Translating Your CV into Hebrew

Whether you need a Hebrew CV depends on the positions you're targeting:

When a Hebrew CV is essential:

ï           Local companies without English-speaking management

ï           Customer-facing positions

ï           Government jobs and public sector

ï           Traditional industries (construction, retail, local manufacturing)

ï           Positions explicitly requesting Hebrew CVs

ï           Smaller companies or family businesses

ï           Healthcare positions requiring patient interaction

When English CV is usually sufficient:

ï           International tech companies

ï           Startups targeting global markets

ï           Multinational corporations

ï           Academic and research positions at international institutions

ï           Roles explicitly stated as "English-speaking environment"

Translation Options:

Professional translation services:

ï           Cost: ₪200-600 ($55-165) depending on length and turnaround time

ï           Recommended services: Morfix Translation Services, One Hour Translation, local translation agencies

ï           Advantages: Accurate professional terminology, proper formatting, native-level Hebrew

ï           Best for: Important applications, senior positions, when Hebrew quality matters significantly

Freelance translators:

ï           Cost: ₪150-400 ($40-110)

ï           Find through Fiverr, Upwork, or local freelancer networks

ï           Check reviews and request samples

ï           Ensure they understand professional CV language and industry terminology

Bilingual friends or colleagues:

ï           Free or reciprocal favor

ï           Risk: May lack professional translation skills or industry-specific terminology

ï           Best for: Initial drafts that you'll have reviewed professionally

Translation apps/AI:

ï           Google Translate, DeepL, or ChatGPT

ï           Free but requires careful review by native Hebrew speaker

ï           Often produces awkward phrasing or incorrect terminology

ï           NOT recommended for final version without native speaker review

ï           Can work as first draft for professional editor to refine

Hebrew CV Formatting Considerations:

Hebrew is written right-to-left, which affects document formatting:

ï           Text alignment: Right-aligned for Hebrew text

ï           Document flow: Sections read from right to left

ï           Numbers and dates: Can be left-to-right within Hebrew text

ï           English terms: Company names, technologies, and acronyms remain in English (left-to-right) within Hebrew text

ï           File format: Use .docx or .pdf to maintain proper formatting

Creating a proper Hebrew layout:

ï           Use Hebrew-enabled word processors (Microsoft Word with Hebrew support, Google Docs)

ï           Set document language to Hebrew to enable right-to-left formatting

ï           Don't simply flip an English CV – restructure with proper Hebrew document flow

ï           Test PDF rendering to ensure text displays correctly

Bilingual CVs:

Some positions benefit from bilingual CVs showing both languages:

ï           Create two separate one-page documents (Hebrew and English), not one two-page bilingual CV

ï           Maintain consistency between versions (same dates, titles, achievements)

ï           Submit both versions together if the job posting is in both languages

ï           In your CV header, you can include "English CV available upon request" in Hebrew or vice versa

Common Translation Mistakes to Avoid:

Literal translations: Hebrew and English have different professional terminology. "Responsible for" (על אחראי) might be better expressed as "managed" (ניהל) or "led" (הוביל) depending on context.

Awkward phrasing: Hebrew professional language has its own conventions. Phrases that sound professional in English may sound strange in Hebrew when directly translated.

Missing context: Some English job titles don't have direct Hebrew equivalents. Add brief explanations in parentheses if needed.

Inconsistent terminology: Stick to standard Hebrew business terms. For example, "Human Resources" is typically "אנוש משאבי" (Mashabei Enosh).

Technology terms: Many tech terms are used in English even in Hebrew CVs (Python, JavaScript, AWS, etc.). Don't translate these technical terms.

Mixing languages improperly: When using English words in Hebrew text, ensure proper punctuation and spacing around them.

Tips for Quality Hebrew CVs:

ï           Have a native Hebrew speaker review your CV, preferably someone in your industry who understands professional terminology

ï           Use standard Hebrew professional vocabulary – research job postings in your field to see common terms

ï           Keep sentences shorter than in English; Hebrew professional writing tends to be more concise

ï           Verify that company names, especially international ones, are spelled as commonly used in Israel

ï           Ensure dates follow Israeli format (typically day.month.year)

ï           Use Israeli Hebrew, not biblical or overly formal language

ï           Include your Hebrew name if you have one (or typical Israeli name equivalent)

Hebrew Name Considerations:

If you plan to work long-term in Israel, consider:

ï           Using a Hebrew version of your name if one exists (Michael → מיכאל, Daniel → דניאל)

ï           Adopting a Hebrew name that's phonetically similar to your original name

ï           Including both names on your CV: "Jonathan (Yonatan) Smith"

ï           Using your original name if there's no good Hebrew equivalent – this is completely acceptable

Resources for Hebrew Translation Verification:

ï           Morfix.co.il: Hebrew-English dictionary with professional terms

ï           Reverso Context: Shows how terms are used in real sentences

ï           LinkedIn Israel: Check how similar positions are described in Hebrew

ï           Israeli job boards: Review Hebrew job postings in your field for standard terminology

ï           Professional associations: Many have glossaries of industry terms in Hebrew

Testing Your Hebrew CV:

Before submitting, verify:

ï           Does it display correctly as a PDF on different devices?

ï           Do all sections align properly right-to-left?

ï           Are English terms (technologies, companies) easily readable within Hebrew text?

ï           Does it look professional and clean, not cluttered?

ï           Have at least two native speakers reviewed it?

ï           Is the formatting consistent throughout?

Remember: A poorly translated Hebrew CV is worse than a professional English CV. If your Hebrew isn't strong enough to verify the quality of a translation, either invest in professional translation or focus on English-speaking positions until your Hebrew improves.

Cover Letters

Cover letters should be concise (half page to one page maximum) and personalized. Israeli employers appreciate directness, so get to the point quickly. Structure:

1.        Opening: State the position and how you heard about it

2.        Why you: Briefly highlight 2-3 key qualifications matching job requirements

3.        Why them: Show you've researched the company; mention specific products, values, or recent news

4.        Connection to Israel: If relevant, mention why you're in Israel or your connection to the country

5.        Closing: Express enthusiasm and availability for interview

Avoid overly formal language. Israeli business culture is generally informal, even in written communication.

Updated on: 01/02/2026