CV TIPS:
Do's and Dont's

Your CV is your face to the world

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In Europe, your CV is not “just a document.” It’s your first interview, your first impression, and often your only chance to be seen. Recruiters don’t read CVs — they scan them. If your profile isn’t clear, structured, and credible within seconds, you’re out. No drama, no second look. The dream job is gone in a matter of seconds. 

A strong CV doesn’t try to impress with length or fancy wording. It communicates value fast, matches how recruiters think, and works both for humans and ATS systems. That’s the game today.

European job markets are competitive, international, and heavily automated so make your CV stand out. 

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• Recruiters handle hundreds of applications per role

• ATS systems filter CVs before a human ever sees them

• Hiring managers expect clarity, not storytelling

• International mobility means standards are high and consistent

If your CV is unclear, outdated, or poorly structured, it doesn’t matter how good you are. You won’t be seen.

 

What European recruiters expect at first glance

Within 10–20 seconds, they want to see:

• Who you are

• What you do

• Your seniority and scope

• Where you are based

• Whether you fit the role

Anything that slows this down works against you. Structure: keep it clean and predictable. European recruiters like clarity and structure. Creativity belongs in portfolios, not CV layouts.

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Your CV should follow a simple, logical flow:

• Header (identity and contact details)

• Short professional summary

• Work experience (reverse chronological)

• Education

• Skills

• Languages

No surprises. No clutter. The header: get the basics right. This sounds obvious, but it’s where many CVs fail.

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You must clearly show:

• Full name

• Job title or professional focus

• Location (city + country)

• Phone number (with country code)

• Professional email address

• LinkedIn profile URL

Why it matters:

• Recruiters often search by location

• Many roles are location-restricted

• Missing contact info kills applications instantly

If a recruiter has to guess where you live or how to contact you, they move on.

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The photo: European standard, not optional

In most European countries, a CV photo is expected.

Rules are simple:

• Clear, professional photo

• Neutral or plain background

• Good lighting

• Face visible, no filters

• No holiday, party, or selfie photos

Why it matters:

• It humanizes your profile

• It builds trust

• It aligns with European norms

A bad photo is worse than no photo. If you’re unsure, fix it. 

 

Professional summary: short and sharp.

This is your positioning statement, not your life story. Keep it to 3–4 lines max.

It should answer:

• Who you are

• Your level of experience

• Your core expertise

• Your value proposition

Example logic:
“Senior Project Manager with 10+ years in large-scale construction projects across Europe and the Middle East. Strong in TCE coordination, budget control, and on-site execution.” No buzzwords. No clichés.

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Work experience: this is where most CVs fail

European recruiters want substance, not volume.

Golden rules:

• Reverse chronological order

• Exact dates (month + year)

• Clear company name and location

• Clear job title

And most importantly:

Max 4 bullet points per job. Not 8. Not 12. Four.

Each bullet should show:

• Scope

• Responsibility

• Impact

Good bullets are concrete and outcome-oriented.

Bad bullet:

• “Responsible for project management”

Good bullet:

• “Managed TCE execution on €30M commercial project, coordinating 12 subcontractors and delivering on schedule”

 

Exact dates matter — a lot

Always include:

• Start month/year

• End month/year

Example:
01/2021 – 09/2024

Why recruiters care:

• Gaps raise questions

• Overlaps need explanation

• Seniority is time-based

Missing dates = uncertainty. Uncertainty = rejection. Career gaps and transitions: don’t hide them. Gaps are not a problem. Poorly explained gaps are.

Handled properly, gaps can show:

• Training

• Freelance work

• Entrepreneurship

• International moves

A well-written CV reframes gaps instead of hiding them.

 

Skills: be selective

Long skill lists don’t impress anyone.

Focus on:

• Hard skills relevant to the role

• Tools, systems, or methodologies

• Industry-specific expertise

Avoid:

• Obvious skills (Microsoft Word, “communication”)

• Soft skills without context

If it doesn’t support your candidacy, remove it.

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Languages: be precise

Europe is multilingual. This matters.

Always include:

• Language

• Level

Use clear levels:

• Native / Bilingual

• Fluent / Professional

• Intermediate

• Basic

Never exaggerate. Recruiters will test it.

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LinkedIn: your CV’s digital twin

Your LinkedIn profile must match your CV.

Why:

• Recruiters check LinkedIn systematically

• Inconsistencies raise red flags

• Strong alignment builds credibility

Your CV gets you noticed. LinkedIn validates you.

 

ATS compatibility: non-negotiable

Modern CVs must work with applicant tracking systems.

This means:

• Clean formatting

• No tables for core content

• Standard headings

• Proper keyword usage

If your CV looks good but doesn’t get parsed, it fails before a human sees it.

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Final truth

A CV is not about you. It’s about how you are perceived.

It’s your face to the market, your personal sales document, and your entry ticket to interviews. In today’s European job market, “good enough” is not enough.

A spot-on CV doesn’t guarantee a job — but a weak one almost guarantees rejection.

If you want to be seen, taken seriously, and invited to interviews, your CV must be clear, credible, and built to perform.