Which Irish companies actually sponsor work permits?
Search 16,000+ employers from the Irish government's official register, with the real number of permits granted to each in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
26,629 permits granted in 2026 so far
Download the Irish CV format in PDF
Finished two page CVs in the Irish format. Use them as the layout reference, then edit the Word version with your own content.
PDF CV rules for Ireland
The checks worth running before every application.
| Element | What to do |
|---|---|
| File type | Text-based PDF, never a scan or an image export |
| Length | 2 A4 pages (1 page under 3 years of experience) |
| File size | Under 1MB for a text CV |
| File name | Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf |
| Protection | None. No password, no editing restrictions |
| Fonts | Embedded standard fonts: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, Georgia |
| Layout | Single column, no text boxes, tables or sidebars |
| Agencies | Send the .docx instead when a recruiter asks for an editable file |
The same rules apply in the UK. Only the phone code, spelling and right to work wording change.
Export and test your PDF in five minutes
1. Export properly
Word: File, Save as, PDF. Google Docs: File, Download, PDF document. Avoid Print to PDF on systems that rasterise the page, and never export from a design tool as an image.
2. Select the text
Open the PDF and drag across a paragraph. If nothing highlights, the file is a picture and no applicant tracking system can read a word of it.
3. Copy it into plain text
Paste the whole CV into a plain text editor. If sections disappear or the order scrambles, the original layout is fighting the parser, usually because of tables or columns.
4. Check the page breaks
Confirm it is still two pages, no orphan line on page three, and no section heading stranded at the bottom of a page.
5. Name it and send it
Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf. Attach it, and keep the .docx to hand for agencies who ask for an editable version.
Common PDF mistakes
The scanned CV
Printed, signed and scanned. It looks fine to a human and is invisible to every parser. There is no reason to sign a CV in Ireland.
The designer PDF
Exported from Canva or a design tool with a sidebar, icons and a photo. Beautiful, and read out of order or not at all.
The heavy file
A 6MB PDF with embedded images. It stalls in email filters and adds nothing a recruiter wanted to see.
Next steps
See page one of every template before you download, in Word and PDF.
The editable .docx versions, with step by step instructions for editing them safely.
The standard two page layout, section by section, and what to leave out.
Worked examples for graduates, professionals and career changers.
Full worked examples for software, marketing, finance, healthcare and graduate roles, with the exact bullets.
Upload your PDF and see what a parser actually extracts from it.
What clients say about working with us
“Hugo is a friendly and dedicated professional who can help you with career coaching. He was very attentive to me, making calls to teach me strategies to get the perfect job and providing accurate and professional material.”
“I had an amazing experience with HULA Career! Their team provided outstanding support in improving my LinkedIn profile and CV, making them more professional and impactful. Their guidance was clear, personalized, and extremely helpful.”
“I've been a client of HULA Career for a while now, and working with them has been one of the best decisions I've made for my professional growth. From the very beginning, they made me feel seen and heard.”
“I had a very good experience with HULA! Hugo is an amazing professional who always goes beyond to provide the best service he can. I learned a lot from our sessions and would recommend 100% for anyone who needs help finding a new job.”
“HULA met my expectations perfectly. I was looking for guidance to create a standout resume, and they fully understood my needs. The team was extremely attentive and delivered excellent services.”
“They are excellent professionals and exceed expectations. They helped me in a practical way, but also in a psychological way so that I could position myself in the labour market in another country. Thank you so much, you're amazing.”
Not sure your PDF is readable?
Upload it to our free ATS analysis and see exactly what a parser extracts, or book a free consultation for a human read.
Written by
Hugo F
Career coach and co-founder of HULA. He works every week with international professionals hiring into Ireland, the UK and Portugal, and coaches them through CV, LinkedIn, applications and interviews. More about Hugo.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I download the Irish CV format as a PDF?+
On this page. Three ready-made PDF CVs in the Irish two page format, for professional, tech and finance roles. They show the exact layout to copy, and the same templates are available as editable Word files.
Should I send my CV as a PDF in Ireland?+
Yes, for direct applications and company careers sites. A PDF preserves your layout on any device and every modern applicant tracking system reads text-based PDFs. The one exception is recruitment agencies, which often ask for a Word file so they can reformat it onto their letterhead.
Can applicant tracking systems read PDF CVs?+
Text-based PDFs, yes. Image PDFs, no. If you scanned a printed CV, exported from a design tool as an image, or used Print to PDF on some systems, the file is a picture and the parser sees nothing. Open the PDF and try to select the text: if you cannot highlight it, rebuild it.
How do I export a CV to PDF correctly?+
In Word use File, Save as, and choose PDF rather than printing to PDF. In Google Docs use File, Download, PDF document. Both keep the text selectable. Check the page count afterwards, exports sometimes push a stray line onto a third page.
How big should the PDF file be?+
Under 1MB for a two page text CV, and usually far less. A file of several megabytes means images are embedded, which is both an ATS risk and a reason some email filters hold the message.
What should I call the PDF?+
Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf, or include the role for specific applications. The file name shows in the recruiter's downloads folder, so it is part of the first impression.
Should the PDF be password protected or locked?+
No. Protection and editing restrictions stop parsers reading the file and frustrate recruiters. Send a plain, unlocked PDF.