How to Write a Europass CV: Template & Example

Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of writing a Europass CV? You’re not alone. Crafting the perfect CV can feel like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions—frustrating and seemingly impossible. That’s why I prepared this Europass CV guide.

In this guide:

• A Europass CV template you can download for free and edit in Word.
• Instructions on how to create a Europass CV online.
• Tips for making your Europass CV stand out from the sea of other candidates.
• The pros and cons of using a Europass CV template.

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What Is the Europass CV?

The Europass CV is a standardized CV format created by the European Union. Its purpose is to make applying for jobs in the EU easier. This format helps employers and schools across Europe easily compare and understand the qualifications of candidates from different countries.

And by CV, I don’t mean an academic CV, but rather a resume. In Europe, the words CV and resume actually mean the same thing.

Europass CV Template

The Europass CV template is available for free on the official Europass website and looks like this:

Get This Template

A finished Europass CV may look something like this:

Europass CV Example

There are four total simple resume templates to choose from on Europass. They also have very limited customizability options with three font sizes and six color choices.

How to Write a Europass CV

The first way is to download the template provided above and fill it out using Microsoft Word.

Or, the second option (the better one, in my opinion) is to go to the official Europass website at europa.eu/europass. Then, sign up for a free account if you don’t already have one. This will allow you to save and edit your CV online.

Once logged in, click “Create a Europass CV” to start the process.

One cool thing is that you don’t necessarily need to create an account to make your Europass CV, but in that case, you can’t save your CV and come back to it later. So, I highly recommend registering and logging in before you start.

If you have any information added to your Europass profile, select “Start From Profile,” which will add this data to your Europass CV. If you’re starting fresh, click on “Create New CV”.

Regardless of how you start, you need to fill out all the remaining fields yourself. Let’s go through each section of your Europass CV:

1. Fill in Your Personal Information

Start by providing your basic personal details to the Europass CV to ensure that potential employers can easily identify and contact you.

• Enter your full name.
• Include your phone number and email address. Make sure these details are current and professional and that you regularly check them.
• Provide your full postal address, including street, city, postal code, and country.
• Specify your nationality.
• Include your date of birth if you feel it is relevant or required for the position you are applying for.
• You might need to include a professional photo, depending on the country and job. Ensure it is recent and presents you professionally. 

Expert Hint: When applying for a job in Europe, always do a quick Google search to find out whether you must include a photo on a resume in the country you’re applying to.

2. Add Your Professional Experience

List your work experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent job. Include job titles, employer names, locations, dates, and descriptions of your achievements.

This Europass CV section highlights your career progression and the skills you have developed through your work experience.

• Start with your most recent job title. This helps recruiters quickly understand your level of experience.
• Provide the name of the company or organization you worked for. Include the city and country where the job was located.
• Specify the start and end dates of your employment (month and year).
• Use bullet points to describe your significant accomplishments. Focus on quantifiable achievements where possible, such as "Increased sales by 20%" or "Managed a team of 10 employees."

Expert Hint: Approximately 24% of people who visit Europass to build their CV are students. If you’re one of them, see our guide on how to write a student CV.

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3. Detail Your Education

Provide information about your education. Your educational background is crucial for employers to assess your qualifications and suitability for the role.

• Mention the degree or certification you earned (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Economics).
• Provide the full name of the educational institution. Include the city and country.
• Specify the start and end dates of your education.
• Highlight any relevant coursework or projects that are applicable to the job you are applying for. This demonstrates your specialized knowledge and skills.

4. List Your Skills

Fill in the skills section, including a mix of hard skills and soft skills. This section allows you to showcase the skills that make you a strong candidate for the position and allows you to target job keywords with ease.

Go for the sweet spot of 8–10 skills on your Europass CV overall.

Expert Hint: If you’re unsure about the differences between the two skill groups, see our guide on hard vs. soft skills.

5. Include Additional Sections

Add any other sections that are relevant to your profession, such as publications, certifications, volunteer work, known languages, and professional memberships.

These sections increase the value of your Europass CV by showcasing your unique experiences and skills, which differentiate you from other candidates. Some sections, like hobbies and interests, can even benefit you as a conversation starter during job interviews.

6. Review and Customize

Review your Europass CV to ensure that all information is accurate and well-presented. Also, you can customize the document’s layout using the provided tools.

I recommend you ask someone to check your Europass CV for you. It can be a friend, partner, or a family member. An additional pair of eyes can help find even the smallest mistakes.

Expert Hint: The Europass website also has an option to create a cover letter. Don’t forget about it, as cover letters are important for a successful job search.

Benefits and Problems of Europass CV

Here are the good and bad sides of Europass CV:

Europass CV—Pros

• The Europass CV uses a standardized format, making it easier for employers to compare candidates from different countries.
• The Europass website offers a step-by-step guide and an online tool that simplifies the process of creating a CV. This makes it accessible even for those who may not be very experienced in resume writing.
• It can be created in multiple languages, which is particularly useful for job seekers looking for opportunities in different European countries. This feature supports mobility and can help bridge language barriers.
• The Europass CV includes sections for a wide range of information, from personal details and education to skills and volunteer work. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of a candidate's qualifications are covered.
• It’s completely free to use, making it accessible to anyone regardless of their financial situation.

Europass CV—Cons

• The standardized format can limit the ability to customize the CV to reflect an individual’s unique style and personality.
• Because the Europass CV is comprehensive, it can become lengthy, potentially including more information than necessary. Employers often prefer concise resumes, so this can be a drawback if not managed properly.
• The Europass CV might be overly detailed and complex for jobs that don’t require detailed information on education and skills. A more straightforward resume format might benefit simpler job applications.
• Updating a comprehensive Europass CV can be time-consuming, particularly if you need to add new sections or adjust existing information frequently.

Is a Europass CV Still Valid?

While the Europass CV is technically still valid, it’s no longer the best option for modern job applications. The rigid, template-based format lacks flexibility and creativity, making it harder to stand out in most industries.

Employers appreciate a CV that feels tailored to the role, and Europass doesn't offer much room for that personal touch. ResumeLab, on the other hand, has no such handicap. Our builder also has some of the best CV templates available on the market. So check us out if you want to step up your CV-writing game.

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Key Points

Here are the most important things to remember from this article:

• The Europass CV uses a standardized format recognized across Europe.
• You can edit your Europass CV using MS Word or directly on the website.
• The Europass CV tool will help you write your application step-by-step.
• Although there are many benefits to using a Europass CV, there are also significant drawbacks. You can eliminate them using a specialized resume or CV builder, such as ResumeLab

That’s the end of this article on writing a Europass CV. Do you have any questions or experiences with writing a Europass CV online? Share them in the comments below.

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