How to Write a CV in Brunei: Format & Guide 2026
Brunei Darussalam is one of Southeast Asia's most distinctive employment markets. Sustained by one of the world's highest per-capita incomes from oil and gas revenues, the Sultanate actively pursues Bruneianisation — its policy of prioritizing Bruneian citizens in public and private sector employment. Understanding this context is essential for both Bruneian nationals navigating a government-heavy market and the international professionals who fill specialized roles.
The Bruneian CV Format
The document is called a CV (Curriculum Vitae) in Brunei for formal applications, and resume is used in some private sector contexts. Standard length is two pages for most professional roles. One page is acceptable for fresh graduates and entry-level positions. Senior executives with extensive international careers may extend to three pages.
CVs in Brunei are written in English for most formal and corporate applications. Malay (Bahasa Melayu) is the official national language and is used in government applications, where the CV should typically be in Malay with an English version available.
Personal Information
Bruneian CVs include detailed personal information following regional Asian professional conventions:
- Full name (as on IC/passport)
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Identity Card number (for Bruneian nationals and permanent residents, for government applications)
- Residential address
- Mobile phone number
- Professional email address
- LinkedIn profile (for corporate and management roles)
- Work permit or immigration status (mandatory for non-Bruneians)
Professional Photo
A professional passport-style photograph is standard and expected on Bruneian CVs. Place it in the upper right corner. Use a formal, professionally taken recent photograph. This is consistent with ASEAN regional hiring conventions.
The Government Sector and Bruneianisation
The Bruneian government is the country's dominant employer, with the civil service accounting for a large share of formal employment. For government roles:
- Apply through the Civil Service Commission (Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Awam) using official application forms
- Academic qualifications from recognized institutions must be certified
- Bruneian citizenship is required for most government positions
- Proficiency in Malay is essential for civil service roles
Bruneianisation policies extend to the private sector, where companies must demonstrate efforts to employ Bruneians before hiring foreign nationals for non-specialist roles.
Education
Brunei's tertiary education system centers on:
- Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD): The main national university
- Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB): Engineering and technology focus
- Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA): Islamic studies and related disciplines
- Institut Teknologi Brunei (ITB): Polytechnic-level technical education
Degrees from UK universities (Brunel, Exeter, Manchester, Nottingham) are widely recognized given Brunei's Commonwealth ties and strong student flow to the UK. Australian, New Zealand, and Malaysian degrees are also familiar to Bruneian employers.
The Oil and Gas Sector
Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) and the oil and gas industry are the largest private sector employers of skilled professionals. For these roles:
- Technical certifications (IWCF, BOSIET, offshore safety training) are required
- Upstream experience from other Southeast Asian or Gulf operations is recognized
- English is the operational language in oil and gas
- HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) performance record should be highlighted
Brunei LNG, BLNG, and related entities also employ specialized technical talent.
Languages
Malay (Bahasa Melayu) is the official national language and is required for government and public sector roles. English is widely used in business, the oil sector, and professional services. For private sector and international company roles, English proficiency is practically essential.
Common CV Mistakes in Brunei
- Not including immigration or work permit status for non-Bruneians
- Submitting only an English CV for government positions where a Malay version is expected
- Missing relevant technical certifications for oil and gas applications
- No professional photo when regional conventions expect one