Europass CV: A Complete Guide for Job Seekers in Europe

Europass CV is among the most popular CV formats across Europe. Unlike others, it is standardised; its structure and layout are fixed, allowing recruiters to easily compare candidates’ qualifications.

However, despite its popularity, this CV format isn’t suitable for everyone. Keep reading to find out when and when not to write a Europass CV and how to make one that makes a great first impression.

What Is a Europass CV?

A Europass CV is a uniform CV format developed by the European Union. It standardises job applications by presenting candidates’ professional backgrounds in a clear, unified way across all countries within the EU.

Available in 31 languages, the Europass CV maker is one of several tools within the Europass framework that allows you to create professional documents for job and study applications, internships, and volunteering opportunities online.

The History and Purpose of Europass

Europass was developed by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union in 2004 as a free lifelong learning and career management service. Its purpose is to facilitate mobility and promote the transparency of competences and qualifications within the European education and job markets.

The Europass online platform was updated in 2020 and is continuously evolving to meet user needs. Besides the Europass CV builder, the platform also offers the following digital tools and resources:

Key Components of the Europass CV Format

The key components of the Europass CV format are:

Besides these, you can also include additional sections in your Europass CV, such as:

When to Use a Europass CV

You should use a Europass CV if the employer requests it. Since this format is designed for international mobility, you can also use it if you’re looking for opportunities to work or study in Europe (e.g., when submitting an Erasmus+ application).

That said, you don’t always need a Europass CV to apply for a job in Europe, as most employers also accept other formats. In fact, unless explicitly asked to attach one, you may be better off using a different format to set yourself apart from other candidates.

Specifically, you also shouldn’t use a Europass CV if you are applying for a:

Countries and Industries Where Europass Is Common

Europass CVs are common across all EEA and EU member states, including Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Lithuania, Portugal, and others. They are also relatively popular in other European countries, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Even though the United Kingdom used to be part of the EU, this CV format isn’t ideal for job seekers in this country because most recruiters aren’t familiar with it. That said, a Europass CV might serve you well if you’re looking to secure a traineeship or a job in an EU institution. It’s also popular among candidates applying for jobs in the public sector and international organisations, as well as those applying to European universities and scholarships.

Pros and Cons of Europass CV

The Europass CV model offers several advantages, such as multilingual support and ATS compatibility. However, it also comes with certain drawbacks you should be aware of before opting for this format.

Let’s examine the pros and cons of the Europass CV in more detail:

With this in mind, let’s find out how you can create your Europass CV.

How to Create a Europass CV: Step-by-Step

To create a Europass CV, visit the Europass online platform and click ‘Create your free Europass profile’. While you can jump straight into crafting your CV, you’ll need to register to access all Europass tools and save your information.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a Europass CV:

#1. Setting Up Your Europass Profile Online

To set up your Europass profile, click ‘Register’ or log in to your account if you already have one.

You create a Europass account by listing your full name, adding your email address, selecting your preferred language, and confirming that you’ve read the privacy statement. Then, you should click ‘Create an account’, check your email to create a password, and log in to the platform.

Once you register an account, you’re ready to create your Europass CV. Click ‘Create my profile’ and follow the instructions to get started.

#2. Personal Information

First, you’ll have to list your personal information. This section contains numerous options: you can include your passport and ID number, work permit information, date and place of birth, sex, nationality, address, etc.

However, the only mandatory fields are those that ask for first and last name. So, if you don’t want to have an ‘About Me’ section in your Europass CV, for example, simply leave it blank.

That said, recruiters won’t be able to reach you if you only include your name. So, a good CV should also contain the following contact information:

#3. Work Experience

Next, you need to fill out the work experience section. Besides paid work, you can also list any internships, apprenticeships, volunteering, and other relevant experiences.

For maximum impact, list all entries in reverse-chronological order. This way, recruiters will see your most recent experiences first. While the instructions indicate that you should describe your entire work history, it’s best to tailor your Europass CV to each job you’re applying for. Only including relevant positions will make your CV ATS-friendly and concise, increasing your chances of landing a job.

#4. Education and Training

Once you’re done with the work experience section, it’s time to detail your educational background.

Here, you can include all types of learning experiences, from university to online courses and beyond. Again, put them in reverse-chronological order to organise your CV neatly.

While you can describe your education in great detail by including your field of study, final grade, thesis, number of credits, etc., this isn’t usually necessary. If you aren’t a recent graduate with limited work experience, it’s enough to list the title of qualification, educational organisation, and attendance years.

#5. Personal Skills

Lastly, you should describe your personal skills. In this section, you can select your mother tongue and include any other languages you know, along with your proficiency level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Besides languages, you can also include other skills and divide them into groups (e.g., digital skills, soft skills, etc.) to create a well-structured Europass CV.

Once you’re done, go to your profile and click ‘Create a CV’. To generate a CV automatically, click ‘Start from your profile’. Then, select a template you like, download your Europass CV, and that’s it!

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating a Europass CV

Three common mistakes to avoid when creating a Europass CV include formatting errors, content issues, and privacy concerns.

