How to write a CV for jobs in Pakistan

The Pakistani CV at a glance

• Called a CV or resume; both are understood.
• One page for freshers, up to two with experience.
• A short profile at the top, then experience or internships in reverse-chronological order.
• Education with your degree, university, year and CGPA. Freshers can add Matric and Intermediate (FSc, FA, ICS or A levels) results.
• Contact details: name, phone number, email, city, and LinkedIn or GitHub if relevant.

If you’re a fresher

• Describe your final year project (FYP): what you built, the tools and the result.
• List internships with what you did and achieved, not just the company name.
• Include certifications and competitions relevant to the role.
• Keep societies and volunteering short, and show leadership or results.

What to leave out

Traditional CVs in Pakistan often include many personal details. Most private and multinational employers don’t need them. Leave these off unless asked:

• Your CNIC number.
• Father’s name, religion, marital status and date of birth.
• A photo, unless it’s requested.
• Your full home address. Your city is enough.

Government jobs

Public sector posts usually use their own application forms and tests, which ask for the details above. Fill those in as required, and keep your CV for private employers concise.

Tailor it to each job

• Search Rozee.pk and LinkedIn, and follow each company’s own careers page.
• Use the ad’s wording for skills you genuinely have.
• For government or overseas roles, check whether HEC degree attestation is required, and get it done early.
• Lead with your final year project or internship if it matches the role.

Cover letter

A short cover letter or email cover note is usually enough in Pakistan. Name the role, give two reasons you fit, and attach your CV as a PDF.

Common mistakes

• A three-page CV for a fresher role.
• Long objective statements.
• Listing software you’ve barely used.
• Spelling and grammar errors in English.

Sample CV

A fictional example in the local format. Use it as a pattern, not a script.

Why it works

• One page, with education and the final year project first, as a fresher.
• CGPA with its scale, and FSc marks.
• Projects and internships with tools and results.
• No CNIC, father’s name, photo, date of birth or full address.

Example: turning a duty into a result

Fresher, software engineering

The final year project becomes evidence: tools, users and a result.

By career stage

Graduate or first job

One page. Education, your final year project and internships first, each with the tools you used and a result.

Changing careers

Use the profile to name the new field, and list certifications or courses that prove the skills.

Experienced

Up to two pages. Experience first, with results and scale, and keep HEC attestation in hand for government or overseas roles.

CV keywords for ATS

Applicant tracking systems and recruiters search for the skills a posting names. Examples for common roles; use only the ones that are true for you, in the posting’s own words.

Software engineer

Python, JavaScript, React, Django or Laravel, SQL, Git, REST APIs

Accountant

financial reporting, reconciliations, FBR tax returns, SAP or QuickBooks, ACCA or ICAP

Marketing executive

digital marketing, social media, Google Ads, content, campaign reporting

Questions