How to write a good CV?

In France, most companies (80%) request a hand written application letter. An Indian CV mentions the personal information at the end of the CV instead of at the beginning. And in Germany people sign their CV at the bottom. If you are looking for a job abroad, you should be prepared for these unexpected differences in application procedures between your home country and the host country. Expertise in Labour Mobility can help you prepare for these differences with the practical Looking for work in ... series. Each guide is researched and written with the help of native people and country experts, thus securing the accuracy of the information presented.

All information in this page is based on ELM's Looking for work in... guides!



Job-Hunting in Australia
In a country where class barriers are virtually non-existent, employers are more interested in whether you are able to do the job, than to which school or university you went. Fake behaviour and bragging is not much appreciated in Australia - down-to-earth honesty and straightforwardness are preferred. Employers are more interested in 'the right attitude'. Demonstrating what you have done with your talents is more important than showing what talents you might possibly posses.

Job-hunting in Austria
Arrive at least 15 minutes before the job interview advances in the building. Make sure you are dressed formal; women are advised to wear skirts (not too short!) And men need to wear a suit for their application interview.

Job-hunting in Brazil

Make sure your CV and application letter are both written in Portuguese. Most meetings in Brazil start with a
little bit of small talk and, both in personal as in business life, personal relations are very important.

Job-hunting in Belgium
Language plays an important role in this country. Writing your application letter in French will not gain you any bonus points by a Flemish company!


Job-Hunting in Canada
 The application procedure in Canada is more commercial than in most other Western countries. By consequence both the letter and the resume (Canadians speak about resumes instead of CVs) should contain words that express accomplishment and action. This said, there are some differences within the country itself. In English-speaking Canada applying for a job is very much like in the US: You have to sell yourself. But in the French part of the country it is more formal and a little less direct.

PDF not available yet Job-hunting in China
Get a letter of recommendation from your academic supervisor or employer to positively back-up your capabilities.

Job-hunting in the Czech Republic
The CV is usually chronological, functional CVs - information structured per item - is relatively new, but companies - especially foreign companies - like a biography presented in this format). With regard to your education you should chronologically mention all qualifications and diplomas obtained. Specify exactly when and where (give the name of the University) you have studied what (mention the discipline).

Job-hunting in Cyprus
Be aware of the importance of personal contacts. It is the numebr one methode for employers in Cyprus to recruit people.
   
Job-hunting in Denmark
Start your application letter not with "Dear Mr/Ms X", but write at the beginning "for the attention of Mr/Ms X". You can also put "Reference: personnel manager of XXX" to ensure your letter lands on the right person's desk.

Job-hunting in Estonia
The most successful way of finding a job in Estonia is through job advertisements in both national and local newspapers and through Estionian jobsites.

   
Job-hunting in Finland
The importance Finns attach to interpersonal relations is reflected during the interview. Social skills, communication skills and teamwork abilities are the skills most in demand. Whether or not you fit into the team is more important than your technical competencies.

Job-hunting in France
Application letters to French companies should be hand-written (the only exceptions are to be found in some parts of the IT sector) as graphology is a wide-used selection method (approx. 80% of French employers use it!). It is mainly used to observe the candidate's general education. Specific characteristics might figure as subject of discussion for the further selection procedure.

Job-hunting in Germany
Your CV should be in strict chronological order (Tabellarischen Lebenslauf), with a photo (put your details on the back of the picture) attached with a paper clip to the right above corner. Sign your CV below on the right, next to the place and date in the left hand corner.

Job-hunting in Greece
Networking in a foreign country might sound difficult, but in Greece it will certainly prove its worth and while doing you will probably realise that it is not as difficult as it seemed; within a short period of time you will most likely become part of their "network of recommendations".

Job-hunting in Hungary
Although job advertisements appear in the national and local press, you can best find a job through personal contacts. Use any contacts you (or your university) may have. Friends, family, former professors, anybody you can think of that might be helpful in getting the necessary contacts established with Hungary. Because of the importance of personal contacts you might want to consider an apprenticeship or a period of study in Hungary in advance before starting your job hunt.

Job-hunting in Iceland
A good entrance to the Icelandic job market is through finding a stage.

Job-Hunting in India
Making "cold calls" to the organisations where you would like to work is not uncommon in India. You can call up the company and ask to be connected to the human resource department where you can speak to the HR-manager or recruitment manager in-charge. However, do some research in advance! You never get a second chance to make a first impression! Please note that Indian CVs never include place of birth, race or religion.

Job-hunting in Ireland
Ireland and the UK are often mentioned together, however Irish recruiters focus more on your personal development and pay less attention to results, competencies and competition as British recruiters in general do.