Here’s a more detailed overview of these mistakes:

#1. Formatting Errors

Europass CVs have structured templates, so you don’t need to worry about adjusting the margins of your document to ensure it looks neat. However, overloading it with information can affect the formatting, making your CV cluttered and difficult to skim through.

Remember that you don’t have to fill in all sections and fields. If you do, your document will likely end up several pages long. And this is more likely to overwhelm recruiters than impress them.

While this CV format offers little customisation, you can use bolding or other formatting options to highlight certain parts of your Europass CV. But make sure to be consistent; you don’t want to have a haphazard document.

#2. Content Issues

Repetition is, by far, the most common content issue applicants run into when creating Europass CVs. This isn’t surprising, given that the builder sets you up for it; for example, it asks you to list your skills in the dedicated skills section and the work experience section. To avoid this, proofread your CV and remove any redundant information.

Also, don’t follow the Europass builder’s instructions mindlessly. If you’re using this CV for a job application, you don’t have to list your entire skill set, work history, educational background, etc. Instead, tailor the content to the job description. And don’t forget that your achievements are far more impressive than responsibilities, so emphasise them!

#3. Privacy Concerns and What Not to Include

When creating a Europass CV, you’ll be asked to include lots of private information, ranging from your passport number and photo to your date of birth and full address. Most of it, however, isn’t necessary to craft an outstanding CV.

In fact, including sensitive data can result in your application being rejected in some countries. If you’re applying for a job abroad, research the local laws before listing your personal details. Keep in mind that including your nationality, sex, etc., can make you more vulnerable to discrimination.

Europass CV Examples for Different Professions

Here are three Europass CV examples for different professions and experience levels:

Entry-Level Graduate Europass Example

The key to writing a good entry-level graduate Europass CV, such as this one, is highlighting internships and other relevant experiences that can help you make up for limited work experience.

Mid-Career Professional Europass Example

This mid-career professional Europass CV works great because it is tailored to the position, making it relevant and easy to skim, just how recruiters like it.

Technical and Specialised Field Examples

Clear and concise, this technical CV includes industry-specific terms and focuses on relevant skills, work experience, and achievements, presenting the candidate as the perfect fit for the position.

Europass vs. Traditional CV: 4 Key Differences

Europass CVs differ from traditional ones in terms of structure and format, content emphasis and detail level, design flexibility, and employer preferences.

Here’s how:

#1. Structure and Format Comparison

The structure and format of Europass CVs are more rigid than those of traditional ones, which offer the freedom to organise your document the way you like it. Europass CVs, on the other hand, have fixed sections and follow a standardised template that cannot be personalised.

#2. Content Emphasis and Detail Level

Europass CVs are more detailed and descriptive than traditional ones. While you can tailor them to the job description, they typically focus on full qualifications, detailing every aspect of your educational and professional background.

Meanwhile, traditional CVs prioritise relevant information. They are brief and to-the-point, allowing you to highlight the skills, achievements, and experience that make you the ideal candidate for that position specifically.

#3. Design Flexibility and Personal Branding

While traditional CVs offer full customisation and support personal branding, Europass CVs are minimalistic (with regard to design, not content!) and offer few design options.

With Europass, you can only choose from four CV templates, pick a dominant colour for your document, and select one of three text sizes: small, medium, or large. You can also decide whether to add the Europass logo and page numbers or not. This isn’t the case with traditional CVs, which can be fully modified to your liking.

#4. Employer Preferences

Private employers, including those in Europe, tend to favour traditional CVs because they are more concise and less generic. However, Europass CVs are usually preferred in universities, EU institutions, and the public sector.

Our builder comes with 200+ CV template variations and an integrated AI helper, allowing you to create a professionally designed, ATS-friendly document within minutes.

Final Thoughts

The Europass CV was designed as a one-size-fits-all document. While its standardised approach works in certain scenarios, such as when applying for jobs in the public sector, it also strips away individuality, making it suboptimal in most cases.

And let’s be honest: Europass CV templates are a bit behind the times, to put it politely!

So, ideally, you should only use this format if the recruiter requests it or it is recommended in your situation (e.g., if you’re submitting a study abroad application). Otherwise, stick to standard CVs; they pack a punch without overwhelming recruiters with unnecessary detail.

Europass CV FAQ

#1. Can I use a Europass CV in the UK?

While you can use a Europass CV in the UK, it is not recommended because most recruiters aren’t familiar with it. Plus, this format typically contains personal information that goes against the anti-discrimination laws in the UK, such as the candidate’s date of birth, nationality, and sex.

#2. What makes the Europass CV different from other CV formats?

What makes the Europass CV different from other CV formats is its standardised structure. While this format is clear and recognised across the EU, it is also very rigid. In other words, its standardisation comes at the price of personalisation.

#3. Should I include a photo in my Europass CV?

You can include a photo in your Europass CV if you wish, but make sure the country where you’re looking for a job doesn’t have strict discrimination laws. For example, Europass CVs are popular in Ireland, but adding a photo is discouraged and may even get your application rejected.

#4. Is the Europass CV good for students and recent graduates?

The Europass CV is good for students and recent graduates, whether you’re looking to work or study abroad. To make an excellent student CV, remember to emphasise any relevant skills and experiences you have, even if these weren’t paid (e.g., internships, volunteering, etc.).