How to write a European-style CV

CV & Resume • Europe Guide

How to Write a European-Style CV (2025 Full Guide)

A complete step-by-step guide to writing a professional European-style CV that works in countries like Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Romania and more. Learn structure, format, keywords and mistakes to avoid. Read one section, then click Next to continue.

European CV format for jobs abroad.

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1. What Is a European-Style CV?

A European-style CV is a clean, structured, skills-focused document that presents your professional profile in a way recruiters in Europe are used to. It is usually:

• 1–2 pages long (maximum 2 for most roles)
• Organised in clear sections (Profile, Experience, Education, Skills, etc.)
• Simple, professional and easy to scan quickly

There are two popular models: the official Europass CV (used especially in EU institutions, NGOs and some public roles) and a modern European CV which is more flexible and popular with private companies and recruiters.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to build a European-style CV that can work in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and more – even if you are applying from Africa, Asia or Latin America.

Your CV’s real job is simple: get you the interview. It does not need to tell your whole life story – only the parts that sell you for the job.

2. Standard Structure of a European CV

Most European CVs follow a clear structure similar to this:

1. Personal Details (contact information)
2. Professional Title & Short Profile
3. Work Experience
4. Education & Training
5. Skills (Hard & Soft)
6. Languages
7. Extra Sections (Certificates, Projects, Volunteering, Interests)

Some countries or employers may also expect a photo, but this depends on the country and company culture. In general:

• Germany, France, Spain, Italy – often accept or expect a professional photo.
• Netherlands, UK, Ireland, Nordics – often prefer no photo (to reduce bias).

If you’re unsure, you can prepare two versions of your CV: one with a photo and one without, and use the version that matches the job market you’re targeting.

3. Personal Details & Contact Information (The Right Way)

Your personal details section should be short and professional. Avoid unnecessary personal data that can create bias.

What to Include

• Full name
• Professional title (e.g. “Customer Service Representative”, “Mechanical Technician”, “Care Assistant”)
• Phone number (with country code)
• Professional email address
• City & country (if abroad, write “Willing to relocate to …”)
• Link to LinkedIn profile (optional but powerful)

What to Avoid

• Too many personal details: marital status, religion, number of children (unless locally expected)
• Funny or childish email addresses
• Passport number or ID numbers
• Full physical address (street and house number are usually not needed)

About Photos

If you use a photo, keep it simple and neutral:

• Plain background, good lighting
• Professional or smart-casual clothing
• Face clearly visible, no filters, no sunglasses

Remember: recruiters often look at your CV for less than 10 seconds at first. Make sure they can instantly see who you are and how to contact you.

4. Writing a Strong Professional Profile (Summary)

The professional profile (sometimes called “Summary” or “About Me”) is a short paragraph (3–5 lines) at the top of your CV that tells the recruiter:

• Who you are professionally
• Your key strengths
• What type of job you are targeting

Formula for a Strong European-Style Summary

[Your role] + [years of experience] + [key skills] + [what type of role you want in Europe]

Example 1 – Customer Service

“Customer Service Representative with 4+ years of experience in call centres and retail environments, skilled in handling complaints, CRM systems and cross-selling. Strong communication skills in English and French. Currently seeking a customer-facing role in an international company in Europe.”

Example 2 – Technician

“Mechanical Technician with 6 years of hands-on experience in maintenance, repair and troubleshooting of industrial machines. Strong understanding of safety standards and shift work. Looking for factory or plant technician roles in Germany or Eastern Europe.”

5. Work Experience – European Style

Your work experience is usually the most important section for European recruiters.

How to Structure Each Job

• Job title
• Company name, city & country
• Dates (month/year – month/year or “Present”)
• 3–6 bullet points describing what you actually did and what you achieved

Good Bullet Points Use Action + Result

Try to use the pattern: Action + Tools + Result

Examples:

• “Handled an average of 60+ customer calls per day, resolving enquiries and complaints with 90% satisfaction.”
• “Assisted in the maintenance of production machines, reducing downtime by 15% over 6 months.”
• “Trained 3 new team members on safety procedures and basic machine operation.”

If You Have Gaps or Informal Work

You can still include:

• Family business experience
• Freelance or gig work
• Volunteer roles where you used relevant skills

Use reverse chronological order: put your most recent job on top and go backwards. Recruiters care more about what you did in the last 3–5 years than 10+ years ago.

