Oman's Ministry of Labour has put a number on 2026: tens of thousands of jobs and training places for citizens, most of them in private companies. For an Omani graduate or job changer, that is real opportunity, but it also means more applicants for every opening. The CV is what moves you from a long list to an interview. This guide covers the 2026 plan, the kinds of roles it creates, and a CV approach built around them.
Oman's 2026 jobs plan at a glance
In January 2026 the Ministry of Labour announced a plan for 60,000 opportunities this year: 10,000 in government, 33,000 in the private sector and 17,000 through national training and qualification programmes (Gulf Business). Another report from the same month described a target of 50,000 private-sector jobs (Oman Observer), so private-sector figures were reported differently by different outlets.
By mid-year, the Ministry reported 34,092 employment and training opportunities created in the first six months of 2026, which it described as 56.82 percent of its annual target (People Matters).
The headline for you: the plan is ahead of schedule, and a big part of it runs through private companies and training routes, not only direct government hiring.
Three routes into private work, and what each wants from your CV
An official quoted in coverage of the plan described private-sector openings in two broad groups: roles where Omanis replace expatriate staff in sectors such as oil and gas, logistics and tourism, and direct hiring or roles supported by wage subsidies and training (Gulf Business). Add the training programmes and you get three routes.
Replacement roles. The employer already has a working job description because someone is doing the job today. Your CV should mirror that description closely: same tools, same tasks, same certificates where you have them. A logistics coordinator vacancy that lists "shipment tracking" and "customs documents" should see those exact phrases in your experience if you have done them.
Subsidised direct hiring. Here the company is taking a chance on you with some support. It wants signs that you will learn fast and stay. Highlight anything you completed: a degree, a diploma, a training course, a long internship.
Training-linked places. These are often for people with little experience. Focus on aptitude: your strongest subjects, practical projects, languages, and any vocational certificate.
Writing each section
Personal details
Full name, "Omani national", wilayat and governorate, phone and email. You do not need visa details, and your civil number can wait until HR asks for documents.
Summary that names a sector
Write three lines that say what you studied or did, what you want and one result. For example: "Diploma in hospitality management from a college in Muscat. Six-month placement at a city hotel front office, handling check-ins for up to 80 guests a day. Seeking a guest relations role in tourism."
Experience with numbers
Even short roles deserve a measurable line. Number of customers, size of a stock count, hours of a course, a target met. Recruiters skim numbers faster than sentences.
Certificates
Oil and gas, logistics and tourism employers value safety and technical certificates. If you hold an H2S, first-aid, forklift or food-safety certificate, list it with the issuing body and year.
Languages
Arabic and English with honest levels. In hotels, logistics firms and many oil-service companies, daily communication is in English.
A sample experience entry, before and after
Before: "Worked in a warehouse. Did inventory and other tasks."
After: "Warehouse assistant, logistics company, Sohar (Jan–Jun 2026). Counted and recorded around 1,200 stock items each month using a handheld scanner. Prepared delivery notes for daily dispatches and reported damaged goods to the supervisor the same day."
The second version names the employer type, the place, the dates, the tool and the volume. A hiring manager filling a logistics replacement role can match it to their job description in seconds. Apply the same method to every role on your CV, even short ones, and keep each entry to two or three lines.
Older rules you may hear about
You may hear people talk about lists of jobs closed to expatriates and limits on companies that miss Omanisation targets. Gulf News has reported measures like these, including a longer list of occupations reserved for Omanis (Gulf News). That report appears to date from 2024, so confirm the current list with the Ministry of Labour before you rely on it.
Five things that weaken an Omani CV
- A photo-heavy, two-page design. Private recruiters prefer a clean single page.
- An objective like "seeking a good opportunity". Name the role and sector.
- Missing dates. Always show month and year for each role and course.
- No contact response. Answer calls promptly. Many first screens happen by phone.
- One CV for every application. Change the summary and skills for each job type.
Preparing for the interview
Private employers taking part in Omanisation programmes want to know you understand the job's daily reality: shift patterns in hotels, site rotations in oil and gas, early starts in logistics. Show that you have thought about it. Prepare a short story about learning a skill quickly and one about working under pressure.
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs is Oman planning in 2026?
The Ministry of Labour's January 2026 plan named 60,000 opportunities: 10,000 government, 33,000 private sector and 17,000 through training programmes. Some reports used a 50,000 private-sector figure.
How far has the plan progressed?
The Ministry reported 34,092 opportunities created in the first half of 2026, or 56.82 percent of the annual target.
Which sectors are mentioned for replacing expatriate staff?
Officials named oil and gas, logistics and tourism among the sectors where Omanis are replacing expatriate workers.
Do I need to list my civil number?
No. Provide it during the HR document stage.
Can I build my CV in Arabic and English?
Yes. The Resume Arab builder lets you enter details once and choose English or Arabic output.
Start your CV
Build a clean, one-page CV for free with the Resume Arab CV builder. New to work? Read our CV guide for freshers first.
Sources last checked: October 2026.