Job-hunting in Italy
Ensure you are dressed fashionable for a job interview. Ladies: make sure you have a handbag that matches your shoes! Gentlemen: wear a tie according to the latest fashion trends! This is not because Italians are fashion victims, but for Italians the way a person is dressed indicates many other things, not in the least whether or not the person is a serious candidate for the job.

PDF not available yet Job-hunting in Japan
A Japanese resume (rirekisho) consists often of standard forms that need to be completed, preferably hand-written. Depending on the job you're applying for, an English resume can be sufficient.

Job-hunting in Latvia
The amount of Internet CV databases and jobsites is growing tremendously and these have proved to be a successful means of finding jobs.

   

Job-hunting in Lithuania
The Lithuanian Labour Exchange (www.ldb.lt) is a state institution which provides free of charge services and information for everyone active on the Lithuanian labour market. This service provides all kinds of information on the Lithuanian labour market. This agency consists of one national and 46 local labour exchanges.

   
Job-hunting in Luxembourg
Due to the large influx of foreign workers there are no strict national rules for CVs in Luxembourg.

Job-Hunting in Malta
The Employment and Training Corporation may be very helpful in finding a job and providing you with detailed inside information on the Maltese labour market. The Maltese government recommends this agency to job seekers.
   
Job-hunting in the Netherlands
Speculative applications are common, it's customary to telephone in advance.

Job-Hunting in New Zealand
It is getting more common in New Zealand to apply for a job through the Internet. However, you should be aware that an electronic resume does not look the same as a standard resume. Write an introduction that contains many keywords. Scanners that are programmed to select specific words notice these keywords.

Job-hunting in Norway
Your CV should start with your personal details, including name, address, date of birth (note that the day, the month and the year are written densely together, without blank spaces or dots in between), your telephone number (with international access code) and your civil status.

Job-hunting in Poland
The national newspaper "Gazeta Wyborcza" carries on Mondays the supplement "Job" with most of the advertisements in English (approx. 400 vacancies very week).

Job-hunting in Portugal
Mention on your CV whether or not you hold a driving license.

Job-hunting in Romania
Please note that degree relevance is important in Romania, i.e. economics students become economists and language students become teachers.

Job-hunting in Russia
Previously, handwritten CVs were common. Nowadays Russian employers expect typewritten CVs of the highest quality. Foreign candidates are no longer seen as the 'best option' as many Russians have been educated abroad and subsequently gained international experience. Expect differences throughout Russia in job hunting methods but one general theme is obvious; you are expected to have a very professional appearance both on paper and in reality if you want to gain a position in this competitive market.

Job-hunting in Singapore
Make sure you know in advance in what currency you will be paid!
   

Job-hunting in Slovakia
Besides newspapers adds, recruitment agencies are a good way of finding jobs.

   

Job-hunting in Slovenia
Slovenian employers consider a good education obtained in a regular educational system very important. Computer and language skills are a clear advantage when looking for a job. Teamwork is also very important in Slovenia, so good interpersonal and teamwork skills are preferred.
   
Job-Hunting in South Africa
South African employers think post-school education is very important. Put stress on relevant courses and education programmes in your resume and application letter.
Job-hunting in Spain
Avoid raising the question of what you are going to earn in the first couple of application interviews. Wait until the company offers the job before you evoke this (not unimportant) issue.

Job-hunting in Sweden
During a public sector job interview usually a trade union representative, working within the particular organisation, is present to ensure everything goes according to the rules.

Job-hunting in Switzerland
Speculative applications and networking are usually successful in Switzerland. If you are applying to an advertisement, telephone in advance to introduce yourself, to ask some relevant questions (prepare the questions in advance; you never get a second chance to make a first impression!) and to show your interest in the company and the job. Make sure your application arrives the next day after your phone call to illustrate your punctuality, a quality highly appreciated by Swiss recruiters.

Job-hunting in Turkey
The key focus of your CV should be to persuade the employer to invite you for an interview. Therefore, your CV
is a marketing tool, which should be adapted to the market in which you intend to use it. Visiting career fairs and
job fairs can help you determine which Turkish companies you would like to work for.


Job-Hunting in United Arab Emirates
Make sure the job you accept is the job you really want. This is of course always important, but particularly in the United Arab Emirates, as there is an UAE law which aims to stop people from job-hopping. This law enables employers to give you a (minimum) six months ban from working in the United Arab Emirates if you resign from a job. If you accept just any job in order to enter the country you are likely to end up doing that job for a longer time than initially planned since resigning often means that you will be banned!

Job-hunting in the United Kingdom
The British are focussed on results, competencies and competition. This is clearly displayed in the format of the British CV in which reached goals, achieved results and hobbies hold a prominent position.

Job-hunting in the United States of America
Instead of a CV write a resume using ‘power words' that show accomplishment and action. Bear in mind that looking for a job in the US is much like selling a product. Accordingly you should present your qualifications, experience and achievements in a manner that is sharp, focussed, upscale and aggressive.

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