How to Write a CV in the Marshall Islands: Format & Guide 2026
The Marshall Islands is a Pacific microstate with a small formal labour market centred on government services, fishing industry administration, and support infrastructure for the US military presence at Kwajalein Atoll. The formal economy is heavily subsidised through the Compact of Free Association with the United States, which also gives Marshallese citizens the right to live and work in the US without a visa.
CV Format in the Marshall Islands
The document is called a resume or CV, with resume more common for government and NGO positions. The standard length is one page for most roles; two pages are acceptable for senior government or technical positions. A clean, simple format without elaborate design is appropriate for this market. Documents are typically submitted as a PDF or Word file, often in person or by email to the relevant ministry.
Language of the CV
English is the official language of government and the dominant language of the formal sector in the Marshall Islands. All CVs for professional positions are written in English. Marshallese (Kajin M̧ajeļ) may be listed as a native language in the skills section but is not used as the CV's working language.
Professional Photo
A professional photo is not standard on CVs in the Marshall Islands, which follows American practice. For government and NGO applications, omit the photo. If applying to regional Pacific organisations where photos are more common, you may include one, but it is not expected.
Personal Information
Include: full name, address in Majuro or Ebeye (or US address if applicable), phone number, and email address. Date of birth is optional. For positions requiring security clearance (related to Kwajalein US Army Garrison), citizenship status and background information will be requested separately in formal processes, not on the CV itself.
Education
List education in reverse chronological order. The primary institution in the Marshall Islands is the College of the Marshall Islands (CMI) in Majuro, which offers associate and vocational degrees. The University of the South Pacific (USP) has a presence via distance learning. Many Marshallese professionals hold degrees from the University of Hawaii, Chaminade University Honolulu, or institutions on the US mainland, which are widely recognised by local employers. Degrees from Fiji National University and the University of the South Pacific (Suva) are also recognised regionally.
Work Experience
List experience in reverse chronological order with the job title, employer name, dates, and a brief description of responsibilities. Major employers in the Marshall Islands include the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the Nitijela (Parliament) staff offices, the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA), Air Marshall Islands, the Bank of the Marshall Islands (BOMI), the Marshall Islands Social Security Administration, Kwajalein Range Services (KRS, under the US Army), and the Pacific International, Inc. fishing company. International organisations active in Majuro include UNDP Pacific, the Pacific Community (SPC), and various UN agencies.
Skills and Languages
List technical skills relevant to the role. For languages, indicate English (professional or native) and Marshallese (native). Knowledge of other Pacific languages such as Pohnpeian or Chuukese can be an asset for regional roles. US federal government certification formats are recognised for Kwajalein-related positions.
Key Sectors
The Marshall Islands economy relies primarily on US Compact funding, fishing licence revenues (particularly from tuna), the Kwajalein military installations, and remittances. The largest formal employers are government ministries and agencies, the Kwajalein-related US military and contractor operations, MIMRA (fisheries regulation), the financial sector (Bank of the Marshall Islands), and international development organisations. Climate resilience and infrastructure development are growing areas of employment with support from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
Cover Letter
A cover letter is expected for most formal applications in the Marshall Islands, particularly for government and NGO positions. Keep it to one page, focusing on the specific role, your relevant experience, and your connection to the Marshall Islands community or the Pacific region.
Common CV Mistakes in the Marshall Islands
- CV that is too long: for a small economy with simple role structures, one page is almost always sufficient.
- Missing contact information: include a reliable phone number and email; postal addresses are critical in Majuro.
- Generic objective statements: replace with a brief profile tailored to the specific role.
- Omitting US educational credentials: Marshallese candidates with US degrees should list them prominently.
- Not mentioning Compact-related experience: work experience tied to US federal programmes is highly valued locally.