The Right CV Format for Ireland in 2026
Ireland calls it a CV, and its conventions sit close to the UK's — but with a large multinational tech and pharma sector (many US companies' European HQs are based in Dublin and Cork) that brings some American hiring habits along with it, so expectations vary more by employer type than in most single-convention markets.
Two pages is the safe default
Two pages is standard for most experienced professionals; one page is fine and increasingly expected for graduates and early-career candidates, especially when applying to US-headquartered multinationals with a Dublin office. Avoid three pages except in academic, medical, or very senior executive CVs.
No photo, but personal details vary by sector
Don't include a photo — it's not expected and can work against you at multinational employers with US-influenced hiring practices. Date of birth and marital status are optional and increasingly omitted, following the broader European move away from demographic details on CVs, though this is less strictly avoided than in the UK.
Work permit / visa status if you're not an EU citizen
If you're not an Irish or EU/EEA citizen, state your visa or work permit status clearly near your contact details — Irish employers need to know this before investing time in an interview, and leaving it ambiguous can get an otherwise strong CV filtered out early.
Reverse chronological, ATS-safe formatting
Multinational employers in Ireland's tech and pharma corridor commonly use the same ATS platforms (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo) as their US and UK offices — single-column layout, standard section headings, and exact keyword matches from the job posting matter just as much here as anywhere else.
Frequently asked questions
Is it called a CV or resume in Ireland?
CV — the term "resume" is not standard in Ireland, though multinational employers with US ties are familiar with both.
Should I include a photo on an Irish CV?
No — it's not expected and can work against you, particularly at multinational employers whose hiring practices follow US norms where a photo is typically avoided entirely.
Do I need to state my visa status?
Yes, if you're not an EU/EEA citizen — Irish employers want to know your right-to-work status upfront, and leaving it out can cause an otherwise qualified CV to be deprioritized.