6. Education & Training (Even If You Don’t Have a Degree)

In Europe, your education section does not need to be long – but it should be clear and honest. The format usually looks like this:

• Qualification / Course name
• Institution name, city & country
• Dates (month/year – month/year)

If You Have a University Degree

• List your most recent or highest degree first.
• No need to include primary school once you have higher education.
• You can include a short note on relevant modules if helpful.

If You Do NOT Have a Degree

You can still build a strong section by including:

• High school or secondary education
• Technical or vocational training
• Short professional courses (caregiving, IT, safety, languages, etc.)
• Online certificates from recognised platforms (if relevant)

For many employers, recent practical training + experience can be more valuable than an old theoretical degree alone. Show that you keep learning.

7. Skills & Languages – Very Important in European CVs

European recruiters pay a lot of attention to your skills and language levels, especially when you’re applying from another country.

Split Your Skills into Two Groups

• Hard skills: technical, job-specific abilities (e.g. forklift driving, MS Excel, welding, SAP, caregiving techniques).
• Soft skills: behaviour and attitude (e.g. teamwork, communication, problem solving, reliability).

Example layout:

• Hard Skills: Customer support (phone & email), Cash handling, MS Office, CRM systems, Basic Excel.
• Soft Skills: Empathy, patience, conflict resolution, time management, ability to work in shifts.

Languages – Use Clear Levels

Europe often uses simple levels like:

• Native
• Fluent
• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Basic

Example:

• English – Advanced
• French – Intermediate
• Serbian / Romanian / German – Basic (learning)

8. Extra Sections That Make Your European CV Stronger

Beyond the core sections, you can add extra blocks that highlight your value – especially useful if you’re young, changing careers or applying from abroad.

Useful Extra Sections

• Certificates & Courses – first aid, caregiving, safety, IT tools, languages.
• Projects – small real projects you completed at work or personally.
• Volunteering – community work, NGO activities, church or youth projects.
• Driving licence – very important in some jobs (e.g. logistics, care, construction).
• Interests – only if they show discipline or social skills (sports, music groups, etc.).

How to Write an Interest Section That Doesn’t Look Childish

Instead of: “Watching movies, music, hanging out with friends.”

Write: “Playing in a local football team, reading personal development books, mentoring younger students.”

Everything on your CV must add value or context. If a section doesn’t help your case, remove it or rewrite it.

9. Formatting Rules & Common Mistakes to Avoid

European-style CVs are usually very clean. Follow these formatting rules:

Formatting Rules

• Use a simple font: Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, etc.
• Font size: 10–12 for text, 14–16 for headings.
• Plenty of white space – don’t crowd the page.
• Consistent bullet style and date format.
• Save and send as PDF unless the employer requests another format.

Common Mistakes That Kill Applications

• Spelling and grammar errors.
• Too long (3–5 pages) when you have less than 10–15 years experience.
• Too many colours, graphics and decorations – looks unprofessional.
• Using one generic CV for every job (no small adjustments).
• Lying about degrees, experience or languages.

Always ask yourself: “Can a busy recruiter understand my profile in 10 seconds if they only skim?” If not, simplify.

10. If You’re a Student or Have Little Experience + Final Checklist

How to Build a European CV with Limited Experience

• Highlight internships, part-time jobs and volunteering.
• Include school or college projects where you used relevant skills.
• Put your Skills, Languages and Courses near the top.
• Show motivation in your profile: willing to learn, relocate, work in teams.

Quick European CV Checklist

• Is it 1–2 pages only?
• Are sections clearly separated and easy to scan?
• Is your contact information professional and up to date?
• Does your summary clearly say what type of role you are targeting?
• Do your bullet points show actions and results, not just duties?
• Are your skills and languages clearly listed and honest?
• Have you removed spelling mistakes and strange formatting?

A strong European-style CV will not automatically guarantee a job – but it will get you noticed and invited to more interviews. Combined with a focused job search, good networking and a solid cover letter, it becomes one of your most powerful tools for entering the European job market.

This guide is for general information only and does not guarantee employment. Always check each job description and local country expectations, then adapt your CV accordingly.

This article is for general information only and does not guarantee a job offer. Always follow each employer’s specific instructions and check local regulations.