20%.
Led the migration to cloud-based systems, improving scalability and security.
Junior Developer
ABC Tech Ltd, London
August 2015 – December 2017
Assisted in building and maintaining web applications using Python and JavaScript.
Optimized codebase efficiency, reducing page load time by 25%.
Contributed to system architecture design, improving the user experience for over 100,000 monthly visitors.
🎓 Education
BSc in Computer Science
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Graduation: 2015
🔧 Skills
Programming: Python, Java, C++, JavaScript
Cloud Technologies: AWS, Docker, Kubernetes
Tools & Frameworks: GitHub, Jira, Agile methodology
Database Management: SQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL
🌍 Languages
Hebrew: Fluent
English: Native
French: Intermediate
💪 Military Service
IDF (Israel Defense Forces) – Intelligence Unit
Role: Data Analyst
July 2013 – July 2016
Analyzed and processed large datasets to support military operations and strategic planning.
Developed data models and reports that improved decision-making processes by 30%.
🏅 Certifications
Google Cloud Certification (2020)
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) (2019)
Design Tips for a Polished Look:
Use icons (📞, ✉️, 📍, 🎯, 💼, 🎓, etc.) to add a modern touch and make key sections stand out.
Font choice: Use a clean and professional font like Arial, Calibri, or Open Sans to ensure readability.
Consistent spacing: Ensure that there is enough white space between sections for a clean and uncluttered look.
Bold headings: Make section titles bold or slightly larger than the rest of the text to differentiate them.
Colors: Use subtle colors like shades of blue or gray for section headings to reflect professionalism. Avoid overly bright or distracting colors.
Dividers: Use thin lines or a minimal horizontal rule to separate sections and guide the reader’s eye through the resume.
By following this layout and design approach, you’ll not only meet the standards of the Israeli job market but also present a visually attractive and organized resume that stands out to employers.