Irish CV Format: What Employers in Ireland Expect

Irish CV conventions sit close to the British ones — two pages, a personal profile, no photo — with a few local differences that matter. The Leaving Certificate is the expected school qualification, employment-equality legislation shapes what you must leave out, and Dublin's concentration of multinational employers means many applications are screened by American-built applicant tracking software.

Ireland CV rules at a glance

• Name: CV. 'Resume' is understood but not the local term
• Length: Two pages of A4
• Photo: No
• Personal details: No date of birth, marital status, PPS number or nationality
• Date format: DD/MM/YYYY or Month YYYY
• Spelling: British/Irish English — organise, centre, programme
• References: 'References available on request' is standard
• Paper size: A4

What to include, in order

1. Name and contact details, including an Irish mobile number if you have one
2. Personal profile — three or four lines
3. Key skills
4. Work experience, reverse-chronological
5. Education, including Leaving Certificate results for early-career applicants
6. References available on request

Mistakes that cost people interviews in Ireland

• Applying to a Dublin multinational with a heavily designed two-column CV that its US-built applicant tracking system cannot parse.
• Including a PPS number, date of birth or photo.
• Not stating EU work rights or a Stamp permission when applying from outside the EEA, which leaves recruiters guessing.
• Using an overseas phone format when an Irish contact number signals genuine availability.
• Omitting the Leaving Certificate as a recent school leaver or graduate.

Ireland CV questions

How long should an Irish CV be?

Two pages of A4. One page is only appropriate for school leavers, and going beyond two pages is reserved for academic or highly specialised technical roles.

Do I need to state my work permit status on an Irish CV?

If you are not an EU/EEA citizen, yes — one line is enough, such as 'Stamp 4 — full permission to work in Ireland'. Employers in Ireland face real sponsorship constraints, and resolving that question early keeps you in the process.

Should I include Leaving Certificate results on my CV?

Yes if you are a school leaver, current student or recent graduate — Irish employers expect it. Once you have several years of professional experience, the Leaving Cert can be reduced to a single line or dropped in favour of your degree and professional qualifications.