A CV in Timor-Leste is usually one or two pages. Tetun and Portuguese are the official languages, and English is widely used by NGOs and international agencies, so write the CV in the language of the job advert. Include contact details, education, work experience, skills, languages with honest levels and two references. Government posts may require a specific form.
These are common practices, not legal rules, and employers differ. Every example is fictional; replace each [bracketed] detail with your own, and follow the job posting when it asks for something specific.
What a Timorese CV usually includes
| Section | What to write |
|---|---|
| Personal details | Name, phone, email and municipality; date of birth on local forms |
| Objective | Two lines on the role you want |
| Education | Degree or diploma, institution and year |
| Work experience | Title, organisation, dates and results |
| Languages | Tetun, Portuguese, English, Indonesian with honest levels |
| References | Two referees with phone numbers |
Which language for your CV?
| Employer | Language |
|---|---|
| Government and public institutions | Tetun or Portuguese, as the advert says |
| NGOs, UN agencies, international companies | English |
| Local private companies | Tetun or English |
Headings in Tetun often used on local CVs include Dadus pesoál (personal details), Edukasaun (education), Esperiénsia servisu (work experience) and Lian (languages). Check spellings against the advert or a native speaker before you send it.
Timorese CV template (sample to copy)
Timorese CV sample (fictional, English)
[Your Name] — [Position applied for]
Dili · [+670 phone] · [Email]
OBJECTIVE: [Qualification] holder seeking a [role] position.
EDUCATION: [Degree], [University], [Year]
EXPERIENCE: [Title], [Organisation], [Month Year]–Present — [result]
LANGUAGES: Tetun (native), Portuguese ([level]), English ([level]), Indonesian ([level])
REFERENCES: [Name], [title], [organisation], [phone]
Language levels matter
Because several languages are used at work, employers read the language section carefully. Describe each level honestly, using the A1–C2 scale where you can, and say which language you can write reports in.
- Should I write my CV in Tetun or English?
- Use the language of the advert: Tetun or Portuguese for many public jobs, English for NGOs and international employers.
- What is a CV in Tetun called?
- Usually "curriculum vitae" or CV, the same as in English and Portuguese.
- How many pages should a Timorese CV be?
- One or two pages.
Compare other countries in the CV format by country guide. Copy the template above for free, or build yours in the CV builder: creating and previewing is free, and the PDF download is part of a paid plan.
