CV in Norwegian or English? How to Choose
One of the first practical questions every expat job-seeker in Norway hits: which language should the CV and søknad be in? The answer is simpler than most forum threads suggest — but the exceptions matter.
The main rule
Apply in the language of the job posting. A Norwegian announcement expects a Norwegian application; an English announcement expects an English one. The posting's language reflects the working language of the team, and the employer is telling you which language they intend to assess you in.
The exceptions
- The posting is in Norwegian, but your Norwegian is not there yet. Applying in English to a Norwegian-language posting is a visible signal that you do not (yet) work in Norwegian. If the role clearly requires Norwegian, an English application rarely survives the first screening. If the role plausibly does not (tech, research, international teams), a clean English application with a note about your Norwegian level and progress can work.
- International companies in Norway. Many list in English and work in English. English application, no hesitation.
- Public sector. Norwegian is almost always the working language, and applications in Norwegian are the expectation.
Do not send a half-translated application
The weakest option is a machine-translated søknad with grammar that immediately reveals nobody proofread it. A recruiter reading broken Norwegian concludes the same thing as when reading English — you do not work in Norwegian yet — but now with a worse impression. Either write proper Norwegian (get it checked), or write proper English and be upfront about your language level.
Be honest about your level
State your Norwegian level plainly on the CV — for example using CEFR levels (A2, B1, B2), which Norwegian employers recognise: "Norwegian: B1, in active training. English: fluent." Overstating your level guarantees an awkward first phone call. Understating it hides real progress. Recruiters value the trajectory: B1-and-climbing is a different signal than a vague "basic Norwegian".
Whichever language you pick, the format is Norwegian
Language and format are separate decisions. An English-language CV for a Norwegian employer still follows Norwegian norms: 1–2 pages, factual tone, tailored to the posting, and formatting that automated screening can read — see the ATS-friendly CV guide. The full format rules are in the Norwegian CV format guide.