CV stands for Curriculum Vitae (Latin for “course of life”). In other words, a CV is a professional document that represents your education, work experience, and academic achievement history.
Nowadays, you’ll be asked to submit a CV almost whenever you apply—for studies, training, a job, or similar. A CV is therefore very important, and if you want to leave a good impression, you should know how to build a good one. If you don’t have a CV yet, or think yours needs an upgrade, follow the steps below to create a strong CV for yourself.
First, find a proper format online. We recommend using the Europass CV format, as it is well-known in Europe, practical, and easy to update anytime.
To use the Europass template, log in or create an account, then build a profile. You can use your profile to create a new CV or upload your old CV and update it.
The usual order of information in a CV is:
Personal & contact information (name, date of birth, email, phone, etc.)
A professional profile photo (only if required)
Job or internship experience, starting from the most recent, including clear information about your duties and employer
Education & professional training, starting from the most recent, mentioning any diplomas or certificates
Personal skills & languages, including proficiency levels
Additional information (e.g., conferences, projects)
References (if required)
While building your CV, describe your experiences clearly, use bullet points for responsibilities, and keep sentences short.
Although Europass is recommended, some applications may require a different template or form, so always follow the specific instructions. For students, a CV should generally not exceed two pages.
Rules vary by country:
Continental Europe: Include
UK: Don’t include
USA: Only if required
Middle East & Africa: Include (except South Africa)
Asia: Include
Australia & New Zealand: Optional
If a photo is required, use a professional profile picture with a white background. Avoid selfies or casual photos. If you don’t have a professional photo, it’s better to leave it out.
Honesty is essential. Never exaggerate or lie about your experience. Academic honesty and sincerity matter most.
Even without work experience, you can create a valuable CV by highlighting personal skills. You can also attach a letter of interest, where you explain your motivation and interest in the position or opportunity.
Your CV should focus on your education and career. Avoid including:
A photo (unless required)
Age or date of birth (unless relevant for scholarships or fellowships)
Sexual orientation, gender, or marital status
Religion or personal beliefs
Other unrelated personal information
Adapt your CV to the specific job or scholarship. Highlight the experiences most relevant to the opportunity. Update your CV whenever you start a new job, finish a course, graduate, or achieve a certificate.
With Europass, you can maintain an updated profile and select only the most relevant information for each application.
Remember, your CV is often the first impression. Follow these steps, create a proper CV, and increase your chances of being invited to an interview.
